MinervaFlora - July Update

In this current series of articles, we’re exploring the replacement of invasive non-native plants with plants that are native to our local ecosystem. 

This month, we will focus on the Daylily (Hemerocallis) aka Ditch lily, Tiger lily. Their rhizomes spread aggressively, forming dense, impenetrable mats that deter native flora. The plants themselves provide little or no value to pollinators. I will include Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) in this category as well for the same reasons, although they can be much more difficult to eradicate and are highly toxic.

Native alternatives to the Day Lily are:

-Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) a larval host to Monarch, Grey Hairstreak and Queen butterflies, grows 1-3’ and grows well in sun or shade and moist or dry soil. Many other pollinators enjoy this milkweed plant, such as the milkweed bug, in multitudes.

-Michigan Lily (Lily michiganense) attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Likes full sun or part shade and moist, well drained soil.

Lily of the Valley can be replaced with these natives:

-False Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum dilatatum) or Mayflower. This plant provides a nectar source for pollinators in the early spring and food for wildlife-herbivores and birds in summer and fall, forms a fungal symbiosis with the soil and helps prevent erosion.

-Wild Ginger (Asarum canadensis) blooms in early spring, attracting flies, beetles and gnats for pollination and is a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar.  The low growing leaves create a shelter for small insects and amphibians. Not a culinary ginger. 

If you are interested in more information or purchasing native plants, please check out one of the many native plant nurseries in the central Ohio area including Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife or Scioto Gardens.

Community Garden Update:  Things are growing well in the garden. The sweet peat from grant money has been disbursed to all garden boxes. Donations as of 6/12/26 were 62 pounds - well ahead of last year. Pollinator plants in the Janice Windborne Memorial Garden are growing well and flowering, while the herbs in the Herb Garden in memory of Teresa Bridgette are multiplying enthusiastically. The garden will be on this year’s MinervaFlora Garden Tour on Sunday June 28th. The garden would like to thank the MPCA for their support through the season.

MinervaFlora Update:  The plant sale went well. In lieu of our monthly meeting, we opted to have a pop-up sale the day after the art show to sell plants that were left over. We continue to maintain the Mary Yost Garden and the pots near benches by the lake and at the playground. A new pot was added at the double benches by South Lake. The garden tour was June 28th, and featured 6 private gardens (2 never before seen), the Mary Yost and the community garden. MinervaFlora would like to thank the MPCA and the Village for their support through the year and Tony Benedetti and son for repairing the paver patio at the double benches area by South Lake.