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WILDFLOWER WEEK | JULY 2026 1

WELCOME TO WILDFLOWER WEEK! Wildflower Week is a celebration of the native plants that sustain life across our landscapes. It is the time when we see our hours of hard work in the garden and meadows finally launching to life and painting the vision we as land stewards have been dreaming about all winter and spring. More than just a pretty sight to behold, native wildflowers provide essential food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and countless other species. As these native habitats become increasingly rare, restoring native plant communities is one of the most impactful ways we can support biodiversity and build more resilient ecosystems in our beautiful community of Willistown. Our goal here at Willistown Conservation Trust is to not only protect and preserve the land, but to restore the natural systems that make our region thrive. Through habitat restoration, research, education, and community engagement, we are helping native landscapes return to places where they have long been absent. Now several years into our Lawn Conversion Program, we are beginning to see that vision come to life. Areas once covered in traditional turfgrass have transformed into vibrant meadows filled with native grasses and wildflowers. Driving past these sites is like glimpsing a treasure chest thrown open across the landscape. Waves of wildflowers spilling from buttery yellows and brilliant whites to deep violets and rich magentas stretch across the meadow like scattered jewels. Their beauty is impossible to ignore, but the real magic lies beyond what we can see. These restored habitats support wildlife, improve ecological function, and showcase the incredible beauty and diversity of native plants. WCT’s Stewardship team is also expanding our native plant nursery, where we are growing plants from seeds collected on our preserves – more than 1,000 to be exact! This spring, we hosted our first native plant sale, and the response was overwhelming. We completely sold out of plants and, as a result, have introduced all those native plants into the community where they will play an essential role in the home landscape. We look forward to expanding the sale next year and helping even more people bring native plants into their yards! This Wildflower Week, we invite you to explore our preserves and experience these habitats firsthand. Whether you're walking through the swaying grasslands of Kirkwood, traversing across bog bridges at Ashbridge Preserve, admiring the blooms at Rushton's rain garden, or visiting Hartman Meadow, we hope you'll take a moment to appreciate the remarkable plants that support so much of the life around us. Together, we can create a future where native plants and the wildlife that depend on them continue to flourish. 3

KIRKWOOD PRESERVE

RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE & FARM ASHBRIDGE PRESERVE

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WILDFLOWER WEEK SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP & LOCATIONS

Hartman Meadow Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) Office 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square

Rain Garden & Foundation Garden Rushton Conservation Center 915 Delchester Road, Newtown Square

Woods Preserve Shrub Habitat 3 Rushton Demonstration Area Rushton Farm 911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square

Farm Wildflower Meadow 4 Rushton Rushton Farm, crop fields near hedgerow 911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square

Farm Observation Deck 5 Rushton Rushton Conservation Center, raised

platform behind the main red building 915 Delchester Road, Newtown Square 4

RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER

WCT OFFICE

KESTREL HILL PRESERVE COMING SOON!

OUR PRESERVES Ashbridge Preserve 1691 E. Strasburg Road, West Chester Check out our new riparian native tree planting along Ridley Creek closest to East Strasburg Road at the front of the preserve. Close to 80 trees were installed this spring with the help of our amazing volunteers! Kirkwood Preserve 855 Grubbs Mill Road, Newtown Square Over 600 native trees and shrubs have been planted along Crum Creek and Massey Run within Kirkwood Preserve. To view this area, see the map in the kiosk. Rushton Woods Preserve & Farm 911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square The lush woodlands of Rushton Woods Preserve are an excellent space to gather ideas to create your own shade garden. In the spring, native ferns, including Northern maidenhair ferns can be seen along the trails throughout the woodland.

Native Habitat Design

Wild Bird DesignScapes Wayne, PA 19087

Wild Bird DesignScapes specializes in creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes that attract and support local bird and pollinator populations.

WBDS Mission Restoring ecological biodiversity one yard at a time.

Contact Bob Barrett - Founder & Visionary 5 Email: bbarrett@wbds.live Mobile: 484-868-8507

Photos Couresty of Stefan Bloodworth, R.W. Smith, Southeasternflora.com, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

2023 2024

2025

Less Lawn, More Life By Nicole DeLizzio, Stewardship Manager Testing Native Lawn Alternatives at Willistown Conservation Trust.

