Last week I went to a native plant propagation workshop presented by Justin Kroening, owner of Stone Silo Native Prairie Gardens in DePere, Wisconsin. Justin is a charming presenter. He made the workshop enjoyable and the information sharing easy. One of the new things I learned lends itself well to … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2017
Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells often forms dense colonies and will readily self seed under ideal conditions – almost to the point of being troublesome. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) intrigue me. Several years ago, one seeded itself out under a mature non-native Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) that … [Read more...]
National Volunteer Week
This is National Volunteer Week, April 23- 29, 2017. Started in 1974 by Proclamation from President Richard Nixon, it is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers. At Wild Ones chapters this means thanking volunteers who wear a variety of hats -- from being a board member, chairing a … [Read more...]
Earth Day April 22, 2017 – Celebrate John Muir’s Birthday
As coincidence's go sometimes, Earth Day celebrations on April 22nd also allow us to remember John Muir and celebrate his birthday. (He was actually born on April 21st, but over the years these two dates have become synonymous.) John Muir often called "The Father of our National Parks" was just one … [Read more...]
Creating a Woodland
When we started our Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter in 1994, I took on the responsibility of my county’s plant rescue chair. Although my husband and I both worked in construction, the wanton destruction of the beautiful native plants because of development caused us both alarm. Prior to the … [Read more...]
First Signs of Spring
Early last week I saw my first violet in our woodland, and of course, Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) which is the very first native plant we see greening up after the winter snow melts. Thank goodness for Virginia Waterleaf! But Saturday I also saw my first Blood Root (Sanguinaria … [Read more...]