
Ginny, standing at the top of the hill she recently landscaped next to flourishing Pink Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) which she planted last year.
post and photos by Donna Short, Chapter member and volunteer
Home of Ginny and Bill Johnson
Wednesday May 10 (37 attendees)
Saturday May 13 (26 attendees)
Thanks to Ginny and Bill for sharing their garden with us. Although Ginny says there are about 150 native plants and trees it seems like many more!
Ginny completed the Master Gardener program at the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2016 and has taken all the native plant courses taught at Shaw Nature Reserve.
When starting or expanding a native plant garden, she advises beginning with a small area and planting in phases, rather than tackling the entire yard at once! And don’t forget to label the plants. Ginny sees how this educates her neighbors and they frequently discuss specific plants with her. Plant labels are available through the Wild Ones store.
Last year her yard was certified Platinum by Bring Conservation Home. For additional information see the BCH website.

The backyard contains a patio area with grill and a spice garden conveniently located nearby! Raised containers protect the plants from the family dogs.
Along the side yard, there are numerous plant areas. Here are a few of the highlights.

Many of the plant beds feature garden art as shown here with Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) and Eastern Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana).

Trellised Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) on left and a Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) on right.

Left is Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) and a Hazelnut shrub (Corylus americana) shown on the right.

Following the path to the front of the house, Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is shown left and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) right.

Coral Bells, Autumn Bride (Heuchera villosa) shown below left and Bee Balm (Monarda bradburiana) shown right.

View from the top of the hillside Ginny tackled last year. The Pink Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) provide a beautiful spring centerpiece

Circling around to the back garden is a large area with numerous plantings and interesting items repurposed to provide trellises and bird perches

We just missed this Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) in bloom shown left! On the right Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) contained in a pot to protect the dogs!
So inspiring to view Ginny’s yard.