November 2025 - Backyard Habitats

Bright yellow Partridge Pea flower fully open, showing delicate petals and red-tinged centers.

Partridge Pea: A Nitrogen-Fixing Native for Pollinators & Prairie Restoration

November 24, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening, Plant Profiles

(Chamaecrista fasciculata) If you’re looking to support bees, improve soil, and bring a burst of sunny yellow into your prairie or pollinator garden, the Partridge Pea native plant (Chamaecrista fasciculata) is one of the most valuable annuals you can grow. With its long bloom season, wildlife benefits, and ability to enrich poor soils, this species […]

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Kitty Todd woodland and prairie full of fall colors, red, orange, yellow and green.

Oak Openings Region: Native Plants & Habitat Restoration

November 18, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening, Northwest Ohio Ecosystems

Introduction The Oak Openings Region in northwest Ohio is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Great Lakes, with sand prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands all within a few square miles. By planting Oak Openings Region native plants, gardeners can bring elements of this rare ecosystem into their yards, supporting pollinators, birds, and

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The shallow Maumee river full of native vegetation throughout the river.

Maumee River Corridor: Native Plants & Habitat Restoration

November 12, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening, Northwest Ohio Ecosystems

Introduction Flowing through Toledo and into Lake Erie, the Maumee River Corridor connects forests, wetlands, and urban landscapes, forming a critical ecological artery in Northwest Ohio. Often called the “Mississippi of the Great Lakes,” the river spans over 6,000 square miles and supports a rich diversity of species. By incorporating Maumee River Corridor native plants

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The Lake Erie coastal marsh along the shore of the western part of Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Coastal Marsh: Native Plants & Habitat Restoration

November 4, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening, Northwest Ohio Ecosystems

Introduction The Lake Erie Coastal Marsh forms a vital buffer along Ohio’s northern shoreline, filtering runoff, reducing erosion, and providing shelter for countless migratory birds. By planting Lake Erie Coastal Marsh native plants, gardeners can mimic this unique wetland habitat in their yards, supporting pollinators, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife while helping restore balance to

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