Aphanostephus skirrhobasis (lazy daisy)

Height: 1-2 feet
Spread: 1-2 feet
Type: Annual
Origin: Grows in many Oklahoma counties and also Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas
Water: dry to medium
Exposure: Full sun
Edible: ?
Medicinal: ?
Companions: Often seen with short grass prairie plants like : Liatris spicata (dotted gayfeather), Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama), and Gaillardia pulchella (indian blanket)

Notes: Aphanostephus skirrhobasis is a long blooming annual often found in sandy hot prairies and disturbed sites. It beautiful white and gold blooms are much like small Ox eye or Shasta daisies but they have a lovely pink to rose shade on the underside of the ray florets. A field of these in bloom is like a sea of stars, it’s nothing short of magical. It’s common name ‘Lazy Daisy’ comes from it’s predilection to wait until midday to open it’s flowers (not an early riser). It is a particularly hardy flower and can thrive in sandy soils with little water. It is known to grow in the grasslands, meadows, pastures, savannahs, and even on the edges of woodlands. In the garden it will grow into a nice low colorful mound of white blossoms. Due to it’s low profile it works well in the front of beds or dotted amongst low growing grasses. Native annuals are often overlooked as alternative to traditional bedding plants but it’s somewhat baffling why this one isn’t grown and appreciated more. Like many annuals, Lazy Daisy is good at self seeding so it can stick around in your beds for many years. If you are looking to attract wildlife then the lazy daisy is also helpful because they have a large amount of crude protein which deer in particular love to browse year round. Thanks and Good Luck!

Posted on 03/06/2015 by Aaron

Rudbeckia fulgida (black eyed susan)

Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 2-2 ½+ feet
Type: Perennial
Origin: Native to central and eastern U.S., including some southern and eastern Oklahoma counties
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Edible: no
Medicinal: no
Companions: Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed), Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), Echinacdea purpurea (purple coneflower)

Notes: Rudbeckia fulgida is the common perennial “black eyed susan” sometimes referred to as “orange coneflower”. It is native to the eastern United States and grows in moist to moderately dry soils in open woods, glades and thickets. It’s dependable profuse display of yellow coneflower blooms make it a somewhat ubiquitous but still very worthy member of any bed. It always performs well in our hot summers and it’s very adaptable to different soil and light situations. The bloom period generally starts in June but deadheading can encourage one or more successive blooms. R. fulgida does spread by rhizomes and will gradually spread but it is easy to divide and control. The divided clumps transplant well, and the blooms make good cut flowers. Plant them en masse as a border or in a cottage, meadow, or a native plant garden setting. Echinacea purpurea is a very nice companion coneflower for R. fulgida. Pollinators, butterflies and other wildlife like R. fulgida.
There are a number of varieties and cultivars of R. fulgida. The most common cultivar is ‘Goldsturm’ which is a very reliable one to go with but there are many others and natural varieties to consider too. The differences between the varieties is fairly subtle and any of the varieties will work well in your landscape and gardens.

Posted on 03/04/2015 by Aaron

Opuntia (prickly pear cactus)

Purple prickly pear. Probably Opuntia macrocentra.

Opuntia (prickly pear) is a large and intriguing but often confusing genus of cactus. There are a number of Opuntias species native to Oklahoma and in general many Opuntias seem to do well here. Their unique form adds a striking contrast to the more common herbaceous and shrubby plantings. Like most of our favorite plants prickly pears are multi use plants that provide beautiful flowers, delicious fruit and attractive appearance. They are very drought tolerant and very low maintenance. We have been collecting various specimens in the area and have a number to choose from although it’s often difficult to discern which species or hybrids we have. Contact us for more information on our current Opuntia availability. Here’s a list of some of the species we’ve had good luck growing.

Opuntia humifusa or macrorhiza at Sutton Wilderness Norman, OK

Opuntia Humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus)
Height: ¾ feet -2 feet
Spread: 3-4 feet
Type: Perennial (Cactus)
Origin: Native to Eastern United States from Massachusetts to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma and Florida
Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Water: Low (heat tolerant)
Edible: ripe fruit edible raw or in jellies, the pads are also edible (watch out for bristles!); however, be careful because the barbed hairs or ‘glochids’ in clusters on the stems can cause severe irritation.
Medicinal: peeled pads are used to poultice wounds, applied the juice to warts, and drank pad tea for lung ailments
Companions : Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Rudbeckia fulgida (black eyed susan), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Baptisia (false indigo), Agastache (anise hyssop)

Notes: The Eastern Prickly Pear is native to much of Oklahoma and is a low growing smallish Opuntia. It produces brilliant (usually) yellow flowers from May through July. Not specifically a desert plant but instead thrives in places where there is water run-off part of the year and hot and dry the rest. Because of this behavior it is often found in rocky outcrops and on bluffs in sandy soil. It’s small size and rugged appearance, and adaptability make it a good choice for many landscaping situations.

