Ginny Watson hosted the tour on Tuesday evening, June 20th, at her home in the Burr Woods area of Rockford. Her 120-yr-old farmhouse is surrounded by prairie and woodland gardens containing over 100 species of native flowers, shrubs, vines, grasses and trees. Ginny claims “my yard is more habitat than garden,” but a landscape designer’s eye is evident in the placement of walking paths, pocket gardens and plant signage throughout.
Ginny guided the group around the property identifying native species and highlighting her planting successes. She also shared “war stories” – yard ordinance compliance issues, the bane of vinca and English ivy, and rabbit-proofing tricks to protect wild ramps, among others.
We walked in the shade of 140-year-old white oak and pine trees, around elderberry, hydrangea, elm and hazelnut trees and shrubs, on paths with more violets than grass, surrounded by dozens and dozens of blooming forbs in every direction.
Big thanks to Ginny for this opportunity to visit her amazing yard and for her long-time dedication to Wild One’s mission of promoting native landscapes.
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