backyard
Doesn't look like cage
Perennial flowers and grasses. We’re talking herbaceous forbs, grasses and sedges — plants that die back to the ground in fall and emerge from the ground in spring. If fall rains are good and the weather isn’t abnormally hot or dry, you might not need to water more than once or twice. Watering depends highly on soil type, plant type, climate and weather — there are too many variables to accurately advise about watering here. As an example, here in the tallgrass ecoregion of eastern Nebraska, or USDA Zone 5, if I plant flowers and grasses on September 20, I will water right away at installation, then again within about four to seven days. I may water once more a week after that. Smaller potted plants and plugs may have to be watered a bit sooner than 1-gallon pots, as they dry out faster, but these smaller plants will also establish much faster. Spring watering won’t be necessary.MoreWhy Fall Is the Best Time for PlantingSee more ways to garden for birds
SedgesThe later into autumn and the further north you are, the less able many native grasses are to establish before the worst of winter hits. There are dozens of sedges for areas where you want a grass-like look, and you want the plants to be generally 3 feet tall or less. Sedges, just like grasses, provide valuable cover and refuge for toads, frogs, birds, spiders, butterflies and so many more creatures.One of their benefits is they green up early in spring — some even stay a little evergreen — and regreen in autumn. Basically, cool and moist weather recharges them. Plains shortbeak sedge (Carex brevior) is a favorite that’s very adaptable. For shade gardens, Sprengel’s sedge (C. sprengelii) and bristleleaf sedge (C. eburnea) are low-maintenance choices.





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