POCKET MEADOW UPDATE, GRANTS for NATIVE PLANTS
Image by Bill Rathfon
Here at Rhoneymeade we have over an acre in meadow. Throughout the meadow and the grounds, many plants native to Centre County have established themselves, including Common Milkweed, Bergamot, Asters, Senna, Jewelweed, Cohosh, Wild Petunias and Goldenrod, just to name a few.
A few years ago, we applied for and received a generous grant from the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society, panativeplantsociety.org, to establish a Native Plant Pocket Meadow carved out of a corner of the larger meadow. We began focusing on the educational concept that even small gardens around the home can create a substantial beneficial habitat that is badly needed to enable our native insect, bird and animal species to survive and thrive. We reject the idea that natives are weeds. They are just as beautiful as any exotics, are generally easier to grow if matched to the right conditions, and can be planted for 4-season visual interest and ecological benefit. Pollinators all over the world are in decline as we turn their habitat into concrete and sterile lawns, threatening our global food supply. The funds we received enabled us to buy native plants, including Purple Coneflower, Aromatic Aster, Blue Eyed Grass, Liatris, several Mountain Mints, Bee Balm, Butterflyweed (NOT Butterflybush), New Jersey Tea and Nine Bark and they are flourishing as many native bees visit them daily!
First Energy’s Green Team Expansion
This year, we doubled the size of the Pocket Meadow through a native pollinator garden planting opportunity offered by First Energy’s Green Team. The Green Team provided native plants and supplies free of charge. Black Eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Wild Senna, Bergamot, Spiderwort, Little Bluestem Grass and Pussytoes are now starting to show their colors.
By passionate example, we encourage planting native and provide educational hands-on activities. Please check our website, rhoneymeade.org, for open hours and for this year’s events. If you would like to volunteer, please email rhoneymeade@gmail.com. No experience necessary and the peaceful, tranquil atmosphere will heal your soul and renew your love of nature. We are inspired by Mary Phillips, National Wildlife Fund Garden for Wildlife Program Director, NWF.org, and the ecologist, Doug Tallamy, homegrownnationalpark.org, as they encourage us to join millions of others across the nation who are stepping up to help save pollinators by eliminating sterile landscapes and “unleashing the wild in our backyards.” Hope to see you soon!
Image by Bill Rathfon