Looking to add native plants to your garden? Head to @chicagobungalow and follow the link in bio for a full list! _________ #TheCathyWalshGroup #ChicagoRealEstate #Hinsdale #HinsdaleRealEstate #JamesonSIR #SothebysRealty #NothingCompares #RealEstate #LuxuryService Repost from @chicagobungalow • Link in bio! 🌼🦋 For your 2024 garden plans, check out our annual list of local plant sales and nurseries that sell #nativeplants! 📍 Use the interactive map to easily see which plant sales and nurseries are near your home. #chicagogarden #nativeplantgarden #illinoisnativeplants #sustainablegardening #raingarden #pollinatorgarden
Today our team hosted a group of 20 or so volunteers from St. Clements alongside our regular volunteers - so it was a full house at Bunker Hill NF! We all collected bags upon bags of garlic mustard, which seems to be flowering a bit early this year. Some were even brave enough to go after the garlic mustard hiding among the raspberry brambles. 🫣 While working, many of our volunteers were even able to get up close and personal with multiple American Toads in the flatwoods, which was a joy to see! When we are working with our weedy invasives, we choose to compost in low lying, undervegetated areas, as opposed to tossing the bags in the garbage. This allows us to reduce the plastic waste and organic matter that heads to the landfill from our sites. A fun spring workday all in all! —— #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer #miamiwoods #oxbowprairie #bunkerhillnorthflatwoods #caldwellwoods
ok I haven’t really shown you the front yard prairie yet because oof but ok here we go #lagrangenationalnanoprairie #frontyardprarie #nativeplantgarden #illinoisnativeplants #lesslawnmoregarden #leavethestems #leavetheleaves
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) is one of the most iconic native plants during the Spring months. It is one of the first plants to greet us after the winter cold with its bright blue blooms & lush green foliage. Perfect for a woodland area or a garden that you don’t mind a bit of naturalizing. Its show is short, but very sweet. In the hot summer months it will go dormant. #mertensia #nativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #bluebells
Wild ginger came back! (I have tried multiple times to get this plant to grow in our yard) #illinoisnativeplants #Asarumcanadense
Friday Morning in O'Hara Woods Featuring... 1. The largest population of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) I've ever seen! 2. A Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 3. A Carex species, not sure which one. 4. And Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantid #illinoisnaturepreserve #springephemeral #ecology #ecologicalrestoration #ecologist #willcountyillinois #theconservationfoundation @tcfheron
Last weekend at St. Paul Woods, not only was it a perfect 70 degree day, but we had SO many of our volunteers getting in observations for their respective certifications through the FPDCC. From Brush Pile Burn Boss, to Work Day Leader, and even Sawyer observations! 📋✅ Pictured here, we have Danielle getting in her first burn boss observation under the guidance of our volunteer, Kerry! #womenpower 🔥 Certifications are a great way to dive deeper into restoration skills, as well as better diverse the working knowledge and experience levels at our sites. Since there are so many trainings and classes available through the FPDCC, there is definitely something for everyone! All you need is 15 hours of volunteer service logged on Givepulse to get started. 🌞 We hope to see you in the woods soon! Upcoming workdays: Sunday, 4/21 - Oxbow Prairie Saturday, 4/27 - Bunker Hill NF Sunday, 5/5 - Miami Woods Saturday, 5/11 - Chicago River Day (All Sites) —— #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer #miamiwoods #oxbowprairie #bunkerhillnorthflatwoods #caldwellwoods
It’s been too windy to take good pictures lately, and as you can tell Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is having a really bad hair day too. This plant is always on my recommended list for landscaping along sunny borders. 1) It’s one of the earliest forbs to flower. 2) Has intriguing hanging red flowers 3) Unique upright wispy appearance if they’ve been pollinated. 4) Low growing (less than a foot) 5) Interesting semi-evergreen leaves 6) Slowly expanding clumps 7) Suppresses weeds by shading them out 8) Handles hot sunny spots 9) Can be cut and dried 10) Supports early bees Prairie Smoke is a hardy and easy to grow, but bigger, agressive plants can overwhelm it. So in a landscaping setting be sure to help out by keeping them away. #prairiesmoke #geumtriflorum #nativeplantsofillinois #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplant #landscapingwithnativeplants #nativeplantlandscaping
