How to Find Native Plants
by Heather McCargo
Finding native plants to purchase can be challenging for native species enthusiasts. Small local growers of nursery stock have nearly disappeared, and today many nurseries purchase plants that have been […]
Hellstrip Plantings: Creating habitat in the space between the sidewalk and the curb
by Heather McCargo
Urban environments are dominated by pavement, the bane of most living things. One area ripe for community greening is the hellstrip—the narrow space between the sidewalk and street curb. Sometimes […]
Creating Canopy: Plant a Native Tree for a Greener Future
by Heather McCargo
Planting a native tree is a powerful act that directly benefits local wildlife, moderates ground temperature, and helps remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the dawn of agriculture, people […]
Invasive Plants and Maine’s Ecological Puzzle
by Gary Fish
What do plants like ‘Crimson King’ Norway maple, burning bush and barberry have in common? They are long-standing favorites in urban and suburban landscapes; they grow easily and they provide […]
The Disconnect Between Garden Aesthetics and Local Ecology
by Curtis Jirsa
The horticulturist Alan Chadwick, according to his disciples, rebuked anyone caught weeding sow thistle (Sonchus) from his garden beds. “They’re all plants,” he once declared. “It’s just that, if a […]
Native Seed Balls – Dispersing Seeds with Guerilla Action
by Heather McCargo
There is something satisfying about the idea of tossing seeds of wild flowers or trees into an empty area with the hope that it will magically turn into a flowery […]
Connecting Habitat in Portland: Creating corridors of native plants for urban biodiversity
by Heather McCargo
In urban areas, green spaces of natural habitat rapidly lose biodiversity if they exist in isolated patches. Many cities across the country and the world are working to promote corridors […]
Flowers, Pollinators and the Sex Lives of Plants
by Heather McCargo
The warm, sunny days of midsummer are a great time to observe the many kinds of pollinators that visit flowers. In Maine, the pollinators include the ruby-throated hummingbird and a […]
Pop-Up Parks and Parklets: Just Add Plants and Seating to Bring Nature and People Together in Urban Landscapes
by Jennifer Claster
Pop-up parks and parklets are catching on as a way to create a mini-oasis in an urban or paved environment. All across the country and around the world in many […]
Monarchs and Milkweed: Creating a Landscape in Maine to Support Monarch Butterflies and Other Pollinating Insects
by Heather McCargo
As we wait in hopeful anticipation for an increase in monarch butterfly populations, we can prepare for their arrival by planting native species that provide food and habitat for these […]
