Events

Sandy's Story

There are three primary reasons, in order of importance, that determine a plant choice for my yard: native, deer resistance, and providing flowers or leaves for botanical printing. I have been a gardener forever it seems, an avid deer resistor for eight years, and a botanical printer for five.  

During the lockdown of COVID, a friend invited me to join a Zoom lecture by Doug Tallamy. That led me to borrow and read all of the available library books by Tallamy, purchase “Nature's Best Hope” for my personal library, follow Tallamy on YouTube, and finally join the Homegrown National Parks and then Wild Ones. I was a convert!  

My first goal was to rid my yard of invasives. Those were about one-quarter-acre of vinca, large stands of privet which the former owner had planted, volunteer buckthorn, and large swaths of Dame’s Rocket. My ultimate goal was to bring my half-acre lot up to 70% native plants. After our house remodel, the landscaper gave us wonderful “bones”: two Amelanchier (serviceberry), two native viburnum, a Sumac cultivar, plus many non-native shrubs and evergreens. The perennials were mine to choose. The stars of my choice were two dozen daylilies in various hues with hostas for shade, and roses, lilies, and tulips in abundant plantings. With the emergence of buds, the deer herd spread the word that a buffet had risen in the neighborhood.    

I have tales to tell of deer resistance and the work of removing invasives. I think the share of native plants in my yard is now approaching 70%. My summer botanical printing is set up in the garage. I can’t promise as I write this in May that I can have a reveal of silk covered with the prints of nature in August,  but that is my goal. Come and enjoy my native plant conversion thus far, my American Heritage lawn (yes, a lawn), and the story that is growing about the half-acre I am stewarding a mile from downtown Ann Arbor. 

LOCATION: The address will be sent to members via email a few days before the event.