FALL 2003 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4

N EWSLETTER OF THE N ORTH A MERICAN NATIVE P LANT S OCIETY

Native to Know

Indian Grass nutans

by Catherine Macleod

The most breathtaking quality of – one of the most beautiful of native grasses in my opinion – is animation. In even the subtlest of breezes Indian grass, as it’s commonly known, creates a ballet of movement and sound. From dawn to dusk light transforms its majestic foliage and delicate seed heads, recalling the vast tallgrass where it grew and supported the way of life of the Plains First Nations. The plant’s botanical name captures its qualities: the species name nutans comes from the Latin for swaying, while the name Sorghastrum is of Greek origin and means "a poor imitation of sorghum". (Sorghum is a tropical cereal grass to which early European taxonomists no doubt compared Indian grass.) Sorghastrum nutans, a member of the or Gramineae family, grows naturally from one to 2.5 metres high (approximately three to eight feet) almost anywhere – in woodlands, sandy or clay soils. In clay it takes RANTON longer to mature; in sandy soils with less G moisture, it tends to be shorter. Its efficient RIGITTE B fibrous root systems (which make up about two-thirds of the plant’s total biomass) make

Continued on page 12 ILLUSTRATION BY Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

FALL 2003 1 The Blazing Star is... Annual General Meeting

The Blazing Star is published quarterly High attendance, three native plant salesmen, their generous contributions to the cause (April, August, November, February) by a preliminary seed exchange and a lineup of were Bill Killburn, NANPS Secretary for the the North American Native Plant Society wonderful speakers kept this year’s AGM lively. past two years, Erikka Thimm, a native-plant (NANPS). Contact [email protected] for One of the highlights was the presentation photographer and manager of the Cullen editorial deadlines and for advertising of the annual Paul McGaw Conservation Gardens Wildflower Park, Scott Guthrie, a rates. The views expressed herein are those Awards. This year three recipients were teacher and head of NANPS Education of the authors and not necessarily those of honoured. Committee, and Richard Woolger, our NANPS. Carolyn King: for her longstanding devotion resident fern expert. Our thanks and best The North American Native Plant Society to nature and her willingness to share her wishes to you all. is dedicated to the study, conservation, extensive knowledge and passion for it with so There are still a couple of openings on the cultivation and restoration of North many others Board and various NANPS committees. America’s native flora. Mathis Natvik: for his diligence and tireless Please contact [email protected] for details. work in making the Clear Creek Forest a lasting The AGM’s keynote speaker was Henry Fall 2003 haven for rare Carolinian flora and fauna Kock from the University of Guelph’s Volume 4, Issue 4 Save the Oak Ridges Moraine: for their Arboretum. Drawing on his tree-planting exceptional dedication in protecting and experiences in his own garden and many Editor: Irene Fedun preserving one of Southern Ontario's most other places, his visits to amazing projects like Production: Bea Paterson important natural landforms, the Oak Ridges Arbofilia in Costa Rica and his travels to Moraine. ecologically evolved cities like Uppsala, © North American Native Plant Society Sweden, Henry informed and inspired his Images © the photographers and listeners. He made some points worth illustrators, text © the authors. All rights repeating:

HIMM ❋ reserved. T Wilderness can and should exist within the context of our existing settlements. RIKKA E ❋ North American Native Plant Society, In our own backyard woodlands and native plant gardens we must not rule out the need formerly Canadian Wildflower Society, OURTESY C is a registered charitable society, no. for "editing". In other words, remove weeds, 130720824. Donations to the society the invasive non-native species that threaten HOTOGRAPH are tax-deductible in Canada. P the existence of the we planted. ❋ Carolyn King, Mathis Natvik and Debbe Crandall Do not save every plant that germinates. NANPS Membership: CAN$10/year within of STORM. Throw out the weaklings. ❋ Canada, US$10/year outside Canada Trees do not die of disease or insects. They Note that nominations for the 2004 awards must be compromised by pollution, Please make cheques and money orders will be accepted until April 1, 2004. Please drought, heat or shade, or come from poor payable to North American Native Plant visit our website at genetic stock, to succumb to invaders. ❋ Society and mail to P.O. Box 84, Station D, www.nanps.org/about/frame.shtml. Avoid cleaning up leaves in the fall. By Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 4X1. For the first time NANPS gave out a removing them we rob plants of the Telephone: (416) 631-4438. E-mail: Volunteer of the Year award. The winner was decomposition process. It’s the process of [email protected]. Web: www.nanps.org. selected in a random draw from all the decay, not the end product (nutrient), that wonderful people who volunteered for NANPS is important for soil health. Board of Directors: during 2003. As chance would have it, the Henry takes as his inspiration the late Honorary President: James A. French winner was Monica Dennis who contributed Alexander Wilson, a writer passionate in his President: Deborah Dale to Canada Blooms, the plant sale and was the efforts to reintroduce indigenous plants to the Vice President: Darcie McKelvey organizing mind behind the Clear Creek outing. urban landscape. In his book, The Culture of Treasurer: Kathy Edgar The election of the Board of Directors saw Nature: North American Landscape from Secretary: Barb O’Malley a return of familiar faces: Catherine Crockett, Disney to the Exxon Valdez published in July Catherine Crockett Grif Cunningham, Deborah Dale, Tom Du, 1991 by Between the Lines, Alex wrote: Grif Cunningham Kathy Edgar, Irene Fedun, Feng Gao, Darcie "We must build landscapes that heal, Tom Du McKelvey and Cornelius Sommer. New connect, and empower, that make intelligible Irene Fedun recruits include Miriam Henriques, a teacher our relations with each other and with the Martin Field who loves to involve her students in native natural world: places that welcome and enclose, Feng Gao plant gardening and Barb O'Malley of the whose breaks and edges are never without Miriam Henriques Credit Valley Horticultural Society. Donna meaning. Nature parks cannot do this work. Gillian Leitch McGlone, a past president of the Credit Valley We urgently need people living on the land, Donna McGlone Hort Society and former NANPS board caring for it, working out an idea that includes Howard Meadd member, has been coaxed back for another human culture and human livelihood. All of Cornelius Sommer stint. Welcome to all. this calls for a new culture of nature, and it Outgoing board members recognized for cannot come soon enough."

2NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 Sowing the Seed by Andy Fisher students in exchange for spring classes. coming back up through the holes we were Finally, we got a big pile of kraft paper bags cutting in the paper. But soon enough the Nothing much grew in the heavy shade under from Cheryl Nash and Bob Argue, who hold a rocks and plants were in place, our yard was the Norway maple (Acer platanoides) in the native tree sale each spring as part of their starting to look like a woodland and our backyard of my childhood home. When my eco-Perth activities. The bags, which had morning waterings had become a new ritual. wife Jill and I bought our own house, there it been used to transport saplings, would form The walkway was a design challenge (never use was again: a Norway maple on the front lawn, the first layer of lasagne. pea gravel), but finished on a satisfying note with the same thin patches of grass Step 3. We started to panic. We had no idea when another friend offered us the perfect underneath. I decided it was time to naturalize. what was going to go where. I put in an piece of Canadian Shield rock to solve our Having read the list of woodland plants that emergency call to a landscaper friend who grading problem. Neighbourhood kids survived under Lorraine Johnson’s Norway took 15 minutes to spray-paint a design on our showed up with logs they wanted to add. Their maple, I figured it was doable. Jill wasn’t so lawn that included shrubs, rocks, a pathway parents offered us tools and asked lots of sure. We had just moved to Perth, Ontario, a and a stone wall. He would supply the shrubs questions. Passers-by asked about plants in small rural town, and she was concerned about delighted tones. And then the poem showed the neighbourhood response. What’s more, we up. Left anonymously on one of our rocks, it were gardening rookies. This could look really spoke about the virtue of caring for neglected bad. Two years later, we are ready to tell the land. We were thrilled. story of how we did it. Step 5. At this stage our garden is a garden: Step 1. Jill agreed to come to a half-day we poke away at weeding, filling in gaps, ISHER workshop on natural landscaping put on by a F moving plants, replacing plants that didn’t NDY local environmental group, the Rideau River A make it (like wintergreen or Gaultheria Stewards. Before the workshop they had us procumbens), learning from our mistakes. OURTESY send in a picture of our yard. At the workshop C This fall my Dad and I put up a split-rail they presented us with a computer mock-up fence to mark the border between our of what we might do. Even though the garden neighbour’s lawn and the meadow plants now HOTOGRAPH we put in looks different from that mock-up, P growing just beyond the shade of the Norway just seeing it gave us a shot of inspiration and and rocks. We started to breathe again. maple. The 90-year-old man across the road confidence. We took away a few key ideas, like Step 4. Next, a flurry of seat-of-the-pant calls that maple one of the most beautiful using the "lasagne technique" to kill the grass activity. Down went the big paper bags trees he’s ever seen. A serious inquiry from a (see Step 4) and making wet areas by digging (wetted), then wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow couple in town got me onto the idea of out depressions and putting in mossy logs to of manure, then wheelbarrow after organizing native plant gardening work bees. hold the water. We also got a list of native wheelbarrow of mulch – a three-layer lasagne. When I think about the steps we took to plant nurseries. Jill was now completely on We went to our friend’s field and picked out a plant our native garden, I’m reminded of all board. We got stuck into Lorraine’s 100 Easy- number of rocks, then raced home to cut out the wonderful connections we made and to-Grow Native Plants. holes through the lasagne and underlying sod remade in our community, some with people Step 2. We started collecting supplies. First to place the rocks in (otherwise they look too (such as our poem person) we never met. As came a big pile of mulch—made from ice perched). In went the plants: white trilliums someone who often thinks about the storm brush—which we got free from our (Trillium grandiflorum), wild ginger (Asarum enormity of our social and ecological landfill site. Then a road trip to Old Field canadense), barren strawberry (Waldsteinia problems, it was also tremendously Gardens (the first of many) returning with a fragarioides), bloodroot (Sanguinaria heartening to me to be concretely engaged car full of plants. Old Field’s owner, Philip canadensis), foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), with our natural community on this small Fry, had restored a wasted piece of land to maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), scale. Jill and I now feel a special affinity for great beauty and ecological functioning, and bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) and many the plants we see along the forest trail, as we was full of advice. He told us that aged horse others. The fear of disaster kept us both a little tend our garden in town. manure was crucial. So next came a huge on edge and we would argue over things like Perhaps the best way to convey the effect mound of manure, given by one of Jill’s yoga plant spacing and how to stop the grass from growing this garden has had on me is to describe a dream I had last spring. I am back Seed Exchange at my childhood home and instead of that barren piece of ground under the Norway maple there is a beautiful carpet of woodland A fair number of seeds were brought to inspire germination. A list of seeds left over plants. For me, the dream symbolizes old the AGM and sold on the spot. We have a from the January mailout will be published wounds healing and vitality returning. seed exchange insert in this issue of the in the winter issue of the Blazing Star (due newsletter – please ensure that you have out late February) for distribution by early Andy Fisher is a psychotherapist and author of the your order in for this batch of seeds by the April. book Radical Ecopsychology: Psychology in the end of December. Our intent is to mail out seeds by the end of January so that members Note: There are limited quantities of seed Service of Life (www.superaje.com/~afisher). can stratify those that need a cold winter to from some species. First come first served.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 3 Zinkan Island Cove

by Irene Fedun

The "cultivation and restoration of North America’s native flora" are aspects of NANPS mission statement that are well-served by such high-profile events as our Seed Exchange and Plant Sale. The conservation part of our mandate is done behind the scenes, mostly through the purchase of ecologically significant parcels of land. Almost a decade ago NANPS acquired its first unspoiled gem – Shining Tree Woods in Norfolk County – in order to preserve an old- growth moist forest, one of only a handful left EDUN

in southern Ontario. In 2003 NANPS Board F

of Directors chose to preserve another RENE I property, a five-hectare (13-acre) parcel of

