Description: The WPPC’s spring Walk on the Wild Side will be Saturday, May 10, 10am and 12pm at the home of Chrissy and H.M. Hepperlen. They describe their yard: We planted the first natives on our property back in 2006 as part of the WPPC’s Natural Garden in Your Yard mentoring program. Those went into a prairie garden on a south-facing sandy hillside. Over the next couple of years we expanded that garden to encompass the whole of the hillside. From there we turned to the opposite corner of the yard which was wooded and shady. After several years of cutting Buckthorn, sawing Honeysuckle and spraying Garlic Mustard we started to see some native woodland species such as Solomon’s Seal and Mayapples re-emerge from the seed bank. Over time, we added dozens more species dug from local yards and purchased from the WPPC’s annual plant sale.
There are several new Oaks and Hickories that have appeared since the area was cleared, and we’ve transplanted several other trees such as Pagoda Dogwood, Ironwood and Witch Hazel. In mid-May there should be many woodland species blooming including Virginia Bluebells, Celandine Poppy, Woodland Phlox, Red/Yellow/White Trillium, Foam Flower, Rue Anemone, Wild Geranium and possibly Lady’s Slipper Orchids. Please join us! This walk is free of charge and no pre-registration is required. This is not an open house. Guided walks led by the homeowners will start at 10am and 12pm.
Directions: 6508 N. Wyndwood Drive, Crystal Lake, 60014. From Crystal Lake, take Rt 14 toward Cary. Turn left at Sands Rd which is the stop light near the Home Depot. Cross the railroad tracks, go a half mile and turn right on Wyndwood Drive. Follow the road a half mile or so back, go around the bend to the left and we are the first driveway on the right after passing Lindsay Lane. Parking is available on Lindsay Lane and on Wyndwood Drive in front of the house.
