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A speaker at our 7th annual Spring Gardening Bonanza is Tom Dickhudt. His topic is "Native Plants in the Minnesota Landscape." His focus is on plants that were common to our Minnesota landscape. Discussion will center on the benefits of growing these plants in suitable areas. The following article is one of Tom's writing shared a couple of years ago.

A number of people in our area have discovered the interesting world of native plants. A plant is considered native to the county if it was here prior to white settlement. Plants that came with white settlement are usually referred to as exotics. These exotics make up the bulk of the vegetation that is growing wild in the county and have crowded out much of the native vegetation. Along with exotics, cultivators are common. These plants have been specially produced with the gardener in mind. These plants, although started from native origins, have little resemblance to the originals.

Many organizations and individuals are beginning to recognize that there is value to understanding the fragile relationships that existed in our environments prior to the introduction of fast foods, chain stores and volume produced nursery garden stock. Landscaping with native plants produces an area that is well suited to our climate and rich in the local cultural heritage.

Some of the basic plants that can be included in a prairie garden include little Bluestem and Indian grass in the grass category. Flowers include black-eyed Susan, prairie smoke, and rough blazing star. This basic combination provides an interesting introduction into a native plant community.

Preparation of the area is important before planting begins. Existing vegetation must be removed or exotic plants will once again reclaim the landscape. A number of methods are recommended including repeated cultivation, covering the area with a heavy tarp, and the use of Round-up. The use of herbicide is debated, but Round-up has been determined to dissipate quickly and is minimally harmful to the environment.

Part of the fun of native plants is their identification and history. Plants native to Chisago County may not be native to northern or southern Minnesota.

This area was the home of the Ojibwe Native Americans prior to the coming of the white man. A number of resources catalog plants used by the Ojibwe. The classic resource is a paper done by Frances Densmore in 1926. This work has been reprinted in a more recent look entitled, "How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine and Crafts." Another interesting resource is published by the Great Lakes Indian, Fish and Wildlife Commission entitled, "Plants Used by Great Lakes Ojibwe." This is a more recent work published in 1993.

The University of Minnesota publishes an excellent list and location indicator entitled, "Vascular Plants of Minnesota."

Another resource is the Minnesota-Native Plant Society, 220 Biological Science Center, 1445 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.

The Chisago County Master Gardener Program includes an active group of native plant enthusiasts. The exploration of native plants is more than gardening or landscaping. It includes history and culture study as well, and provides a true connection to the land we temporarily occupy.

Remember that Tom Dickhudt's class will be held as part of the Bonanza Saturday, March 5, at the Maranatha Church near Forest Lake. Brochures are available by calling the Extension Office at 651-674-4417.

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