BCPS Native Plant Catalog Page 1
Table of Contents Introduction page 3 BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Full Sun Plan 1 page 4 BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Well Drained Soil, Medium Moisture Plan 2 page 6 BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Moist Soil Plan 3 page 8 BCPS Native Plant Sensory Garden for Full Sun Plan 4 page 10 Page 2
Introduction Three different types of native butterfly gardens and one native sensory garden have been researched and approved by BCPS and are available to add to schoolyards. All four garden plans were created to reduce the time needed by students and teachers to research appropriate native plants for their sites. It also provides an easy path to approval by the Department of Physical Facilities. Creating a butterfly garden or sensory garden can provide teachers with numerous invaluable opportunities to incorporate inquiry-based learning into their lessons. Students are provided with a schoolyard habitat where they can observe changes that occur throughout the year with both plants and animals. Students can develop and create the garden as well as maintain and monitor it on an annual basis. The garden will allow for students to engage in hands-on activities that will enhance their learning while observing and explaining both plant and animal adaptations, behaviors, and life cycles as well as the interactions between them. In addition to supporting science curriculum, the gardens can also supplement ELA, math, social studies, music, and art lessons. Native plants are specially adapted to our region and climate while being disease resistant and low maintenance. The purpose of a butterfly garden is to provide a habitat to attract butterflies and caterpillars for educational purposes. The native butterfly garden plants were selected to include nectar sources for adult butterflies and host plants for larvae. The plants will have differing bloom times and heights, a variety of colors to attract different types of native pollinators, deer resistance, and drought resistance. A sensory garden is designed with the purpose of stimulating the senses. This stimulation occurs with the use of plants that engage one s senses of sight, smell, and touch through texture and sound. This particular sensory garden was designed with native plants, differing bloom times, low maintenance, deer resistance, and drought resistance. The four garden plans were bid on by three separate nurseries from the Baltimore area and approved by BCPS Office of Purchasing. Each garden is referred to as a unit. Each unit contains approximately 30 plants so there are enough plants for each student within a typical sized homeroom to plant in the ground. One individual unit fills a 32 square foot area. If interested in purchasing one or more of the units, contact Tom Melito (tmelito@bcps.org) for nursery contact information. Page 3
BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Full Sun Plan 1 Before starting this project, be certain to complete Special Project Request (SPR) form https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/physical_facilities/forms.html and submit to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for signature. Once the Assistant Superintendent signs the form it needs to be forwarded to the Department of Physical Facilities for final approval. *Preexisting garden beds in your schoolyard that will be used do not require the completion of an SPR form. This garden should be approximately 32 square feet (4 x 8 ) in size. Suggested Additions: 10 bags of topsoil (40 lb. bags) Plants: Quantity Common Name Scientific Name Height Bloom Time Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 3-6 June-August 3 Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnate 4-5 July-August 3 Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 1-3 May-July 3 New England Aster Aster novae-angliae 1-6 July-October Threadleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata 1-3 June-October 4 Tickseed Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata 1-2 May-July 3 Blazingstar Liatris spicata 2-4 July-August 3 Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida 2-3 June-October Gray Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis ½ - 3 June-November 4 Sweet Goldenrod Solidago odora 2-4 July-November Pussytoes Antennaria plantaginifolia 6-1½ April-June 4 August- Lobelia siphilitica 1-3 Blue Lobelia September Yellow False Indigo Baptisia tinctoria 2-3 May-June 3 Wild Blue Indigo Baptistia australis 3-4 May-June Clustered Mountain Mint 30 Plants Total Pycnanthemum muticum 2-3 July-September Page 4
Notes: BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Full Sun Plan 1 (Continued) Do not mulch this garden because many of these plants self-seed and mulch will suppress germination. Many plants on this list prefer poor soil so it is NOT recommended that Leafgro or compost be added. More organic soil would encourage weed growth. Most specimens on this list are deer resistant. Plant species as densely as possible. One square foot per plant is recommended. (Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home, 2007) Until the native plant/butterfly garden matures and spreads (up to one year), it will need to be weeded periodically. BCPS Grounds is not responsible for maintenance of the garden. Smaller plants should be planted along edges. In order to increase the survivability of the plants, put in place a watering schedule (consider asking parent volunteers) for the first two months of the garden s life and over the summer. If the location for planting is not a preexisting garden: o Be certain that there is at least a four foot buffer from the edge of the garden to the sidewalk to facilitate snowplowing. o Call MISS UTILITY at 1-800-257-7777 seven to ten days prior to any digging to locate and mark any underground utilities. o Gardens should have treated 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 landscaping timbers around the perimeter of garden and below ground level so 1-2 is exposed above ground. This visible barrier will help to prevent students from walking in the garden as well as BCPS Grounds crew from accidentally mowing native plants. Optional: It is recommended that signage be placed at the location of native plant and butterfly gardens, edible gardens, tree plantings, and no mow zones. This helps to define the location for BCPS Grounds and also explains the purpose and goals of the project to the general public. Contact Tom Melito, tmelito@bcps.org, for any questions. Page 5
BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Well Drained Soil, Medium Moisture Plan 2 Before starting this project, be certain to complete Special Project Request (SPR) form https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/physical_facilities/forms.html and submit to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for signature. Once the Assistant Superintendent signs the form it needs to be forwarded to the Department of Physical Facilities for final approval. *Preexisting garden beds in your schoolyard that will be used do not require the completion of an SPR form. This garden should be approximately 32 square feet (4 x 8 ) in size. Suggested Additions: 10 bags of topsoil (40 lb. bags) Plants: Quantity Common Name Scientific Name Height Bloom Time 3 Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis 1-3 April-May 2 Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata 4-5 July-August 2 Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum 1-2 April-July Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida 2-3 June-September 4 Alumroot Heuchera americana 1-2 June-August (aka Coral Bells) 1 Spice Bush Lindera benzoin 6-12 March-April 4 Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica 1-3 August-Sept 4 Stonecrop Sedum ternatum 3-6 April-May Blue-stemmed Goldenrod Solidago caesia 1-3 August-October 4 Wrinkle-leaved September- Solidago rugosa 2-3 Goldenrod October 2 Blue Wood Aster New York Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium (previously Aster cordifolium) 2-5 Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 2-4 (also Aster novi-belgii) ½ August- September July-October White Wood Aster Aster divaracatus 1 - August- 1½ September 2 Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium fistulosum 2-7 July-September Yellow False Indigo Baptisia tinctoria 2-3 May-June 2 Wild Blue Indigo Baptisia australis 3-4 May-June 30 Plants Total Page 6
Notes: BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Well Drained Soil, Medium Moisture Plan 2 (Continued) Do not mulch this garden because many of these plants self-seed and mulch will suppress germination. Many plants on this list prefer poor soil so it is NOT recommended that Leafgro or compost be added. More organic soil would encourage weed growth. Most specimens on this list are deer resistant. Plant species as densely as possible. One square foot per plant is recommended. (Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home, 2007) Until the native plant/butterfly garden matures and spreads, it will need to be weeded periodically (up to one year). BCPS Grounds is not responsible for maintenance of the garden. Smaller plants should be planted along edges. In order to increase the survivability of the plants, put in place a watering schedule (consider asking parent volunteers) for the first two months of the garden s life and over the summer. If the location for planting is not a preexisting garden: o Be certain that there is at least a four foot buffer from the edge of the garden to the sidewalk to facilitate snowplowing. o Call MISS UTILITY at 1-800-257-7777 seven to ten days prior to any digging to locate and mark any underground utilities. o Gardens should have treated 4 x 4, 6 x 6 or landscaping timbers around perimeter of garden and below ground level so 1-2 is exposed above ground. This visible barrier will help to prevent students from walking in the garden as well as BCPS Grounds crew from accidentally mowing native plants. Optional: It is recommended that signage be placed at the location of native plant and butterfly gardens, edible gardens, tree plantings, and no mow zones. This helps to define the location for BCPS Grounds and also explain the purpose and goals of the project to the general public. Contact Tom Melito, tmelito@bcps.org, for any questions. Page 7
BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Moist Soil Plan 3 Before starting this project, be certain to complete Special Project Request (SPR) form https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/physical_facilities/forms.html and submit to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for signature. Once the Assistant Superintendent signs the form it needs to be forwarded to the Department of Physical Facilities for final approval. *Preexisting garden beds in your schoolyard that will be used do not require the completion of an SPR form. This garden should be approximately 32 square feet (4 x 8 ) in size. Suggested Additions: 10 bags of topsoil (40 lb. bags) Plants: Quantity Common Name Scientific Name Height Bloom Time Field Pussytoes Antennaria neglecta 2-1 April-June 4 August- New England Aster Aster nova-angliae 3-6 September 3 Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis 2-4 July-September Virginia Sweetspire Itea virginica 3-4 May-June 1 Black Snakeroot Actea reacemosa (aka Black Cohosh) (aka Cimicifuga racemose) 4-6 May-August Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea 1-3 May-July 3 Oak Sedge Carex pennsylvanica ½ - 1 May 6 White Turtlehead Chelone glabra 1-4 July-September 3 Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica 1-3 July-October 2 Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 2-4 July-September Yellow Sneezeweed Helenium autumnale 3-5 August-October 2 Oxeye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides 3-6 June-August Pink Tickseed Coreopsis rosea 1½ - 2 June-August 4 Woodland Phlox Phlox divaracata 8-1½ March-May Mistflower Eupatorium coelestinum 1½ - 3 July-October 2 Fairy Wand Cimicifuga racemosa 2-4 May-June 30 Plants Total Page 8
