Native Landscape Photo Contest Winners

Congratulations to our winners of the Native Landscape Photo Contest.

1st Place – Keith Hansen, Odenton MD

When did you start native gardening on your property?

I started my native garden in March of 2018 while the last snow of the Winter was falling. I removed all the turf grass and cut down the invasive Chinese Elm that was planted when the property was built. I planted the shrubs and long-lived perennials first, along with some ground covers and grasses. I’ve added many species since then and it’s evolved incredibly each year. I only have straight species planted, and roughly 99% local ecotype.

What are your favorite plants and why?

It’s difficult to nail down my favorites, because there are different plants for different stages of your garden. When I initially planted, I wanted species that spread rapidly in disturbed soils (pioneer species) and were hardy so I could limit the amount of weeding of exotic species I had to do. I focused on annuals and aggressive ground layer perennials. Some of those were Spanish needles (Bidens bipinnata), lyerleaf sage (Salvia lyrata), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), and purpletop grass (Tridens flavus).

In the second and third years, I wanted long-lived, hardy species that provided large size impact and high wildlife value. Some of the best were blue false indigo (Baptisia australis), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), Canada germander (Teucrium canadense), and bee balm (Monarda fistulosa).

Since then, I gather handfuls of wild seed from native plants I find growing along my running trails close to my home and toss them in where I’d like to see them grow. If they grow, great, if not, no big deal. I’m most excited about a new partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) that popped up this year from that method. It’s an aggressive annual and I’m excited to see how it does against the species already established.

Why do you enjoy native landscaping?

I enjoy native landscaping because it allows me to take a piece of land that has been utterly devastated by the march of civilization and reset it to an oasis filled with life. When I’m out tending my garden, I’ve had parents stop and tell me they bring their small children by on afternoons in the Summer to see the butterflies and bees. It gives me hope that these children get to see a different way of being with nature. In a way, native landscaping for me is atonement on a scale that isn’t overwhelming.

Do you have plans for future plantings?

I’m not designing any plantings at the moment, but always love to help when needed and I have the availability. My time is very limited recently so I make the best use of it by being a member of the Board at Chesapeake Natives.

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2nd Place – Heidi Rothenhaus, Annapolis MD

When did you start native gardening on your property?

When I purchased the property in 1998. The area near the creek had standing water most of the time, so I started replacing grass with Joe Pye Weed.

What are your favorite plants and why?

Our big white oak is a favorite because it supports a lot of wildlife and it is so handsome. Also our Lonicera sempervirens (a native honeysuckle) because the nectar feeds hummingbirds from Spring to Fall, and it even looks good in Winter.

Why do you enjoy native landscaping?

I like the less structured appearance of native plants and how hardy they are in almost all weather. Native plants attract wildlife of many types, and we enjoy watching their interesting behaviors.

Do you have plans for future plantings?

This Fall, I’ll move my monarda to a sunnier location to encourage blooming. Our property is pretty full, so instead of adding, I mostly move things around!

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Honorable Mention – Michele Matton, Crownsville MD