Several months ago I was talking to a friend of mine from the east coast and we were discussing pollinators and the plant lists that seem to be leaping from every corner of the web from all kinds of sources. We both agreed that the whole idea of gardening for pollinators is a good thing and that the use of natives were improving along with understanding of native plant needs and importance, but many of the sources included or were dominated by non-native or cultivars.
The Downers Grove Park District will be giving away 70 one gallon oak trees from Possibility Place Nursery to start the celebration of Oaktober in Downers Grove. The trees will be given away to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Park District, and the initial Harvest Festival at Fishel Park on October 1, 2016. The species that have been choosen are Bur, White, Red, and Chinquapin Oaks. Please check with the Downers Grove Park District for further details on the event. And if you get a oak, give it some love and it'll grow great or you.
In 2003, I purchase my first money pit, a.k.a my home. I made it clear to my realtor that the house was secondary to the yard. It had your normal cookie cutter landscape. You know the kind with the circle and square shaped plants. The only plant left aone was a lovely white birch, which was a great selling point for me. I knew right then and there I could plant anything I wanted. Being the offspring of Connor Shaw my first move was to bring nature back to earth.
When I first started as the lead propagator at Possibility Place Nursery, I learned one lesson very quickly: produce large amounts of milkweed. There are great reasons behind this, both economic and environmental. For decades, Monarch populations have been on a major decline, and educated native plant enthusiasts want to help by planting milkweed.
All visits are by appointment only, so call us at 708-534-3988.
7548 W. Monee-Manhattan Road
Monee, Illinois 60449
