Phase 1 September Plants

Many of the phase one plants did very nicely in the garden this year (see attached pics).  We had a struggle with the plants located in the area where we 'pains-takingly' tried to remove some existing Creeping Lily-turf.  We have found that Creeping Lily-turf is a real bugger to eradicate.  The root system is quite a complex network and glyphosate does not seem to 'do it in'.  We will continue to chip away at this stubborn ground cover and add new native plants in the future.

....Some 'Before' photos....

Thank you to MNPPA!

Wild Ones members have the special opportunity to participate in the creation of this unique project. At our first work session in April, seven of us labored at removing many existing garden plants such as spirea, barberry, daylilies, sedum, chrysanthemums, and cat mint to make room for the new flowering natives.  Over 40 different species of native plants will be displayed in the garden when both phases of the garden are complete next year. Plants such as Culver’s Root, False Sunflower, Meadowsweet, Blazing Star, and Swamp Rose Mallow are just a few of the plants planned to be installed in early June.

Many of the member nurseries of the Michigan Native Plant Producers Association have graciously offered to donate plants for the garden.  We would like to thank the following businesses for their outstanding generosity:  Hidden Savanna Nursery, Sandhill Farms, Plaster Creek Stewards, Mary Ann’s Michigan Trees, Wildtype, Designs by Nature, and Fen View Design, llc.

Welcome!!!!

Welcome to our new Blog....

Work has officially begun on phase one of the Native Plant Demonstration Garden located at 920 Cherry, SE in the East town neighborhood of Grand Rapids.  River City Wild Ones is teaming up with Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) to reconstruct a garden in order to showcase the beauty of native plants.  Our mission is to help educate the public about the role of native plants as part of an Urban or Formal setting so that visitors may be inspired to plant natives at their own homes and businesses.  So often we think of native plants within the context of a prairie or woodland environment, however the beauty and architectural form of native plants can also be captured within the framework of a formal community garden.  This particular garden is visited by many people and includes special community events such as the Grandtasia – 3d Mapping Event held last March and the Cherry Street Garden Summer Music Series starting in June.  Plant labels and identification signage will help to communicate the plant species and display the important role that native plants share within the environment as a whole.