or generations, the American lawn has been defined by neat expanses of turfgrass— uniform, familiar, and meticulously maintained. Yet beneath that sea of green often lies a landscape that offers little for wildlife and requires significant inputs of water, fertilizer, and fuel to sustain. As we look toward a future of more resilient and ecologically vibrant landscapes, conservationists and homeowners alike are beginning to ask a simple question: what if our lawns could do more? At Willistown Conservation Trust, we're exploring that possibility through a new lawn conversion demonstration project. Over the coming months, a 30-by-40-foot section of traditional turf will be transformed into a living mosaic of native sedges using approximately 1,000 plugs of two Pennsylvania-native species: Carex Woodii (Wood's Sedge) and Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge). These native sedges may not attract attention like a field of wildflowers, but they represent a quiet revolution in how we think about lawns. Both species were among the top performing lawn alternatives identified in trials conducted by the Mt. Cuba Center, where they demonstrated exceptional durability, beauty, and tolerance to regular mowing. Their ability to maintain a lawn-like appearance while supporting ecological function makes them especially promising for landscapes that balance human use with environmental stewardship. Our demonstration plot was chosen because it serves a dual purpose. While the area is occasionally used for gatherings and events, it also offers an opportunity to test whether native sedges can provide the look and utility people expect from a lawn while delivering benefits that traditional turf simply cannot. Beneath the surface, these sedges develop extensive root systems that help build healthy soils, improve water infiltration, and support a much higher level of biodiversity than typical turf. By replacing a small patch of conventional turf with native plants, we hope to demonstrate how even modest changes can create landscapes that are more resilient, more sustainable, and more alive. Before our native sedges can take root, we first need to say goodbye to the existing turfgrass. Rather than relying on herbicides, we're turning to one of nature's most powerful tools: the summer sun! Using a technique called solarization, we transform sunlight into a natural weed-management system. By covering the lawn with clear plastic, we create a greenhouse effect that traps heat and moisture beneath the surface. Clear plastic is preferred to black, as black plastic actually abosrbs light, while clear allows light and heat to pass through. As temperatures climb, the turfgrass and weeds are essentially "cooked" in place, creating a clean slate for the native lawn to come.

Step 1: Prepare the Canvas The first step is smoothing the site and removing sticks, rocks, and other debris. Creating a level surface allows the plastic to sit tightly against the soil, maximizing heat transfer and ensuring the sun's energy is put to work. Step 2: Water Deeply Next, the soil is thoroughly soaked to a depth of at least 12 inches. Moist soil conducts heat more effectively than dry soil, helping the solarization process penetrate deeper into the ground. Step 3: Seal in the Sunshine Once watered, the area is covered with clear plastic sheeting. We are using 4 mil thick plastic for our process. The edges are buried or secured with landscape staples to trap heat and prevent summer winds from lifting the tarp. Step 4: Let the Sun Do the Heavy Lifting Over the hottest weeks of summer, the clear plastic acts like a giant solar oven. Temperatures beneath the tarp rise high enough to kill existing turfgrass, many weed seeds, and some soil borne pathogens. While the process requires patience—typically four to six weeks—the result is a weed-free planting area achieved without chemical herbicides. By the end of the summer, what looks like a simple sheet of plastic will have quietly completed one of the most important stages of the project: preparing the ground for a new generation of native plants to thrive. Our Stewardship team is always trying to rethink and explore practical conservation techniques that we can tie into our preserves. We have tackled lawn conversion on a large scale from converting over 56 acres to meadow and we are now tackling lawn conversion on a smaller and more precise scale. We are excited to see what our new carpet of Carex species will bring to the Rushton Conservation Center! As our native lawn establishes over the coming seasons, we will monitor its performance, mowing tolerance, appearance, and suitability for event use. We encourage the community to come out and monitor the results as well, and to consider transforming sections of your own lawn into spaces that don’t just sit beneath our feet but actively support the web of life all around us!

SEEDING - MAY 2024

OCTOBER 2024

JUNE 2025

HARTMAN MEADOW

It has been well documented that mowed lawn areas are typically a monoculture of non-native grasses, which require a great deal of time, water, and chemicals to maintain while providing little benefit to wildlife. In 2008, the Trust decided to create a one-acre demonstration wildflower meadow to highlight a simple, attractive, and sustainable planted alternative to a manicured lawn. With over 48 million acres of lawn in the U.S., in addition to studies indicating worrying declines in bird and insect species due to habitat loss, it is time to begin viewing our lawns as places where conservation can occur. Native plant species provide cover and seeds for birds, act as nectar and food sources for butterflies, bees, and other insects, and offer aesthetic diversity through their varied colors and textures. Over time, native grass and wildflower species in a meadow generally out-compete the weeds, making the wildflower meadow far less maintenance-intensive than a pure lawn. The roots of established native plants reach deep into the earth, sometimes even mining groundwater, making a native meadow much more drought tolerant than a lawn. The establishment of these deep root systems can take 2-3 years, but the rewards are worth the wait. To ensure the successful establishment of our meadow, we purchased about 800-1,200 landscape “plugs” (young plants) each year beginning in 2008, and planted them in manageable 20’ x 30’ plots, adding one new plot each year through 2017. In late April and early May, plugs were planted directly into the existing turfgrass by hand at a ratio of one per square foot; the turfgrass acts as a cover crop to discourage other weeds. Native grasses were incorporated as plugs or seeds into the plots along with the wildflowers. The plots are mowed only once annually, typically in late March/early April to provide food and cover for over-wintering bird species and other wildlife.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripterus)

Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)

False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)

Grass-leaved goldenrod (Solidago graminifolia)

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

Photos: Blake Goll/Staff, Kristen Henwood, Stephanie Kuniholm, Monica McQuail, Lady Bird Johnson, High Country Gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden, Budburst, Gardenia.net, U.S. Forest Service, American Meadows, Cochato Nursery, Centerton Nursery, Gerris, and Wikipedia.

PERENNIALS

RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER RAIN GARDEN

The Rushton Conservation Center (RCC) driveway wraps around the Rushton Rain Garden, planted in 2018. Designed by Johnathan Alderson Landscape Architects, this garden features a variety of perennials, grasses, and woody plants carefully selected for their ability to withstand wet soils to help mitigate the stormwater runoff created by the paved driveway. Roadways, driveways, and sidewalks carry water to storm drains, which feed directly into our local waterways. This water can carry pollutants and debris like road salts, heavy metals from cars, and sediment that impacts the water quality. Increased development of impervious surfaces, or surfaces that water cannot seep through, can also lead to increased flooding because more water is carried to our streams through the storm drains. Rain gardens are designed to intercept water and help return it slowly back into the ground while filtering out contaminants. They can have deep basins, like ours at the RCC, or the depression can be subtle. Our basin has a drain in the center for excess water during heavy downpours carrying the water downhill to a meadow where it will also slowly filter back into the ground. The plants used in rain gardens, or other soggy areas in a garden, like to “have their feet wet.” Their deep root systems can withstand heavy rainfall over a short amount of time and through periods of drought. These plants can also be the perfect addition near downspouts and along driveways.

Mike Craney/Staff

The Rushton Conservation Center Rain Garden was made possible by the generosity of Lida A. Wright.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius)

Eastern beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)

Daisy fleabane (Erigeron strigosus)

Golden groundsel (Packera aureus)

Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)

Goldenrod (Solidago)

TREE Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana)

Photos: Blake Goll/Staff, Kristen Henwood, Stephanie Kuniholm, Lady Bird Johnson, High Country Gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden, Budburst, Gardenia.net, U.S. Forest Service, American Meadows, Cochato Nursery, Centerton Nursery, Gerris, and Wikipedia.

PERENNIALS

RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER FOUNDATION GARDEN The gardens surrounding the Rushton Conservation Center (RCC) and along the entrance drive were designed by Johnathan Alderson Landscape Architects and planted upon completion of the RCC in 2018. All of the gardens at the Trust’s office and preserves have been loosely planned, but the gardens surrounding the RCC exhibit the use of native plants in a more manicured way, maintaining a variety of textures and colors while attracting insects and birds. These gardens also have our largest variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses with perennials scattered throughout. While the flowering plants offer a delightful palette of color throughout the year, several varieties of grasses provide complementary textures and colors ranging from silvery blues like the Bunny Blue sedge to bright greens like Blonde Ambition Grama grass.

Monica McQuail/Staff

While celebrating Wildflower Week, we thought you would also appreciate a look at these other options of native plants for your property.

Blazing star (Liatris spicata)

Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum)

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

River birch (Betula nigra)

Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)

Coast Azalea (Rhododenron atlanticum)

Blue Grama Grass “Blond Ambition” (Bouteloua gracilis)

Little bluestem “standing ovation” (Schizachyrium scoparium)

TREES & SHRUBS

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata)

GRASSES

PERENNIALS

RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE SHRUB HABITAT DEMONSTRATION AREA Shrub Habitat Restoration Project at Rushton is a small demo landscape composed of a biodiverse mosaic of carefully selected native shrubs, mixed with grasses and wildflowers that have volunteered themselves in the ample sunlight of this open habitat. Shrub habitats such as these are known as “nature’s pantry”, offering rich forage for wildlife, birds, and pollinating insects. Unfortunately, rich shrub habitat is unsustainably declining in Pennsylvania due to development and our detrimental mantra of “keep everything neat and tidy like a manicured lawn.” This restoration site is an example of something powerful landowners can do to help support declining biodiversity: replace ornamental and invasive plants with native shrubs in your yard! In the fall of 2022, a roughly 5,000 square ft. area of invasive thicket was removed from the edge of the hedgerow bordering Rushton Farm. It was immediately replanted with over 150 native shrubs and trees representing 25 different species. Bird friendly varieties such as viburnums and chokeberries were emphasized and placed closely together to ensure that they grow into dense habitat. Native plants like these are much more beneficial for birds than invasives because natives host the highest density of the nutrient-rich caterpillars which birds must feed their young in the summer. Berries of native shrubs in the fall have also been found to contain more of the fats and antioxidants birds need to fuel their migration. This unconventional “bird garden” was made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology. Now that the shrubs are fully mature, we’ve been noticing myriad species of migratory songbirds foraging and even nesting within this restored habitat. In the future we hope to secure funding to continue the restoration down the hedgerow, replacing the invasive components with native plants that support the food web and bird populations. By working piece by piece, the overall structure of the habitat can be maintained for the birds while the new plants mature.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)

