Transforming your Invasive Cattail |
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Did you know much of the cattail you see growing around ponds, wetlands, and lakes throughout Minnesota is actually non-native and invasive? In Minnesota, we have both a native broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia) and an invasive narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia). Unfortunately, these tend to readily hybridize with one another, producing an aggressive hybrid (Typha x glauca). The hybrid has shown to tolerate a greater range of water depths and salinity, allowing it to invade many types of habitat. This is especially evident in the Twin Cities area as well as rural/agricultural wetlands, where it forms vast contiguous mats, or monocultures. This very aggressive behavior of forming large mats is quite effective in choking out native emergent and wetland plant species, like bulrush and a variety of sedges.
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90% of plant-eating insects use native plants to grow and survive. Without their native host plants, many butterflies and other insects cannot survive. Birds and other wildlife use caterpillars and other insects to feed their young. Over the last few years, we have seen major declines in both insect and bird populations due to a variety of factors, especially habitat loss and fragmentation. Rebuilding habitat with native plants is crucial in providing food for caterpillars, which in turn provide food for baby birds; making native plants the foundation of our food webs. |
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Pussytoes
(Antennaria spp.)
# of Larval species- 2
Pussytoes serve as a host plants for 2 species of larval insects, including the American Lady butterfly, which is a specialist of this plant. The adult butterfly is mostly orange, with white spots on black along the edges of the wings. The caterpillars are black with stripes, spots, and prickly bristles. Pussytoes are quite short, reaching heights of just a few inches up to 1 foot and can form a nice groundcover. Its fuzzy spring flowers resemble Q-tips.
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American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) larva on Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)
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Pussytoes are a great groundcover to use in pollinator lawns |
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Pussytoes are named for their tight white flowers that resemble cat paw pads |
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American Lady Adult
(Vanessa virginiensis)
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Our Plants are Growing Fast!
Our first plant sale is just around the corner! Visit our website for more information on all of our Minnesota native plants grown completely pesticide free. Our online ordering starts May 1st and plants can be picked up at our May sale dates. Click here to order online!
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2022 Nursery Hours
10am-4pm
May 13 & 14
May 20 & 21
June 10 & 11
June 24 & 25
July 15 & 16
August 12 & 13
For more information visit:
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Come Visit us!
Retail Nursery Manager Shirley will be at Eden Prairie's Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair on April 30th, 9am- 12pm at Round Lake Park. Click Here for more details. Come ask her questions about native plants! She'll also have a selection of native plants for sale!
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Non-native Species of the Month
Balfour's Touch-Me-Not
(Impatiens balfourii)
Also known as Kashmir balsam, this is a fairly undetected non-native plant in Minnesota that has the potential to become very invasive. It is related to our native impatiens called Jewelweed, but has pink and white flowers. This plant is an annual and when the seed pods mature they explode, sending the seeds far away from the parent plant and expanding the population further. Management strategies include hand pulling and disposing of the flowering and seeding parts of this plant before it matures to viable seed.
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Native Plant of the Month-
Bottlebrush Sedge
(Carex comosa)
Bottlebrush Sedge is a clump-forming plant with short, slender rhizomes. Large tufts of lime-green leaves and flowering stalks appear from the base of the rootstock. The stems are triangular and smooth. The nodding spikelets look bristly (hence, the common name "bottle brush sedge"), because of the prominently toothed seedheads. It is an obligate wetland species and tolerates deeper water than most sedge species. Bottlebrush Sedge thrives in full sun to light shade. It is an excellent plant for use in rain gardens. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl, and the foliage is larval food for butterflies and moths. Another common name is Bristly Sedge.
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We love to read books about our natural world, and want to share our favorites with you! On the last Wednesday of each month we will feature a book discussion and review on our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Here are the next three!
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Watch Tracy and Martina discuss our March book club pick, In Defense of Plants: an Exploration into the Wonder of Plants by Matt Candeias
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Forager Fix
Japanese Knotweed
(Fallopia japonica var. japonica)
This is a very aggressive invasive species that should be removed from the landscape when found. It forms very dense colonies that can be resistant to management techniques due to its prolific and hardy root systems. One great way to control this invasive species is mechanically cutting it, however, they can resprout from those cuttings and make new shoots. To avoid that, take those cuttings inside and eat them! These shoots taste the best when they are young, so harvest them in the spring. They can be used just like asparagus. Make sure you collect them from areas that haven't been sprayed with chemicals.
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Restoration Tip of the Month |
Interested in a native plant restoration project for your property? Don't forget about cost share money. Many municipalities like watershed districts, cities, counties, and even the state offer funds to help put native plants back on our landscape! Your best bet is your local watershed so go check them out! Not sure what watershed you live in? Check out the link below to find yours.
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It All Starts With Healthy Roots! |
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