The native plant movement is alive and well throughout Kentucky, so much so that finding native plants can be difficult. Fortunately for those in the Louisville area, Beargrass Thunder sells native plants and more.
Plant native wildflowers.
Beargrass Thunder evolved from a YouTube channel for hobby gardening and urban placemaking in Louisville. They joined the Kentucky Proud family as a certified plant nursery and seed seller in 2021. Besides selling plants and custom seed mixes, they can install native yardens at your property. According to owner Jody Dahmer, a yarden is a native food, meadow, or pollinator planting.
Jody answered both an opportunity and a need when he started Beargrass Thunder. Neighbors in their Louisville community were fined for growing heirloom vegetables and flowers. He started Beargrass Thunder as a way to challenge Louisville’s restrictive, 90-year-old weed ordinance that outlawed plants taller than 10 inches.
It took three years, but the effort was successful. Louisville repealed the outdated ordinance in March 2022. The Louisville area is seeing a massive trend towards native plants with help from Beargrass Thunder and Native Plant Alliance, which steers suburbs and HOAs toward native plant landscaping in the greater Louisville area.
Jody said, “It has given us an opportunity to educate as well as influence the many ways governments maintain properties — switching from clearcutting and mowing to more fuel- and labor-efficient wildflower meadows and creek restorations. Once you know you have other options than mowed grass, it is very easy to change budgets! We have even had an HOA change their rules to allow gardens and native plants!”
In addition to changing minds and ordinances, Beargrass Thunder collects and shares localized varieties of wildflowers, vegetables, and fruit trees, which they share with members of the community as part of the Louisville Seed Bank. The seed bank is hosted by Louisville Tool Library on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1227 Logan Street in the Shelby Park neighborhood.
You can find Beargrass Thunder at many Bernheim Arboretum events, neighborhood events, and other local businesses in the area. To make an appointment to purchase plants or seeds, or consult, contact Jody at jody@beargrassthunder.com. To keep up with their public events, follow Beargrass Thunder on your favorite social media platform:
Jonathan Omar Cole Kubesch1,2, Lauryn Jansen1, Dillon P. Golding1,3,4, Makayla Bryant1, Frank Reith1,2, and Derek Hilfiker1,2
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences; Blacksburg, VA
Country Home Farms; Pembroke, VA
Virginia Tech Urban Horticulture Center; Blacksburg, VA
Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
Today, most Upper South pastureland consists of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Tall fescue grasslands suit cattle production needs for much of the year with few inputs and tolerate mismanagement more effectively than many other forage species (Kubesch et al., 2022a). However, tall fescue (TF) is limited in that the warm summer months are suboptimal for the cool-season grass, and the toxic endophyte in most tall fescue can lead to undesirable cattle effects. Cattle might have reduced performance in terms or gain, milk production, or reproduction, as well as elevated heat stress.
Native warm-season grasses (NWSGs) are warm-season grasses suited to producing forage during the heat of summer, when TF is not under optimal conditions for growth, which peaks in spring and fall. Examples of these species include big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). Additionally, NWSGs can improve environmental outcomes over TF through wildlife benefits as well as improved drought resilience (Keyser et al., 2019; Keyser, 2021). Our position on the utilization of NWSGs in the Upper South for grazing is that NWSGs can complement existing TF grazing systems where management and infrastructure are available to transition between spatially separated TF and NWSG stands.
Spatially explicit TF and NWSG stands are requisite in order for the use of these respective species to be sustainable over a production lifecycle. Cool-season grasses outcompete warm-season grasses during the spring and fall, and the inverse occurs in the summer (Keyser, 2021). Portions of acreage for the TF and NWSG components of a grazing system have been used rather than a composition basis.
NWSG grass stands have been suggested to make up between 10-30% of Upper South farm acreage in a recent synthesis (Keyser, 2021). Given recent experimental work where heifers had the ability to select tall fescue or NWSG portions of a paddock over most of a grazing season, the 30% of acreage in NWSG seems more reasonable than the 10% value. However, given that converting from one forage to another forage results in 1+ year of lost forage production (Keyser, 2021), a piecemeal transition strategy like that suggested for organic forage production might be more practical (Kubesch et al., 2022b).