Carolina rose (Rosa carolina)

Meadowsweet (Spirea latifolia)

Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)

Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)

Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)

Photos: Lady Bird Johnson

SHRUBS

RUSHTON FARM WILDFLOWER MEADOW

In the old days, farming was automatically performed in concert with nature. Hedgerows and wild “weedy” meadows next to farm fields were common, as the farm acted as part of the surrounding ecosystem. Now commercial agriculture is much more intensive and often involves clearing all surrounding habitat to make way for expansive farm fields; erosion, soil degradation, and chemical inputs ensue. Rushton Farm is an example of regenerative farming that aims to increase biodiversity, ensure the long-term health of the land, and enhance natural ecosystem services like pollination. The wild meadows you see next to the working farm fields at Rushton provide habitat for a myriad of insects, including species that are predators to farm pests, as well as other species that promote pollination of the crops. Research shows that the wild pollination services of native bees and butterflies are twice as efficient as the supplemental services of managed honeybees. In other words, managed honeybees cannot replace wild insects in most cases. Therefore, farmers benefit immensely by adopting wildlife-friendly practices such as restoring patches of the natural landscape in their fields. Our natural wildflower strips have been in place since the birth of Rushton Farm over 10 years ago. Although some perennial plugs were planted early on, it has largely been “let-go” and only mowed once a year in spring to prevent woody growth. Naturally occurring goldenrod and milkweed abound. This thick habitat not only supports beneficial insects, but also many bird species including migratory warblers and sparrows in search of cover and food when passing through in the fall.

Wildflower meadow in September. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff.

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Field thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus)

Common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

SHRUB Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)

Pennsylvania blackberry (Rubus pensilvanicus)

PERENNIALS

RUSHTON FARM OBSERVATION DECK

With Native Pollinator Display by Wild Bird Designscapes

This year, there is a new ADA accessible observation deck overlooking the meadow and farm vista at Rushton Woods Preserve. The predominant wildflower surrounding the deck is black eyed susan or Rudbeckia hirta. This year our Wildflower Week sponsor Bob Barrett of Wild Bird Designscapes has temporarily designed the space as a native alternative to a typical backyard patio. Complete with a water bubbler inviting visitors to linger among the swaying stems of Little Bluestem grass and the gentle sound of water, it features large planter boxes of weathered barnwood packed with native plants. From Wild Columbine and Trumpet Honeysuckle attracting hummingbirds to Purple Coneflower and Tickseed luring goldfinches, the planters are mimicking a mini meadow ecosystem. On the following page, you can find the list of some of the native plants that are incorporated into the planters. Although you will see some non-native annuals for visual softening, Wild Bird Designscapes aims to maintain 80% or higher in native plant composition. Bob was inspired by the work of Doug Tallamy, especially after reading his book Bringing Nature Home. He uses Tallamy’s science in his native habitat design for residential and public landscapes in the Delaware Valley region, believing that every landscape, no matter how small, can contribute to the restoration of ecological diversity.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod (Solidago Rugosa)

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Threadleaf Tickseed (Coreopsis Verticillata)

Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)

Trumpet Honeysyckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)

Photos: Blake Goll, Adam Wolf, Kristen Henwood, Stephanie Kuniholm, Monica McQuail, Lady Bird Johnson, High Country Gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden, Budburst, Gardenia.net, U.S. Forest Service, American Meadows, Cochato Nursery, Centerton Nursery, Gerris, and Wikipedia. Stephanie Brundage, Sally and Andy Wasowksi, Lady BIrd Johnson Wildflower Center

