Jane Amid Her Purple Poppy Mallow
I was excited to get the chance to interview Jane Schaefer but I didn’t quite realize how much she has helped the native plant movement in University City. Jane and Mary Ann Shaw started the organization, U City in Bloom in 1985. At that time the Green Center was owned by University City, but they were searching for what to do with it. Jane helped with founding the Green Center (named for Mr. Green who sold his house and orchards). Soon after, she planted the prairie in the front yard of the Green Center with the help of Gary Schimelfenig.
“The first time I met Wild Ones members was when they asked to tour the Green Center. I was a founder of the Green Center and gave them a tour in the late 1990’s. I joined Wild Ones shortly after that. I have enjoyed Wild Ones meetings and yard visits for many years. “
Jane is also a dedicated volunteer of Bring Conservation Home (BCH). “My yard was certified Gold through the Bring Conservation Home program about 15 years ago. After that I became a Habitat Advisor and have done many home visits, reports, and certifications.” Jane volunteers with Chris Kirmaier, and as a team they visit the U City homes. She recommends that BCH volunteers do it with a team member and look at yards close by, to save time driving. Jane says, “It is a lot of fun. I like to meet people and give them advice.”
“I enjoyed being part of the Native Plant Garden Tour in May 2023. It was fun having over 200 people come to my yard to chat about plants and nature. I had such a good time. I had to work a little more getting my yard straightened up. Everyone was so complimentary. No one said anything negative about my weeds. I had tufted titmouse birds nesting in a birdhouse feeding the babies. People enjoyed that.” Jane says she would encourage others to be on the tour and go on the tour. Because her garden is on a corner and easy to see, people come by her garden all the time and comment about how much they enjoy it. Jane encourages them to join Wild Ones.
Jane says weeds and watering are her biggest challenges. “I don’t use herbicides or pesticides, so my grass is mostly weeds.” Jane waters only when it is hot and dry. “Dragging hoses around is probably good exercise.” She says her queen of the prairie and buttonbush need extra water. “I look forward to trying new native plants in my yard. Some of the plants I have flourish and others do not, which makes room to try new varieties.”
The purple poppy mallow is Jane’s favorite flower. In the photo you can see her sitting among her side yard patch. She started this patch with only three plants, but it has spread over the years. “I really like that it has taken over that spot. This year my purple poppy mallow is lasting longer. It is interesting how they change over the years. It’s on a hill that drains well. Even Dave Tylka commented about how nice of a stand it is.” Jane enjoys watching bumble bees and many other varieties of bees visiting the flowers. One bee she admires is green on front and yellow on back, but she is not sure what it is. The poppy mallows also attract wasps and hummingbirds. The hummingbirds are also attracted to the Indian pink, her second favorite flower. “Fuchsia plants are my favorite.”
Between Wild Ones, the Green Center, U City in Bloom, and Bring Conservation Home, Jane is spreading her love of native plants across U City. Her influence is obvious in the many native plant friendly yards we saw this spring on the tour.
post by Besa Schweitzer, Chapter member and volunteer
To learn more about our Keystone Member series and other members we are highlighting
visit: https://stlwildones.org/keystone-members/
