Cultivating the wild

How native plant gardens help local ecosystems

By Deborah K. Frontiera

As the snowbanks finally begin to melt away, many start to think about their yards and gardens. Those gardens are also beginning to, more and more, feature native flowers, shrubs and grasses that are not only lovely to look at but benefit birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife. American native plants have, in many areas, been forced out by decorative non-native and invasive plants. While no one should think they have to get rid of all their roses, tulips, petunias and other ornamental plants, many gardeners are beginning to make some space for “wild” plants as well.

Over the last 400 years, people have been ripping up local ecosystems until, in the lower 48 states, much of the land has been altered by human activity and many species are struggling. Yes, we need vegetable gardens, wheat, soy, corn, and other greens. Yes, we like to walk on a mowed lawn and see manicured spaces. But these farms and manicured spaces can be complemented by areas of native plants.

Wild Ones, a literal grass roots organization, is aiming to help people bring a little more original fauna to their homes and yards.

Marcia Goodrich, MTU employee

and head of the Keweenaw Wild Ones, stated that if more people “converted as little as one-tenth of a typical yard to native plants, it would make a huge difference for local ecosystems.” She also holds that while we may not be able to save the polar bears with LED (not that those energy-saving devices aren’t important, too) people can make a difference for local wildlife. Goodrich said “not creating little islands for bees, butterflies and birds in your yard is a missed opportunity to create not only a beautiful but natural place.” Think about adding some Goldenrod, milkweed (common red milkweed), purple coneflower, black-eyed-Susan, or blazing star to the mix of flowers already growing in your garden. Many of these are perennials and once established, continue to come up and bloom every year without much additional work.

Another option to help local ecosystems is to raise lawn mower blades a couple of inches. Slightly taller grass attracts beneficial insects and natural predators that munch on insect pests.

“It’s shortsighted to garden only for looks,” Goodrich contended, “when you can garden for life.”

In other words, balance Grandma’s peonies with natives that are every bit as lovely.

Mark Jalkanen started wild gardening 10-to-15 years ago in a “haphazard way.” He had a yard full of ornamentals and vegetables and a friend mentioned a native plant nursery.

“Ya, I can use these,” he said.

He tried a little at a time and loved the results. Each year, he got better at it, and now his house in Dodgeville (outside Houghton) and another house next to it are filled with native plants. Jalkanen put in a walkway among tall flowers and grasses at his moth- er’s home, so she could enjoy the outdoors. She was happy there until her passing in the fall of 2022. Jalkanen started with seed “just to see what came up.” He does not rake out the fall leaves or pull dead plants in the fall, letting snow fall as it would in the wild. He recently started 25 wild gardens on land he bought in the Twin Lakes area, and was thrilled to be there one day when the milkweed pods burst open, spilling their fluffy seeds to spread on the wind.

“Beauty isn’t just in the photo moment,” he said. It’s watching every moment of change he sees in his gardens, and he’s addicted. “It’s an exercise in patience; wait and see the results. Mother Nature proves it.”

He’ll often toss some native seeds in along with his bulbs to fill things in.

Another “newbie” in the Marquette area, Suzanne Sharland, shared these experiences and tips: “I’m new to the Wild Ones and a rookie with native gardening, composting and revitalizing soils. Since we don’t have a Marquette County Wild Ones Chapter, the Keweenaw ladies have gladly included me. They host various meetings and educational events over Zoom and are always sending new ideas and locations to find native plants. I’m experienced with the MSU Extension Master Gardener program, and the two together have brought my knowledge to the next level. One educational opportunity that the Wild Ones introduced me to is Blooming Boulevards; the host and educator is fabulous. The classes are held on Zoom and are scheduled to make a difference at the right times throughout the growing season.”

She added, “Something to keep in mind if by chance your better half questions your decision, compromise. For our compromise, we created a putting green for my husband, identified two spaces to go native and an additional space that needed soil replenishment. Some of our favorites that we have added include apple trees, oak trees and lots of purple coneflowers. Something I never thought I’d do — we have also let the goldenrod rip. The bees and hummingbirds love it.”

The couple has also created a ‘soil lasagna’ (They got the idea from Oregon State University Extension. Read more about it at Extension.oregonstate.edu).

“The neighbors thought we were nuts, but the space is looking so much better,” Sharland said. “In fact, now we keep soil piles in the back of our property and are frequent visitors to our area compost site. My better half can even be found refining what we bring back before it is allowed to be added to our soil piles.”

One source of information is Wild Ones (www.wildones.org) whose mission statement is: “Native plants and natural landscapes promote environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.”

Their brochure gives tips to help gardeners SHINE: Start small, Honor others, Inform others, Network with others, Exercise patience. Their main office is in Neenah, WI, but there are two chapters in the U.P. The Keweenaw Chapter can be reached at wildoneskeweenaw@gmail.com or 906231-5521. Or keweenaw.wildones.org or at: facebook.com/groups/wildoneskeweenaw.

The Keweenaw chapter is also affiliated with the Michigan Butterfly Network, Hancock Beautification Group, Keweenaw Green Burial Alliance, Keweenaw Garden Club and Noteworthy Women’s Barbershop Chorus. The other U.P. chapter is centered in Escanaba, and that chapter can be found on Facebook.

Membership benefits in Wild Ones include an E-journal and archived journals; members-only website; Facebook discussion group; Seeds for Education grant program; annual member meeting and conference; new member handbook; photo contests; Citizen Science and networking with conservation partners; and much more.

Local chapters also answer questions, provide support, and do programs. Goodrich’s group looks after a couple of plots at the Hancock Beach and Poorvoo Park, and the Kessner Park recently added a plot. There is a bioswale in Hancock, installed by the City of Hancock to capture rainwater run-off as well as add beauty to the city. Chapters also have members who help get rid of invasives such as spotted knapweed. Civic clubs and others help with these projects.

It might surprise some people to know that those pretty Lilies of the Valley are invasive and can really take over in a wooded area, pushing out native plants. Periwinkle, Snowon-the-mountain, Bishop’s weed, Japanese Barberry, Japanese knotweed and buckthorn are also problem invasives.

Goodrich reminded all people that “plants are the foundation of most life. They capture the energy of the sun and bring it into the ecosystem. Without plants there would be no insects, no birds or mammals. The ecosystem collapses.”

Imagine what we could do for the environment if everyone tried one little spot. MM

Deborah K. Frontiera has anything but a “green thumb,” but after talking to the people mentioned in this article, she’s ready to give her garden another try. She plans to put some native perennials around the flagpole at her “camp” at Rice Lake. She has written many articles for Marquette Monthly and is the author of several books. Learn more about her on her website: www.authorsden.com/deborahkfrontiera.