WILD BIRD DESIGNSCAPES PLANTER BOX SPECIES

STEWARDSHIP'S NATIVE NURSERY By Jordan Bender, Stewardship Intern

illistown Conservation Trust’s Stewardship department has taken action in the fight to restore native plant growth in eastern Pennsylvania’s meadow habitats! The Native Plant Nursery, located at Rushton Woods Preserve, is home to a variety of native flower, grass, and tree species that are essential for the health and function of the meadows. These plants are cared for daily and given a safe space to grow and mature before they are transplanted into the wild where they will continue to grow and thrive. NATIVE PLANT HIGHLIGHTS | In the spirit of Wildflower Week, there are some very important native plants that are growing in the nursery that deserve special recognition. For starters, this nursery houses four essential prairie grasses that are typically found in grasslands throughout the American Prairie habitat. These grasses are Big Bluestem (Andropogan gerardii), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). These grasses are extremely important because not only do they increase biodiversity and provide food and habitat for wildlife, but their impressive root systems reduce erosion by acting as anchors in the soil. The nursery also hosts four native wildflowers that our local pollinators are crazy about. The first one is Bee Balm (Monarda). Bee Balm is a plant within the mint family, and like other species of mint, it spreads rapidly and aggressively over a given area. This allows it to successfully outcompete any opportunistic invasives that try to occupy the same area, therefore reducing invasive plant growth. Additionally, this quirky wildflower is a pollinator magnet (hence its name)! It provides nourishment for bees, butterflies, moths, and even hummingbirds! Secondly we have two species of Pennsylvania’s native Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus laevis). If you thought Hibiscus flowers could only be found in tropical areas, you are not alone. It is surprising but also exciting to learn that the wetlands of eastern Pennsylvania (and the Stewardship Nursery) are home to two beautiful species of Hibiscus (Swamp Rose Mallow, and Smooth Rose Mallow)! These hardy plants are not just fun to look at, but they are crucial in attracting pollinators, preventing erosion, absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants, and offering habitats for insects, small mammals, and small birds during the winter months. They are very pretty AND practical. The third flower that the nursery supports is Iron Weed (Veronia). Iron weed is a special wetland flower that provides nourishment late in the seasons for pollinators. It blooms with its tiny purple flowers during the late summer and early fall. 22

The Iron Weed flower is also useful late in the winter long after their flowers have died. The dried seed heads serve as a food source for migratory birds when food is scarce during the cold months. Last but not least, The nursery houses Phlox (Phlox). No, not smoked salmon on a bagel, that's Lox, Phlox is a beautiful, bushy wetland flower that grows along streambanks. Similarly to Iron Weed (Veronia), Phlox provides late season nourishment to pollinators and supports migrating birds and butterflies along their journey. Phlox’s thick foliage blocks invasive plants from growing around them because it outcompetes them for space and resources, similar to Bee Balm. The thick groundcover is really Phlox’s claim to fame, because not only does it smother and outcompete invasives but it forms a miniature forest habitat that provides shelter for insects and amphibians such as toads and salamanders. The Iron Weed flower is also useful late in the winter long after their flowers have died. The dried seed heads serve as a food source for migratory birds when food is scarce during the cold months. The Stewardship Nursery is a temporary home to two native shrub species. The first one is Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Button Bush is an important riparian area shrub, as its roots help create a bio matting that anchors in the soil and prevents erosion from the water. It is also a live staking species, which means if you cut a branch from a button bush and stick it in moist soil, it will quickly start growing roots from the dismembered branch! Button Bush also attracts pollinators with its white, pin cushion shaped flowers, and provides food for waterfowl through its seeds. Lastly, Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a natural deer deterrent, which helps save itself and other native plants from being devoured by our forest dwelling neighbors. The Buckeye’s leaves and seeds are extremely toxic to most animals, which means deer and insects typically leave the plant and the surrounding area alone. Bottlebrush Buckeye also serves as a food source for most pollinators and its thick foliage creates shade that prevents invasive plants from growing on the canopy below it! It is like superman for native plant life! OFF TO BIGGER AND BETTER PLACES | As much as the stewardship team would love to have these amazing plants in the nursery forever, this is more of a foster situation. Once these plants are mature enough and can support themselves in the wild, they will be transplanted into any one of Willistown Conservation Trust’s five preserves! Where they get placed is all determined on the need of the specific preserve, the ecological function of the plant, and where the plant has the best chance at survival. By reintroducing native plants into the preserves, the Stewardship department helps to support native bug, bird, and other wildlife populations while also reducing the spread of destructive invasive plants.

A hedgerow shrub restoration project. Photo by Mike Cranney.

