Native foods

16 years ago

We are fortunate to live on about 20 acres, 12 of which is more-or-less native woodlands. This wooded area, unfortunately, tends to be flooded by the Red River of the North most springs. Depending on when the flood occurs and how deep it is, the plants that grow that summer vary. This year we had horrible flooding (had to dike the house but fortunately did not flood). The woods were wet until very late and some of the usual plant life apparently was not able to get going. However, one that is usually less abundant really thrived this year and that was impatiens capensis (jewelweed), which just happens to be a hummingbird favorite. It was pretty cool to walk through the woods with this flowering native up to your waist or higher and of course the hummers were very happy. If you have a chance to plant some of this I highly recommend it.

With people to show how tall it is

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Comments (5)

rob_a
16 years ago
Thanks for the tip. Your Jewelweed looks lush with foilage and blooms.
Rob
penny1947
16 years ago
My jewelweed reseeders that ended up in full sun locations this year did beautifully even in direc all day sun b/c of all the rain we had off and on all season long.

Penny
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ctnchpr
16 years ago
Very nice patch of jewelweed!!

Glad to hear your home didn't flood. We have 20 acres also, but it's all wooded. About 3/4 is "hills & hollers" (as we say in the South), the rest is a creek bottom. Jewelweed grows in the sunny spots along the creek, and the hummers do love it! Do you have any Lobelia cardinalis growing in your floodplain? It may just be the photo, but your jewelweed looks more yellow than mine. Does yours look like this up close?...
desertsage
16 years ago
It has been said by others that Ruby-throated migrate North or South(can't remember) as Jewelweed blooms. And that warblers follow the changing colors of poison ivy South.
prairie_love
Original Author
16 years ago
ctnchpr - My is not as orange as yours (beautiful close up). I read that the hummers prefer the orange over the yellow, but they seem to like the yellow just fine, so I don't know if that's true or not.

I do not have Lobelia cardinalis. Maybe I should scatter some seed this winter, that would be a great one to have! thanks for the idea.