Blue Thumb plantings use plants that are well suited for the soil type, light requirements, function they need to serve, and personal tastes. Plants that are well-suited for their environment can pretty much take care of themselves after they are established. Check out the plant selector!

“Native” plants are plants that are indigenous to the area you live. Natives are generally the easiest to care for since they have evolved tolerating the local weather conditions. In the Midwest, that means harsh winters, summer heat and drought. Blue Thumb plantings are not solely natives, there are many ornamental plants that work well in raingardens.

Read about the benefits of Blue Thumb plantings.

The Magic is in the Roots!
Many natives, especially prairie plants, have extremely long roots extending down many feet whereas lawn grass typically has a root system of a few inches and needs constant watering. The enormous root systems of natives means they can find their own water, control erosion, decrease flooding and filter out pollutants! Plus, they also only need to be mowed or cut down once a year not every week. Natives typically do not need fertilizers nor pesticides because they are adapted to the soils and local pests.

• Rice Creek Watershed District
• Capitol Region Watershed District
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
• Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
• Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization
• Lower Minnesota River Watershed District
• Upper Mississippi River Source Water Protection Project
• Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc.
• Washington Conservation District

• Sunrise Nurseries

• Complain about mowing every week.
  

• Weed once a month.

• Be a slave to the demands of your thirsty lawn every week.

• Clip flowers for vases.

• Worry about weeds. Apply herbicide.

• Take advantage of your free time.

• Wonder about fertilizing. How much? How often? What type? Do research about fertilizing.

• Relax. Breath. Slow down.

• Chase Canada Geese out of yard. Clean up their droppings.

• Enjoy the butterflies and dragonflies in the habitat you’ve created.

• Apply pesticides.

• Cheers to the fact that you’re saving money, time and enjoying yourself.
  

• Complain about algae in area lakes. Contact the city and ask why lakes are green.

• Feel great about protecting water. Your planting filters out excess nutrients, traps sediment and controls erosion.

• Spend money on replacement plants or annuals.

• Watch your children be amazed by nature.

*Watering is needed until Blue Thumb plantings are established - typically one growing season (about three months).