BCPS Native Plant and Butterfly Garden for Partial Sun, Moist Soil Plan 3 (Continued) Notes: Do not mulch this garden because many of these plants self-seed and mulch will suppress germination. Many plants on this list prefer poor soil so it is NOT recommended that Leafgro or compost be added. More organic soil would encourage weed growth. Most specimens on this list are deer resistant. Plant species as densely as possible. One square foot per plant is recommended. (Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home, 2007) Until the native plant/butterfly garden matures and spreads, it will need to be weeded periodically (up to one year). BCPS Grounds is not responsible for maintenance of the garden. Smaller plants should be planted along edges. In order to increase the survivability of the plants, put in place a watering schedule (consider asking parent volunteers) for the first two months of the garden s life and over the summer. If the location for planting is not a preexisting garden: o Be certain that there is at least a four foot buffer from the edge of the garden to the sidewalk to facilitate snowplowing. o Call MISS UTILITY at 1-800-257-7777 seven to ten days prior to any digging to locate and mark any underground utilities. o Gardens should have treated 4 x 4, 6 x 6 or landscaping timbers around perimeter of garden and below ground level so 1-2 is exposed above ground. This visible barrier will help to prevent students from walking in the garden as well as BCPS Grounds crew from accidentally mowing native plants. Optional: It is recommended that signage be placed at the location of native plant and butterfly gardens, edible gardens, tree plantings, and no mow zones. This helps to define the location for BCPS Grounds and also explain the purpose and goals of the project to the general public. Contact Tom Melito, tmelito@bcps.org, for any questions. Page 9
BCPS Native Plant Sensory Garden for Full Sun Plan 4 Before starting this project, be certain to complete Special Project Request (SPR) form https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/physical_facilities/forms.html and submit to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for signature. Once the Assistant Superintendent signs the form it needs to be forwarded to the Department of Physical Facilities for final approval. *Preexisting garden beds in your schoolyard that will be used do not require the completion of an SPR form. This garden should be approximately 32 square feet (4 x 8 ) in size. Suggested Additions: 10 bags of topsoil (40 lb. bags) Plants: Quantity Common Name Scientific Name Height Bloom Time Smell 2 Blue Giant Hyssop Agastche foeniculum 2-4 June-September 1 Spice Bush Lindera benzoin 6-12 March 3 Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum Virginianum 2-3 June-September Nodding Onion Allium cernuum 1-1½ June-September 2 Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 2-4 July-September 2 Sweet Goldenrod Solidago odora 2-4 August-September Sight 2 Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 2-5 June-August 2 Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida 2-3 June-September 2 Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa 1-2 ½ June-August 1 New England Aster Aster novae-angleae 3-6 Aug-September 1 New York Aster Aster novae belgii 3-5 August-October 2 Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis 1-3 April-May Touch 2 Wild Petunia Ruellia humilus 1-1 ½ May-October Moss Phlox Phlox subulata ¼ - ½ March-May 2 1 Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum 4-6 July-September Blazingstar Liatris spicata 2-4 July-August Yellow Buckwheat Eriogonum allenii 1-2 July-September Purple Bergamot Monarda media 2-4 July-September Page 10
BCPS Native Plant Sensory Garden for Full Sun Plan 4 (Continued) Quantity Common Name Scientific Name Height Bloom Time Sound Slender Woodoats Chasmanthium laxum 2-3 July-September 3 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum 3-4 July-February Broomsedge Andropogon virginicus 2-3 September-November 1 Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris 2-3 September-November 1 Northern Sea Oats Chasmanthium latifolium 2-5 August-September 1 or 0 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 2-4 August-October 30 Plants Total Notes: Due to the stricter guidelines a BCPS Edible Garden requires compared to the minimal BCPS Sensory Garden requirements, there is no Taste section for the Sensory Garden. If you want to incorporate a Taste section, please incorporate it into your school s Edible Garden and be sure to follow the BCPS Edible Garden guidelines. It is recommended that the sensory garden be planted by groups of plants (all the Smell together, all the Sight together, etc.). Do not mulch this garden because many of these plants self-seed and mulch will suppress germination. Many plants on this list prefer poor soil so it is NOT recommended that Leafgro or compost be added. More organic soil would encourage weed growth. Most specimens on this list are deer resistant. Plant species as densely as possible. One square foot per plant is recommended. (Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home, 2007) Until the sensory garden matures and spreads, it will need to be weeded periodically. BCPS Grounds is not responsible for maintenance of the garden. Smaller plants should be planted along edges. In order to increase the survivability of the plants, put in place a watering schedule (consider asking parent volunteers) for the first two months of the garden s life and over the summer. If the location for planting is not a preexisting garden: o Be certain that there is at least a four foot buffer from the edge of the garden to the sidewalk to facilitate snowplowing. o Call 1-800-MISS-UTILITY seven to ten days prior to any digging to locate and mark any underground utilities. o Gardens should have treated 4 x 4, 6 x 6 or landscaping timbers around perimeter of garden and below ground level so 1-2 is exposed above ground. This visible barrier will help to prevent students from walking in the garden as well as BCPS grounds crew from accidentally mowing native plants. Page 11
BCPS Native Plant Sensory Garden for Full Sun Plan 4 (Continued) Optional: It is recommended that signage be placed at the location of native plant and butterfly gardens, edible gardens, tree plantings and no mow zones. This helps to define the location for BCPS Grounds and also explain the purpose and goals of the project to the general public. Contact Tom Melito, tmelito@bcps.org, for any questions. *Special thanks to Frank Marsden, Director of Eden Mill Nature Center, for use of his photographs. Page 12