A large group of Wild Ones spent a recent Saturday morning in two greenhouses in Griffith on the grounds of Oak Ridge Prairie, one of the Lake County parks.
But they weren’t partying or wreaking havoc, as their name would imply. The Wild Ones (Gibson Woods Chapter) is an organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting the planting of “natural” flowers, grasses, plants, trees and shrubbery, and they spent the day repotting and sprucing up greenery for their annual spring Native Plant Sale.
“This is a growing movement,” Gibson Woods naturalist Joy Bower said. “People are looking for things that are environment-friendly and this is a way to garden naturally.”
The perks of using greenery found naturally are many, the group says. No pesticides or fertilizers are required, and the hundreds of colors and various species of grasses and wildflowers bring a unique attractiveness to an area. They also provide an inviting habitat for songbirds and butterflies.
Volunteer Kim Harmon tends to three gardens each season — two at her home and one at her campground.
“Every one of them have natural plants,” she said, as she cleaned out trays of flowers in the greenhouse. “I didn’t have good luck with regular flowers, and the naturals are easy to care for. You only have to water them if the weather is extreme.”
During volunteer Saturday, one dozen Wild Ones volunteers tended to greenery in two buildings — a sunny greenhouse and a shade greenhouse. One is used for plants needing a lot of sun, and the other is a shade greenhouse for naturals requiring less light.
Workers donned gloves and gardening tools as they opened large bags of potting soil and started the tasks at hand.
“These trees will be lush in just a few weeks,” Wild Ones president Pat Rosenwinkel said as she checked out dozens of spindly looking species. “They just need attention.”
Peggy Foster has been a Wild Ones member for 10 years and was already familiar with the benefits of planting natural gardens before she joined, as she has quite a few on her property in Valparaiso.
Her advice to those interested in natural gardening is short and sweet.
“Do your research and start small,” she said. “Make sure you’re using true naturals — not cultivars or nativars (cross pollinated).
The Wild Ones, with headquarters in Wisconsin, is a national association that leads the “natural landscaping” movement by exploring, teaching and changing the practice of gardening in communities across the country.
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In addition to the 60-member local chapter at Gibson Woods growing native plants in the two Oak Ridge Prairie greenhouses to sell for its yearly spring Native Plant Sale, the group also serves an important role by propagating native plants for restoration projects in various parks.
Money generated from the plant sale funds programs, projects and resources for Lake County parks.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Learn more
For more information about the Gibson Woods Chapter of the Wild Ones, call 219-844-3188.