Chapters in Pennsylvania

Brigitte Bilodeau’s Garden Tour
Location: Canonsburg, PA
Date: Saturday July 27th
Time: 10am

Learn more and register here: https://westernpa.wildones.org/brigitte-bilodeaus-garden-tour/

Business meeting starts at 6:30 followed by membership/social meeting at 7:15

From Greg: "I have been gardening with native species for over 20 years, I help and enjoy consulting with clients to achieve native plantings whether a native meadow or a wetlands/riparian area.  My inspiration for native plants/plantings comes from my love of nature, providing clients and people with the appropriate tools and techniques needed to achieve the goal of a successful native planting.  This is a memorial planting or garden in remembrance of the son of a good friend who passed away after graduating college. It is 1.5 acres in size and planted by seed with all PA native plant species.  I am a professional, and this was a collaboration of stakeholders (family members & volunteers) who got this project completed.  The seed was sourced through Ernst seeds at my recommendation.  As this was an established lawn to meadow conversion, the main challenges were proper site seed bed preparation, seeding and a good bit of in season weed maintenance.  This planting does not have any certifications but is a magnet for birds, native pollinators such as bumble bees, bees, moths, and butterflies.  This is a full sun, slightly sloped mostly dry sight located in a Catholic cemetery just outside of Freeport, PA."

Tour this award winning native plant garden. 

From Melinda: "Our 3 Acres is an Audubon Society of Western PA Certified Backyard Habitat and a Penn State Extension Watershed Friendly Property that features nearly 100 native plant species and abuts eighteen acres of local parkland in Fox Chapel Borough.

I am a volunteer with ASWP, Tree Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Parks, and Fox Chapel Borough Parks Commission.

We purchased our property as a vacant lot in 2017 and our first challenge was to identify native species of value and invasive species to manage. We identified more than 25 non-natives and made the decision to locate and construct the house, driveway and rain garden in the center of a patch of seventeen removed Tree of Heaven. We left beautiful Oaks, Eastern White Pines, Tulip Poplars, Maples, Black Cherries and many other native species untouched."

Click here to learn more!