Mid April Blog

Keystone Plants

‘Keystone’ plants/ animals or insects are living organisms that have a big impact on an ecosystem’s health and vitality. The ‘Keystone’ designation means that whatever the organism, it generates a network of beneficial relationships. Keystone plants and or animals also can provide critical sources of food and shelter for a large number of species.

More keystone plants in the landscape mean a huge increase in biodiversity which is exactly what Nature and Earth need right now.

Four keystone varieties that I found on multiple lists are below. Many are yellow. Yellow is the second easiest color for Nature to make after the color green.

Solidago known as ‘Goldenrod’

My husband and I are having a running discussion on whether to plant this one.

My experience with Solidago has been that it is absolutely lovely when you buy it in the nursery in late fall when lots of plants are not in bloom.

It’s pretty and it’s a huge keystone plant. You don’t have to do much to help it thrive, except plant it in the sun. However, please understand that it spreads wherever the wind blows it’s seeds.

I remember my mentor Martha, creating a pink and yellow theme at someone’s garden we shared. She planted pink peonies in a straight row and then backed those up with tall solidago. (They come in lots of different heights.) Years later the owner would rant about how invasive the goldenrod was and how impossible it was to get rid of even after pulling and pulling – keep this in mind.

Rudebekia known asBlack Eyed Susan

This is a huge family so once again look up which is the keystone species. I love this plant because of its ‘ for sure’ bloom, even when transplanted in the same season. It also spreads, but is possible to control by digging up and giving away! These come in many sizes with variations of red/orange and yellow.

Heliopsis known as False Sunflower

Heliopolis is a yellow TALL perennial. I try to plant this with a fence or wall behind it. It gets so tall it flops over when full of blooms. If it has it’s back to an open fence you can string twine in front of it from one end of the row to the other end. It won’t collapse completely with this help. These plants attract tons of butterflies and bees!

Asters

The last of the 4 ‘must plant’ keystones is the Aster. This is another huge cultivar that blooms in the fall. Actually it will bloom sooner than the fall if you allow it. You have to be sure you cut it back in June or July about halfway so the blooms wait til fall to pop. Asters have small daisy like flowers and add a huge colorful spot to your garden in the fall.

Keystone shrubs include

Aronia- Chokeberry

A great shrub! White flowers in the spring then red berries that last til winter if the birds don’t eat them first.

Redbud small tree– These typically grow on the perimeter of woods where it can get good light. Of course now you can use it as a small tree in your garden for a wonderful early blooming purple flower.

Sambucus- elderberry

I have a fabulous one with red leaf and white intricate blooms that is NOT native or a keystone. It gets big in one season then you can artistically prune or whack it back in early spring. I just had to show you this one. All genus species do not have the same attributes.

Heres a photo of the Keystone plant with the more common green leaf and white flowers.

Acer negundo -Box elder shrub/small tree

Keystone Trees include:

Oaks, Willows, Maples, Birches, Aspen, Eastern White Pine, Black Cherry and American Plum

Please do more research on growth habit and problems with these trees before you plant one. Trees are not my forte.

and just for fun..

Keystone Animals include:

Beavers (see previous blog about beavers as a keystone animal :https://www.christiesfinegardening.com/rebuilding-streams-and-flood-plains-with-low-tech-process-based-restorationthe-job-of-my-son-the-geomorpholgist/), sea otters, wolves, starfish, prairie dogs.

Please do your homework in finding specific keystone species if keystone plantings is your goal. Just Google ‘Keystone plus the name of plant’ and you will get photos and a list. Natives are also great to plant and even an Asian plant here and there is fine with me. Just study up before you plant.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as private and professional gardener .