Suburban Wilderness
Photo by Andy Marrs
As winter slowly drips away and temps warm, I am easily distracted by thoughts of my garden. Daydreaming of that first bright warm day, usually in April, when I’ll throw on scrubby jeans, a sweatshirt, and my college cap and finally get my hands in the dirt. It isn’t glamorous, anyone would agree. The abundant blooms of June are much more gratifying. But after being stuck in my home all winter long I don’t mind that the only things to greet me are stalks of picked over coneflower and the bobbing seed heads of last season’s penstemon.
As I clean up, cutting back old growth and raking out my beds, I discover small burrows where critters crawled into the cozy corners, and where birds enjoyed my yards bounty of wildflower seeds and winter berries.
When I moved to this tiny subdivision plot nearly a decade ago, I was concerned it wasn’t capable of hosting the wildlife I so enjoy. Yet, as with many things in life, less isn’t always less.
I consolidated my choices and eliminated any planting that wouldn’t benefit local wildlife. I focused on native perennials, grasses, and shrubs. At first, it was upsetting to leave behind my showy English garden aesthetic, but soon my wildflowers proved they were ideal for my yard. Not only were they beautiful, but they thrived. In the past, I was constantly fighting pests and drought, but now the garden was built exactly for my hard clay soil and the hot Indiana afternoons.
What came next was even better than the blooms themselves. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Bluebirds, Goldfinches, Monarch Butterflies, and lots and lots of bees. They feasted on the nectar and seeds and could find refreshment and rest at my birdbath sheltered by shrubs and trees.
I would have never guessed it, but this little front yard space is crawling with wildlife diversity. Even better, it’s easy to manage. There are few weeds, and after it was established, it hardly needs watering at all.
I encourage you to think about how you can do your part by making your little corner of the world wildlife-friendly. I mean, really, who needs all that lawn anyway?
For more information on native Indiana gardening check out: https://indiananativeplants.org/