The lilacs are opening today! Naturalized, - but NOT native to Illinois- this gorgeous lilac was here when we moved in 25 years ago, and it was old then! Despite being cut back many times, it continues to thrill me every year. ❤️ #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening #westcookwildones #opaf #oakparkillinois #oakparkil #oakpark
It's game time again! Who can get a bingo?! 🦋 Tell us your 5-in-a-row in the comments! 👇 #wildones #quadcities #illinoisnativeplants #davenportiowa
If you love perennials like echinacea, columbine, coreopsis, false indigo, yarrow, passion flower, phlox and so many more, our plant sale these next two weekends 9-4PM is THE place to be! Our native perennials are some of the most popular plants we grow. We can’t wait to share them all with you! HEADS UP! Our milkweed and butterfly weed have been slow to come out of their winter slumber and will be in limited supply. 😔 #nativeperennials #missourinativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #monarchgarden #beegarden
Front yard Garden Design from 2023. This client was in a Raised Ranch style house in Rogers Park. They opted for a patio in front, and room for growing vegetables in back. The patio is flanked by a perennial garden and rose bushes, a combination of English roses and David Austins. The patio features container annuals and recycled benches for a rustic, homey vibe. Perennial beds in the backyard also featured. A separate bed with sedges and hydrangeas flanks the front walkway. The vegetable garden setup will have to be another post. You've never seen so many massive tomato and pepper plants in such a tiny city garden space! . . . #urbangarden #gardendesign #hardscape #patio #flagstonepatio #perennialgarden #containergarden #urbandesign #botanicaldesign #landscapedesign #urbandesign #chicago #gardener #patiodesign #perennials #flowers #plants #containergardening #perennialbed #roses #daveaustinroses #englishrose #patiodesign #flagstone #illinois #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplants #nativeperennials #gardenbeddesign #gardendesign #englishcottage #style
#troutlily #springephemeral #illinoisnativeplants #wildflowers
Around 80 years later with a slightly different angle shot. Different house, different owners, same land, same oaks (minus the few that didn’t make it from the new build). Our neighbor shared some old photos with us and told us stories of the previous owners. It’s a lot of fun finding the trees in the old photos that still stand here today. Looking forward to watching this area transform after the seed install.
What’s blooming here, as of April 11th. ➡️ Bluebells, trout Lily, Cutleaf toothwort, buttercups, native strawberries, Pennsylvania sedge, spring beauties, violets… and probably a bunch more that I missed.
If you want to know when to expect migrating hummingbirds, just check the status of your Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). The phenology (timing of their life cycle) of both species evolved together. In other words, the hummingbirds show up when their food source is available. This particular plant looks like it will be blooming soon and checking the Journey North website shows the hummers aren’t far away. Isn’t it just amazing how nature has figured all this out? #easterncolumbine #easternredcolumbine #Aquilegiacanadensis #phenology #hummingbird #journeynorth #hummingbirdmigration #nativeplants #nativeplantsofillinois #illinoisnativeplants #hostplant #hostplantsforbutterflies
Spring blooms and Nordin the bog monster #springephemerals #illinoisnativeplants #kanecountyforestpreserve #naturephotography #hikingwithdogs
Trillium grandiflorum, the only one sprouting of 3 I planted last year. Still holding out hope for the others! 🤞🏻 #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening #westcookwildones #opaf #oakparkillinois #oakparkil #oakpark
Spring flowers! #prairiesmoke #serviceberry #springbeauty #illinoisnativeplants #berwynil
A snail living in the garden 🐌 #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening #westcookwildones #opaf #oakparkillinois #oakparkil #oakpark
The Hauberg Plant Sale will have some awesome ground cover native plants for you! 🌿 These plants can be placed throughout your garden to replace mulch and complete with weed seedlings, to create less work for you! All while providing important wildlife habitat. Woohoo! 🌾 Low growing grasses such as prairie dropseed, side-oats grama, little bluestem, and sedges can be host plants and provide seeds & shelter. Using them in your garden creates a beautiful cohesive look and structure. 🍓 Wild strawberry stays just inches tall, blooms early, and hosts many small moths & butterflies including the gray hairstreak. It's an amazing host plant! 🌸 Wild petunia is one of my favorites. Pollinators including hummingbirds love the trumpet shaped flowers and it also hosts caterpillars. Loves full sun, blooms in the summer, and stays around 1ft tall. Some other low growing plants that will be available at the plant sale include: wild geranium, prairie smoke, virginia waterleaf, zigzag iris, virginia bluebells, bee balm, and blue stemmed goldenrod. #wildones #haubergestate #NativePlantSale #tagthec #quadcities #illinoisnativeplants #rockislandillinois #davenportiowa
