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WOOF. PLAY. EAT.
Native Planting Proposal · 2026
Native Plant
Installation
Installation
Southwest full-sun bed · Portland, Maine · Straight species only, no cultivars · All pet-safe
782
Square feet (46×17)
453
Plants
11
Native species
Design intent
Built for dogs, people, and pollinators.
Woof Play Eat presents a specific set of conditions most landscapes never have to answer: heavy foot and paw traffic, the chemical challenge of dog urine at the bed edges, southwest sun with no afternoon relief, and a daily audience of dogs and their owners. The planting had to hold up physically and work ecologically.
The design uses a blue-to-yellow color arc that reads clearly across the season. Grasses and sedges make up roughly 45% of the planting for structural resilience and year-round interest. Every species is confirmed pet-safe. None are cultivars.
Palette
Blue and yellow through the season. Opens with blue-violet (sedge, beardtongue, indigo) and closes gold (goldenrod, bluestem bronze).
Structure
~45% grasses and sedges woven throughout. Taller species set back, shorter plants toward the front. Diagonal drift layout, no rows.
Pet safety
Every species confirmed non-toxic to dogs and cats. Urine-resilient plants anchor the perimeter.
Sourcing
Straight species only. Local ecotype where available. Van Berkum, North Creek, and Eastfield Natives.
Planting diagram
Drift layout — top view.
Diagonal drifts prevent the stripe look of rows. Grasses and sedges thread through every zone for continuity. Color shifts from blue-violet at the front-left to gold and bronze at the rear-right. Bed is 46 ft wide by 17 ft deep.
Species list
11 species. Each one earns its place.
| Plant | Type | Qty | Why it's here | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania SedgeCarex pensylvanica | Sedge | 160 | Low-growing ground layer. Drought and urine tolerant. Woven between taller plants. | Apr |
| Little BluestemSchizachyrium scoparium | Grass | 70 | Structural backbone. Blue-green in summer, copper-bronze in fall. Feeds sparrows through winter. | Aug–Sep |
| Hairy BeardtonguePenstemon hirsutus | Forb | 48 | Early blue-violet bloom. Serves native bumblebees before most other plants open. Urine tolerant at edges. | May–Jun |
| Golden AlexandersZizia aurea | Forb | 39 | Early yellow. Host plant for Black Swallowtail caterpillars. Pairs with beardtongue for a blue-and-yellow opening. | Apr–Jun |
| New England AsterSymphyotrichum novae-angliae | Forb | 57 | Fall closer. Deep purple pairs with goldenrod gold. Critical for Monarchs fueling up for migration. | Sep–Oct |
| Gray GoldenrodSolidago nemoralis | Forb | 37 | Compact habit. Supports 100+ bee species. One of the most ecologically productive plants in the Northeast. | Aug–Oct |
| Blue Wild IndigoBaptisia australis | Shrub-like | 7 | Specimen anchor. Deep taproot makes it drought-proof once established. Slow but permanent. | May–Jun |
| Yellow Wild IndigoBaptisia tinctoria | Shrub-like | 5 | Warm-toned counterpart. Long-lived anchor that will outlast anything else in the bed. | Jun–Aug |
| New Jersey TeaCeanothus americanus | Shrub | 3 | White flower cluster in June. Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil for neighbors. Drought tolerant. | Jun–Jul |
| Yellow IndiangrassSorghastrum nutans | Grass | 5 | Tall architectural accent. Feathery golden plumes in late summer. Used sparingly at the rear. | Aug–Sep |
| Three-toothed CinquefoilSibbaldiopsis tridentata | Forb | 22 | Low mat-forming front edge. White flowers in summer, burgundy foliage in fall. Tough and weed-suppressing. | Jun–Jul |
Bloom calendar
Color from April through October.
Something in bloom or strong foliage from first warm days through first frost, and in structure through winter.
| Species | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA Sedge | |||||||
| Golden Alexanders | |||||||
| Beardtongue | |||||||
| Blue Wild Indigo | |||||||
| Yellow Wild Indigo | |||||||
| NJ Tea | |||||||
| Cinquefoil | |||||||
| Little Bluestem | |||||||
| Yellow Indiangrass | |||||||
| Gray Goldenrod | |||||||
| New England Aster |
In bloom
Foliage / structure
Price estimate
Plant cost, at wholesale.
Plant material is passed through at actual wholesale cost — no markup. Install labor is a flat fee covering time, transport, and materials.
| Plant | Qty | Unit | Total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Berkum Nursery | ||||
| Gray Goldenrod | 37 | $7.59 | $280.83 | Trade acct. |
| New England Aster | 57 | $5.04 | $287.28 | Trade acct. |
| Three-toothed Cinquefoil | 22 | $7.44 | $163.68 | Trade acct. |
| Golden Alexanders | 39 | $7.44 | $290.16 | Trade acct. |
| Little Bluestem | 70 | $1.70 | $119.00 | Tray plugs |
| Hairy Beardtongue | 48 | $1.55 | $74.40 | Tray plugs |
| Eastfield Natives | ||||
| Blue Wild Indigo | 7 | $12.00 | $84.00 | Est. pricing |
| Yellow Wild Indigo | 5 | $12.00 | $60.00 | Est. pricing |
| New Jersey Tea | 3 | $20.00 | $60.00 | Est. pricing |
| Yellow Indiangrass | 5 | $18.00 | $90.00 | Est. pricing |
| North Creek Nurseries | ||||
| Pennsylvania Sedge | 160 | $2.59 | $414.40 | LP32 plugs + ship |
| Additional | ||||
| Soil amendment & mulch | ~$180 | Est. | ||
| Transport & materials | ~$80 | Est. | ||
| Total plant cost (wholesale) | ~$1,923 | |||
~$1,923
Plant & materials cost
$250
Install labor (flat rate)
~$2,173
Total estimated
Eastfield pricing is estimated pending Patrick's final quote. North Creek shipping depends on order timing. Total may shift by $100–150 in either direction as sourcing is confirmed. A 50% deposit covers plant purchasing before install.