The Native Gardener
by Rommy Lopat

ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED: 1996 Spring

PLANT A ROW FOR THE PRAIRIE

Are you interested in growing native prairie, savanna, or woodland plants in your yard? Would you be willing to harvest the seed for use in replanting the various nature preserves? If so, The Nature Conservancy wants to hear from you.

In the case of the North Branch [of the Chicago River] Wild Garden Project, local gardeners are growing three types of native species: (1) locally rare species, such as the glad mallow [Napaea dioica]; (2) species with rapid seed dispersal mechanisms, such as violet wood sorrel [Oxalis violacea], that provide only a brief timespan for seed collection before they pop and eject ripe seed; and (3) plants that are widespread in a high-quality ecosystem, such as prairie dropseed [Sorobolus heterolepis], but are in too short supply to provide the seed needed to accomplish the restoration. Gardeners interested in participating attend a seminar where they learn the basics about the plants, and then they are given seedlings which have been propagated at the Chicago Botanic Garden and information sheets. Gardeners are not given any plants which might cross-pollinate with commercial cultivars or wildflowers that have been purchased from sources outside our geographic range.

Besides the North Branch project, there are programs occuring in northwest Cook County and southwest Cook County. Call (312) 346-8166 to get more information.

NATIVE LORE

"Little Medicine: The Wisdom to Avoid Big Medicine" is a 55-minute videotape produced by botanist Jim Meuninck. It includes lots of tips on first aid in the woods, as well as suggestions for botanical insecticides useful in the garden. $33.45 postpaid from Intra-American Specialties, 3014 N. 400 W., West Lafayette, IN 47906 (Indiana residents should add 5% sales tax).

(TOP OF PAGE)