The first two pictures were taken in a botanic garden that grows only natives plants of California.
Rancho Santa Ana
I took the two pictures in winter,
it shows a woodland area with a fallen tree left to decay. It is home to a beehive that has used the tree since early Europeans brought honey bees to the area. The area has a nice shady but open for breezes look, cool in hot summers.
A close up of what remains of the tree that has been decaying for many years.
Decaying wood
can be home to many species.
The next three pictures are from my own garden.
The Mr and I lean towards a more heavily planted wild look.
As you can see not all of the plants are native to the Chicago area but we are adding more natives each season. I am growing many from seed this year including a few more grass species.
We lost a large mature tree to a storm last year so will have to decide what to plant in its stead.
For a look at a garden that uses habitat friendly plants that suit the climate but has a completely different look check this out...
Living in the back yard
Toads gone wild
Love the gnome ;)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find a hobbit so my sister bought a gnome. Did you see our Hobbit garden side yard in October?
ReplyDeletehttp://pollinators-welcome.blogspot.com/2006/10/look-into-garden.html
Love your garden Gloria, it's very nice indeed. I think my dad has a gnome like that too.
ReplyDeleteIn the Netherlands more trees in forests and woods are left to decay once they've keeled over. Much better for the environment.
yolanda, there are two gnomes. One is sulking because they are not allowed in the hobbit garden...
ReplyDeleteRecently, managed forest and small wooded areas have made changes and are beginning to leave more snags and leaf and branch litter about. It is slow going opposing accepted opinion.