The Illusion of Spring’s Blooms

Since I started to see plants for the first time— I mean really see them: studying their characteristics and learning about their unique attributes, my perception of the natural world has evolved exponentially. There is probably some science to explain why humans often miss the details when it comes to plant life. Upon initial perception, they generally look the same. But when I stop to think about it, it’s crazy that we so undervalue something so important to our survival as a species and the health of the entire planet. 

When thinking about landscaping our properties, we are often drawn to plants for the color of their blooms, their ease in care or their ornamental beauty, which is why so many of the species that fill our yards are non-native plant species that originated from other parts of the world. Often and unintentionally, we give little thought to a plant’s usefulness and importance to a local ecosystem. 

If you walk around the woodland area of my yard right now, you’ll see vibrant violet, pink, yellow and white blooms from an assortment of spring perennials, shrubs and trees. Beautiful and fragrant? Sure! And though some part of me wishes I still possessed what is sometimes referred to as “plant blindness,” I now understand that many of these are actually threatening food webs, altering habitats and displacing the plants that were actually meant to be there. 

This spring, I have started what I consider my “Yard Restoration Project” around the partially-wooded perimeter surrounding my property. Beginning on one end, I have been identifying tree by tree, plant by plant, what is growing. For a couple of hours each week, I put on my long sleeves, gloves, protective eyewear and hat, and head out in an attempt to make sense of the chaos. Using my plant identification app and an unofficial color-coding system, I record my findings in a notebook. I never imagined in my college botany class, which I only moderately liked, that I would one day care so much about plant life that I would do this. But it’s hard not to lend a hand to nature when you can see a problem in front of you.

In this particular section of the woods, invasive shrubs have spread so much they are choking out the struggling native trees that are growing below them. Grabbing just one branch can lead to a whole network of other branches that have formed a canopy across the woods. After removing just some, I am already pleasantly surprised to discover what’s growing below: red maple tree saplings, which I hope will now one day grow into tall powerhouses of food and shelter that support pollinators, birds and small mammals. Not to mention offer beautiful spring blossoms, vibrant fall foliage and a natural privacy fence for us to enjoy. 

On one hand I feel a little crazy. I know this project will probably take me years. But somehow the picture in my head of what it could look like in 10 or 20 years from now, when I know all of the beautiful spring blooms I’m seeing are truly meant to be there, excites me enough to keep going. 

Below are some of the invasive plant species I have been working on removing, as well as a list of some native species I have kept or introduced to the area.

Until Next Time,

Jill Span Hofbauer

Thanks to some fellow plant pals and a local native plant sale, I have been able to add the following Native plants this year:

Perennials & Ground Covers

-Mayapple

-Dutchman's Breeches

-Cut-leaf Toothwort

-Purple Cress

-Wild Geranium

Shrubs

-Spicebush

-Arrowwood Viburnum

Trees

-Redbud

-White Pine