July 2024

Cardinal Red By Fred Wooley The color palette of mid-summer native plants might be the boldest. Saying goodbye to springtime on the vernal equinox we bid farewell to the pastels of April, May, and June. Enter July in its fireworks finest of bold yellows, purples, oranges, bright whites still, and the richness of one red particularly, the cardinal flower, Lobilia cardinalis .Found in moist prairies and along streambeds and lakeshores, cardinal flowers grow two to four feet. Single stalks of lance-shaped leaves in July push forth a spike of blooms typical of lobelia plant family members, each bloom with two narrow petals pointing up and three reflexing down. The petals unite to form a narrow tube at the base.

Blue Lobelia of late summer damp woodlands.

The blue, or great lobelia, Lobilia siphilitica is possibly more common, as it finds comfort with its feet in wet prairies, moist woodlands, roadside ditches, and along damp edges of waterways. The cardinal flower is less common but makes every effort to be noticed with those deep, vibrant red blooms. They seem more limited to the shadowy watery edges and only occasionally venture into more open moist meadows. There are some reds in nature and then there is the cardinal flower red. Not all reds are created equal. A cardinal, the state bird of Indiana and six other states, is sometimes called the “red bird.” But really give the next one to your feeders a good look. It is more of an orange red. Take a similar look at the red of a red-headed woodpecker. That hood is a striking magenta red. A magenta-headed woodpecker would be a bit of a mouthful. A scarlet tanager calling and lurking up in the leafy shadows of a tall treetop, now that is red! But perfectly named, it IS a scarlet tanager. There is a southwestern flycatcher that is eye-popping red, but most appropriately named the vermillion flycatcher. Cardinal flower red reminded European settlers of the same red of the hoods and robe vestments worn by Roman Catholic Cardinals. The scientific name, Lobilia cardinalis, is a reference to the lobelia family, named after French botanist, Mathis de Lobel, and of course the cardinal red.

Close up of new bloom and leaves of cardinal flower in Wooley native plant garden, June 28, 2024

The flower stalk blooms from the bottom up. In my native plant garden in early late June, I photographed the first bloom of the season. Blooms continued up the stalk and are now in full and glorious July bloom. Other cardinal flower plants have followed, and cardinal red could be with us until the reds of autumn leaves begin to show.The red blooms are not unnoticed by pollinators. Unlike many plants, cardinal flower petals are very delicate. They simply cannot support the weight of bees and other insects. Other lighter insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular base of the bright red petals.

Hummingbird from the side, at a Cardinal Flower.

The perfect pollinators for this species are hummingbirds. Hummers hover at the flower opening, insert that wonderfully long and slender bill, extend their equally long tongue and lap at the sweet nectar. Flowers provide the nectar; hummers provide the pollination.Cardinal flowers are available in native seed catalogs and native plant nurseries. While preferring those shady stream and lakebed shorelines, they will provide some color in home landscapes if watered well and provided with some shade. In less-than-ideal conditions the plants may not spread, if even survive for several years.If collecting your seed and propagating your own plants, you have nothing to lose. If successful you have much to gain. Come July you have these brilliant red torches to light summer evenings into fall and maybe just the view and the sound of a visiting hummingbird. This article appeared in part in KPCNews, July 4, 2024

The Henry Home Prairie – Update 2024 by Fred Wooley The JoAnn and John Henry home has been featured twice before in these pages. In the late 20-teens the Henrys built their beautiful retirement home on a small lake north of Fremont, Indiana. Not wanting the look (and work!) of a traditional turf lawn, they hired Blue Heron Ministries to install a native plant landscape. Their home was already surrounded by woodlands and natural vegetation on all sides. The blending of their new home landscape with that of the surroundings and a beautiful small lake down the hill at the edge of the backyard made perfect sense.

John Brittenham scratching up soil on June 11, 2020

In June of 2020, John Brittenham and I began the native plant lawn installation by first dragging and smoothing the substrate that was most recently a construction site. A seed mix of over two dozen native plant species with an oats “carrier” was spread across the worked into the soils of the back and side yards and border along the woods in the front yard. A small area of traditional lawn in the front was all that remained of a non-native, typical, yard lawn look.

JoAnn and John Henry native lawn straw-covered and at this point looking like a traditional turf lawn installation. June 25, 2020

Over the mix we spread straw and then watering began as is the practice for any lawn installation. At this point, it looked like any typical lawn installation.That look quickly changed as native plants germinated and began growth. At this stage, so do non-native weeds! It’s a real mix that first year. We returned later in the growing season and the following summer and mowed at a high height the entire area, cutting back the non-natives, discouraging them from going to seed, and giving sunlight to the growing natives below.

Henry lawn from west, August 28, 2023.

In 2022 there were more prairie plants and fewer non-natives. In 2023, still more prairie plants and even less obvious were non-natives. This is the typical progress of such projects. It takes a few years for a true native landscape to appear. It takes patience of the landowner and the Henrys certainly had that and now they have a wonderful native landscape to view from their new home’s windows… and they do not have to mow and spread chemicals.