Beauty in the Brambles: A Primer for Seeing Your Wild Shrub Habitat in a New Light By Blake Goll, Education Programs Manager and Michelle Eshleman, Motus Avian Research Coordinator

s we thaw out after this chilly winter, you are probably itching to get started on your yard preparations. You’re digging out your weathered gardening gloves from a box in your closet, making lists of plants to incorporate into your flower beds, and preparing the soil to welcome new life. You may be envisioning the bright yellow of black-eyed Susan and the verdant green of fiddleheads that will replace the muted, neutral tones of winter. Beyond the changing color palette, consider the new vibrant soundscape of your yard. Perhaps you are looking forward to hearing towhees encouraging you to “drink your tea!” and a robin singing “cheerily, cheerio!” in the morning light. The diversity of this avian chorus directly reflects the habitat we have created or preserved on our properties. The more varied the habitat, the richer the soundscape. Interestingly, studies show this is directly related to our mental health as if we are hard-wired to not only appreciate, but to need biodiversity. One way you can boost diversity of plants and wildlife in your yard this spring is by learning to see the beauty in the brambles. THE BEAUTY OF THE BRAMBLES | When we speak of the beauty in the brambles, we are referencing the early successional shrub habitat, dominated by shrubs, a few small trees (less than 20 feet tall), vines, grasses, and wildflowers. It’s the thicket at the edge of a woodlot where you see young birds darting around and learning how to forage, where your children find their first caterpillar snugly wrapped in a chrysalis or a bunny poking his head out from under a bush. Unfortunately, our neat and tidy aesthetic is at odds with Mother Nature’s love of “messy”. We must recognize the critical value that threatened shrub habitats hold for birds and wildlife. SHRUB HABITAT IS DISAPPEARING | In the United States, we lose roughly 150 acres of natural land every hour. That’s the equivalent of losing more than the entirety of Shenandoah National Park every year (Land Trust Alliance). Since 1970, bird populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by 29%, or almost 3 billion birds, signaling a widespread ecological crisis. The largest factor driving these declines is likely the widespread loss and degradation of habitat (Science, 2019). Early successional shrub habitats are particularly important for maintaining the diversity of native plants and animals. Unfortunately, they are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States, often being cleared for visual appeal. Since greater than 80% of land is privately managed in the lower 48 states (Narango, 2018), we have the power to change this trend. 24

Eastern Towhee singing. Photo by James Tornetta.

Carolina Wren and White Snakeroot. Photo by James Tornetta.

SHRUBS ARE FOR BIRDS | Shrub habitats receive more sun exposure than mature forests. This makes them rich sources of wildlife forage: insects, fruits, seeds, berries, and nuts. As “nature’s pantry,” these open habitats provide year-round food and cover for mammals like deer, pollinating bees and butterflies, and a myriad of bird species from Brown Thrashers to Eastern Towhees. Shrub habitat boosts breeding bird populations even in small patches. Not only do typical shrubland dependent birds nest directly in the habitat, but even forest birds— like Ovenbirds and Wood Thrushes—hone in on early successional havens after leaving their nests in the woods. Studies show that juvenile birds favor these brushy tangles over open woodlands because of the higher density of food and cover from predators during their vulnerable, formative months. In addition, many migratory birds use early successional shrub habitats as vital stopover sites during their strenuous migratory journeys. Others, like White-throated Sparrows, take advantage of the rich accessible food sources all winter long. HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO EMBRACE MESSINESS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD! 1. REPLACE INVASIVE SHRUBS WITH NATIVES IN PHASES | If you already have shrub habitat on your property, you can remove individual invasive plants or clear small, manageable patches at a time. Immediately fill the cleared space with native shrubs (closely spaced 4-6 feet on center) that have high value for wildlife (see QR code below). Phasing the project in this way preserves some habitat structure for wildlife while the new shrubs are maturing. 2. PLANT AND PROTECT NEW NATIVE SHRUBS | If you currently do not have shrub habitat and have an area of your lawn you don’t use, consider replacing the manicured lawn with native shrubs in well-planted beds. Newly planted shrubs should be protected from deer with fencing for at least the first three years. Invasive plants and vines may need to be removed each year. 3. LEAVE IT ALONE | The easiest method of all is simply leaving brushy areas be. It can be tempting to clear because of the stigma around messiness or invasives, but the disturbance caused by wholesale clearing only leads to recolonization by more aggressive invasives. If you are not committed to replacing removed invasives with natives, it’s better to leave things alone. The invasive plants still provide structural diversity and cover for birds. The next time you get the choice to embrace or eliminate shrub habitat, we hope you’ll consider the beauty in the brambles. SCAN FOR MORE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUPPORT HABITAT AT HOME!

NATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INVASIVE SPECIES For too long, gardeners and landscapers have fallen back on the same old standbys when it comes to plant selection. They pick from a limited pallet of non-native species which in turn becomes the selection we are forced to choose from at most nurseries and big box stores. And while many of these do admittedly have attractive qualities, they also frequently provide no value, and sometimes downright harmful, to local pollinators and wildlife. Native plants support local wildlife better than exotic ones because they have evolved in the ecosystems where we live. The insects, pollinators, and birds developed life cycles that are dependent upon these particular species. Many insects (especially caterpillars, a vital food source for birds) will only live on one specific plant species (think of the monarch’s dependence on milkweed). And while you will see bees and butterflies visit non-native plants, these do not offer the same amount of nutritional content as their native alternatives. A blueberry, for example, is far more nutritious for a bird than a barberry. Birds have to eat more of the invasive species to get the same amount of benefits, which then compounds the problem as they spread more of the invasive seeds in their poop. With a little research and careful selection, we can easily move away from invasive garden species to more beneficial natives. Here’s a list to get started, derived from the excellent book from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Native Alternatives to Invasive Species. INVASIVE SHRUB: Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) escapes into the wild and invades forests where it pushes out native shrub species plus it is a vector for ticks; added to Pennsylvania’s noxious weed list in 2022 NATIVE ALTERNATIVES: Witch Alder New Jersey Tea (Fothergilla gardenii) (Ceanothus americanus) • small shrub with rounded to Mounding to spreading form. mounding form. 1-3 ft tall and 2-4 ft wide • 3-5 ft tall and wide Terminal white flower clusters • Fuzzy white terminal flower in late spring and summer clusters in early spring Deep green foliage • Oval scalloped foliage Yellow autumn color • Orange to burgundy fall color

Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) See it at the RCC by the front door! Small shrub with arching vase-like form. 2-4 ft tall and 3-5 ft wide Yellow flowers all summer Yellow to burgundy autumn color.

INVASIVE SHRUB: Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) despite the name, butterfly bush only supports adult butterflies with its abundant nectar but fails to provide for all the other life stages. NATIVE ALTERNATIVES: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) Rounded, irregular form 6-10 ft tall and wide Attractive winter silhouette Fuzzy white summertime flowers Deep glossy green foliage Yellow autumn color.

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) Upright to irregular form 4-8 ft tall and wide Tawny to chestnut-colored bark Deep green quilted foliage Spikes of sweet-scented white flowers in summer Yellow autumn foliage color 26

INVASIVE GROUNDCOVER: Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) Aggressive spreader, easily escapes into adjacent natural areas. NATIVE ALTERNATIVES: Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) Dense, slow-spreading groundcover Paddle-shaped evergreen leaves Fuzzy spring flowers Rich winter foliage Not deer resistant!

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Climbing vine with holdfasts Palmate leaves with five leaflets Smoky-blue berries on red stalks Flaming autumn color

Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) Deer resistant Delicate blue star shaped spring flowers Grass like foliage Grows in dense, tufted clumps

INVASIVE VINE: Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Aggressive vine that will smother trees and shrubs. NATIVE ALTERNATIVE: Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) Well-behaved deciduous vine Scarlet flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds Small red berries Gray-green leaves Exfoliating winter bark INVASIVE GRASS: Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) Very aggressive and deep rooted ornamental grass that is sold as sterile but tends to reproduce anyway. A serious threat to meadows and natural grassy areas. NATIVE ALTERNATIVE: Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) Clumping grass with ascending, tufted foliage Silky golden plumes Red to russet autumn color

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Clumping grass with an open, lacy form Reddish-purple seed heads Pale to bright yellow fall color

INVASIVE GRASS: Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) Escapes into natural areas forming dense stands, prolific seeder spreads by wind. NATIVE ALTERNATIVE: Pink hair grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) Clumping grass with a rounded crown Low tufts of arching blades Airy red plumes Russet to tawny autumn color Photos: Lady Bird Johnson, Gardenia.net, and WHYY.

NATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INVASIVE SPECIES (Continued) BAMBOO (Bambusa, Phyllostachys and Pseudosasa species) Description: A popular plant for privacy screens due to its fast and dense growth habit, these species will quickly spread through underground rhizomes and can become out of control. Alternatives: big bluestem (Andropogon geradii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), for privacy screens: eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

