Forest Ecosystems in Landscaping: Layers, Light & Life
Forest Ecosystems in Landscaping: Layers, Light & Life When you think of forest ecosystems, you might picture towering trees and dappled sunlight—but what makes a forest function as a living system? In this final installment of our naturalized landscaping series,...
Ecological Landscaping: How to Use Shrubland Plant Communities
Create an Ecological Landscape Using Native Shrubs and Woodland Plants As we continue exploring Nebraska’s native plant communities, it’s time to look into the rich, transitional zones of shrublands and woodlands! Shrublands and woodlands blend between...
Resilient Landscaping: From Open Prairie to Woodlands
Resilient Landscaping: From Open Prairie to Woodlands In our last blog series, Plant Communities: Grasslands of Nebraska, we examined how grassland ecosystems are structured and their role in drought tolerance, biodiversity, and ecological stability. Now, we continue...
Ditch the Lawn, Grow a Native Prairie
Ditch the Lawn, Grow a Native Prairie In our last blog, Plant Communities: Grasslands of Nebraska, we explored Nebraska’s Tallgrass, Mixed-Grass, and Sandhills Prairie ecosystems—each uniquely shaped by climate, soil, and native plant species. Understanding what...
Grasslands of Nebraska: Native Plant Communities Guide
Understanding Nebraska’s Grassland Ecosystems Now that we’ve explored the design principles behind naturalized grassland landscapes, it’s time to examine which native plants naturally grow together to form resilient plant communities in the...
Naturalized Landscaping by Plant Community: Grasslands
Why Naturalized Landscaping Matters A naturalized prairie landscape is a sustainable, low-maintenance approach that mimics native plant communities to create thriving ecosystems. In the Great Plains, High Plains, and Midwest, grassland restoration plays a key role in...Drought-Tolerant Trees for the Midwest | Best Native Picks
Last week, we shared our top picks for native drought-tolerant shrubs. This week, we will explore some of our favorite native drought-tolerant trees! It is crucial to remember that all plants are intolerant of drought until they are established. Proper watering and...Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Midwestern Landscapes
In light of the ongoing drought conditions throughout much of the High Plains region and some of the Midwest, it’s essential to consider incorporating drought-tolerant native shrubs into your landscape. These resilient plants are adapted to withstand dry...
Soft-Needled Ornamental Pines for Stunning Landscapes
Why Choose Soft-Needled Ornamental Pines? While evergreens are celebrated for their role in windbreaks, their versatility extends beyond that. For homeowners with smaller spaces, soft-needled pine trees can be a perfect choice for ornamental purposes! Evergreens can...Native Trees and Versatile Evergreens: A Naturalized Approach to Regional Landscapes
Last week, we explored the essential role evergreens play in creating sustainable landscapes as a key part of Nebraska landscapes for habitat and wildlife plantings. Often having tight, dense, and low branching profiles, evergreens offer season-long services as visual...Evergreens: The Backbone of Winter Landscapes
In the Midwest, winter can leave our landscapes looking sparse and even lifeless at times—but it doesn’t have to be that way! Evergreens, like the popular Taylor juniper, offer year-round beauty and essential benefits for sustainable winter landscaping. With its slim,...
Cold Hardiness of Native Plants, Shrubs, and Trees
It seems that winter has arrived. Not so much in terms of snowfall, but certainly with frigid nights, not-so-warm days, biting winds, and often dreary skies. We humans have various means of dealing with the cold. A wardrobe of warm weather garments, a toasty hearth,...
Why Nebraska Native Trees Are Essential for Resilient Landscapes
Why are Nebraska native trees so important? Choosing native trees, especially those sourced from local Nebraska-provenance seed, is one of the most impactful ways you can contribute to a healthier and more resilient landscape. Native trees are naturally adapted to our...
The Nitty Gritty About Pruning Young Trees
Pruning is an important aspect of young trees. Without proper pruning, future trees structures would be compromised and cause damage and injury to the tree, persons, and property. So, why do we prune trees? When is the best time to prune? How do you prune trees?...
Trees: Let’s Show Them Some Respect!
While surfing the internet on a -13 degree day in Nebraska I searched for the benefits of trees. We all appreciate trees, if not directly, then indirectly in the form of pollution control, oxygen production, and energy conservation. Many of us appreciate them for...
Nebraska Native Trees
Why are Nebraska native trees so important? Native trees, collected from a local provenance source is, first and foremost, key to ensuring a selection of the species that is adapted and ideal for our area and conditions. The extreme variability of our climate in the...
Native Landscape Design: How to Achieve the “Native” Look
cialis www.ioofgrandlodgeofohio.org Photo credit to the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum @ Fireworks Trail. Here at Great Plains Nursery, we absolutely LOVE the native look when it comes to designing a landscape. Nebraska has a wide selection of native trees, shrubs,...
Spring Clean-up in the Landscape & Pruning Young Trees
We have a beautiful weekend in the forecast! Why not get out in the landscape and get a jump start on Spring Clean-up. This is a time honored tradition among gardeners, an excuse to get outside after the long winter months. A little extra time spent now, will save...