Pic 1 is elderberries (small shrub in its own area) Pic 2 is black chokeberries (small bush) Pic 3 is american plum (med tree) Pic 4 is american hazelnut (small/med tree in its own area) Pic 5 downey service berry ( med tree) Pic 6 is spicebush (small bush/shrub) And with that, the micro orchard is complete! Now it's a waiting game for them to get a nice size so we can under plant with shade loving natives. This couldn't have been done with out @prairimoonnursery and @carbondalefoodautonomy and their tree,shrub and bush sale! Also a big thank you to @boxturtleseeds for sharing and working the sale in Carbondale. Everything listed is human safe once prepared properly,is a host plant for moths and butterflie,will feed birds,bees and other critters while helping our environment. #elderberries #blackchokeberry #americanplum #americanhazelnut #downeyserviceberry #spicebush #smallorchard #fortheloveofbees #fortheloveofbirds #fortheloveofbutterflies #fortheloveofmoths #ifyouplantittheywillcome #nativeplantsofillinois #northamericannativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantgardener #nativeplantgarden #nativeplantjunky #addictedtodirt #proudtreehugger #onepersoncantchangetheworldbuttheycanchangetheworldforoneperson #weareanarmyofgardeners #justkeepplanting
Where can you find me on a gorgeous Friday afternoon? In the woods, obviously. 1. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) 2. Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) 3. Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 4. Stormwater from the woods draining into nearby Salt Creek 5. Chunky muskrat on a log 6. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) 7. Ramp/Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum) 8. Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 9. Prairie Willow (Salix humilis) 10. Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) #ephemeralplants #springephemeral #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantid #ecology #ecologist #illinoisbirds
Native wildflowers are just beginning to pop up in our forest preserves. Spring Beauties and Bloodroot. #illinoisnativeplants #illinoiswildflowers #signsofspring #firstbloomsofspring #firstflowers #naturephotography #naturephoto #naturephotographer #macronature #macrophotography #iphonephotography #nativeplantmonth #nativeplants #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #forestflowers
Game Time! 👀 These two plants were spotted blooming together in a small wooded area this week. Who can identify them? #quadcities #wildones #illinoisnativeplants
Link in bio! 🌼🦋 For your 2024 garden plans, check out our annual list of local plant sales and nurseries that sell #nativeplants! 📍 Use the interactive map to easily see which plant sales and nurseries are near your home. #chicagogarden #nativeplantgarden #illinoisnativeplants #sustainablegardening #raingarden #pollinatorgarden
North end trails are installed ✅ Now just waiting on a tree removal and seed install. Looking so whimsical 🥰
Cut and Burn season may be wrapping up at our sites, but have no fear, there’s more work to be done! Lesser Celandine flagging and spraying is already underway, and soon we will be wreaking havoc on populations of Lily of the Valley, Garlic Mustard, Torilis, and Queen Anne’s Lace. 😈 Forget Axe Throwing or Rage Rooms, come channel your anger into pulling some weedy invasives off the forest floor with us, free of charge, and we’d be happy to have ya! 💪💢 —— #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer #miamiwoods #oxbowprairie #bunkerhillnorthflatwoods #caldwellwoods
✨Shop update coming soon❇️ I was commissioned to paint these a couple years ago for a baby nursery. She kindly allowed me to scan and sell prints, but I never got around to editing them. Finally did it this weekend and ordered some samples. If they look good, I'll add them to my Etsy shop! Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman's breeches, is a cute little spring ephemeral. The leaves are up now in the Chicago region. Queen bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are the primary pollinators of this plant. The flowers, which look like upside down pants, bloom early spring, coinciding with the time queen bumblebees are actively looking for pollen and nectar. Pollinators must be strong enough to pry open the flower to get to the pollen, and these queen bees are able to do it! Reference photos by Doug McGrady, MDC, Missouriplants.com, Paul Rothrock, Ozark Bill, and me. Hamamelis vernalis, Ozark witch hazel, is a shrub native to south central US that blooms in late winter. The ribbon like petals are a welcome sight on a snowy February day. Though it's a chilly time for us humans, gnats, midges, flower flies, and other flies awaken to pollinate their fragrant flowers. There is another similar species, Hamamelis virginiana, that blooms in the fall. Reference photos by David J. Stang, Plant Image Library, Kurt Stüber. #botanicalart #botanicalwatercolor #scientificillustration #watercolorillustration #nativeplants #missourinativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #midwestnativeplants #dutchmansbreeches #dicentracucullaria #witchhazel #hamamelis
Last fall, the acorns in Oak Park were plentiful! I collected several different native varieties: Bur, White, Chinquapin, and Swamp White. I kept them in a soil-filled container in a bin in the basement all winter, and today was release day. I managed to salvage 8; only 5 of which I have growing containers for. None of my Bur Oak acorns sprouted; all the Swamp White Oak, and the *one* White Oak I collected from my favorite tree. #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening #nativeoak #treecityusa
I’m always so happy to see the spring ephemeral flowers start to bloom — like this dainty little Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria). But then lurking right behind it is the unwelcome, non-native, invasive Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica). Aldo Leopold famously said “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” But Aldo didn’t have Instagram. I am thankful for the wider community of nature-loving humans who understand why seeing these two pretty little flowers next to each other causes me pain. So I was busy today digging up squill bulbs. I’m sure I will be digging them up for years. But just like with the garlic mustard and honeysuckle that used to run rampant, someday squill will be history too. #dutchmansbreeches #Dicentracucullaria #nativeplant #springephemerals #springephemeral #woodlandwildflowers #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantsofillinois #siberiansquill #Scillasibirica #invasiveplants #invasiveplant #nonnativespecies
Carex pensylvanica flowers about to appear. This grows in the shade so the flowers appear in early spring before leaves come out on deciduous trees. Usually found around oak trees. #chicago #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplants #carex #carexpensylvanica
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities! April 19: Help our event at the WIU campus run smoothly! Set up, hand out information & answer questions at our Wild Ones table. May 16-19: Set up the plant sale- help unload and label plants, breakdown boxes, organize the tables, etc. on Thursday and Friday. Help shoppers, answer questions, and hand out information on Saturday & Sunday at our Wild Ones table. There are many shifts available this weekend. May 18: Set up and run our table at the Earth Day Celebration. Chat with interested folks and hand out our information. Send them along to the plant sale when they're done at the market! The best thing about volunteering? You won't be alone! An experienced volunteer or board member will always be there also. It's a fun chance to meet fellow members and learn more about our organization while spreading the good word about native plants. #quadcities #tagthec #freighthousefarmersmarket #nativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #molineillinois #wildones #westernillinoisuniversity
The Vernal Season #vernal #spring #ecology #ecologicalrestoration #ecologist #illinoisnativeplants #illinoisbirds #prairiestate #prescribedfire #prescribedburn #prairiesmoke #northernflicker
🦋 What is a host plant? 🐛 Host plants support insects, particularly caterpillars, by providing food in the form of leaves! For some species of butterflies, they only have one host plant that caterpillars can eat (think monarch caterpillars and milkweed). You absolutely want host plants in your garden! And if you see a chewed up leaf- hooray!! Wild Lupine: Hosts the endangered Karner Blue butterfly, among others. Blooms May-June, 1-2ft tall, sunny areas with dry soil. Golden Alexander: Hosts Swallowtail species. Blooms May-June, 1-3ft tall, sun or partial shade, medium soil including heavy clay. Bluestem Grass: Hosts several Skipper species. Little bluestem is 2-3ft tall, Big bluestem can be up to 8ft. Turns a pretty color in the fall, as shown in this photo. Seeds for birds! What is your favorite host plant? #wildones #illinoisnativeplants #iowanativeplants #quadcities #plantsale #tagtheqc #gardeningforwildlife
Hey- did you know @oakparkil and @westcookwildones have partnered up to help Oak park meet its goal of 30% native plantings in our village? Plant kits containing milkweed are 75% off for OP residents! I ordered my rain garden kit- more info on the village website #mayorsformonarchs #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening #chicagonativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening
Join us for our April Monthly Program! Breathe in the fresh spring air and come along as Rob Liva leads us on a woodland wildflower tour through Black Hawk State Park. Remember to wear sturdy shoes and bring along some water and your camera to capture all our native plant finds! Meet at the Singing Bird Nature Center parking lot at 5:30 pm, located at 1510 46th Ave. Rock Island, inside Black Hawk Park. We look forward to connecting with nature, and YOU! Bring a friend, bring your kids, all are welcome. See you there! Park map here: https://blackhawkpark.org/docs/ParkMap.pdf #wildones #illinoisnativeplants #illinoiswoodland #woodlandplants #tagtheqc #quadcities
🗣️ We’ve got upcoming volunteer days 🗣️ The spring ephemerals will be showing UP this April, and so can you! Join us at one of our workdays and see the woods come to life 🌞 DM us for details and directions to our volunteer sites! —— #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer #miamiwoods #oxbowprairie #bunkerhillnorthflatwoods #caldwellwoods
The Grove is located in Glenview and is a unique outdoor history and nature museum that offers so much to our community. Check out their trails and wetlands and the Native Animals they care for on site. #thegrove #illinoisnativeplants #nativeanimals #exoticvetmedicine #exoticveterinarymedicine #reptilevet #animalhouseofchicago #vector #vetcor #vetcorfamily
Must-Haves for your Winter & Early Spring Garden! 🦟 We have a new blog post up today that shares early spring photos in a native garden with some tips for creating winter habitat for insects. A wonderful resource from Xerces is also linked. Take a look! Share your photos below! What does your garden look like right now? https://quadcities.wildones.org/must-haves-for-your-winter-early-spring-garden/ #overwintering #tagtheqc #gardeninglife #gardeningforwildlife #illinoisnativeplants #wildones #nativegardening #quadcities
If someone were to ask Miami Woods what it’s favorite hobby is, I bet it would say “bone collecting” 💀🦴 —- #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer #miamiwoods
Found some blazing star corns outside the gardens! They've been dug up and temporarily placed into pots till I can figure out if they're going to my plant swap or are getting a new spot in one of the gardens. #blazingstar #blazingstars #purpleflowers #nativeplantsofillinois #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #illinoisnativeplants #butterflymagnet #forthebutterflies #forthebirds #forthebumblebees #forthebees #justkeepplanting #killyourlawn #nativeplantjunky
Did you hear!? Our native plant presale is now OPEN!! 🥳 Visit our webpage to view aaaalllllll the details, plant lists, and links to purchase. https://quadcities.wildones.org/hauberg-estate-native-plant-sale/ Or visit Eventbrite directly if you already know what you want! Sunny/Dry Soils Garden: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bird-and-butterfly-buffet-sunny-sites-with-sandy-and-dry-soils-tickets-868607567617?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Medium/Moist Soils Garden: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bird-and-butterfly-buffet-sunny-sites-with-medium-to-moist-soils-tickets-868720876527?aff=ebdsoporgprofile THANK YOU for supporting our mission through this fundraiser! As always, let us know if you have questions! #plantsale #tagtheqc #quadcities #illinoisnativeplants #iowanativeplants #wildones #gardeningforwildlife #nativegardening
All four of our volunteer sites are excited to be hosting for Chicago River Day this year! 🦆🛶🦦 Registration is now live. Join us at Bunker Hill North Flatwoods, Oxbow Prairie, Miami Woods, or St. Paul Woods on May 11th, 2024 from 9 am -12 pm! Some of our site captains will be leading litter pick-up along the North Branch, and others will be leading restoration projects! Feel free to DM us if you are interested in coming out, and depending on your area of interest, we can place you at the best location for volunteering. This year the featured riparian creature is the Black-crowned Night Heron. 👀 These social birds tend to breed in colonies - sometimes with other Herons, Ibises, and Egrets (depending on geographic region). Their nesting habits widely range from stick nests that rest above rivers and wetlands up to 150 feet high in trees. 🌳 The Black-crowned Night Heron is actually most active, as well as most isolated, at dusk or nighttime - as that is it’s preferred time to catch fish! 🎣 This adaptation is assumed to prevent competition with other Herons and Egrets for food sources. A fun fact about Black-crowned Night Herons is that they will brood any chick that is in their nest. 🥚🪹 They don’t usually distinguish between their own offspring and nestlings from other parents! “Despite it being endangered in Illinois, this iconic bird is regularly seen on the river system. A true testament to the critical role river habitat plays in our complex and threatened ecosystem.” We hope you can join us! —- #chicagoriverday #friendsofthechicagoriver #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch #fpdccvolunteer
Theme from the bottom…delicate beginnings without any help. As seen today while visiting a woodland garden. I’m making peace with the Scilla.
Just a day late, but happy first day of spring everyone. Looking forward to watching the changes of growing season 4 here. Photo of last year/ growing year 3.
North end progress update…Lots and lots of potential here. 😄 My front yard feels like a brand new property now. Thanks again to John’s crew from Wimmer Landscaping! You all did amazing. So excited to watch this space transform, I’m already planning out the trails.
Early Spring in the native garden…how many #illinoisnativeplants can you identify? #illinoisnativeplantsociety #illinois #illinoisnativegarden #nativeplants #nativegarden #nativegardens #nativegardening
Missed a few spring beauties that I had in a pot last year so now I'll have to move them next weekend before they get over taken by much larger plants.......whoops! The flower is the size of my pinky nail and the corns are roughly the size of a pea. #springbeauty #springbeauties #springephemeral #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #nativeplantsofillinois #pinkflowers #tinyflowers #nativeplantgardener #nativeplantjunky #iwantthem #givememore
In the next few days the bluebells will be going full blast! #bluebell #bluebells #blueflowers #illinoisnativeplants #grownatives #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #nativeplantgarden #nativeplantgardening #nativeplantgardener #letitgrow #justkeepplanting #gardneingismytherapy #killyourlawn
On a busy Saturday morning with lots to do, it’s always best to start with the one thing that is absolutely NOT on the list #illinoisnativeplantsociety #nativegarden #nativegardening #nativegardens #illinoisnativeplants #garden #gardening
Spring ephemerals will be waking up in the next few weeks here along our North Branch volunteer sites in the preserves. One of the earliest and favorites of many is Bloodroot (l. Sanguinaria canadensis). It’s bloom period is relatively short - just enough time for pollination before going to seed. Bloodroot gets its name from the red sap that occurs when cut, and the sap was traditionally used by indigenous peoples as a dye. 🩸 A fun fact about the Bloodroot seed is that it contains elaisome, which is a structure containing fats and proteins that is attractive to ant colonies! 🐜 Ants will actually transport the seeds to harvest the elaisome, which is what spreads the seeds to new locations for future germination. 🌱 A beautiful example of symbiosis in our natural areas! We hope to catch you this spring at one of our workdays, where you can witness the beauty of our spring ephemeral blooms! —- #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch
Mid March views.
Our new propagation house is FULL of seedlings! 🌱 We are gearing up for Spring and ensuring we have all the native plants you are looking for. These seedlings will soon be planted into plugs, pints and gallons. We absolutely love this time of year and can’t wait for Spring to be in full swing! 🪴 #nativeplants #plantpropagation #growers #plantgrower #seedlings #illinoisnativeplants #wholesale
Are you… 🌱 Interested in learning more about restoration efforts in Cook County but not sure where to start? 🦋 A college student or recent grad looking to get more hands-on experience in the field? 🌾 Recently retired and looking for a new routine? 🌻 Previous volunteer looking for a way to jump back in? If you said yes to any of these questions above, join us at one of our volunteer workdays this March! Message us for details. —- #volunteer #cookcounty #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch
The first seeds are germinating outdoors. Because native plants are adapted to our weather they have no problem withstanding these nights below freezing. Here are a few: Compass Plant, Missouri Evening Primrose & Hairy Mountain Mint #nativeillinoisplants #illinoisnativeplants #gonative #grownative #wintersowing #nativegarden #gardenforpollinators #gardenforwildlife
Prairie Willow #illinoisnativeplants #salixhumilis
I spy with my little eye something smelly 🧅 The removal of invasive Buckthorn and Eurasia Honeysuckle today led us to uncovering a small patch of ramps! (l. Allium tricoccum) Ramps, or Wild Leeks, can easily be confused with Lily of the Valley, but a taste test of one of the leaves will help you identify it pretty quickly. easy guide: 😋 ✅ ; 🤢🚫 Fun fact: It is believed that Chicago got its name from the Native American word ‘Chicagoua’, in reference to this native onion plant! It once grew in such abundance, it’s no wonder it is the namesake of this city. Ramps are one of the earliest to emerge on the forest floor, however they have a pretty short season. By the summer, their leaves will have already died back - leaving stalks of leafless white flowers, the scapes, from June-July. It is slow growing, taking 5-7 years for it to reach flowering maturity. While it sure is tempting to forage some for a good home cooked meal, it is illegal to remove any from Cook County Forest Preserves. Illegal poaching is a huge threat to this native species, as if invasive competition wasn’t enough! Our work today cleared about 75 sq ft of ground for this little patch to spread out and thrive. 🌞 —— #ramps #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch
As we encounter an early spring this year in Cook County, sightings of ‘Lesser Celandine’ (Ficara Verna) patches have already begun. Lesser Celandine is a noxious weed that typically grows in thick, dense, blankets along floodplains, but can be spotted in patches on dry, upland areas. It was introducted to North America as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Lesser Celandine is incredibly difficult to manage, as it spreads via seed along the waterways of the North Branch of the Chicago River, by its tuberous root structures, and with foot traffic from wildlife and humans. While it may appear to be a beautiful, early spring coverage here in our woodlands, do not be fooled! It competes with our native spring ephemerals by displacing or preventing co-currance due to nutrient and light competition. Since it is one of the earliest to wake up in spring, it can take over open areas rapidly. —- Interested in learning more about how we manage Lesser Celandine and other invasives at our volunteer sites? Feel free to join us for one of our workdays this spring! Upcoming workdays: 3/9: Oxbow Prairie 3/26: Miami Woods and Prairie 3/24: Bunker Hill North Flatwoods —- #chicagoriver #ecologicalrestoration #cookcountyforestpreserve #illinoisnativeplants #naturalareas #northbranch
It was moist out there but @pizzoassociates did so well with our burn 👏 Thanks so much guys! I ran out there and sprinkled seeds in a good chunk of the burned patches. Bring on growing year 4 🥳💚
Ta-da! This illustration shows little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and scarlet paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea). Paintbrush is a root hemiparasite, meaning it attaches its roots to the host roots to obtain some nutrients. It can also photosynthesize but usually doesn't reach maturity (flower/produce seed) without a host. The flowers themselves are small, yellow or pale green and not showy, while the sepals and bracts are brightly colored. Paintbrush can use many species as a host, including little bluestem. Little bluestem is a grass that makes up a large part of the tallgrass prairie community and is known for its fibrous roots that go many feet deep but also wide. While paintbrush doesn't kill its host, it will usually stunt its growth. Root parasites like Castilleja can have a big effect on a plant community by reducing the ability of the host species to dominate and giving other species a chance to compete. I find these species so fascinating but also what a fabulous color combo 😍 #botanicalart #botanicalwatercolor #scientificillustration #watercolorillustration #nativeplants #missourinativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantsofnorthamerica #midwestnativeplants #castilleja #indianpaintbrush #scarletpaintbrush #castillejacoccinea #hemiparasite #schizachyriumscoparium #littlebluestem
“Every Gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle.” -Luther Burbank Cook County Markham Courthouse Tiny Native Forest 21 months update: Though it may not look like there’s much action in the forest this time of year, rest assured, there’s a lot happening underground. We can’t wait to see what Spring has in store for the forest! #nordsongreenearth #miyawakimethod #soilbiodiversity #miyawakiforests #woodwideweb #illinoisnativeplants #pocketforest
Wildlife is Not Random with Peggy Anesi Thursday, March 21, 2024 6:00 pm Social Time, 6:30 pm Program Cherry Valley Library 755 East State Street Cherry Valley, IL To view the program via Zoom, please register by visiting our website (link in bio) So you’ve made the decision to create a beautiful and environmentally-friendly native plant garden. Now your garden is full of wonderful pollinators such as monarch butterflies, solitary bees, and clearwing moths that dart from flower to flower like hummingbirds. There are myriad species of interesting birds like warblers and woodpeckers and vireos. Success! But you also notice some larger, mammalian creatures like squirrels, raccoons, and skunks that have taken a shine to your plantings. In her presentation, Wildlife is Not Random, Peggy Anesi will discuss that whether you plant cultivars, natives, or garden vegetables, you may be welcoming in more creatures to your yard. A favorite, informative, and entertaining speaker, Peggy will join us via Zoom to help us understand and deal with our wild neighbors. She explains, “ If we work on coexisting rather than just coping with the wildlife around us, our lives just might experience a small bit of natural wonder without leaving our yard.” Peggy is an educator for University of Illinois Extension specializing in environmental education, human/wildlife relationships, and water quality. She holds a B.S. in zoology with a specialization in wildlife management. Peggy is interested in large predators, coyotes, and feral swine in Illinois. She also holds an M.S. in education with a specialization in outdoor teacher education/curriculum and instruction. Peggy has been teaching environmental education for over 25 years, is passionate about helping children see their role in the environment, and helping people understand wildlife as it relates to their lives. This program is free and open to the public. Participants can attend in person at the Cherry Valley Public library or attend via Zoom with prior registration. Doors open at 6:00 pm. @cvpublib #naturallandscape #nativeplants #rockfordil #rockfordillinois #illinoisnativeplants @doty.peggy
Man, spring has arrived early this year in northwestern IL. Hazelnut (Corylus americana) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) are in bloom, and spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) is only days behind. #illinoisbotany #illinoisnativeplants #illinoisflora #springflowers #americanhazelnut #silvermaple #springbeauty
🍃Chris Benda of @illinoisbotanizer joins us at The Shawnee Cave Total Solar Eclipse Festival on Friday, April 5, 2024! This will surely plant a smile on your face! Chris Benda is a renound Botanist who resides in Makanda, IL and has educated many people across the state of Illinois and beyond about native flora. His website Illinois Botanizer and very popular, curated Facebook group called "Illinois Botany" feature rare and endangered species he has spent his professional life tracking, and he now proliferates conservation efforts through his programs like @plantsofconcern. He is also involved in the Illinois Native Plant Society, teaches at Southern Illinois University @siuonline., and travels to teach various workshops and seminars on the topics. He will surely delight your inner botanist! Stop by our info booth on Friday, April 5 at the @shawneecave, and get tips on local #hiking and #recreation suggestions, and learn all about the unique plants and features of the natural areas and national forest in and around the Shawnee Cave Amphitheater here in Murphysboro, IL. Get your tickets today! www.ShawneeCave.fun. We can't wait to see you all soon!! #shawneecave #illinoisbotanizer #illinoisnativeplants #southernillinois #solareclipse
It’s that time of year again, folks. Keep your nose peeled because Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is bringing the spring stink to a seep near you! #skunkcabbage #symplocarpusfoetidus #botany #illinoisbotany #illinoisnativeplants #illinoisnature #midwest #fen #seep
#illinoisnativeplants #wintersowing
I'm excited to announce that I will be a vendor at this year's Fruehlingfest in historic Maeystown, Il on May 5th. #nativeillinoisplants #nativeplantgarden #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantnursery #gonative #grownative
A cherished Missouri and Illinois native perennial, Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virgninica, delights us in spring with nodding clusters of pink buds that open to sky blue flowers. Plant Virginia Bluebells between Hostas and other large leaved shade plants. Easy to grow in shade to part shade. Naturalizes quickly. In store now. Order online and pickup at the nursery. Or come by and visit, we just put out our first native plants. See it here: https://sugarcreekgardens.com/product/mertensia-virginica-virginia-bluebell/ #wildflowers #bluebellls #woodland #missourinativeplants #illinoisnativeplants
The Putty Root orchid (Aplectrum hyemale) stands out amongst native orchids in Illinois in that it produces a single leaf in fall which remains green over the winter and disappears by summer. This adaptation allows the orchid to photosynthesize when the tree canopy is leafless, avoiding the time of the year when the tree canopy is fully leafed-out and very little light reaches the forest floor. I recently found a sizable population of this species growing in mesic oak woods atop a Mississippi River bluff in Carroll County, IL. Looking forward to catching it in bloom this spring! #illinoisbotany #illinoisnativeplants #orchid #nativeorchid #aplectrumhyemale #puttyrootorchid #botany #botanyphotography #nativeplants
Look who's waking up in the gardens!!! Bluebells!!!! Hands down my fav spring flower! #discover618 #southernillinois #nativewildflowers #bluebells #bluebell #springiscoming #northamericannativeplants #illinoisnativeplants #nativeplantsofillinois #nativebirdsofnorthamerica