Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Working Lands for Wildlife Program

This article was taken in part from the USFWS Open Spaces Blog, dated February 14, 2017: "In January, the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) strengthened conservation for the monarch butterfly through the Working Lands for Wildlife Program. Through the Farm Bill, this program offers … [Read more...]

Wild Parsnip – Toxic Non-Native

A native of Europe and Asia, Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is blooming right now. Please be careful not to touch any part of it. If the toxic sap of the plant tissue touches your skin in the sunshine, you may be subject to a blistering rash equal to a third degree burn. This is called … [Read more...]

Vanilla – Native to Mexico

Vanilla, a simple ingredient we use frequently in our baking (It helps make my rhubarb coffeecake extra special!) is unfortunately not native to North America. Instead it is native to Mesoamerica which includes parts of Mexico and Guatemala and can grow only in the tropics and subtropics or 10 to 20 … [Read more...]

Elderberry

Elderberry is blossoming in my yard right now. I love its lacy-looking blossoms. I was surprised to learn in researching this lovely shrub that there are several native species that grow in the Midwest: Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and American Black … [Read more...]

March is Women’s History Month – Lorrie Otto

During the month of March, the United States celebrates Women's History Month and I would be remiss if I didn't add to the list of notable women being celebrated Lorrie Otto. Lorrie, whose campaign to use native plants and natural landscaping to heal the Earth after she and her cohorts from CNRA … [Read more...]

Trees & Shrubs for Early Pollinators

I am pleased I was finally able to attend the Design with Nature Conference held by the Wild Ones Minnesota Chapters.  A presentation by Heather Holm, author of Pollinators of Native Plants, on "natives bees and their role as pollinators of native plants and cultivated blueberries" brought me some … [Read more...]