My Passion for
Native Gardening
Our Gardens' Role
in the Larger World
Since it is in our power to make the environment better than we have historically done, I am working to do that in my corner of the world and I hope that you will too.
I have been interested in gardening for years but it wasn’t until recently that I became aware of the importance of gardening with native plants. Too many species of both animals and plants are declining in numbers and it is within our power to do something about it.
One of the easiest ways to make your surroundings better for you and the environment around you is to put native plants in your garden. Many species rely on specific plants to survive and too many those plants have been ripped out in favor of non-native plants and even worse, grass lawns and concrete. This leads to a collapse of vital ecosystems and the extinction of vital species. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we put a little effort into finding native plants that will work in our yards, on our patios and balconies or in our fields, we can create zones that feed and shelter vital species so that they can thrive instead of decline.
A Little Bit About Me
I am an artist, teacher and, of course, an avid gardener. I have taken garden design and botanical illustration classes at the New York Botanical Garden and have worked on my 2-acre home garden for years. I usually spend the winter researching new native plants that I can plant in spring, making sure the conditions are right for my garden. Since I have heavy, clay soil which can be challenging for any gardener, I have to make sure that what I want to plant will be able to thrive in my clay soil. Though, unfortunately, not everything that I want to plant can survive my soil conditions, the beauty of native plants is that they are home wherever they are native and it makes my job easier to put native plants in my garden.