Opuntia bloom

Opuntia Macrorhiza (Common Prickly Pear)
Height: ½ foot -1 ½ feet
Spread: ½ foot – 3 feet
Type: Perennial (Cactus)
Origin: From Utah to Kentucky and south to Mexico
Exposure: Sun
Water: Low (heat tolerant)
Edible: ripe fruit edible raw or in jellies or candies, the pads are also edible (watch out for bristles!) raw or cooked
Medicinal: The sap is used for medicinal applications, the prickly pear can also be used as anti-inflammatory medicine or as a laxative. Even more recently it has been used to aid in exercise recovery and to help get rid of hangovers.
Companions: Schyzicarium scoparium (little bluestem), Rudbeckia fulgida (black eyed susan), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Baptisia (false indigo)
Notes: A more arid/western species but closely related to O. humifusa with whom it’s range overlaps in our state. The Common Prickly Pear produces bright usually yellow flowers but white, red, orange and pink flowers are also known to exist. It grows easily in dry sandy soils in full sun. Use much like O. humifusa but less tolerant of wet soils.

Opuntia cacanapa ‘elisiana’. Young specimen mickey mouse.

Opuntia Cacanapa “Ellisiana”
Height: 4 feet- 6 feet
Spread: 3 feet – 6 feet
Type: Perennial (Cactus)
Origin: A spineless selection of Opuntia cacanapa which grows in south Texas and into Mexico. Often mistakenly considered one of Luther Burbank’s famed thornless varieties.
Exposure: Sun
Water: Low (heat tolerant)
Edible: The pads are edible and primarily spineless which makes for easier and safer preparation
Medicinal: much like other prickly pears
Companions: Schyzicarium scoparium (little bluestem), Rudbeckia fulgida (black eyed susan), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Baptisia (false indigo)

Notes: Ellisiana is a relatively big and largely thornless prickly pear that is known to be hardy to at least 7a (most of Oklahoma). The pads have a lovely grayish tinge and the flowers are a bright yellow. Being largely spineless and free of glochids (barbs) Ellisiana may be our best variety for use as edible pads (nopales). Thanks for reading and good luck!

Posted on 02/23/2015 by Aaron

Carya illinoinensis (hardy pecan tree)

Height: 75 feet -100 feet
Spread: 40 feet -70 feet
Type: Large shade tree
Origin: Iowa and Indiana south to Texas and Mexico. Grows in a majority of Oklahoma counties
Exposure: Full sun
Water: Medium to moist
Edible: Pecans are one of the most reliable and abundant nut producing trees in our state. The nuts are full of healthy fats, a good amount of protein, and many vitamins and minterals. They are very high in calories which make them a good survival and self sufficiency food. Pecan pies are hard to beat!
Medicinal: the bark and the leaves are astringent, a decoction of the bark has been used to treat tuberculosis, and the pulverized leaves can be used to treat ringworm
Companions: Chasmanthium latifolium (river oats), Carex albicans (white tinged sedge), Aquillegia Canadensis (colombine), Heuchera, Cercis canadensis (redbud), Amelanchier (serviceberry)

Notes: The pecan tree is the largest of the hickories and is typically found in lowlands where there are rich, moist soils. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, veneer, and charcoal for smokng meats. It is a difficult tree to transplant and is slow growing. Not ideal natural borders but instead great for shade tree and for the delicious nuts it produces. The oddly pinnate leaves are somewhat spread out and therefore provide a nice dappled shade that allows enough light for woodland garden plants. Fall color in good years is a lovely gold or bright yellow. Pecan limbs tend to be susceptible to breakage during storms but overall, given proper sighting, Pecans are a long lived shade tree worthy of any large yard or property.

Posted on 02/22/2015 by Aaron

Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’

Height: 15-25 feet
Spread: 15-25 feet
Type: tree
Origin: Hybrid of two native Amelanchier species: Laevis and Canadensis
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Water: medium
Edible: serviceberries are very similar to blueberries in flavor and appearance. They can be used in pies, jams, and jellies or simply eaten raw. This is truly one of the sweetest and tastiest native fruits.
Medicinal: Native Americans used serviceberry for a variety of different purposes from toothaches to cold remedies and more.
Companions: Quercas (oaks), Celtis occidentalis (hackberry), Chasmanthium latifolium (river oats), Heuchera (coral bells)

Notes: Being a hybrid this particular variety of serviceberry has been cultivated for the best qualities of fruit production, blooms and fall color. The blooms start in April giving way to the fruit in June (they are also called Juneberries.) The leaves on the apple serviceberry are fantastic. In early spring they emerge with bronze tints which change to dark green from summer until fall when they turn a stunning red or orange-red. Serviceberries are under story trees best grown under the dappled shade of a larger tree but given enough moisture and fertile soil they can tolerate some sun. Best to at least provide some afternoon shade and make sure to give adequate water. Once established they can be somewhat drought tolerant but generally like moist soils. If left un-pruned a suckering bushy colony may form but keeping it trimmed into a single or multi-trunked tree form doesn’t require much work. Just prune off suckers as they appear (mainly in spring). This small tree really has all of the qualities which make for a standout edible landscaping plant. Even if you don’t eat the berries the birds and other wildlife really love them too. “Autumn Brilliance” is really a no brainer for most landscapes. Many of the other Amelanchier native species are also good candidates for landscape use.

