Garden Variety

These native plants are fan-grass-tic!

By Dani Gehr,

Published June 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM CDT

Ways To Subscribe

Native plants improve biodiversity and help local insects and wildlife thrive. They require less watering and fertilizer, and they're nice to look at.

Dani Gehr sits in for Charity Nebbe, and talks with Iowa State Extension horticulture specialist Ray Kruse about what natives have succeeded in his garden and what plants he's needed to pull.

Guest:

Ray Kruse, Iowa State University extension horticulture specialist

Tags

Garden Variety HorticultureHort Day

Dani Gehr

Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.

See stories by Dani Gehr

Neve Kelley

Neve Kelley is IPR's talk show production assistant. She recently graduated from Oberlin College, where she studied English, environmental studies, writing and communication. She is originally from Peoria, Illinois. She uses her passion for community-centered storytelling to showcase the people, culture and arts that shape Iowa. Some of her favorite things to do in Iowa include going to shows at Codfish Hollow and the Englert, visiting different coffee shops and taking yoga classes.

See stories by Neve Kelley