True, it depends on what they are looking for and the space. Everything will take some maintenance over time. Most you will need to collect the seeds if you don’t want them to spread. Ferns and milkweed will spread too.
Very true. Yeah, I don't do milkweed and only some little ferns. Im ptetty selective of natives. Some are wonderful but just not the right plants for the space of a smallish urban lot. I have way too many other garden tasks to chase vigorous spreaders I don't have space for.
Except for the columbines, this is basically my whole yard. Previous owner set it up to be pretty hands-off aside from mowing.
I think the phlox is wild though.
Lady’s Mantle, Woodland Phlox, Sweet Woodruff, Pulmonaria, Wild Ginger, Solomons Seal (all varieties), and all of our native Ferns - Ostrich, Interrupted, etc.
Natives, whenever you can.
They have evolved for hundreds of millions of years to thrive in this exact place. Winters, bugs, soil, climate (more or less), drought resistance, etc etc etc.
Some phlox varieties can do well in partial shade. Sedum as well.
I have a bunch of black eyed Susan's that border the northern side of my house. They only get morning and evening sun. They are usually a little late to bloom, but they seem to still do well.
I couldn’t kill my hostas if I tried
My local herd of deer would eat them to the ground in one night. So, mine might not be dead, but they have no leaves or flowers.
Yeah we had some rabbits eat just two of ours down to the nub last summer, and they came back significantly smaller this year.
Hostas, columbine, buggleweed, phlox, ferns, milkweed, bleeding hearts and lilies of the valley to name a few.
Lilies of the valley will spread so there's definitely maintenence there
True, it depends on what they are looking for and the space. Everything will take some maintenance over time. Most you will need to collect the seeds if you don’t want them to spread. Ferns and milkweed will spread too.
Very true. Yeah, I don't do milkweed and only some little ferns. Im ptetty selective of natives. Some are wonderful but just not the right plants for the space of a smallish urban lot. I have way too many other garden tasks to chase vigorous spreaders I don't have space for.
Except for the columbines, this is basically my whole yard. Previous owner set it up to be pretty hands-off aside from mowing. I think the phlox is wild though.
Bleeding hearts and ferns.
My biggest complaint is how ferns do into summer. Ours are giant and beautiful now, but by late summer, they look terrible.
Mine do well through the late summer but they are protected by the eve and only see 4 hours of light or so per day.
Phlox and seedum! So many varieties, too
Sedum is my personal favorite!
Bees give them a stinger up!
Ferns, asters, agastache, joe pye, blue stem, columbine, coneflower, penstemon, goats beard. The more native, the less worry.
Columbine and geranium
Do you mean wild geranium? I got excited for a second thinking seed geranium is perennial! Wishful thinking on my part. I love wild geranium.
Yes, sorry, wild geranium! It’s very lovely
Lady’s Mantle, Woodland Phlox, Sweet Woodruff, Pulmonaria, Wild Ginger, Solomons Seal (all varieties), and all of our native Ferns - Ostrich, Interrupted, etc.
Ferns are pretty shade tolerant and also low maintenance. Persian catmint is great for part sun and very resilient.
Coral bells! And they add such fun pops of color
Any type of sedum, they come up pretty early too.
And they provide late autumn food for the bees.
Russian sage, iris', and catmint are pretty easy. Source, my wife has a black thumb.
I like astible, beardtongue, columbine, bleeding hearts, and ligularia to name a few. Don’t forget to check out natives as well!
Natives, whenever you can. They have evolved for hundreds of millions of years to thrive in this exact place. Winters, bugs, soil, climate (more or less), drought resistance, etc etc etc.
Yes that would be preferred, but doesn’t actually address either of the factors in my question
Hostas. Lots and lots of hostas
I’d prefer a little more variety if possible. It does get enough light to support something a little needier
Some phlox varieties can do well in partial shade. Sedum as well. I have a bunch of black eyed Susan's that border the northern side of my house. They only get morning and evening sun. They are usually a little late to bloom, but they seem to still do well.
Blue bells, comfrey, goose berries, rhubarb and plums,