EXOTIC BUSH HONEYSUCKLES (Lonicera species) Description: These species were introduced as ornamental specimens but have escaped into the wild and disrupted woodland habitats and hedgerows. The fruit is carbohydrate rich, which does not provide enough fats for migrating birds. Alternatives: arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), red or black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia or melanocarpa) MULTIFLORA ROSE (Rosa multiflora) Description: Introduced as an ornamental species in 1866, multiflora rose was later promoted for erosion control, as a living livestock fence, and wildlife cover by the government. It was eventually determined to be highly invasive, quickly outcompeting native shrubs in forests and other habitats. Alternatives: common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), swamp rose (Rosa palustris), pasture rose (Rosa carolina) PRIVET (Ligustrum species) Description: Widely used for hedges and privacy screens, privet has invaded forests, floodplains, wetlands and fields throughout the Northeast. It forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation. Alternatives: inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), spicebush (LIndera benzoin), blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium), red or black chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia or melanocarpa) NORWAY MAPLE (Acer platanoides) Description: Introduced as an ornamental species, Norway maple is highly aggressive and invades forests, fields, and many other habitats where it displaces native trees and shrubs. Alternatives: American beech (Fagus grandifolia), red maple (Acer rubrum), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), willow oak (Quercus phellos), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix) Description: Commonly used as an ornamental groundcover, English ivy will escape into the wild and form dense impenetrable mats on the forest floor, woodland edges, fields, hedgerows, coastal areas and wetlands. This vine will smother and kill trees and harbors bacterial leaf scorch, a harmful pathogen that kills oaks, maples, and elms. Alternatives: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (caution should be used where planting as it can be quite aggressive), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), wild ginger (Asarum Canadensis), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia), hairy alumroot (Heuchera villosa) Photos: Lady Bird Johnson, Gardenia.net, Eric Boyda

RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED READS

USEFUL APPS iNaturalist | Provides species recommendations of plants, animals, and insects based on user photos. The Cornell Lab Merlin Bird ID | Easy to use app to identify birds by size, main colors, and position in the landscape. Now includes sound ID that will record the birdcall and display likely species! Seek by iNaturalist | Uses the camera in your phone to identify plants, animals, and insects in real time.

WHERE TO BUY | LOCAL & ONLINE NURSERIES LOCAL PLANT NURSERIES

ONLINE PLANT NURSERIES

Redbud Native Plant Nursery | Media, PA

Izelplants.com Prairienursery.com Prairiemoon.com Northcreeknurseries.com

Mostardi Nursery | Newtown Square, PA Wedgewood Gardens | Glenn Mills, PA 29

STAFF BIOS

MIKE CRANNEY, DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP Upon joining us in 2020, Mike quickly got to work managing the Trust’s many acres of public land. Thanks to his Masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a background in gardening at Morris Arboretum, he has developed a passion for native plants and ecological restoration. He has passed on the value of good stewardship while working with our many volunteers, and aims to do the same throughout the community as he manages the Trust’s Conservation Easements held on private properties. When he’s not at the preserves, you can find Mike at the movies or watching Philly sports.

BLAKE GOLL, EDUCATION PROGRAMS MANAGER As the Education Programs Manager at the Trust since 2010, Blake Goll has developed the Trust’s Rushton Nature Keepers program and curriculum for children, as well as other various outreach education programs for all ages. She also assists with the daily operations of the songbird banding and owl banding stations throughout banding season, and provides outreach to help educate the community about conservation. Blake is a North American Banding Council (NABC) certified bird bander, and some of her favorite activities include doing yoga, gardening, hiking with my shepherd mix, reading, cooking, and interior designing!

NICOLE DELIZZIO, STWARDSHIP MANAGER Nicole has an extensive background in arboriculture, natural lands management, and ecological gardening. Her past experience includes positions at Longwood Gardens, Kendal Arboretum, and most recently Mt. Cuba Center. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware and is an ISA certified arborist. As the Stewardship Manager, she will be combining these skills to oversee the care of WCT’s nature preserves.

WILDFLOWER MEADOW MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Not only are wildflowers beautiful to look at, they are extremely important for our native wildlife since they provide breeding and feeding grounds for many insects, mammals and birds. Many of our native species have evolved together and are subsequently interdependent for their survival. These management guidelines should help you maintain your wildfl ower meadows to maximize their beauty and long-term success. THE FIRST YEAR Throughout your meadow’s first year, your existing turf grass will serve as a cover crop to deter weedy species from entering your wildflower meadow. It is important to let your wildflowers establish for one year after planting. In the early spring (late March through early April) following the prior year’s wildflower installation, you should mow the meadow once to cut down the old plant growth and deter weed species from establishing in your meadow. Ideally the meadow should be mowed to a height of six inches or so (never less!). ANNUAL MAINTENANCE During the years following the first growing season, the wildflowers will become established and virtually maintenance-free, requiring only occasional weeding and mowing once per year in the early spring, again, never shorter than six inches. Although you could mow your meadow in late fall (late September through early October), leaving the plants until the following spring provides food and cover for wildlife during the harsh winter months. As time goes on, you should inspect your wildflower meadow periodically to ensure that invasive weed species (e.g. multiflora rose or Canada thistle) aren’t creeping in. If they should appear, simply hand– pulling or spot treating with herbicide should be sufficient to manage these weeds.

WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST | 925 PROVIDENCE ROAD 32NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073 | 610.353.2562 | WCTRUST.ORG