30% of farm acreage might be the long-term goal, however, that goal can be accommodated through converting smaller tracts over time. In a series of farm case studies, producers converted approximately 5-10% of their acreage to NWSG stands as trials for potential expansion (Virginia Cooperative Extension [Case studies]). Seeing as these conversions are already at smaller scales than what may be the long-term target, a piecemeal approach seems to be the most logical process. Conversions of select paddocks within grazing management units might also constrain the conversion process. Any forage establishment carries the risk of failure, and as such, establishing NWSGs during the conversion process can create additional risks (Kubesch et al., 2022b). In addition to the stand failing to result in enough viable plants for forage production, establishing stands can risk soil erosion, weed encroachment, nutrient leaching, water quality decline, and minor habitat loss for insects. The preference for perennial sods is in part to mitigate these environmental constraints, maintain forage production with minimal inputs, and to reduce establishment failure risk (Keyser, 2021; Case Studies; Kubesch et al., 2022b).
We have exciting news — KNPS is partnering with horticultural education groups across the state to provide funds and educational support for pollinator gardens. 2023 is a pilot year so we can find partners throughout the state and work out the kinks.
We’re partnering with organizations with an education mission because the success rate of grant gardens is small. With a two-year educational support commitment from our educational partners, we hope to improve the success rate.
The partnership includes three parties:
The Kentucky Native Plant Society as grantor will provide funds for the purchase of native plants and seeds.
The grantee will be the owner or caretaker of the garden. The site should have education as part of its mission and offer public access, within reason.
An educational partner will provide education and continued support for at least two years.
Currently, each grant is $500. KNPS and educational partners can assist with purchasing plants. The grantee will use their volunteers to prepare, plant, and maintain the garden.
The five pilot sites
Currently, we have five pilot sites in the works. Two are in Frankfort and three are at or near Eastern Kentucky University.
Gerrard County High School
Kelly Watson, Ph.D. and the associate director of Eastern Kentucky University’s Division of Natural Areas supplied the education component for this new pollinator garden on school grounds. The KNPS grant of $500 was used to purchase native plants from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery in Waddy.
On May 17th, Kelly worked with two shifts of students: One was an Agriculture/Horticulture class (taught by Natasha Parsons), and a second group of students is part of GearUp, working with Amy Whitt. Kelly will continue to support these groups in maintaining the garden to secure its success.
Students planting the outside classroom. Students planting the outside classroom.
Science for Sustainable Living Initiative
Kelly Watson serves as the educational partner for this pollinator garden outside the EKU science building and the plants were purchased from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery. EKU has two gardens here that are used as outdoor classrooms and during the campus pollinator workshops, which occur twice a year.
The gardens were established two years ago through a grant from Novelis, using seeds from Roundstone Native Seed Company. The groups caring for these gardens have battled invasives since then. By adding mature plugs, the group hopes to tilt the tables a bit more in favor of the natives.
In May, a group of group of summer student interns (they get paid!) and Kelly spent six hours weeding preparing the gardens. The gardens were planted on May 31 and June 2.
Volunteers planting the pollinator garden. Student volunteers.
EKU Scholar House
Kelly Watson is providing the educational partner for this large outdoor classroom space and plants were purchased from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery. This site already has three large, raised beds and they’re currently working to create a larger outdoor classroom space.
On June 1, EKU Scholar House and EKU Sustainability Office hosted a planting event. Volunteers helped plant the classroom space and children visited educational tables with games and activities. One table taught the children how to plant a seed, and the children took their small pots home!
Students help volunteers plant their new garden classroom. Teachers and volunteers lead the planting.
Second Street School
Connie Lemley of Frankfort facilitated the grant for the group. The plants were purchased from Ironweed Native Plant Nursery and the Capital Area Extension Master Gardeners (CAEMG) will provide educational support to ensure the garden’s success.
On Saturday, June 3, Eagle scout candidate Sam Curry and his fellow scouts planted a pollinator garden at Second Street School in Frankfort, Kentucky. The spot is concrete bound by sidewalks and Second Street, so it will receive a lot of traffic.
