Wild Ones

I'd like to take a moment to share some information about a great organization: Wild Ones.  Wild Ones advocates the use of native plants in the landscape, preservation of native communities and environmental education.  I made the decision to replace most of the plants in my landscape with natives.  Plants like blood root, jack in the pulpit and Virginia bluebells are as showy as any nursery plant, while others are more subtle, like arrowroot and pen sedge.  The beauty of native plantings is their natural adaptations to our environment, resistance to pests, and relationships with beneficial insects, birds and mammals.  Native plants, when placed in the appropriate locations, require no extra watering, and are reliably hardy.  The local chapter of Wild Ones is called the Mid Mitten chapter.  Our regular meetings are held at the Chippewa Nature Center.  We go on trips around the area to visit native communities, like the Minden Bog in the thumb, Pine Haven in Sanford and CNC.  We have information booths at many CNC events, and help with the Native Plant Sale in May.  Mid Mitten also maintains native plantings at the Linwood Rest Area on I-75.  Visit the Wild Ones web site and learn about all their other programs.

http://www.wildones.org/