Family: Asteraceae (Aster) Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium Perennial herb introduced with genotypes that are both native and introduced. Common in disturbed areas and open forests in the US, spread across all Northern continents. Watch for: Lance-shaped leaves finely divided, resembling a fern. White flowers have four petals, forming a dome shape in a cluster at… Read More →
Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed) Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa Perennial herb found on roadways, abandoned farmlands, open woodlands, and prairies. Sandy, loamy, or rocky limestone soils. Watch for: Lance-shaped alternate leaves smooth above and velvet beneath. Flowers are a showy orange, with 5 petals which together form a rounded group on the top. Usually the flash of… Read More →
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower) Scientific Name: Liatris punctata Perennial herb of prairies and native pastures. Dry, course soils. Watch for: Purple star-shaped flowers arranged in spikelike groups at the ends of stems. Leaves dotted and narrow, up to 15 cm long, closely spaced and arching upward, with a solid smooth feel. 1/4′ to 2 3/4′ tall. Other names:… Read More →
Yesterday was the long awaited Give to the Max Day, and oh what a memorable day it was! The entire 24-hour donation window raised about $13.5 million for hundreds of Minnesota non-profits… now you don’t see that everyday do you?! Wow! All donations will be dedicated to education, health, disability services, immigration and refugee aid, family services, wildlife… Read More →
When it comes to late fall in Minnesota we’re all lucky to get a perfect warm sunny day that lands on the weekend! Last Saturday (11/12), Metro Blooms and local volunteers embraced this fortunate day with a raking project near Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. Starting at 9 am with a crew of 12, we took… Read More →
Family: Poacaea (Grass) Scientific Name: Andropogon Gerardii Prairies (clay, black soil, sand), savannas, grassy fens (wetlands), well-managed native pastures, roadsides. The most common grass of the native tall grass prairie. Pre-colonial settlement, Big Blue Stem once covered a massive range from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, from Quebec to Mexico. Watch for: Long, hairy and… Read More →
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) Family Scientific name: Monarda fistulosa Grows on prairie hillsides, pastures, roadsides, stream banks, and occasionally in open woods. Usually in rocky soil. Perennial herb. Watch for: Purple flower, leaves simple, opposite and lance-shaped. Fragrant, lower surfaces hairy, with square stem. Other names: Wild Bergamont, Oswego Tea (Lake Oswego, Oregon), Long-flowered Horsemint, Fern Mint. History: Beebalm… Read More →
Welcome to the new Metro Blooms blog! Here is where you’ll be able to dig into all the rain garden extras such as: News, events, affiliates, plant bios and folklore, and much more! We look forward to being blog buddies, feel free to join in the conversation! -Nick for Metro Blooms Staff
Metro Blooms Receives MCWD 2010 WATERSHED HEROES AWARD
For Minneapolis gardener, the floral is political – Aug 24, 2010
A Minneapolis couple celebrate their 50th anniversary with a unique gift to the neighborhood – rain gardens for everyone on their block.
Loving Each Other and the Environment: Bob and Deb Wolk celebrate their anniversary with raingardens for the whole block
