Q Our lot abuts a wetland. Every spring the back of the lot is very wet, but often dries out in summer. What kind of flowers will grow there?
A Periodic wet sites, those that are wet in the spring but dry into summer, can grow iris species, such as Iris ensata or Japanese iris, Iris spuria or butterfly iris. Other flowers that will tolerate periodic wet sites include forget-me-nots, astilbe, pansies, Missouri primrose, Virginia bluebells, daylilies, spearmint, peppermint and cardinal flower.
Sites that remain wet can be designed to include a small pond garden where you can grow aquatic plants such as water lilies, water buttercup and water aloe. Other plants that can tolerate standing water include Iris pseudacorus or yellow flag Iris and Iris virginica, the native blue flag iris. Iris siberica, known as Siberian iris, can be planted just above the water's edge.
You can learn more about plants that are suitable for wet sites by reading garden catalogs and visiting your library, local garden center or University of Minnesota Extension Service Office.
University of Minnesota Horticulture Department
Proper use of food stamps Q Last night at a grocery store, a young man in front of me purchased six nonprescription cold and flu medicines and several six packs of a high-energy malt drink. He paid the $68 bill with a Minnesota Food Stamp card. Are there no restrictions on how food stamp money is to be spent?
A The food stamp program is a federal program administered by the states. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food stamps can be used to buy food to eat, such as:
• breads and cereals
