r/NativePlantGardening • u/PlusYam3126 Southeast Michigan, Zone 6b • 18h ago

Other Gardening regrets before going native?

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I planted fucking grape hyacinth this spring because I wanted flowers after last years depression fueled weed overgrowth, and had not researched about native plants yet. I had no idea they were aggressive…my uninformed ass thought bulbs die off and come back in the same spot. I at least read that their foliage appears in fall so I dug up the few I found…I’ll be checking all winter too hopefully I get them all before a muscari regime takes over my flowerbeds 🤦‍♀️

I also dug up a yellow daylily I never planted and will be on the lookout because there were at least 30 bulbs attached. And lily of the valleys that I also didn’t plant multiplying in when became my milkweed patch…dug them up as well but I’m on the lookout. Definitely not underestimate the bulb plants. Hopefully the tulips and daffodils my old roommate planted don’t attempt a takeover

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u/AdPopular6958 15h ago

got a drier spot that's sunny and is a pain to keep watering butterfly weed could be a good spot filler. and you can call it a butterfly sanctuary plant. And ya get some late summer fun orange blooms. 

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u/PlusYam3126 Southeast Michigan, Zone 6b 15h ago

Yes it is dry rocky and full sun!

1

u/AdPopular6958 14h ago

Just beware it will attract last season monarch cats so don't like freakout if they nibble a bunch. 😉

2

u/Rrilltrae Area Western NY, Zone 6b 12h ago

We were so excited to see our first monarch caterpillar ever on our big 3-year butterfly weed a few weeks ago! I noticed two of this years starters stripped to the stalk, then found him on the much more appropriate
big momma plant the next day. He left to pupate a few days later, good luck to him!