Betty Struckhoff sharing so many ways to add native plants to our gardens
Photo by Dawn Weber
March 1, 2017
Marsha Gebhardt welcomed all 47 members and 19 guests to our March gathering at The Heights community center of Richmond Heights. Our speaker was Betty Struckhoff with a program titled Landscaping with Native Trees and Shrubs.
Program
Betty Struckhoff is a long-time active member of Wild Ones, serving on our Chapter Board of Directors for many years. She has helped create native landscapes in local parks and other public and private gardens. Also, Betty is a habitat advisor for St. Louis Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home program, and a horticulture volunteer with St. Louis County Parks. A Master Gardener since 1999, she is the winner of the St. Louis Post Dispatch Best Native Garden contest.
In her presentation, Betty highlighted numerous examples of native trees and shrubs that provide a lively landscape. She covered each of the following categories describing species that increase four-season interest while drawing birds and butterflies to our home landscapes.
Berries of the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Trees for summer shade
- Summer berries and fruit
- Summer blooming shrubs
- Fall color
- Fall berries
- Fruit in winter
- Interesting bark
- Fall fruits for migrating birds
- Larval food for butterflies
- Screens
- Scented
- Erosion control
- Boxwood alternative
When purchasing native species, use binomial names of genus and species. It is best to purchase plants that were propagated within 200 miles of your city.
A lot of ideas for native trees and shrubs
Photo by Dawn Weber
Publicity/Marketing
Sue Leahy, our Publicity/Marketing Chair, presented our new yard signs which are available for purchase for members-only. The new signs state Native Missouri Landscape for the Benefit of Wildlife and People with the monarch graphic that is printed on the popular T-shirts. They are 9 x 12 inches and made of Max Metal (aluminum-coated plastic), mounted on a post and ready to put in place.
These beautiful and educational signs are available for members to purchase for $22.00. Contact Sue at sleahy@sbcglobal.net.
Sue requested that members who know of locations where our rack cards may be displayed to contact her.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer sign-up sheets were provided by Marypat Ehlmann, our volunteer and tabling coordinator, for upcoming events.
Marypat talking about volunteer opportunities
Photo by Marcia Myers
- Tabling at Meet Me Outdoors in St. Louis – April 1 and 2
- MDC seedling order bundling – April 2
- Tabling at Greenscape Gardens – April 8
- Tabling at Sunset Hills Earth Day – April 8
- Tabling at Sugar Creek Gardens – April 13
- Tabling at Forest Park Earth Day – April 22 and 23
- Tabling at Chesterfield Earth Day – April 29
- Tabling at Creve Coeur Arbor Day Celebration – April 30
- Spring Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve – May 12 and 13.
Online sign-up is now available through our website’s new volunteer management feature. View volunteer opportunities and sign-up on our Dig In! page.
Next Gathering
Yard tour at the home of Susan and Fred Burk. Choose Wednesday evening April 5, 6:00 p.m. OR Saturday morning April 8, 9:30 a.m. Carpooling is encouraged. Please bring a lawn chair. For directions
Recorded by: Fran Glass, Secretary
Thanks Fran