The Davis Family began their journey of converting their suburban lawn into a native pollinator garden in the fall of 2019. After the first meadow section flourished, they agreed their son could start to convert the front lawn using the knowledge from his ecology degree. While the native plants looked like weeds to some, they gained acceptance from the town code enforcement!
There are now multiple types of flora in different areas. This includes a shade garden, understory shrubbery, tall natives, and an emerging full-sun, sandy soil section. Remnants of the garden flowers established before the native transformation can still be found. There are even some rare species of New York Natives.
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Come see for yourselves how one family is bridging the challenges discovered when learning the wisdom of letting nature return to the suburbs. “Is that a weed or a native? Wait, I shouldn’t mulch there? When will that bloom? Will that ever spread? Will that milkweed keep spreading? Should I trim that? Why can’t we leave that alone?”
In the end, the goal is worth it: To find peace in “watching the plants jiggle.”
Join the Garden Tour
We will be touring The Davis Family Garden on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 11 am to 1:30 pm. We encourage members to bring a guest. There is substantial off-street parking available but please consider carpooling. If you are not a member and still wish to attend please register on our Events Calendar.
Wild Ones
Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones, a national organization promoting the use of native plants in garden settings. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.