Cleveland rocks is not a garden spot but a saying that reflects what the big city along Lake Erie is known for. Many visitors come to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and enjoy its lakefront location. Other attractions include the Cleveland Museum of Art, Metroparks Zoo, and Botanical Garden. Sports fans come from local and surrounding areas for the Guardians and Browns, which play in separate stadiums on opposite ends of downtown. Many consider the city of Akron, and large suburbs such as Richfield, to be a significant part of the community.
Its continental climate includes all four seasons. The fact that Cleveland receives nearly double the national average amount of snow each Winter is the proof you need. Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, which flows through the heart of the city, provide moisture for adjacent communities. Consequently, the possibility of icy conditions on properties near the Lake or riverfront can impact landscaping decisions.
There are several prominent native trees throughout the Cleveland area. The best examples are Western White Pine, Ohio Buckeye, Bigleaf Maple, Striped Maple, Black Gum, and Boxelder.
Cleveland’s climate makes the use of native plants more significant than for other parts of the country. Native plants are best suited to handle soil and climate conditions, often requiring less maintenance. Other considerations include attracting pollinators or providing color and beauty for the yard or garden.
Bee Balm is a popular native plant. This perennial matures up to four feet tall but requires extensive sunlight and additional watering. The Black Eyed Susan is a solid choice if you like bright yellow flowers. This perennial matures roughly five feet high, needing full sun but less water than others. The Cardinal Flower is a perennial which depends upon hummingbirds for fertilization.
Consequently, your yard or garden needs to be regularly attracting pollinators. It can thrive with partial shade but needs plenty of water. Other popular selections are the Butterfly Weed, White Wood Aster, and Wild Geranium. It is essential to research for the best fit, considering height and width, amount of water, and tolerance for sunlight, water, and soils.
Evergreen native ground cover and ferns include the Intermediate Fern, Partridgeberry, and Wintergreen. Deciduous ferns include the Silvery Glad, New York Fern, and Lady Fern.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources adds that flowering plants are the most diverse group, with approximately 1,800 native flowering plants. Purple Cress, Large-flowered Trillium, Spring Beauty, and White Trout Lily are among the most popular.
What you intend to plant for your Cleveland area landscaping depends on which time of year is best to plant them. For the garden, or if you wish to grow tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, etc., your best time is to wait until late May. At that time, there is no longer the worry about frost while temperatures and soils are warming up. However, if you are planting vegetables (carrots, peas, spinach, kale), you can begin planting around mid-April.
Grass should be seeded within the six-week period that includes the month of September. Soil and air temperatures are known to play a role in influencing seed germination, while the grass then has the Winter season to develop for the coming year.
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Best of luck with your landscaping!
