Staunton Green 2020

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Ken Kesson, a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and one of seven panelists from SG2020’s forum titled Dawn of a New Urban Landscape – The Natives Return, recommends the following species for a butterfly garden and also lists some short native grasses homeowners in Staunton, VA may want to plant in their yards.

Forbs:
Columbine
Sullivant’s Milkweed
Butterfly Weed
Crooked Stem Aster
Tall Joe Pye Weed
Sweet Joe Pye Weed
Prairie Blazingstar
Dense Blazing Star
Beramot
Downy Phlox
Ohio Goldenrod
Ironweed
Grasses:
Prairie Dropseed

For short grass prairies:
Grasses:
Blue Eyed Grass
June  Grass
Side Oats Grama
Little Blue Stem
Prairie Dropseed
Ivory Sedge

Forbs:
Nodding Pink Onion
Heath Aster
Crooked Stem Aster
Cream False Indigo
Purple Prairie Clover
Mistflower
Violet Wood Sorel
Broad Leaved Penstemon
Showy Goldenrod
Prairie Spiderwort
Wild Petunia
Prairie Smoke
Western Spiderwort

Here’s another guide about butterfly gardening that may be helpful for you, too.

Mark your calendar…
Dawn of a New Urban Landscape — The Natives Return
7 p.m, April 21, City Hall, Council Chambers

…and by “grass” we mean exactly that: the green vegetation in your yard right now that is a hassle to maintain. Wouldn’t it be better if your grassy yard actually did more to benefit the environment?

It can, and, SG2020 will be exploring the issue in depth starting this January. As you may know, switchgrass is an alternative fuel source that can grow right here.

We’d like you to be involved. Send us your thoughts and ideas for this series of events.

• What would you like to know about switchgrass?
• Do you have suggestions about public or private places in Staunton to grow it?
• Would you be willing to allow us to replant your yard next Spring as an example?
• What other topics would be of interest for us to explore together?

Drop us an email (stauntongreen2020 ~at~ gmail.com) or leave a comment here or at Facebook.

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