Zinkan Island Cove, a provincially designated OURTESY C ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest) on the Bruce Peninsula. HOTOGRAPH The entire ANSI covers 415 hectares (1,025 P acres) of relatively unspoiled land (with a Zinkan Island Cove shoreline and impenetrable forest. great density of rare species) on the west side of the Bruce. NANPS hopes to be in a position in the not-too-distant future to two plants that are unusual on the Bruce October. I was not there in time to see the acquire more properties in order to enlarge Peninsula – larger Canadian St. John’s-wort pretty blooms of gaywings (Polygala its conservation holding. In the meantime, (Hypericum majus) and large-leaved paucifolia) or starflower (Trientalis borealis) the Biosphere Escarpment Conservancy is pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius). The or blue flag (Iris versicolor). Still, it was so busy accumulating funding pledges to protect dominant plants on the shore, which has peaceful and lovely in the secluded cove on this last vestige of Huron shoreline surprisingly lush plant growth, are twig rush a warm fall day. The deep red of high-bush wilderness. (Cladium mariscoides), blue joint grass cranberry leaves (Viburnum trilobum) The parcel belonging to NANPS includes (Calamagrostis canadensis), hard-stemmed contrasted with dark green cedars and 360 metres (almost 1,200 feet) of provincially bulrush (Scirpus acutus), slender sedge (Carex balsams while tiny bursts of flowers – significant shoreline. However, most of our lasiocarpa) and sweet gale (Myrica gale). The smaller fringed gentian (Gentianopsis virgata) property is densely wooded. Balsam fir (Abies shoreline also provides habitat for a pleasant- and harebells (Campanula rotundifolia) – balsamea) is the dominant tree species with smelling orchid known as hooded ladies’ lead the way. quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides), white tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana). cedars (Thuja occidentalis) and white birches Joe Johnson, a local botanist who did the Irene Fedun is the editor of the Blazing Star. (Betula papyrifera) also very common. One plant inventory of Zinkan Island Cove, noted provincially rare species, roundleaf ragwort that the NANPS parcel (Senecio obovatus), was found in the is "in good condition, woodland along with many sedges, mosses, not significantly altered grasses, woody plants, forbs and two species by man". He found of ferns, lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) only six species of biota and spinulose wood fern (Dryopteris not native to the spinulosa). Menzies’ rattlesnake-plantain peninsula, among them (Goodyera oblogifolia), an indigenous white- dandelions (Taraxacum flowered orchid once considered rare in officinale) and an alien Ontario, also grows in the forest. orchid, helleborine The ecologically important shore consists (Epipactis helleborine). of dolostone limestone bedrock, mostly My visit to Zinkan mantled by a thin layer of rubble. It harbours Cove came this

4NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 Shipping News

NANPS members have been busy collecting NANPS, would be stopped or seriously permit" (for which a PPQ form 587 is seeds from their native plant gardens and curtailed due to the prohibitive costs required) or "prohibited except under plant local fields, woodlands and ravines. For involved and the complicated logistics. pest permit" (PPQ form 526) such as some members the annual seed exchange is Each order of seeds – for one packet or "federal noxious weeds" (a list is available on their primary reason for belonging to the 100 – must be issued a phytosanitary the Agriculture department website). For North American Native Plant Society. The certificate by an inspector from the further information visit resurrection of a U.S. regulation, however, Canadian Food Inspection Agency at a cost http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/pla may make the exchange more bureaucratic of approximately $12(CDN) plus the cost of ntproducts/seedweb.html. and more costly – at least when moving the inspection (which ranges around $17 NANPS most active seed collectors are seeds across the border. plus GST). The recipient of the seeds must currently in southwestern Ontario and most In July 1999, the National Plant Board in obtain an import permit from the U.S. of the requests come from this area. As we the United States published a study entitled government and the seeds must pass prefer to send seeds to new homes within Safeguarding American Plant Resources, another inspection after they have crossed 200 kilometres (124 miles) of their place of conducted at the request of the U.S. the border. origin this fits our mandate quite nicely. Department of Agriculture Animal and To ensure that this does not become Still, we encourage members from other Plant Health Inspection Service Plant onerous, NANPS is following the lead of parts of the continent to contribute to the Protection and Quarantine. Among other another group that sends seeds down south, exchange and place orders. NANPS can then things, the study recommended that the U.S. the Ontario Rock Garden Society (ORGS). facilitate the exchange of seeds in distant government begin enforcing a 20-year-old After carefully sorting the seeds and jurisdictions that are in close proximity to regulation that requires seeds (as well as ensuring that any that are mouldy or one another. We simply ask that all members bulbs and live plants) imported into the otherwise questionable have been removed, requisitioning seeds consider the posted United States to be accompanied by a point- ORGS invites an inspector to scrutinize the point of origin when placing their orders. of-origin certificate, certifying that they are seeds. He or she then issues one Special congratulations are due to a new free of pests and pathogens. phytosanitary certificate for the entire lot. It Pennsylvanian member, Nancy Carr, who Enforcement of this rule was to begin in is only possible to do this if the seeds are all recently sent in 147 individual packets of September of 2001, but criticism from the being sent to a "broker", a single recipient in seeds, from Agastache nepetoides (giant Canadian government delayed that until the United States who will distribute them hyssop) to Zizia aurea (golden alexanders). January, 2002. Their complaint lay not with to the buyers once the seeds have passed U.S. Now, all we need are members from the policy which was intended, according to government inspection. (Any volunteers?) Pennsylvania and neighbouring states to a policy statement issued by the Federal In addition to the inspections, the U.S. send in their orders. Register, "to more effectively mitigate the Department of Agriculture has issued a list risk of introduction of foreign plant pests". entitled "Entry Status of Seeds for Planting". With information from the article "Banned in the The concern was that the importation of Some seeds are prohibited such as bamboo USA?" published in the July/August 2002 issue ornamental seeds, especially from small seed and related genera. Others may be "enterable of Horticulture magazine. companies and organizations such as from approved sources under written

Calendar of Events

Please e-mail information about your native plant events to [email protected]. Events with less than six weeks’ notice should be listed directly on the SPECIAL EVENTS portion of our Message Board at www.nanps.org.

January 28, 2004 February 25, 2004 May 11-15, 2004 TORONTO WILDFLOWER SOCIETY MEETING TORONTO WILDFLOWER SOCIETY MEETING BIODIVERSITY AND ARCHIPELAGO II Toronto, Ontario Native woody plant propagator Tom Atkinson CONNECTING MOUNTAIN ISLANDS AND DESERT SEAS Landscape designer Victor Feodorov will is the speaker. See above for location. Tucson,Arizona explore Basic Concepts in Garden Design A conference on the unique natural and at 7:30pm at the Beaches Recreation Centre, March 22-25, 2004 cultural resources of the Madrean Room 4, 6 Williamson Rd. FOURTH SOUTHWESTERN RARE AND Archipelago (aka Sky Island) region of Contact Carolyn King at 416-222-5736 ENDANGERED PLANT CONFERENCE southwestern United States and or e-mail [email protected] for more info. Las Cruces, New Mexico northwestern Mexico. For details see Organizers are in the pre-solicitation process conference website: of collecting the addresses of interested parties. www.madreanconference.com Preliminary information about the conference or email: [email protected]. available at: htt://nmrareplants.unm/edu.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 5 Berries for Birds

by Clement Kent

A few years ago I did a plant survey of my country property on the Ontario side of Lake Huron. I discovered what the birds had known all along. I found over 20 kinds of fruit and berry vines, shrubs and trees in several trips up and down the wild slope facing the lake and in the half-wild garden on the flat clay above. More than 75% are native to this area. The non- natives include pear trees, garden raspberries and strawberries (we also have native varieties), blackberries, European climbing nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) and the invasive alien Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose). ENT Rosa multiflora was introduced in the 19th K century from Asia as a rootstock for flowering LEMENT roses, and later extensively promoted by C government departments for erosion control, OURTESY wildlife cover and food. This vigorous shrub C was already widely distributed when people

realized it was out of control. The multiflora HOTOGRAPH P rose has fragrant clusters of small white Berries of high-bush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) and silky dogwood (Cornus obliqua). flowers in June that give way to small red hips. These are very attractive to birds which carry its seeds far and wide. The seeds may leaves, leading in August to thousands of deep notable for variations in flowers, fruit and sprout immediately or lie dormant in the soil blue-black berries. When they ripen the foliage. A favorite of mine is Viburnum for up to 20 years. The mature plants rapidly vicinity of the trees is crowded with cardinals, trilobum, the cranberry viburnum. The grow into an thorny thicket which (many robins, orioles, catbirds, squirrels and dozens luscious fruit changes from pale yellow scratches and cuts later!) I can testify is very of other species. The bright red stems on through burnt orange to bright red over a hard to remove. After cutting, the plants will which the berries are held remain decorative long period in the summer, and hangs on the resprout from the roots for up to four years. for about a week after the fruit is gobbled bushes well into winter. (A naturalist I spoke One stem may regrow three to five metres (up down. This paragon of fruit production is to said he thought it was more palatable to to 15 feet) in a season. There seem to be no Cornus alternifolia, the alternate-leaved birds after freezing, like the wild grape). This effective biological controls at this time. dogwood. It grows to almost eight metres (25 excellent plant tolerates a wide range of soils Growing on, through and above the feet) in either sun or partial shade and is and full to partial sun. It can grow as tall as multiflora thickets is a welcome native hardy right into USDA zone 3. three metres (10 feet) but can be pruned to a invader, wild grapes (Vitis labrusca). Anyone Of dogwoods my garden has many species. more comfortable size. One of the special who has picked a tempting bunch of these in A wonderful native is Cornus stolonifera, the pleasures it gives me is its flowers which have the fall has tasted the terrifically mouth- red-osier dogwood, which flaunts its deep red the "lacecap" form - a flat cluster of small puckering inedibility of the barely ripe fruit. stems near the beach. The bright colour is fertile flowers surrounded by a showy margin Although birds and squirrels may eat fruit attractive against the snow. Through summer of large white sterile blooms. Viburnums you or I would find unpalatable, it’s it provides a solid green cover and the white make a good native substitute for hydrangeas. interesting to note that wild grapes are like berries of fall appeal to woodpeckers, Many cultivars of Euonymus found in wild apples - after a few frosts the flavour thrashers, thrushes and other birds. nurseries are Asian or European. However, mellows, and by early spring any remaining C. stolonifera (also known as sericea) the gorgeous fall leaf colour of our native on the vine are partly fermented. Birds have occurs across most of North America at the burning bush, Euonymus atropurpurea, has been known to get drunk consuming this "ice edges of lakes, swamps and streams. guaranteed it a place in our gardens. Birds wine on the vine". Adaptable to a wide range of soil and climatic enthusiastically distribute the fruits. But Above the multiflora roses and the grape conditions it is even found in the mountains watch out: some plants sold under this vines stands a small tree with horizontally of Arizona and New Mexico. It is only absent common name will be the Asian E. alata.The spreading branches. In June myriads of small from the southeast and lower midwest states. shade-tolerant groundcover, running whitish flowers are held in clusters above the The viburnums are a large group of shrubs strawberry-bush, E. obovata, has peculiarly

6NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 showy seed capsules. The outer capsule is cardinals, robins, usually orange to purple and pocked, and orioles and other opens to reveal a bright orange fruit. birds to its The Euonymus genus is related to the branches. Its range vigorous native vine American bittersweet extends from (Celastrus scandens). It can be hard to see the Massachusetts and relationship when the white clusters of southern Ontario to bittersweet flowers bloom, but when the seed Florida in the pods open in fall the resemblance becomes south, and west to clear. Be quite sure you plant the native Texas and bittersweet and not the introduced Asian Minnesota. In weed species C. orbiculatus which is Ontario it is ENT becoming a major problem in the U.S. becoming rare in K Continuing with the larger shrubs, I have a the wild – a good LEMENT gold-leafed form of Sambucus canadensis, reason to plant one C which is called elderberry in Canadian texts in your garden. Just OURTESY but American elder in U.S. texts! I planted it don’t plant where C as a screen between our lot and the the berries will fall

