NativePlantGardening

How do y'all decide the balance between dead heading for more blooms or letting flowers go to seed for the benefit of local birds? I have one of the few flower gardens on my block and the only native garden, so pretty much all of my flowers are beneficial seeds so I want to support them, but it would also be nice to get more blooms.

I'm in southeast Michigan, hardiness zone 6b, and if like to add a small or mid size evergreen to my yard for some winter interest, any suggestions?

I also have a large yew I'd like to replace with something comparable to maintain a little porch privacy, I'm thinking either a smoke bush or witch hazel, any others I should consider?

Despite being nowhere near Ohio, Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) still love growing here. They only bloom in the morning because the afternoon sun causes the flowers to shrivel up, but no worries because there will be a whole new batch the next day! Florida, USA

Abstract: Soil is one of the most important natural resources and medium for plant growth. Anthropogenic interventions such as tillage, irrigation, and fertilizer application can affect the health of the soil. Use of fertilizer nitrogen (N) for crop production influences soil health primarily through changes in organic matter content, microbial life, and acidity in the soil. Soil organic matter (SOM) constitutes the storehouse of soil N. Studies with 15N-labelled fertilizers show that in a cropping season, plants take more N from the soil than from the fertilizer. A large number of long-term field experiments prove that optimum fertilizer N application to crops neither resulted in loss of organic matter nor adversely affected microbial activity in the soil. Fertilizer N, when applied at or below the level at which maximum yields are achieved, resulted in the build-up of SOM and microbial biomass by promoting plant growth and increasing the amount of litter and root biomass added to soil. Only when fertilizer N was applied at rates more than the optimum, increased residual inorganic N accelerated the loss of SOM through its mineralization. Soil microbial life was also adversely affected at very high fertilizers rates. Optimum fertilizer use on agricultural crops reduces soil erosion but repeated application of high fertilizer N doses may lead to soil acidity, a negative soil health trait. Site-specific management strategies based on principles of synchronization of N demand by crops with N supply from all sources including soil and fertilizer could ensure high yields, along with maintenance of soil health. Balanced application of different nutrients and integrated nutrient management based on organic manures and mineral fertilizers also contributed to soil health maintenance and improvement. Thus, fertilizer N, when applied as per the need of the field crops in a balanced proportion with other nutrients and along with organic manures, if available with the farmer, maintains or improves soil health rather than being deleterious.

Here are last year's swamp sunflowers (Helianthus angustifolius) in bloom. A hurricane knocked them all over a week before blooming so I'm hoping this year they will get to bloom upright! Florida, USA

Shiny leaf coffee (Psychotria nervosa) is my favorite native plant and it is also a favorite of the local bees! Zone 9b, Florida, USA

Swamp Milkweed with what I believe is a mason bee. Zone 9b, Florida, USA.

First flower at 2 years old.

My passion vine blooming earlier this year before all the caterpillars ate it. Zone 9b, Florida, USA

Here's my sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) blooming earlier this year. Smells like lemons! Zone 9b, Florida, USA

Blue Cohosh slowly spreading beneath an invasive maple forest.

Trillium grandiflorum in it's natural habitat, looking a bit weary.

This flower of a ninebark cultivar includes a small bee performing some sort of important task.

This 2 year old plant is finally starting to bloom! Notice the tiny bug taking a moment to enjoy.