post and photos by Donna Short, Chapter member and volunteer
Home of Lisa Brunette & Anthony Valterra
Saturday June 4 (54 attendees)
Wednesday June 8 (34 attendees)
Lisa and Anthony began the visit with an overview of their challenges creating the garden and highlights of what we would encounter in their ¼ acre turf-free backyard garden containing over 150 native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses!
They began with a visit from Bring Conservation Home and Mitch Leachman in Summer 2018. This was followed by an intense effort eliminating the invasives. To remove the grass, they used the cardboard and mulch method instead of black plastic. In Spring 2021 they were awarded the Bring Conservation Home Platinum Status.
We walked along the paths meandering through the yard. One of the paths started with a patch of Bee Balm (Monarda sp.), not surprising since Lisa also volunteers with the Shutterbee program, taking photo surveys of native bees.
Anthony answers questions about the vegetable garden which is surrounded by modular fencing used to safeguard against rabbits and can be rearranged as needed.
A sample of trees and shrubs found in the landscape, from left to right, were Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) and False Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa), Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). The trees and shrubs were added as seedlings/starts.
The majority of the native plants, grasses and vines were also added as seedlings/starts and some were germinated from seed. Here’s a sample: Meadow anemone (Anemone canadensis) below left and New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) below right.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) left, Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) below. Note the Cactus is contained to avoid random spread.
Lisa & Anthony made used of discarded pans and lids by providing water for visiting birds and other wildlife throughout the garden. Below is the herb garden which was planted over a dead stump. Nutrients from the stump decay nourish the plants.
This patch of Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) below harbors snakes seen climbing from the rocks.
We didn’t spot any snakes – but had a treat when we spotted this American bumble bee – which is endangered enjoying Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)!
Thanks to our hosts Lisa & Anthony for a great time exploring their garden.
Here you will find more information about their journey to platinum status as well as other awards they have received and detail of all plants included in their yard. You can also visit their website Brunette Gardens.
Lisa and Anthony were featured in the Summer 2022 Wild Ones (National) Journal – read it here!
Lisa and Anthony, your yard was a delight!