GARDENING & LANDSCAPING features indigenous perennials, bushes, BY ALEX MORRISON
ReWild and Restore Your Yard Many of us are aware that we should choose “good” native plants over “bad” invasive species. But figuring out which specific varieties will thrive in your yard, how to buy them, and where exactly to plant them can be a challenge.
and trees for the home gardener, land manager, and restorationist.
For a special day, invest your time touring Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia. With almost 50 acres of historic property on the banks of the Schuylkill River, Bartram's Garden is a remarkable place to learn about history, native trees, shrubs, vines, seeds, and people.
Whether you opt for specific guidance for your own home, or love doing the research and collecting seeds yourself, planting appropriate native species will reward you with a lifetime of beauty, clean water filtration, and a thriving natural habitat. Our gardens should not just be purely ornamental. Plants - from massive Oak Trees to Little Joe Pye Flowers - contribute to the function of a wider, interwoven system, which benefits and sustains us all.
If you are truly motivated to gain a more in-depth understanding of the ecology of your property and ReWild your Yard back to a natural state, WildLawn may be a perfect option for you.
If you are into research, there are plenty of online venues that can help. Browsing the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site www.dcnr.pa.org will provide you with many viable options for your landscape. They also keep a list of local nurseries, gardens, and State Parks that sell seeds and native plants. And as the DCNR points out - the more people that request native plants, the more the supply is likely to grow. Additionally, a quick search for “Native Plants” or “Native Gardening” in Facebook groups will generate several good options, and perhaps some like-minded virtual friends! But for those of us who prefer personal guidance, it's best to find expert resources that can give you reliable information about which plants will perform well on your particular property. Qualified staff at firms that specialize in native plants are of invaluable help. For example, Redbud Native Plant Nursery in Media, PA is an exceptional site that 26
THE RADNOR NEWS
This year WildLawn kicked off a subscription service designed to help home owners gain hands-on experience with a variety of native species, customized for their own landscapes. The service highlights the ecological functions, appropriate sites and conditions, and the genetics of each species.
After a property is analyzed, owners receive monthly shipments of healthy live plants, along with thorough explanations of why they were chosen, where the plants will flourish, and how to plant them. These shipments include sturdy, large markers inscribed with the plants' attributes: how high they grow, when they bloom, how far they will spread in the proper conditions, etc. It's an educational, rewarding experience that empowers you to be a successful land steward. Orders are already being taken for 2023.
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For more information, or to learn how you can restore beauty and ecological function in your landscape, reach out to ecologists at wildlawn.com, (844)326-7334, or contact@wildlawn.com.