First, the group removed a large knock-out rose and turf before planting. Sam has a large number of volunteers to help maintain the garden over the summer. From there, the school’s volunteers, under Connie’s direction, will resume care using Sam’s educational and maintenance plan for guidance.
A before shot of the Second Street School pollinator garden plot. Second Street School volunteers. Second Street School scout volunteers.
Liberty Hall Historical Site
Anna Campomanes, the garden curator for Liberty Hall in Frankfort, secured a grant to restore an historical garden that is available to the public. CAEMG is the educational partner.
Anna decided to supplement an existing historical garden with native shrubs. CAEMG visited the site and provided a list of sun-loving native shrubs that would fit the garden nicely and attract pollinators. Many people don’t think of native shrubs when they think of pollinators, so this is a unique opportunity.
Planting is scheduled for fall. Liberty Hall hopes to host a public workshop for planting shrubs that day. This will give KNPS and CAEMG the opportunity to promote native shrubs as pollinators to the public!
Going forward
It’s an auspicious start, and the commitment and enthusiasm from the grantees are infectious! We plan regular updates throughout the summer, so watch for more information in The Lady Slipper.
In the spring of 2019, I decided to add gardens and chickens to my yard to supplement my homeschooling curriculum. Fortunately, I came across a native nursery set up at my local farmer’s market. After listening to what they had to say, I decided to give natives a try. I began with a native pollinator patch.
During that summer, I saw the native plants thrive and attract many pollinators. The perennials I had purchased from big box stores sat untouched. They looked pathetic compared to the natives. I dug them up and replaced them with more natives.
I saw such a difference after creating habitat, that I was hooked. As the years went by, I added more natives: flowers, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees. I removed some invasives and replaced them with natives and non-invasive annuals for more color.
I started helping the nursery with their social media and learning as much as I could about natives. My passion and excitement for educating others about natives led me to create my own Facebook group to learn, share seeds, and create a community.
A previously empty landscape has been transformed into raised beds for a kitchen garden and includes noninvasive annuals for a spot of early color. The area includes small native trees and shrubs such as dogwood, sumac, ninebark, and redbud.
A huge empty patch is slowly being filled with native pollinator beds, a berry patch, a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and lots of native trees and shrubs, including edibles such as American hazelnut, pawpaw, persimmon, and elderberry. Note the growth in the trees in the back. It filled in quickly.
I removed invasive shrubs such as burning bush and installed a Monarch Waystation and a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat with native host and nectar plants.
More empty space filled with noninvasive zinnias, a plethora of native host and nectar plants, and native grasses. Each summer, my yard is full of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, birds, and other beneficial pollinators.
A journey of replacing invasive nonnatives and barren land with native flowers, shrubs, and trees. My yard is now full of life and habitat!
Emilie Grace Yochim is a homeschooling mom to two teens and has been married to Philip for 20 years. Since 2019, Emilie has developed a slight obsession with pollinators, poof heads (bantam Satin and Silkie chickens), and native plants.
She enjoys educating others about planting natives and identifying pollinators by sharing pictures and information about the native plants, chickens, and wildlife in her yard. She also enjoys making terrible memes and puns that she finds hilarious.
That’s the question I hear most often at native plant events. People want to know where they can purchase Kentucky native plants.
If you’re in central Kentucky, you have a nursery nearby that’s dedicated to native plants: Ironweed Native Plant Nursery. Every plant is a Kentucky native.
Owner Alicia Bosela started Ironweed Native Plant Nursery in Columbia, Kentucky about eight years ago. Last fall, Alicia bought property in Waddy Kentucky and moved her nursery there in February of this year. In the last two months, Alicia has made many new connections with educators and growers in the area. Alicia says “The momentum for native plants is growing!”
Alicia’s still moving in. She’s currently in the process of expanding an area for native plants that prefer shade by hanging shade cloth.
Fortunately for us, Ironweed is fully stocked with native plants ready for new homes. You’ll find an amazing selection of flowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs, all native to Kentucky.