neighbour’s and it has obliged by growing onto decks, cars and HOTOGRAPH P three metres (10 feet) tall and as wide in three other precious Viburnum trilobum - the cranberry viburnum or high-bush cranberry years. Another favourite with birds, but we surfaces: they will too can enjoy the purple-black berries as jam leave a stain. or wine. The related red elderberry (S. The most majestic fruiting tree in our heathers - pale pink to white in the best pubens) is a woodland shrub of equal virtues. country garden is the black cherry (Prunus known of the group, snowberry (S. albus). The Amelanchier genus is a large one with serotina) that towers at the top of the slope. A White berries and white flowers often appear many species, hybrids between them, and widespread and common tree of our eastern on the same branch at the same time, as this confusions. I will arbitrarily and patriotically deciduous forests, P. serotina is valued for its shade-tolerant bush can flower through assume that what I planted was A. canadensis. beautiful wood. Our biggest one was struck much of the summer. In the city one often Variously called serviceberry, Juneberry, by lightning and struggles to survive, but still sees them with a large number of the shadblow and a host of other local names, produces its clusters of small fruit each decorative berries, but in the country these various species of these hardy shrubs and summer. I often see waxwings in the tree are quickly gobbled up by kingbirds, grouse, trees are found throughout North America. when the fruit is ripe. wild turkeys and other birds and mammals. An excellent alternative to blueberries if you We also have several small pin cherries Coralberry (S. orbiculatus) which grows in don’t have acid soil, serviceberries were one of (Prunus pensylvanica) whose small fruits upland and bottomland forests in the eastern the main pie and jam plants of settlers. ripen later than P. serotina. Some 30 species of United States and up into Canada is, In our garden the birds get most of them! birds eat the fruit of this tree that reaches only interestingly, one of the most common plants Amelanchiers give three seasons of interest, eight metres (almost nine yards) in height. I in the forests of . Wolfberry or with a profusion of dainty white flowers in avoid choke cherries because in my western snowberry (S. occidentalis) has early spring, berries in summer and often- experience they sucker constantly and make greenish-white berries, an important fall and spectacular leaf colour in fall. Mine is placed life difficult in small gardens. winter food for sharp-tailed grouse on the in front of a large clump of cedars, where the Another suckering plant, but one that I northern . spring bloom and fall blaze are highlighted tolerate for its glorious fall display and I would love to grow buffaloberry, Ribes against the dark evergreens. colourful fuzzy red fruit clusters, is staghorn odoratum, a native of the prairies which is Even though it is a shade-tolerant forest sumach (Rhus typhina). Plant this one where said to be shade-tolerant. It has beautiful tree, my red mulberry (Morus rubra) grows in you need space covered quickly, or plant it in golden fragrant blooms in spring followed by a sunny spot. During its long season of a pot! It will bring less common birds to your clusters of black berries. I have seen the fruiting, there is a constant stream of yard such as red-headed woodpeckers and related west-coast native R. sanguineum brown thrashers. decorating British Columbia gardens and The words snow, woodlands in earliest spring - a spectacular coral and wolf have plant. In eastern North America it may one thing in require some winter protection. common. They’re all I’ve by no means exhausted the list of native berry plants in native berry plants you might grow, but I’ve the genus certainly exhausted the list from my country Symphoricarpos. garden. A very merry berry to you all! Although they are members of the Clement Kent gardens in Toronto and on the honeysuckle family, shores of Lake Huron occasionally finding time By appointment the flowers look like to be vice-president of a computer software the small bells of company.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 7 Tennessee Ecoroof

by Irene Fedun

Cities – where concrete, asphalt and buildings cover 50-80% of the land base – are often viewed as the antithesis of nature. Steven Peck of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a Toronto- based environmental organization, believes .

that the roofs of these buildings offer great NC I

potential for reintroducing nature into hectic ILD W

urban lives. By "greening" roofs we create RO G mini-ecosystems that invite birds, bees,

butterflies and other insects to feed and OURTESY C propagate among healthy plant communities while lowering heating and cooling costs and HOTOGRAPH saving energy. P Europe is well ahead of North America in A view of the ecoroof in June 2003 looking towards downtown Nashville. green-roof construction but exciting things are beginning to happen in our hemisphere. adapted to this harsh environment where in cedar glades, but are native to the region A notable project is the redevelopment of an summer temperatures at the soil surface often and comfortable with the roof’s harsh abandoned slaughterhouse in Nashville, register 10-30 degrees F (5-16 degrees microclimate, were added to the mix: rose Tennessee where landscape architect Eric Celsius) higher than the surrounding forest verbena (Verbena canadensis), the federally Shriner of Pivot Design and Consulting floor (although winter temperatures vary endangered purple prairie grass (Dalea designed a green roof (or ecoroof) little). The thin glade soil is often waterlogged purpurea) and downy phlox (Phlox pilosa) incorporating native plantings. during winter and early spring, then dries out which has Tennessee Special Concern Status. The Neuhoff Meat Packing Plant in north quickly in early summer to almost desert-like Eric anticipates the arrival of other species Nashville was built over a period spanning conditions. dispersed by wind and birds, especially 1906 to 1950 on a rock bluff overlooking A signature plant of this ecosystem is the goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) and the Cumberland River. Operations ceased Tennessee coneflower (Echinacea broomsedge ( virginicus) that are in 1977 and the buildings remained vacant tennesseensis), a perennial with pink or growing on neighbouring rooftops. Since for 25 years. Under the direction of N.E.U. purplish flowers that can appear from late these two species are native to cedar glades Development Corporation, the complex spring into the fall. Classified as endangered they will be allowed to take hold. Only has been redesigned as a mixed-use facility by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (and minimal weeding of invasive aliens is being focusing on arts and ecology. under the Endangered Species Act), the done while the original plants become Eric worked with building designers and Tennessee coneflower was one of 15 species established. Except for this, the species an assembly team that included Mike Berkley chosen for the slaughterhouse rooftop where composition will be allowed to change as of GroWild Inc., a nursery specializing in the the extreme conditions replicate the Nature dictates. To a limited extent it will propagation of southeastern native plants. microclimate of a cedar glade. Other cedar become a successional planting, making it The team installed a 2,600-square-foot green glade representatives planted were: pussytoes lower-maintenance. roof (about 241 square metres) on the two- (Antennaria plantaginifolia), side-oats Critical to the success of the project was storey Triangle Building, one of seven gramma grass (Bouteloua curtipedula), blue the installation of the greenroof system by a buildings that make up the slaughterhouse cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima), love grass German company called Famos, and the complex. (Eragrostis spectabilis), yellow star grass involvement of local roofing and The two-phase project was completed in (Hypoxis hirsuta), false aloe (Manfreda construction experts. First it was determined October 2002 with the planting of 1,200 virginica), prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), that the roof could safely hold 80 pounds per native plants, most of which grow in slender-flowered beardtongue (Penstemon square foot (36 kilograms per .0929 square endangered cedar glades. This ecosystem is tenuiflorus), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium metres). The installation would weigh 18 endemic to a 14-mile (22-kilometre) area in albidium), Tennessee milk vetch or Astragalus pounds (eight kilograms) per square foot central Tennessee that is slowly being tennesseensis which has been given Special saturated. The roof itself was sound, consumed by changing land-use patterns. Concern Status in its home state, and one requiring only minor repairs to the parapet Cedar glades are characterized by an annual plant, lime stonecrop or Sedum wall and coping. In the first phase of the extreme microclimate and shallow nutrient- pulchellum. This sedum, which flowers in late project in June 2002 the existing roof was poor soil with a limestone base. They are winter/early spring then shrivels up by early removed down to the concrete deck and a named for the red cedars (Juniperus summer, had been observed growing on base layer system of waterproofing and virginiana) that are a dominant feature of this other rooftops of the Neuhoff complex. insulation put in. landscape. Few other plant species are Three additional plants which do not grow In October the crew installed the final

8NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 specialized membrane which consists of a The planting survived one of the coldest modified bitumen with a copper foil and wettest winters on record with almost sandwiched inside and hydrogel crystals held zero mortality. Now the wet summer has on the surface by an open-weave polyester minimized the need to irrigate (garden- .

fabric. (The copper foil prevents roots from NC sprinkler irrigation was planned for the first I penetrating the membrane and the hydrogel ILD couple of years only during extended hot and W improves drought resistance.) RO dry spells). The plants are thriving, and G The planting medium (40% pine bark, complete coverage of the roof is expected by

30% peat, 15% perlite and 15% vermiculite) OURTESY next summer. C was spread over the membrane in a five-inch Eric is pleased that "architecture is being layer (approximately 13 centimetres deep). used as a means of promoting conservation HOTOGRAPH The light friable quality of this soil mix P ecology, reversing the traditional relationship allowed the crew to plant in the rain without Yellow star grass (Hypoxis hirsuta) in August 2003. between urban and natural environments". fear of compaction. The innovative Neuhoff plant ecoroof is not The plants – in four-inch (10-cm) pots, made from shredded alder was placed over only reintroducing nature into a city, but plugs and bare root liners – were treated with the planting to prevent high winds (especially providing a model for green roofs and native a micorrhyzal root-growth inoculant to remnants of hurricanes) from sweeping away plant gardens everywhere. encourage nutrient uptake and ensure strong the soil mix and to help retain moisture as the roots. A biodegradable erosion control fabric plants become established.

Species at Risk Act species in total) were on the List of Wildlife listed extirpated species if a recovery Species at Risk when Phase II came into effect strategy has recommended its by Nat Iwanycki on June 5, 2003. For all species assessed after reintroduction into the wild in Canada. that date, COSEWIC will provide the For all extirpated, endangered and Until December, 2002 there was no federal Minister of the Environment and the newly threatened species on the List immediate law in place in Canada to ensure the survival formed Canadian Endangered Species protection will be awarded only if they are of our wild species and protection of our Council with their species assessment report. on federal lands. For all other species, the natural heritage. The Species at Risk Act (also The final listing of a species is up to the provinces and territories are given the first known as SARA or Bill C-5) is intended to Minister but, if he or she has made no opportunity to protect them through their fill the void. The legislation is long overdue decision within nine months the species will laws. If no action is taken, federal protection considering that our neighbours in the be automatically listed. Assessments made by will be provided through a ‘safety net’ United States have had a legally binding COSEWIC, as well as responses from the process in which the Governor in Council Endangered Species Act since 1978. Minister, are published in the Public Registry can order that the prohibitions apply in a SARA was designed to come into force in established through the SARA process. province or territory. three phases. Phase I came into effect in It is now mandatory to prepare recovery ‘Critical habitat’ must be identified within March, 2003, and included amendments strategies and action plans for endangered recovery strategies for every species and will made to other federal laws including the Wild and threatened species, and management be protected once Phase III is in effect. The Animal and Plant Regulation of International plans for species of special concern. These Act will promote and enable funding for and Interprovincial Trade Act. Since June the will be drawn up in partnership with the voluntary conservation activities and second phase, which involved passing sections provincial and territorial governments and conservation agreements to protect species of the law that promote the protection of all interested parties. and critical habitats. Species at Risk (SAR) through collaborative The last sections of the Act, mainly the Enforcement of the law also comes into efforts, has been in place. A highlight of this prohibitions and enforcement, will come play in June, 2004, setting penalties of up to phase: the Committee on the Status of into effect on June 1st, 2004. According to $1,000,000 for offences committed by Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC) Sections 32 and 33 it will be illegal to: corporations and up to $250,000 for non- was legally constituted, continuing the work it • kill, harm, harass, capture or take an profit corporations and individuals. has done since 1978 but now following the individual of a listed endangered, I have high hopes that we will witness in framework for listing SAR. threatened or extirpated species; the coming years the successful recovery of How does a native plant get listed and • possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an many of our species in peril. receive legal protection? COSEWIC assesses individual of a listed endangered, and classifies all species as either extinct, threatened or extirpated species; Natalka Iwanycki is a Terrestrial Biologist with the extirpated, endangered, threatened, special • damage or destroy the residence of one Toronto and Region Conservation Authority . concern, data deficient, or not at risk. It or more individuals of a listed Visit www.sararegistry.com for more information should be noted that 92 species of plants (233 endangered or threatened species, or a on SARA.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 9 Medicine Wheel Garden

