One leaf at time
Meet Purple Moor Grass, a vibrant plant adding color to wetlands and meadows! This beauty provides shelter and food for local wildlife, playing a vital role in healthy ecosystems. Often used in ornamental gardens, its tall, arching stems create stunning displays. What’s unique? Its foliage turns a gorgeous bronze-purple in fall, offering year-round visual appeal. … Read more
Meet the European aspen, a tree with leaves that tremble in the slightest breeze! Often used for lightweight construction and paper pulp, it’s also a vital habitat for insects and birds. Aspens grow quickly and spread through underground roots, forming colonies of identical trees. Plus, their smooth bark is a favorite of beavers, making them … Read more
Meet European goldenrod, a cheerful plant with bright yellow blooms! Often used in herbal teas and traditional medicine, it’s also a valuable source of nectar for bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems. Though sometimes mistaken for a cause of allergies (it’s the ragweed!), goldenrod is actually quite helpful and adds a sunny splash to meadows … Read more
Meet Meadow foxtail, a cheerful grass that brightens meadows! Farmers love it for yummy animal fodder, while wildlife appreciates its seeds. This adaptable plant provides vital habitat and erosion control. Look for its fluffy, cylindrical flower head, resembling a fox’s tail – a tell-tale sign of spring’s arrival in grasslands! Meadow foxtail Description Common Name … Read more
Meet Marsh horsetail, an ancient plant found in damp places! Historically used for scouring due to its silica content, it’s also a vital habitat and food source for wildlife. Interestingly, it produces both fertile and infertile stems, the fertile ones sporting a cone-like structure. Just be careful: while not poisonous, it can sometimes accumulate toxins … Read more
Meet smooth meadow grass, a friendly face in fields and pastures! This versatile plant is a popular choice for lawns, golf courses, and livestock grazing. It plays a vital role in preventing soil erosion and providing habitats for insects. Notably, it’s one of the first grasses to flower in spring, offering an early treat for … Read more
Meet the European alder, a helpful tree with a knack for improving soil! Its wood is often used for furniture and even underwater pilings. Alders are ecological superheroes, hosting wildlife and enriching the soil with nitrogen. Plus, these trees can thrive in wet conditions, making them perfect for streamside planting. European alder Description Common Name … Read more
Meet Heal-all, nature’s handy helper! This common plant, found in fields and gardens, is traditionally used to soothe cuts, bruises, and sore throats. Bees and butterflies adore its nectar-rich flowers, making it a vital food source. Unique among plants, it self-pollinates if insects are scarce, ensuring its survival. Truly a resilient and useful member of … Read more
Meet Old-man’s-beard, a captivating moss-like lichen draping from trees! It’s used in traditional medicine and crafts, and provides crucial nesting material for birds and food for wildlife. This fascinating organism is an air quality indicator, thriving only where the air is clean. Its whimsical, beard-like appearance adds a touch of magic to forests, reminding us … Read more
Meet Dutch clover, the friendly groundcover! Often found in lawns, it’s used for green manure and attracts pollinators like bees. This hardy plant helps improve soil by fixing nitrogen, acting as a natural fertilizer. It’s a low-maintenance marvel, sometimes considered a weed but mostly a welcome addition to any garden! Dutch clover Description Common Name … Read more