OCTOBER HABITAT GARDENS - Keystone Cornucopia

This inaugural year of Habitat Garden Tours comes full circle with visits to three gardens from the first three months, one each from April, May and June. These gardens are not only substantial in size and plantings, they also abound in the keystone perennials that reach their zenith in autumn — Goldenrods, Asters, Sunflowers.

The Key to Keystones

What do we mean by “keystone” plants?

Many of us have long been in the habit of planting for pollinators. And non-natives like lantanas or zinnias certainly do attract pollinators, which are after all desperate for sustenance in an increasingly sterile world.

But it’s not only about blooms. Plants support wildlife not only with nectar and pollen, but with their very foliage and plant matter. Insects, butterflies and moths — the foundation of the wildlife food web — need native plants to live, breed and survive. They lay their eggs on native tree leaves or in the stems of tall native perennials, and feed upon native foliage as larvae or caterpillars. In ways seen and unseen, known and unknown, the myriads of insects upon which our entire ecosystem depends, depend on native plants for their very existence.

That’s why our motto at Deep Roots is: What you plant matters.

October Cornucopia

If you visited these three gardens back in April, May or June, you’ll be amazed at their transformations. And if you missed them the first time, here’s a chance to see three incredible gardens at the height of keystone glory.

LOOMIS WOODS (April - Merriam)

In April, Christopher’s garden was a sea of Mayapple, Columbine, Trillium and Virginia bluebell. These spring ephemerals have mostly gone dormant, replaced by forests of Hairy Sunflower, Jerusalem Artichoke, Canadian Goldenrod and Stiff Goldenrod.

SUNSET SURPRISE (May – Sunset Hill) 

In May, Susan’s garden gave a model lesson in landscaping with native plants like Rosinweed and Common Milkweed in a traditional neighborhood. In autumn, this garden has a final “surprise” — the neat and orderly “hedge” of green that lines her long driveway all summer reveals itself to be an all-you-can-eat buffet of goldenrod and asters.  

ROELAND PARK REFUGE (June – Roeland Park)

Karen’s backyard was the draw back in June, a serene permaculture woodland of fruit, nut and berry shrubs and trees. Now, the Wild Plum and apple trees in her front yard are dwarfed by a wall of Jerusalem Artichoke and masses of New England Aster almost as large as the VW bus in the carport. Come see why hundreds of birds make their home here.

ADMISSION

Register early to ensure you're on the list to get the addresses. Join us any way you want:

1. Donate: Suggested rates are $10 for one person, $18 for two people. "Suggested" means just that: pay less or more, according to your means. Everyone is welcome!
2. Subscribe: Sign up for the season (also by suggested donation, according to your means). If you're already a Subscriber, you are good to go - no need to register. Just watch for the email with addresses and details on the Thursday before each Second Saturday.
3. Volunteer: Garden Guides get a private preview each month they volunteer, plus you meet the nicest people in town — your fellow volunteers!

See you in the garden!

MORE INFO:

* Visit DeepRoots.org/habitatgardens to learn more

* Subscribe to The Pollinator for the latest buzz on all our programs

* Email [email protected] with any questions

Host or Publisher Deep Roots KC