by Anna Marie Cipriani undergraduate work at the University of consultants who noted that their ancestors used Waterloo. The design reflects the philosophy many plants introduced by the settlers). The Nature has provided us with medicines for and honours the beliefs of the Anishnawbe or plants had to flourish in dry sandy soils and full centuries. North American aboriginal peoples native peoples of Canada. This was sun, have medicinal properties and be easily knew this only too well, reyling on a wealth of particularly important to Jean since the land contained. The garden was to fit upon a plot of plants to cure their ailments. Nutritionist Dr. upon which her ancestors built their land that measured 7.6 metres (6.3 yards) x 7.6 Jean Steckle also recognized the value of farmstead was granted to the family by Joseph metres. It had to be wheelchair-accessible. herbal remedies and decided to incorporate a Brant of the Six Nations. The plants are arranged by height with medicinal teaching garden into her heritage The concept of the Medicine Wheel taller species near the centre of the circle. homestead site. originated in the Ojibway culture but was They are distributed according to bloom time Dr. Steckle set out to preserve a parcel of adopted by other Anishnawbe Nations, with and colour thus providing balance in the land that had been in her family since 1833 as its structure varying from one Nation to garden. The four parts of the garden are a centre for agricultural, educational and another. Simply described, the Medicine divided by pathways of stones in four recreational programs for families in the Wheel is a circle divided into four parts by different colours to represent the races: red, Waterloo Region, Ontario. In 1983 the City of straight lines drawn through the centre and yellow, black and white. Of course as people Kitchener designated just over four hectares extending to the edge of the circle. The circle walk along the paths the stones shift and mix (10.2 acres) as a heritage property under the represents "the whole" and the four elements with one another, but this merely underlines Ontario Heritage Act, and five years later Dr. are required to maintain it. For the Medicine the principle upon which Jean Steckle based Steckle established a non-profit corporation, Wheel Garden I used the Iroquoian cultural her heritage homestead – that all races should the J. Steckle Heritage Homestead. The centre interpretation that centers on human intermingle and live in harmony. offers the Agriventure Farm Camp, the Pizza creation and development, and the belief that The chosen plants were all harvested by Garden Project, a xeriscaping garden, a balance is the key to human existence. In native peoples for their healing properties or ceremonial significance – the roots of prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) were often chewed or made into tea to treat diarrhea and stomachaches, beebalm (Monarda didyma) was used on everything from gas and colic to heart trouble and measles, and sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) was burned as incense during ceremonies but could also be drunk as a medicinal tea. Some species that I included in the initial design were not planted because they were unavailable. Seneca snakeroot (Polygala senega) was left out of the final picture even though it was important to native medicine. The Seneca of the Iroquoian Confederacy (and other First Nations) believed it to be an antidote for rattlesnake bites and used it as a diuretic and AMB L expectorant. In Europe today it is still used as ARRY L an ingredient for cough remedies. Most of the 30 odd species planted in the OURTESY C Medicine Wheel Garden have flourished. "Some things are doing almost too well," says

HOTOGRAPH Larry Lamb, my academic supervisor and P founding member of the Canadian The J. Steckle Heritage Homestead Medicine Wheel Garden. Wildflower Society (which has metamorphosed into NANPS). Larry riparian wetland garden and other many Aboriginal philosophies life comes in enumerates the plants that are thriving: educational opportunities for schools, cycles of four: seasons, human races, stages of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), mountain community, church and family groups and life, elements of creation, times of day, even mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), wild youth. sacred plants (tobacco, cedar, sage and bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), blanketflower To this rich heritage experience Jean sweetgrass). (Gaillardia), hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) Steckle wanted to add a garden that would The garden had to meet certain criteria. The and wormwood (Artemesia sp.) to name a few. teach visitors about native plants and selected plant species had to be native to He recommends that the design be revisited Aboriginal culture. In 1997 I designed the Canada before European settlement (this with a view to limiting some of the dominant medicinal teaching garden as part of my prompted criticisms from the Anishnawbe plants. Those that did not do as well, such as

10 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 Members’ Questions and Comments