Posted on 02/17/2015 by Aaron

Valentine Rose Care

It’s that time of year again when love is in the air and the hearts of all turn to one beautiful flowering plant, the rose. It’s fitting that Valentine’s Day marks a good time for the late winter care of roses. Now is the time of year when roses need to be pruned, fertilized and top dressed in anticipation of the coming spring. Roses may seem to be somewhat imposing, but with the proper gear (rose gloves and a sharp good quality pair of pruners) they can actually be fun to work with. Pruning your roses comes down to a few simple steps of reducing the size to a desirable shape, removing dead and diseased canes and opening up the center to allow for better air flow. Roses are susceptible to fungal diseases and proper air circulation will help decrease their chances of catching one of these diseases. The best place to cut is just above an outward facing bud on each cane you wish to keep. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the rose by about 30%, but they can often handle much harsher pruning. It’s also a good idea to rake up any fallen rose leaves around the base of you plants and discard these. If your roses have had any disease problems cleaning up last years leaves will help maintain a better chance for health this season. But it’s not just pruning and clean up that roses need this time of year, they also need to be fed! One simple approach that roses love, is to sprinkle around the base of the plant out to the drip line (to the width of the rose bush) a good organic fertilizer. These days high quality organic fertilizers containing bone meal, blood meal, microbes and mycorrhizal fungi can found at most garden centers and even big box stores. Roses do seem to have a particular affinity for bone meal, alfalfa meal and kelp meal. All of these contain various nutrients and trace minerals that roses like. The phosphorous in bone meal is particularly good at promoting abundant and lovely blooms. After sprinkling your organic fertilizer around the base of your plant, gently cultivate it in with a cultivator or hoe. A top dressing of compost of 1-3 inches on top of this will provide a nice mulch and continue to gently feed the roses for the rest of the season. Some summer pruning may also be needed to keep your roses in good shape. Follow these simple steps and you will have healthy and beautiful roses every year. If you don’t want to tangle with the thorny little beasties yourself, contact us for our expert organic rose care service.

Posted on 02/13/2015 by Aaron

Helianthus tuberosus (jerusalem artichoke, sun roots)

Height: 5-10+ feet
Spread: 2-3+ feet
Type: Perennial
Origin: Native to much of North America, including many counties in Oklahoma
Exposure: Full sun
Water: Moderate to moist but does fine with some drought
Edible: Produces delicious and useful tubers which are called Jerusalem Artichokes or sunchokes and can be eaten raw or cooked. The taste is similar to potatoes but with a sweet nuttiness and a hint of artichokes. Nutritionally the tubers are high in protein, and rich in iron, potassium and a range of B vitamins. There is even a liquor distilled from the tuber.
Medicinal: Jerusalem artichokes have historically been used as a dietary supplement for people suffering from diabetes to reduce blood sugar levels and minimize the need for insulin.
Companions: Panicum virgatum (switch grass), Baptisia, Lespedeza, Desmanthus illinoensis (illinois bundleflower)

Notes: Helianthus Tuberosus is in the sunflower family and the plants resemble bushy sunflowers. The blooms are a very striking and profuse yellow which is quite a display and good at attracting birds and pollinators. There are a number of different varieties and the species has a lot of genetic diversity. The tubers color can be varying shades of red, white, brown and yellow. It may have a tendency to overrun an area when not kept in check but it can be a great addition to either a perennial edible bed or interspersed in a native garden. Works well with native grasses and legumes. Oikos Tree Crops carries a very nice selection of varieties. Success can also be had from planting grocery store bought tubers. Natural food stores often stock them. Any plant that is both edible and native gets top marks from us!

Flower close up with bee

Posted on 02/08/2015 by Aaron

Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower)

“hula dancer” selection of Ech. pallida. Below it is Ech. purpurea “magnus”.

Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 1-1 ½ feet
Type: Perennial
Origin: Eastern United States including most of eastern Oklahoma
Exposure: Full sun to part Shade
Water: Dry to moderate
Edible: As a tincture can be added to beverages etc.
Medicinal: Absolutely. It has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat anything from insect bites to the common cold. Most common to brew a tea or make a tincture from the roots, flowers and leaves.
Companions: Liatris spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Bouteloua gracilis,

Notes: Echinacea is one of our favorite genera of native perennials. All of the Echinacea species are beautiful, tough and useful and there are quite a few that are native to Oklahoma. Pollinators and other wildlife are also fond of Echinacea. Purpurea is the most commonly grown ornamental Echinacea but Pallida is an under appreciated standout of the genus due to it’s elegant pale pink/purple thin reflexed rays that droop down from the stately cone. They are easily grown in dry to moderate soils and excel in full sun. Very adaptable and tolerant of tough conditions, drought and poor soil as well. Commonly called the pale purple coneflower it blooms in June through July and may continue blooming until mid autumn with deadheading. They are best in mass, planted in a drier section of your perennial beds but they can also make nice specimens and work well dotted in and amongst grasses such as Bouteloua gracilis “blue grama” or Schizachyrium scoparium “little bluestem”. Ech. pallida and angustifolia often require a year to get settled and may not bloom the first year you plant them. Best chance to get a first year bloom is plant them as early as possible in spring or do a fall planting. One selection of this species called “hula dancer” is available from High Country Gardens.

Posted on 01/29/2015 by Aaron

Safe and Natural Eco Lawn Care

It’s getting to be that time of year again when everyone seems to have a green lawn. It is not the lush green we associate with summer but rather the artificial green that only means one thing, a spray pre-emergent. Spraying lawn chemicals may seem to provide our lawns a leg up with spring fast approaching, however, we must be careful that we are not doing more harm than good. While lawn chemicals seem to primarily stay on the lawn this is not necessarily true. In a recent study by the Center for Disease Control 100% of the 9,282 of the people nationwide were found to have traces of lawn chemicals in either their blood or urine. The average person in the study had 13 of the 23 chemicals in their system. This is an outrageous concept, and most adults are less susceptible than children. Children are more often playing in the grass, putting their hands in their mouth, and even playing on the carpet (which can contain the chemicals tracked in from outside.) The vapors and chemicals can remain potent for a month or even a year! Not only are there harmful effects for humans but for our ecosystem that we are trying to beautify as well. The chemicals meant to kill pest or weeds may destroy nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that are helping to provide nutrients for our lawns. It may even kill earthworms or other insects that aerate the soil causing it to compact. Along with these effects there are many others. Of the 30 major chemicals used on lawns 23 are detected in groundwater, and runoff causes algal blooms which depletes oxygen levels in water causing lessened aquatic life. Ultimately we can be our lawn’s worst enemy and the effects can be far reaching beyond our capacity to comprehend. However, multiple solutions exist so we do not have to be stuck with this problem.

Our Eco Landsaping lawn treatments provide a chemical free solution that will keep your lawn green and your neighborhood safer. Our basic service utilizes corn gluten meal which acts as a gentle “weed and feed”. We apply this 4 times a year and usually this is enough to keep your lawn looking good. We have a range of other eco friendly services that can be used on an as-needed basis. There are also some maintenance cultural practices that we recommend that will help keep your lawn looking good. We’ll cover that in a future post. Give us a call so we can help you Go green in 2015!

Lawn maintained with Eco practices

Posted on 01/29/2015 by Aaron

Tool Review: WW Mfg. “Hand Hoe”

The feather weight mini pick, or as my coworkers and I call it the “hand hoe”, is a great universal tool made by WW Manufacturing Company. Along with a good pair of pruners, this is one of the must have tools in the Eco Landscaping arsenal. With a weight of only .75 pounds and length of 16 inches this heat-treated all steel hoe is virtually unbreakable but lends itself to easy one-handed use. It is useful in a variety of different capacities and some that may seem somewhat unlikely, stretching from planting and weeding to prying (and even the occasional hammering). Planting four inch pots has never been easier than with the hand hoe. With one swing you have created a small indention you then pull back on the hoe and there’s the hole. With the hand hoe planting goes much faster than with any trowel that I have used. Even for smaller plants, such as plugs, all you have to do is use the smaller end of the hand hoe. Due to its light weight and it’s extreme toughness this is also our go-to tool for weeding. Most other small pick weeding tools we have used have been too heavy for extended use and/or not durable enough for daily professional use. I have also used it pry up smaller rocks and old edging without causing a single bend or dent in my hoe. It has even been used to hammer in stakes. I have never found a garden tool so useful and in over 10 years of Eco use we have yet to break one! Did I mention that WW mfg makes this and all of their high quality tools right here in the U S of A? The “garden state” in fact. I would highly recommend it for beginners or professionals, and with a price tag under $35 it is also cost effective. You can order them directly from the manufacturer.

Eco rating: 9 out of 10

Posted on 01/22/2015 by Aaron

Eco Landscaping

Natural Landscapes for Central Oklahoma since 1998

Author: Aaron