About Serviceberry
About Indiangrass
Guides for Coloring
Native Shrub Brightens Spring Landscape (April Botanical Bits column)

Guide for Planting and Care of Serviceberry
      Your seedling is very small, but with some care and attention, it will grow. The following directions will help you to plant your tree:

• Plant it where it will have room to grow.
• Plant trees at least 20' away from buildings or power lines.
• Do not plant under power
  lines or near underground utilities.
• Plant at least 25-30' from the street or driveway so you do not block motorist's sight and seeds do not fall in the street.
• Since your plant is small, try to plant it in a spot that is protected from strong winds.
• Your tree can be planted now. If it will not be planted right away, it should be kept in a shaded location and out of the wind. It should be watered daily.
• The planting hole should be dug wider than the root system of the tree (about 1 foot wide). It should be narrower at the bottom than at the top, and no deeper than the roots of the tree.
• If the soil is hard, make cuts in the sides of the hole with a shovel.
• Plant the seedling at a level slightly higher than the level it is at in the pot.
• Support the seedling while carefully placing the soil in the hole.
• Apply 2-3 inches of woodchip mulch 18-24 inches out from the tree on all sides, but not touching the stem.
• After your plant is planted and mulched, water it well. Your tree will need to be watered frequently during its first year. If rainfall is less than 1 inch per week you will need to water your tree.
• It is a good idea to protect your tree from rabbits, pets and deer by putting a ring of fine mesh fencing such as chicken wire, about 1 foot out from the tree. Make the wire large enough so it is just inside the mulch ring and tall enough to protect the entire tree. The wire can be held in place by stakes. It should be protected for at least three years.
• Your plant has been growing in a greenhouse since January so it has done most of its growing for this year. It may not grow any taller this summer, but it is important to take care of it so it stays healthy and is ready to grow next spring.

About Serviceberry

• Native to Nebraska
• Grows to 20 feet high by about 20 feet wide. Can be single-stemmed or multi-stemmed.
• White, fragrant flowers in early spring before leaves are developed.
• Coarsely toothed leaves with zigzagged edges, and light to dark green above and paler below. Fall color is yellow to red.
• Fruits in June-July turn dark purple and are edible for people and wildlife.
• Can be planted in sun or part shade and in many kinds of soil, hardy to zone 3.
• Useful for erosion control and naturalizing.
• Native Americans mixed it with buffalo meat and fat to make pemmican, their primary winter food.

About Indiangrass

• Sorghastrum nutans is the scientific name for this grass and Indiangrass, is its common name.
• Indiangrass is native to Nebraska and other parts of North America. Being native to Nebraska means that it occurs in nature in this state and was not brought from somewhere outside of Nebraska and planted here.
• In nature Indiangrass can be found growing in lowland areas of tallgrass prairie. At one time most of Eastern Nebraska was covered with tallgrass prairie but very little prairie remains today. The seed for your plant came from plants growing in a small prairie near Lincoln.
• Indiangrass prefers to grow in moist areas, but it can also grow in other dryer areas, including the flower bed in your yard, where it can be planted in sun or part shade.
• It can grow to be 3-6 feet tall including its seedhead by fall when its leaves become reddish tan. It provides habitat and food for wildlife and is lovely in the garden.
• Indiangrass survives the winter by becoming dormant and does not actively grow until after the cold of winter is over when it sends up new blades of grass from its base.
• Since your plant is small it is important that it be planted carefully. It should be watered when the ground is dry.
  
  Care and Planting of Indiangrass

• Indiangrass can be planted in full sun or part shade with other grasses, shrubs or perennials.
• Allow 12-18” of space between your grass and other plants so it has room to grow.
• Do not plant within 5-6 feet of street or driveway so you do not block the sight of motorists.
• It would be best if you planted your grass as soon as possible. If it will not be planted right away, it should be watered daily.
• The planting hole should be dug wide enough for the plant, and no deeper than the bottom of the roots of the plant.
• Plant the grass at the same level it is at in the pot.
• Support the seedling while carefully placing the soil in the hole around it.
• Apply 2-3 inches of woodchip mulch 18-24 inches out from the plant on all sides, but not touching the stem.
• After your grass is planted and mulched, water it well. If rainfall is less than 1 inch per week you will need to water.

  Guides for Coloring