In our modern landscapes, trees often get planted as lone individuals surrounded by a sea of lawn. This

is less than ideal for trees—and vice-versa. Trees typically grow in forests where little grass is present.

When trees are placed in lawns and those lawns are excessively fussed over (and we Americans love to

fuss over our lawns) trees can be sitting ducks for such things as mower and trimmer damage as well

as herbicide injury. Another issue is underground as tree roots and lawn roots don’t always mix well.

Lawn soils are often wet and compacted which favors grasses while tree roots prefer loose soils rich in

microbial and fungal life.

This tough, dependable prairie plant deserves a space in any sun-loving garden. It grows naturally in high quality

prairies and sometimes in disturbed areas and clearings. It is an upright, clump-forming perennial with graygreen leaves and long, sturdy stems. It blooms over a long period, often during the hottest time of year, from midsummer to early fall. The plants are crowned by glowing yellow, daisy-like flowers to 3” across, with a pleasant

sweet smell, similar to sweetgrass. Each flower has a central brownish-purple cone packed with over 200 little

nectar tubes. The persistent, deep brown cones remain attractive all fall and winter. It is easy to grow in average,

well-drained garden soils and tolerates heavy clay, summer heat and humidity. This is a low maintenance plant,

but it may flop and topple if coddled with too much irrigation, fertilizer or shade. The flowers attract butterflies,

beneficial wasps, pollinating flies and beetles. The silvery checkerspot butterfly larvae and several species of

moths feed on the foliage.

As gardeners, we make decisions every day about what stays, what goes and what will take its place.

Being faced with constant predicaments means we’re bound to get it wrong some of the time; in fact,

the longer someone’s been at it, the more embarrassing notches go on the belt. A garden is a living

rather than static thing and never entirely within our control. For gardeners, this unsettling process

of working toward one result and having something altogether different happen in the meantime

ultimately moves us from novice toward master. It requires constant flexibility; there are no masters

on this road, just humbler gardeners. Long-time Nebraska landscape architect Steven Rodie says plants

regularly “make a liar out of him.” So too do they defy and befuddle the rest of us.

Wild bergamot or beebalm is a great choice for any sun-loving, prairie style garden with its showy blooms and

benefits to pollinating insects. It grows naturally in high quality prairies, savannas and margins of woods. It is

a sturdy, upright perennial wildflower that slowly expands over time to form colonies. Wild beebalm is very

adaptable. It thrives in full sun and moist, organic soils but also grows well in clay and high pH soils, and can take

heat and drought. In summer, the plants are topped wi

Hello Everyone! I hope this newsletter finds everyone busy,

safe and healthy.

What a crazy year this has been so far. One thing I’ve noticed

this year is how well our industry is able to make changes

and adapt to new conditions and recommendations, and

I believe we are all doing a terrific job! I’ve not been able

to visit as many member b

The NNLA Board of Directors is excited to partner with

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for an exclusive behind the scenes

virtual video series!

Our Fall Field Day will feature Vala’s Agriculture Manager,

Vaughn Hammond as he gives NNLA an in-depth look at

this 100+ year old farm and its operations. With your

registration, you will virtually tour the apple orchard,

pumpkin patch and the vast plant and tree varieties that

inhabit the property.

This is a year unlike any other, a spring unlike any other, and it will be a Wildflower Week

unlike any other. Normally we gather the first week of June for hikes, talks and other

events that celebrate Nebraska’s beautiful wildflowers. This year social distancing won’t

allow such numbers. And so Wildflower Week 2020 will rely on your own experience,

your own memories of wildflowers and your own way of enjoying them in the present.

Thanks to funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is in its third

year of the Trees for Nebraska Towns (TNT) program. This program provides matching funds and technical

assistance to public tree planting projects in Nebraska communities. The focus is on large-maturing trees and

species diversity. Funds are available for fall 2020/spring 2021 projects and communities are invited to apply.

The maximum request per project is $20,000.

Black cherry, with its spreading limbs and arching branches, is the largest and most important native cherry

for wildlife. It blooms in spring, loaded with small, fragrant white flowers, each clustered together to form a

narrow pendulous raceme. The abundant flowers are very attractive to small native bees and other pollinating

insects. The shiny, dark green leaves turn lively shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The tree produces

copious amounts of small black fruits in the summer, highly prized by many songbirds, and i’s a larval host to a

good number of butterflies and moths. It has a reputation as weedy and aggressive in forest restoration, where

new seedlings can overtake open ground. In the home landscape this tree has not been a problem, however it

might seed around here and there. It is seldom planted in home landscapes, but for gardeners wanting wildlife

habitat, it’s worth planting.

No flower is quite so welcome as the first one to open in spring. And fortunately for

gardeners in the midwest, some of them are tough enough to bloom even through

a snow drift. Spring bulbs like snowdrops, squill and crocus are some of the earliest

flowers to open, with daffodils, hyacinths and tulips soon to follow.

There are some wonderful perennials for blossom and color early in the spring also.

Though it will vary according to microclimate, the perennials below begin to bloom in

March or April and are listed generally in order of “appearance.”

American black walnut is one of the most valuable

natural forest trees in the U.S. Its fernlike foliage

provides light, airy shade so it’s a great shade trees

for larger properties in areas where the juglone

produced by the tree won’t stunt the growth of

plants beneath it. The flavorful nuts contain more

protein than any other tree nut; its valuable wood

makes beautiful furniture; husks are used to make

natural dyes; and the hard shells are

The Western Outstanding State Association Leader Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a dedication to the work and mission of the green industry through exceptional efforts on behalf of state associations.

Congratulations to Todd Faller of Faller Landscape and Prairie Gold Nursery. Todd was presented the award on behalf

of his work with the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association (NNLA).