This episode of P is for Parterre, brought to you by Parterre Garden Services, digs into native plants that can withstand drought — timely, since the Northeast is currently facing a level three critical drought. Host Liz sits down with Katie Hutchens, Parterre's Director of Ecological Services, and Ali, one of the ecological crew leaders, to talk all things native and drought-tolerant.


In this episode:

  • Why native plants play a key role in water conservation
  • How native landscapes improve soil health (and why lawns fall short)
  • Favorite drought-resistant trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses — including oaks, hackberry, bald cypress, bayberry, goldenrod, milkweed, yarrow, mountain mint, and Massachusetts' very own native cactus, prickly pear
  • How to figure out which native plants are right for your yard (soil testing, plant finder tools, and more)
  • How long it takes for a native landscape to become established
  • Common misconceptions about native plant gardening — and the truth about bugs, bees, and "messy" gardens
  • A rapid-fire round with Katie and Ali's favorite native plants, most underrated species, and best success stories from the field


Our Beginner's Guide to Native New England Plants:

Trees

  • Oaks (white oak, red oak, swamp white oak)
  • Hackberry
  • Bald cypress
  • Maple (NOT Norway maple)
  • Cherry
  • Hickory


Shrubs

  • Bayberry
  • Staghorn sumac
  • Spicebush


Flowering Perennials / Wildflowers

  • Solidago (goldenrod), including seaside solidago and field goldenrod
  • Asters (woodland aster)
  • Milkweed (and swamp milkweed)
  • Yarrow
  • Mountain mint
  • Prickly pear cactus
  • Joe-Pye weed
  • Jack-in-the-pulpit
  • Mayapple
  • Rudbeckia
  • Partridge pea
  • Sassafras (also a small tree)


Grasses/Groundcover

  • Wild strawberry
  • Wild ginger
  • Fescue
  • Native grasses
  • Rubus (bramble species)


Other

  • Asteraceae (plant family, mentioned generally as good for pollinators)


Resources mentioned:

  • Mass Audubon
  • Native Plant Trust (plant finder tool)
  • Go Botany
  • Books by Doug Tallamy and Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • UMass Extension soil testing (and other university extension programs)


Plant native, plant a tree — and thanks for listening!

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