Ironweed Native Plant Nursery is open for business by appointment. The nursery’s number is (270) 250-3587 and the email address is info@ironweednursery.com. The physical location is 400 Waddy Road, Waddy, KY 40076, which is easy to find. The entrance is on the east side of the road and clearly marked. You can also order online by pointing your browser to https://www.ironweednursery.com/. You can follow the nursery on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Ironweednursery/.
A couple of happy customers, Kris and Charlie Goggin visit Ironweed.
Jake Sanne*, Dillon P. Golding**, Peter Arnold*, Jenna Beville*, Derek Hilfiker*, Forrest Brown*, and Jonathan O. C. Kubesch*, ***
*Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
**Hoot Owl Hollow Farm, Woodlawn, VA
***Country Home Farms, Pembroke, VA
Introduction
Buffalo clover (Trifolium reflexum), is a rare native clover present in the eastern United States. In Kentucky, this species occurs in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave, as well as further west. Conservation efforts in the eastern United States have maintained many of these native populations, though there is interest in using horticulture and agriculture to increase buffalo clover populations (Quesenberry et al., 2003; Kubesch, 2020; Kubesch et al., 2022).
A limitation of these alternative approaches is the lack of data regarding the establishment of native clovers. For many rare plants, plugs are grown in nurseries and then planted to field sites (Littlefield, 2022). Even in the only published horticultural research, seed was grown into plugs for field plantings (Quesenberry et al., 2003). Buffalo clover has a fair degree of phenotypic variability in growth form, life history, and flower color across the geographic range. These differences in plant material might also suggest diversity in seed characteristics.
Seed weight is an important seed characteristic for increasing buffalo clover populations. Seed weights are associated with increased establishment success (Catano et al., 2022; Westoby, 1998). Published seed weights of red (Trifolium pratense), white (Trifolium repens), and buffalo clover come from a publication using buffalo clover accessions from the Coastal Plain (Quesenberry et al., 2003). Coastal Plain accessions appear to have annual life histories whereas Ohio River Valley accessions appear to be short-lived biennials or perennials (Kubesch, unpublished observations). The present study sought to map and determine seed weights for buffalo clover. The authors hypothesized that Coastal Plain accessions would have different seed weights than the Ohio River Valley accessions.
Materials and Methods
This study consisted of a mapping exercise, seed weight data collection, and then analysis. The mapping exercise discerned the positions of Coastal Plain and Ohio River Valley accessions using the geographic Fall Line as the demarcation between Coastal Plain and Ohio River Valley accessions. Accessions found on the corresponding side of the Fall Line were assigned to a Coastal Plain or Ohio River Valley. This mapping was conducted in ARCGIS software.
Seed weight data for a handful of accessions was accessible from the USDA GRIN system. Notably, these seed weight data overrepresented Coastal accessions rather than Ohio River Valley accessions. Additional data came from Quesenberry et al (2003) as well as manual measurements. Quesenberry et al (2003) selected accessions from TX, GA, MS, and FL. One accession in this study came from the Ohio River Valley. Seed from single plant selections of Cincinnati and Clarks River accessions were measured on a lab balance (Bonvoisin scale).
Data Analysis
Seed weight was treated as a completely randomized design. Initial analysis at the state-level was considered to address potential accession grouping at local scales. Differences in seed weight between accessions from the Coastal Plain and Ohio River Valley were also considered to test other known differences in accessions (e.g. annual or biennial life history). All analyses were conducted in SAS v9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). PROC GLIMMIX coded for a simple one-way ANOVA.
September 24 was a gorgeously mild fall day, perfect for Bluebirds of Central Kentucky‘s first festival. This organization’s mission is to improve habitat for one of Kentucky’s most beautiful native birds, the bluebird.
Our booth was next to Ironweed Nursery and Frankfort’s Fantasy Forest. The event took place at West Sixth Farm, also in Frankfort. Between the beautiful weather, the vendors, and the scenery, none of us could’ve asked for a better day, or time.
KNPS Director, Deborah White and Susan Harkins talked with lots of folks, but, mostly children. It was fun talking with children about native plants and habitat. Several were already knowledgeable on the subject, which was encouraging.
