2002: Keystone Member Savannah Furman

Tale of a Late Bloomer
 
 
I come from a farming family, so working in the yard was a given. Throughout my career, though, there wasn’t time to do more than just keep the grass mowed. After retirement I began to spend more time in the yard, totally ignorant of plant requirements. It was pretty much a “Let’s try it and see what happens” philosophy, with lots of failures. I began volunteering at the Missouri Botanical Garden, hoping by osmosis to develop an understanding of gardening.

At some point early on, I read in some obscure leaflet the name of which I no longer recall, about a new organization that focused on native plants called Wild Ones. Suddenly everything fell into place- background, time, purpose, experience. I immediately joined.

Unfortunately, because of previous commitments, my presence was limited to yard tours. But they were eye-opening! Yards consisted of a few square feet to acres, all of which were given over to native plants. It was indeed educational, and welcoming!  I would arrive by myself to a place I’d never been, knowing no one—except Fran Glass. Always, always, she was there, knowing my name, giving me her beautiful smile, making me feel welcome. Sapling wrapping at Fran’s home was my first venture into Wild One volunteering.

I began using native plants. Along the curbside in Webster Groves, I created a Curbside Prairie, complete with signs, and a rain garden, filled with native ferns, milkweed, cardinal flower—you know the list! When we moved to Grantwood Village, I realized I had work to do. First, my “new” yard is larger than the yard in Webster Groves. Second, and more important, it had been extensively landscaped at some point, with not a single native plant anywhere.

In the ensuing years I’ve planted only native, except for gifts. If someone gives me a plant, I will use it. I’ve kept a burning bush in honor of my husband, who thought it was beautiful. And I planted tropicals that were in the yard of my dearest friend, also in her memory. From Forest ReLeaf, with Laura Yates’ help, I’ve planted bur oak, cherry, pawpaw, buckeye, and pecan trees. Whatever grows is what I like. So, columbine, coral bell, astilbe, and monarda are currently high on my list. I watched a butterfly lay eggs on my golden alexander, which was
pretty neat. In recent years I’ve been able to attend Wild Ones meetings and over time have come to know people—by sight if not by name. Every time I pass by a plant I got for free at a Wild Ones meeting, I tip my hat to this great organization.

post by Savannah Furman, Chapter member and volunteer

To learn more about our Keystone Member series and other members we are highlighting
visit: https://stlwildones.org/keystone-members/