the two fleabanes, Robin’s and common I am concerned about the 15-year-old young will help open up the canopy and (Erigeron pulchellus and Erigeron red oak (Quercus rubra) in my front prevent trucks and other vehicles from philadelphicus) or Indian tobacco (Lobelia yard. Three years ago I removed my breaking the branches when they pass. A inflata) could then be reintroduced. front lawn and replaced it with a deep-root fertilization with a chelated iron Undergraduate students from Larry’s woodland garden. My tree seems to fertilizer in either spring or fall will help the Environmental Studies courses have done have experienced a decline since then. tree recover. Should the aphids reoccur next some weeding and thinning of plants since Aphids are present on the underside of spring and become a major problem they the homestead’s staff was too small to tackle the leaves and everything below is can be sprayed with an insecticidal soap. the chore. But now that a native gardener has coated in honeydew. The tree seems to been hired, Larry’s recommendations can be be suffering from die-back and there is Ken Lund of Four Seasons Tree implemented fully. some leaf spotting. My secondary Care Adds: The J. Steckle Heritage Homestead problem is damage to my woodland The oak has substantial shoot growth, an Medicine Wheel Garden was one of the first understorey from the sooty mould that indication of overall vigour. In addition to such gardens in Canada but many others results. the aphids, there might have been a bit of have sprung up since. This is what Dr. Steckle, - Kathy Edgar, Toronto, Ontario anthracnose*, but nothing severe. The tree who passed away last January, would have is growing in a confined area with very little wanted. She believed that Nature was one of Two arborists visited Kathy soil to exploit for moisture so watering our greatest teachers, if only we would look Edgar’s garden and offered these becomes even more critical. and listen. suggestions: The aphids on this tree are more of a nuisance than a threat to its health. Anna Marie Cipriani is a graduate of the Lewis Arnold of Shady Lane Ladybugs are good at controlling aphid University of Waterloo Environmental and Tree Care: infestations and can be introduced into the Resource Studies program. She currently works The oak is basically healthy although it garden. Also maintaining a layer of mulch for the City of Waterloo. Community likely did suffer an aphid infestation (leaving most of the oak leaves where they environmental education is her favourite part of resulting in the sticky residue and black fall instead of chopping them all up) the job. sooty mould. Since aphids are at the end of provides habitat for overwintering their life cycle in the ladybugs. The mulch should be no more fall it is not worth than seven centimeters (three inches) deep For an exceptional experience visit treating them now. and away from the trunk. The infestation was probably brought Wildflower Farm on by stress caused Comments on "Black Gum" Plant to by our recent Know article from previous issue: drought and the root disturbance In my experience some tree species that that occurred prefer acid soil can survive my clay during the removal neutral/alkaline soil given an occasional of the lawn. It is dose of chelated iron. This seems to We are open 7 days a week 10 am - 5 pm vitally important to correct the chlorosis in newly from May 1st thru Thanksgiving Day keep trees watered transplanted plants. Chelation makes Bring this ad and receive during dry periods. iron available without lowering the pH. a 10% discount on plants! There was also - Clement Kent, Toronto, Ontario some chlorosis Our natural landscaping services include (yellowing) of the Author Tom Atkinson Responds: consultation, design & complete installation leaves. This can be For whatever reason, perhaps for wildflower gardens, meadows, prairies overcome by leaving stubbornness, I am loathe to get into things & low maintenance lawns. the leaves where like chelated iron or sulphur to acidify soil. I they fall to keep the try to get oak leaves each autumn for my Visit us online for the most extensive soil moist and the several acidified beds. pH low, as well as native plant & seed catalogue on the web. adding other acidic organic matter. www.wildflowerfarm.com Pruning out the dead wood and Call Toll free: 1 866 GRO WILD (1 866 476 9453) some of the lower Rural Route 3, Schomberg, On L0G 1T0 limbs while they are “Landscaping in Partnership with Nature” * Anthracnose is a fungal disease where moist sunken spots appear on the leaves with fruiting bodies in the centre.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003 11 Continued from page 1 plantings and great for prairie restoration sedges and wildflowers such as black-eyed and erosion control. S. nutans is also being Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), wild bergamot Indian grass especially drought-resistant. hailed as one of the top native grasses for the (Monarda fistulosa) and butterfly milkweed Reaching depths of two metres (seven feet), it ornamental garden, in mass plantings or as a (Asclepias tuberosa) - with grazing bison and was these root systems that helped build the single dramatic specimen. elk herds, plains wolves, grizzly bears, rich soils of the over Native to Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, butterflies, bumblebees, ducks, geese and red- thousands of years. south through New England to Florida, west winged blackbirds. Today, what remains of Indian grass grows in lateral shoots from to Texas and back north to North Dakota, this the tallgrass prairie is home to ground- its base, keeping this upright plant compact. splendid grass faces an uncertain future. nesting birds and butterflies. Seeds are borne on Agriculture and By planting Sorghastrum nutans and its golden plume-like other human ecological counterparts in our gardens we seed heads called activities have create tiny bits of prairie where birds and panicles. What we reduced its natural insects can once again find food and refuge. call the flower is range from over a actually a complex million square Catherine Macleod is a writer based in Kincardine, group of kilometres Ontario. With her horticulturist and photographer RANTON G structures, (400,000 square husband, Martin Quinn, Catherine co-authored arranged in

RIGITTE miles) to one Grass Scapes: Gardening with Hardy Ornamental B clusters on a stem. percent of the Grasses, published this year by Whitecap Books, In grass terminology magnificent original. Pockets of tallgrass Vancouver, British Columbia. Email this arrangement is called an inflorescence. prairie, where Sorghastrum nutans thrives, [email protected] or visit ILLUSTRATION BY The multi-branched and very open flower of still exist in the Flint Hills of Kansas, the martinquinn.com. S. nutans is made up of delicate stemmed Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma, the , consisting of a central axis – or Living Prairie Museum in Winnipeg, rachlis – and florets. Manitoba, the Walpole Island First Nation The stems or culms of Sorghastrum nutans near Wallaceburg, Ontario, Norfolk Sand Thank you are herbaceous, hollow and cylindrical. Each Plain in Brantford, Ontario and a few other leaf is composed of three parts – a vertical locales. A heartfelt thanks to our new sustaining members – Janice McKean and Art Wiebe sheath, which grows from a node and wraps North America’s native peoples wove of Tiverton, Ontario and Nancy & John around the stem, a ligule (a protective Indian grass into baskets and mats and dyed McFadyen of Toronto – and to all members membrane of thin hairs at the juncture of the and threaded it with beads, bark and quills who have made donations to keep our sheath), and a blade, the part of the leaf above for ornament. They shared the "sea of grass" - organization humming along. the sheath. The ligule, which on Indian grass the tallgrass prairie that is a mix of grasses, looks like a couple of erect pointed lobes, helps identify the plant even when it is not in flower. JOIN NANPS The blades of S. nutans are usually open and narrow with parallel veins and a large Your donations and membership dollars help NANPS to study, conserve, cultivate and restore North America's native flora. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, the Blazing Star, and are median vein called a midrib. The leaves range eligible for NANPS-sponsored excursions and the Seed Exchange. NANPS is a registered from six to12 millimetres (1/4 to 1/2 inch) charitable organization (no. 130720824) founded in 1984. Donations over $10.00 to the Society wide and 20-30 centimetres (eight to 12 are tax-creditable in Canada. inches) long. Foliage colour is generally light to medium ___ $10 / 1 calendar year (Jan.–Dec.) green, but can vary from gray-green to almost ___ $20 / 2 years blue. Also known as gold beard grass, Indian ___ $30 / 3 years ( ___ send me a free copy of Growing Canada’s Floral Emblems grass flowers mature from the bright yellows as a bonus for my 3-year membership) of summer to dramatic bronzes in autumn. ___ $250 Sustaining Membership (includes a Canadian tax credit for $150 The unusual way grass grows contributes and a 10-year membership) to its survival. Most plants grow from the tips NAME: ______of their leaves and branches. Grasses have two ADDRESS: ______distinct growing points – at the base of each ______leaf and just above each growth node on the PHONE: ______stem. This growth pattern means that grass FAX: ______can keep on growing even after cutting, EMAIL: ______

cropping by animals or fire. Please make cheque payable to the NANPS and mail to Box 84, Station D, A clumping warm-season grass, Indian Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 4X1. For info, call (416) 631-4438; e-mail [email protected]. grass is a slow steady grower, ideal in mass

12 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2003