post and photos by Donna Short, Chapter member and volunteer
Home of Katy & Matt Mueller
Saturday April 6
Wednesday April 17
Katy and Matt’s half-acre home and garden in suburbia is unique for its extensive native plant areas. Searching for a home in 2021, Katy and Matt (shown left) prioritized native plant space for its ecosystem benefits and wildlife habitat. They inherited established native plants and have added more, supporting local biodivMarsha Gebhardt, who encouraged Katy to join Wild Ones,
shown below welcoming members to the first Garden Gathering of 2024!
Celandine Poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum) shown left and Sand Phlox (Phlox bifida) right are in abundance in the front yard.
A Black Swallowtail Butterfly chrysalid is overwintering in a mesh enclosure in the front yard.
Katy’s passion for native plants stems from her interest in bees and their ecosystem role. She maintains pollinator watering stations and natural yard debris for wildlife shelter.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) in the foreground
One of the paths to the rear yard – let’s go back and explore!
The backyard is a haven for birds and wildlife – and people too! Katy has spotted over 50 bird species
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) color the hillside. There is a gazebo and numerous brush piles.
Mayapples (Podophyllum) found as we enter the yard.
There are countless trees – as well as this Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) in bloom.
One of Katy’s projects is this pond which she plans to surround with Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
This small creek runs throughout the neighborhood and Katy plans to restore the creek’s flow in her yard. Scouring Rush (Equisetum hyemale), growing alongside the creek, provides excellent cover for wildlife.
Trillium (Trillium cuneatum)
We were on the hunt for Morel mushrooms and found a patch near the gazebo.
A rain garden at the backyard hill’s base features Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
There is a shaded glade of Fiddlehead Fern ( Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Katy is experimenting with an area that was formerly lawn
– letting it exist undisturbed to see what develops there.
Impressive Tulip Poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Members brought an assortment of plants for sharing.
What a beautiful garden. Thank you for sharing💥