Hello, I reside in Geauga County. We are looking to plant some shrubs, plants and trees in our backyard to help with drainage but also have to manage a septic tank. Are there varieties you recommend that would non-invasive and native to the area? Bonus points for pollinator friendly varieties.
Say, did you know that April is Ohio Native Plant Month?
Well, Happy Ohio Native Plant Month to you!
White trillium in bloom.
The website above has a wealth of information on plants that are native to Ohio, from trees to shrubs to smaller “forb” flowers. They also maintain a great list of vendors who specialize in native plants.
Here are three great guides for each of the three groups you asked about:
Since you specifically mentioned that you’re considering new plantings for a septic field, here’s a list of plants that are well-suited to that setting; it’s from OPN Seed, one of northeast Ohio’s native-plant nurseries.
(Speaking of being septic-smart, our neighbors at the Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District have some exemplary resources for landowners who want to garden with native plants and keep their septic systems in tip-top shape.)
For the next step in making plant choices for your site, you’ll need to evaluate your yard’s specific characteristics to find well matched plants. Is your site sunny or shady? Wet or dry? Flat or hilly? There are great native plants to match all of those settings…say, why not drop by one of our upcoming native gardening programs to find out more?
Thanks, and have fun with your garden!
-Naturalist Chris Mentrek
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