Native plant border between tradition turf lawn and existing natural woodlands in from yard of JoAnn and John Henry, mid July, 2024.

I returned this month to help remove a bat from their screened porch (no, this is NOT another service of Blue Heron Ministries…I happen to live nearby and was able to help with an animal situation).While there I was pleasantly pleased by another year’s maturity of this native landscape. The gray-headed coneflowers were again profuse, and this year seemingly joined by an increased and robust presence of bergamot. Their lavender blooms were at peak and lovely. I saw the big leaves of prairie dock and their developing flower stalks.I reviewed last year’s August article on the Henry Home Prairie. I wrote: “Come next year…. We wait to see what new species appear or how existing species might move and appear around the yard. It is good look with interesting outcomes.” So true. It is one of the joys of a native landscape. Each year is another year’s maturity of the native landscape and responses to different weather conditions.

Native plantings in full bloom, mid July 2024 at home of JoAnn and John Henry in northern Steuben County.

With a traditional lawn there are no surprises or differences. If anything, a dry year, will give you yellow, crinkly grass. There will be no green, no butterflies and other insects, no hummingbirds and goldfinches, other birds… In a native landscape there is always more than meets the eye… always more to observe… and less work to do!

View from the Crew by Freya Berntson

A beautiful sunrise at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. I volunteer with their bird banding crew which requires arriving before the sun comes up! It’s worth it to see light like this.

Colton, Matt, and Madi prepare to kayak and canoe down the Pigeon River to treat invasive purple loosestrife along the way.

Nate gave us some final words of wisdom and Madi, Freya, Matt and Colton were ready to paddle down the Pigeon River looking for invasive purple loosestrife.

Madi and Matt on the Pigeon River. Hard not to smile when you get to work in beautiful places.

Colton found a bit of unstable ground! Working in wetlands often means sinking in muck. It’s hard work, but someone needs to do it.

I got hooked! My sleeve with a fishing hook and line that got caught in when we canoed past a log in the Pigeon River. Luckily it did not get to my skin. I’m glad I could clean up some litter.

A population of Arnoglossum plantagineum at a site in Elkhart County. Also known as Prairie Indian Plantain. Although the flowers are not traditionally “showy,” I personally find the plants in this genus to be quite beautiful.

A much more showy flower about to open. This native Hibiscus is in my rain garden at home.

My last day with the Blue Crew! It’s been an honor to work with you all and help do the important work we’re tasked with. From left: John, Fred, Freya, Colton, Madi, Josh, Nate, Phil.

“In Wildness is the preservation of the world.” – Henry David Thoreau

Upcoming Events

Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy’s Clear Lake Nature Preserve Wildflower and Butterfly Hike Saturday August 3rd, at 10amCome join Blue Heron Ministries’ restoration ecologist John Brittenham for a guided butterfly and wildflower hike through the prairie at Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy’s Clear Lake Nature Preserve. On the hike participants will learn about the wildflowers and butterflies found on the preserve and the efforts that went into creating such a stunning prairie out of a previous old field filled with invasive species.  John will talk about the unique qualities of the prairie and oak woodland ecosystems and why they are so important for our local wildlife. We will meet at the parking lot of the Clear Lake Nature Preserve and Brennen Woods (7265 E 675 N Fremont, Indiana) at 10 am on Saturday August 3rd.  The hike is estimated to be around 1.5 miles and will last around 2 hours.  The hiking trail is easy to moderate, and no wet areas are anticipated.  This event will take place rain or shine, but we hope for shine. For any questions, please contact John Brittenham at johnbrittenham@gmail.com.

Mike Metz Fen Wildflower and Butterfly Hike Sunday, August 11 at 1PM

Come join Blue Heron Ministries’ restoration ecologist John Brittenham for a guided butterfly and wildflower hike on the boardwalks surrounding Pine Knob Park’s Mike Metz Fen and Duff Lake.  On the hike participants will learn about the many wildflowers and butterflies that make their home in this stunning wetland/prairie/oak woodland ecosystem.  August is by far the most striking time of year for wildflowers in the fen, so don’t miss this opportunity to bathe in the beauty of one of the nicest natural areas in northeast Indiana.  We will meet in the parking lot of Pine Knob Park (2835 E IN 120 Howe, IN 46746) at 1 PM Sunday, August 11th and then carpool to the northeast side of Pine Knob Park to begin the hike.  The trail around Mike Metz Fen and Duff Lake is  around 1.9 miles, so be prepared for a good hike.  All walking will be on limestone trails and boardwalks, so no off-trial footwear is required.  Sunscreen and bug spray may be desired.  The hike is estimated to take 2-2 ½ hours.  The event will take place rain or shine, but we hope for shine.  For any questions, please contact John Brittenham at johnbrittenham@gmail.com.