We are not so very far away from last October. Many of us are still daily facing massive adjustments in our lives, our work, and homes. During this time, providing you with healthy plants, supportive products, and our best resources will continue to be our mission.

In this article, we have some plant recommendations, a helpful product, and several lists and blogs to get you started on your research.

This week, we want to feature a few native plants that are helpful in restoration efforts. We've purposely grown some smaller sized shrubs and trees that are excellent candidates for streambank restorations specifically. And at a smaller size, they are not only easier to plant in difficult places, they are also lower cost. We know many folks have a lot of space to fill and we want to help make that attainable. Read more to see if these might work for you:

Elderberry - Sambucus canadensis

• Native deciduous shrub (z3-9)

• Full-part sun

• 5-12' tall and wide

• Showy, fragrant white spring blooms lead to tasty black berries in late summer, great for wildlife

• Thrives in a wide range of conditions

• Spreads by suckers; excellent for colonizing streambanks

Pussy Willow - Salix discolor

• NATIVE deciduous shrub (z2-7)

• Full-part sun

• 6-15' tall, 4-12' wide

• Prized for its fluffy catkins in early spring

• Thrives in moist to wet soil

• Fast-growing and good for erosion control

Red-Twig Dogwood - Cornus sericea

• NATIVE deciduous shrub (z3-8)

• Full sun-part shade

• 6-9' tall, 8-12' wide

• White spring flowers and summer berries provide food for wildlife

• Thrives in consistently moist to wet soil

• Excellent for erosion control due to its fast-growing, suckering habit, and dense root system, making it effective at stabilizing soil on slopes and along waterways.

In addition to the straight species, Painters is carrying these varieties this season:

• 2G 'Baileyi' Red-twig Dogwoods

• 2G 'Kelseyi' Dwarf Red-twig Dogwoods

• 3G 'Arctic Fire Red" Red-twig Dogwoods

• 8"T Yellow-twig Dogwoods [Cornus sericea]

Northern Sea Oats - Chasmanthium latifolium

• NATIVE perennial grass (z5-9)

• Full sun-part shade

• 2-3' tall and wide

• Dangling oat-like seedheads in fall and winter

• Clump-forming, good for naturalizing and stabilization

Wildlife Habitat Seed Mix -- This week only!

For those needing native restoration in areas of size, we are carrying Roundstone Wildlife Habitat Seeds.

The diversity of seeds offers the highest chance of success in a variety of soil and moisture types. Planting in fall after the first killing frost is optimal to allow for a natural over-wintering process, but if you have missed that window, you can still plant in early spring--usually between late February and early April (especially true for higher mountainous regions). Be mindful that spring planting may require more attention to weed control and ensuring adequate moisture. And don't just feed the birds! Mix the seeds into a growing mix or good compost. We carry Nature’s Choice 350 Growing Mix.

[Note: Planting is recommended soon, but unused seed mix can be stored in the freezer until planting in the fall.]

And just like you, none of us can be experts on everything! We are all learning and sharing together. We do our best to answer the questions we get from you as best we can. Each of us is facing our own very specific challenges! Check out these resources we have assembled to help with your recovery and garden rehabilitation efforts: