“Rose Mallow blossoms in the Rain Garden” by Amy and Ryan Cutrell

Plant(s): Rose Mallow, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan
Photo Story: We first started planting in this area to stop the erosion from our neighbors’ storm water run off. We planted water-loving plants, and they thrived. Most importantly, the erosion problem ceased.
Equipment: cell phone
Photo ID: 32980

“Natives in the Front Yard” by Amy and Ryan Cutrell

Plant(s): Purple Coneflower, Wild Petunia, Golden Groundsel, Downy Skullcap, Royal Catchfly, Mountain Mint, St. Johns Wart, Dogwood, Katalpa, and Tulip Trees
Photo Story: Teen Advocates for Natives. At 15, Ryan Cutrell, won the St. Louis Chapter’s Front Yard Makeover in 2020 and expanded at every chance. Despite losing a large, Birch Tree to disease, we’ve continued on, planted trees and more wildflower and grass species in the front yard. Ryan hosted the summer tour in 2022 and hosted the August 2022 local meeting. Ryan is at DePauw University in his first year of college studying Environmental Biology. Joining the Wild Ones helped Ryan to “blossom.”
Equipment: cell phone
Photo ID: 32981

“Purple Poppy Mallow Patch” by January Kiefer

Plant(s): purple poppy mallow and other native flowers, spice bush and button bush
Photo Story: I, January (Janet) Kiefer, am over 18, am a member and took this photo
Equipment: iphone
Photo ID: 33032

“Wild about gardens” by Catherine McKenzie

Plant(s): Tall joe pye (Eupatorium fistulosum), Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa, Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa), Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Photo Story: We planted all these and more in the front garden of our small urban lot four years ago. They were all tiny plugs and we didn’t know quite what would happen, being new to native plants at the time. It’s a wild look but contained with a brick border and the sidewalks. This garden has become a haven for bugs, birds, and bees of all types. Several neighbors have added native plants and whole native gardens to their yards since then. Walkers and bikers and even the occasional driver pulls over to tell me how much they like it. We have not gotten a single negative comment.
Equipment: Nikon D850 16-35 mm f/4.0
Photo ID: 33103

“Backyard oasis” by Cathy Stein

Plant(s): Tall coreopsis (Coreopsis Tripteris); Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium); Redbud (Cercis canadensis); Dotted horsemint (Monarda punctata); Virginia Mountainmint (Pycnanthemum virginianum);Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta); Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); Joe Pye (Eutrochium purpureum); Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa); Blue vervain (verbana;

(Not shown: Wild Lupine (Lupinus L.), and Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa L.)
Photo Story: In 2019, I decided I’d had enough of my boring backyard and had a professional design and install some natives. This is the result two years later (August 2021)
Equipment: iPhone 11
Photo ID: 33124

“Front yard oasis” by Cathy Stein

Plant(s): Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium); blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta); Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); J Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa); Blue vervain (verbana; Butterfly milkweed ( Asclepias tuberosa L.); White heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides);purple coneflower (Echinacea); Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Photo Story: I decided to go cold turkey on turf lawn. This was the second year growth.
Equipment: iPhone 11
Photo ID: 33133

“Backyard oasis 2” by Cathy Stein

Plant(s): Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium);Dotted horsemint (Monarda punctata);Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa L.)
Photo Story: Dog enjoys native plant oasis.
Equipment: iPhone 11
Photo ID: 33141

“My Moon Garden 2023” by Courtney Denning

Plant(s): Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Canada Anemone (Anemonastrum canadense), Tall Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana), Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta), Silvery Sedge (Carex argyrantha), River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Upland White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album), Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolim), Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Photo Story: My Moon Garden is one of the garden beds I have spent the most time on. I wanted a garden with white flowers, silvery foliage, and habitat for native species. I designed the garden, planted it, let it grow for a year, then re-designed and re-planted it. There are a lot of species packed into a small space. I’m continuing to edit, removing plants that would do better elsewhere and adding new native plants I have found that fit the theme. I have a little yard sign featuring a bee in this garden, but I observe mainly wasps visiting the flowers. I thoroughly enjoy seeing the variety of wasps and other pollinators that visit this garden while I ponder what changes to make next.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 33275

“A Sea Of Oats” by Courtney Denning

Plant(s): River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolim), Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) and an interloping Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Photo Story: River Oats (also called Sea Oats) is the first native grass I planted in my garden. I owe my career as a native garden designer to this gorgeous grass. The single grass I grew was wildly successful in reseeding all along the south side of my house. I wasn’t a new gardener, but I was a new homeowner. My prior gardening experience was with vegetable gardening in pots and community gardens. I had less experience with perennials and wasn’t comfortable letting plants “move” about the yard. So, I carefully weeded the seedlings and potted them up to share in a native garden program at the library where I worked. That program led to more native plant and gardening programs and a seed library. I became more interested in native gardening design and education, which led to my current job with a local landscaping company. This little plant I added to my landscape got more oversized than I expected and spread further than I wanted it to. Because of this, I belong to a community of native gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts. I also now have large, mature River Oats throughout my landscaping, which can reseed in many spots. The largest group is in the center of my Moon Garden. I adore how the gracefully arched stems of seed pods flutter in a soft breeze.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 33282

“My Mini Meadow” by Courtney Denning

Plant(s): Prairie Brome (Bromus kalmii), River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Lance Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Tall Boneset (Eupatorium altissimum), Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella), Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Photo Story: This mini meadow area is one of a few spots where I have seeded a mix of native plants collected from friends or purchased from native plant nurseries. I have also tucked plants I grew from seed into bare patches. Most of my garden beds have a design in mind before I start, but this one is different. I enjoy watching how it grows and seeing what plants come up each year. This spring and summer have been very yellow with many blooms from Lance Leaf Coreopsis, Evening Primrose, Yellow Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, and others.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 33288

“WildflowerGardenFarmingtonHills” by Sheila Walters

Plant(s): Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, Common Milkweed, Cut-leaf Coneflower, Carrot, False Indigo, Shasta Daisy
Photo Story: Dr Peggi Tabor owned this property before we purchased it. She lived here for over 30 years and established a designated nature habitat here. I am a new member. The property has a natural artesian spring-fed pond as well as backing to a tributary of the rouge river called Pebble Creek. No chemicals have been used such as fertilizers and the plants are fed with well water which is high in Iron.
Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Photo ID: 33362

“Backyard Paradise” by Sheila Walters

Plant(s): Evening Primrose, Carrot, White Fringetree, Siberian Iris, Blue Flag. White Mulberry
Photo Story: View Behind my home
Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Photo ID: 33366

“Pond and Flowers from Driveway” by Sheila Walters

Plant(s): Milk Weed, Joe-Pye Weed, Black Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, False Indigo Willow.
Photo Story: These flowers were planted by Dr Peggi Tabor and are native to the area. We purchased the property in early spring after she grew a garden and established a Wildlife Habitat over a period of 30 years. The pond is entirely contained on the property and has an artesian spring.
Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Photo ID: 33391

“Pollinator garden” by Joanne Valek

Plant(s): Pennsylvania sedge, mountain mint, swamp oak, penstemon, little blue stem, switch grass, obedient plant, joe pye, phlox Jeana.
Photo Story: N/A
Equipment: iPhone
Photo ID: 33396

“My-Native-Plant-Garden” by Leanne Phinney

Plant(s): Woodland Sunflowers (Helianthus strumosus), Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum), Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), and Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).
Photo Story: This photo was taken in our yard in Shoreview MN on an early August afternoon.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix
Photo ID: 33415

“Bellflower and Bee Balm” by Quyen Edwards

Plant(s): American Bellflower, bee balm, joe pye weed
Photo Story: The American Bellflower reseeded well in the corner of my yard. It was particularly lovely this year with the lighter pink-purple of the bee balm in the background.
Equipment: Nikon D3300
Photo ID: 33435

“Labor of Love” by Antonette Needham

Plant(s): Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Sweet Joe Pyeweed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Blazing Star (Liatris)
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Bee Balm (Monarda punctata L.)
Photo Story: This is the garden of a South Bend Wild Ones member. He began this project three years ago. This is what the garden looks like in late August.
Equipment: iPhone12
Photo ID: 33506

“Corner Upgrade” by Antonette Needham

Plant(s): Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Photo Story: This is a home in my neighborhood that was purchased by new owners towards the end of COVID lockdown. This spot in the photo was filled with a scraggly, overgrown juniper bush. They pulled it out and planted this beautiful native landscape.
Equipment: iPhone 12
Photo ID: 33516

“Rain Garden After Storm” by Carolyn Crane

Plant(s): Blue lobelia, blue flag iris, nodding onion, rose swamp mallow, fox sedge matrix, Riddel’s goldenrod, marsh blazing star, golden ragwort, wild geranium.
Photo Story: This June I put in this rain garden on the scar of an old above ground pool I inherited when I bought my property. It’s fenced so my German Shepherds don’t tromp in in it. This photo was taken after the big storm on August 23rd and 24th.
Equipment: iPhone 8
Photo ID: 33537

“Mossy Meander” by Liz Gerson

Plant(s): Cushion moss (Dicranum); lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina); blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).
Photo Story: Cobblestone pathway embedded in mossy north-side foundation garden…long view.
Equipment: Motorola Moto G Smartphone
Photo ID: 33585

“Lobelia Lane” by Liz Gerson

Plant(s): Cushion moss (Dicranum); lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina); blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica); cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis); bunchberry (Cornus canadensis).
Photo Story: Cobblestone pathway embedded in mossy north-side foundation garden…side view.
Equipment: Motorola Moto G Smartphone
Photo ID: 33586

“Goat’s Beard In the Back Yard” by Nancy Shevel

Plant(s): Goat’s Beard – Aruncus dioicus.
Photo Story: Beautiful native shrub in a friend’s yard.
Equipment: iPhone SE
Photo ID: 33591

“home rain garden” by Cathy Streett

Plant(s): Cup plant, rudbeckia, nodding onion.
Photo Story: LOVE my rain garden in bloom.
Equipment: Galaxy S22
Photo ID: 33614

“Backyard Landscape” by Karen Eckman

Plant(s): Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle shrub, Joe Pye weed, Butterfly weed, Tamarac trees, Purple coneflower, Prairie Blazing Star, Elderberry shrub, Compass plant, Cup plant, Black-eyed Susan, Swamp milkweed, and Wild Strawberry. There are many other native plants that are not blooming or not easy-to-see in this photo.
That includes Wild Petunia, Figwort, Sneeze weed, Nodding onion, Yellow-headed coneflower, Yarrow and several species of Asters and Goldenrod.
Photo Story: My landscaping goal is 80% gardens and 20% lawn for my 85′ x 135′ suburban property (minus an 1100 sq’ house with deck and double attached garage with cement driveway). If you count my double front yard rain garden and 24′ dry creek bed between my house and the neighbor’s, I think I am getting close.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 33631

“Wee Wild Ones” by Debbie Rexer

Plant(s): Ebony Spleenwort, Woodland Stonecrop, (native sedge and moss in background).
Photo Story: Abigail Rexer (age 16)
As a young child, my favorite toys were garden gnomes. I enjoyed hiding them in magical spots in my native-landscaped yard. This picture was taken in a rock garden my siblings and I named “Fairy’s Garden.” Even now, gnomes can still be found peeking out of hiding places among the native plants!
Equipment: Canon EOS 2000D
Photo ID: 33646

“Home Garden” by Jessica Ausnehmer

Plant(s): Prairie Dropseed, Beebalm, Butterfly Weed, Yarrow, Blazing Star, Rattlesnake Master, Joe Pye Weed, Mountain Mint, and much more…
Photo Story: One of the views of my front garden.
Equipment: Phone Samsung S22
Photo ID: 33704

“Welcome to My Home” by Mary Tworek-Tupper

Plant(s): Purple Cone Flower, Common Milkweed, Wild Petunia
Photo Story: Front garden of my home welcoming visitors
Equipment: Iphone 14 Max
Photo ID: 33705

“Pollen is ready” by Patty Berry

Plant(s): Yellow coneflower/Echinacea paradoxa, Purple poppy mallow/Callirhoe involucrata, Shrubby St John’s wort/Hypericum prolifcum (background)
Photo Story: In 2020, my husband and I won the first “Landscape Challenge” for the new St. Charles Wildones chapter. This is a project done with volunteers of our chapter, and supported by GrowNative.org thru The Missouri Prairie Foundation. Each year a lucky homeowner is awarded up to $500 in plants, including a design and labor to install, as well as support from the chapter. This garden was planted in September of that year. THe garden has filled in nicely, and this photo was taken May 30, 2023. I wanted to show what the sidewalk view is, as we get a lot of pedestrian traffic on our street which is why we won the garden. The house is in the background of this photo, but I really wanted to show the beauty of these yellow coneflowers.
Equipment: Apple IPhone 13Pro
Photo ID: 33766