Flowers, greenery, and bees! A recent Reddit post showed off a native plant haven that one Missouri homeowner created after nearly a decade of hard work.
The video, shared on the r/NativePlantGardening subreddit, takes us on a tour of the lush landscape in front of an unassuming home in suburban St. Louis on a sunny spring day. The homeowner's garden is astounding in its richness and diversity: plants bloom in colorful flowers, leaves rustle in the breeze, and insects buzz in a vibrant yet serene panorama.
The picturesque front garden is especially impressive because it's entirely homegrown — it's the seasoned plant grower's passion project. According to the post, the Reddit user has been growing native plants for 32 years, and has been working on this garden for eight years.
Native gardens, filled with plants that grow in your area, are sustainable, easy to maintain, and inexpensive to maintain. Even replacing a patch of lawn can help conserve water, protect wildlife, and support pollinator ecosystems. Not to mention, they're unique and beautiful. Watch the video again, or check out our social media for inspiration.
Those looking to garden naturally can consider additional options to switch to, such as clover lawns, buffalo grass, and xeriscaping.
Throughout the Reddit thread, the homeowners pointed out several favorite plants in their tranquil landscape, including sweet clover (” [get] Put them back together [1990s]!”), native iris (“[two] a poppy (one of three species native to Missouri), a poppy flower (which decided this year to stop climbing nearby plants and crawling on the ground), and four types of native grasses.
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The plants aren't the only “original” element of the lawn: The borders are paved with 19th century flagstones that were brought over from “the original streets of St. Louis,” the homeowners added.
Other Reddit users were also amazed by the sight.
“How do you maintain something like that? Take care of it?” one user wondered.
Photo credit: Reddit
The homeowner responded: “For me, it's part of my daily life, it's the beat of my heart.”
“Awesome,” wrote another Reddit user. “Thank you for continuing to take care of the garden.”
🗣️ Which of the following benefits motivates you most to garden? 🔘 Getting outside more 🌱 🔘 Growing healthy food 🥕 🔘 Making my yard more beautiful 🏡 🔘 Not gardening 🚫 🗳️ To see your results, click on the options and tell us what you think
It's entirely possible to rewild your own lawn without decades of dedicated work.
“I've noticed a whole new breed of gardener popping up lately. [who] “They're targeting Native Americans,” another commenter commented. “Wow.”
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