About Me
Background in Gardening
Gardening has always been a hobby of mine - mostly vegetables. But in 1997 I was introduced to the idea of using native prairie wildflowers and grasses in the home landscape, because of their hardiness.
Getting Started with Native Plants
In the past I had purchased typical perennials and watched them die in our hot summers. It made sense to me to use plants native to a region instead of exotic plants that were not adapted to the rigorous climate of Kansas. I started researching the topic, bought a few field guides for identifying Kansas wildflowers.
Learning to Use Natives in the Landscape
I began searching for seed in road sides and public areas that fall. After a few years of experimenting, I learned how to grow wildflowers and grasses from seed; and incorporate them into my naturally landscaped yard. I learned what plants work well in the landscape and which ones were too aggressive. I also learned that some plants don't do well in cultivation and do not persist.
As I became more interested in native wildflowers, I began to learn about our woody plants: trees, shrubs and some vines. I expanded my yard to include many of these species - especially our native shrubs.
Learning Plant Identification
When I first started searching for various species to collect seed for propagation, I kept encountering plants I didn't recognize. I would consult all of my field guides and usually determine what the plant was. Some plants I didn't know, so I would take a specimen to the herbarium at KU. The botanist there would identify the plants for me. Over the years I kept increasing my knowledge and now I have become a well trained botanist.
The Kansas Native Plant Society
With my enthusiasm for native plants, I was asked to serve on the board for the Kansas Native Plant Society (KNPS). Representing KNPS, I decided to lead some of their wildflower walks at various prairies in northeast Kansas. In 2005, I was elected to serve as president of the organization.
Credentials
- Board of Directors of Kansas Native Plant Society since 2001.
- President of the Kansas Native Plant Society from 2005 to 2007.
- Contract botanist for the Chicago Botanical Garden and their Seeds of Success Seed Bank since 2006.
- Native Plant gardener since 1997.
- Wildflower tour leader since 2001.