Pat began restoring her woodland and savanna front yard in 1989 by doing all the “wrong” things! Today the shaded areas, and even some of the sunny areas, are almost 100% native. In 2009, Pat and Bob took on a new challenge: planting a small prairie in the “old field” backyard soccer field. The shady portions of the yard begin a parade of blooms in early to mid-April with bloodroot and hepatica, followed by a carpet of bluebells, then wild geraniums and prairie trilliums in mid-May and continue changing the show every two weeks into November. The ample diversity of native flowers, ferns, vines, shrubs, and trees (over 200 species) welcomes a wide variety of birds, butterflies, insects, mammals, and even a few reptiles! Masks and social distancing required.
Directions: From McHenry: Go north on Rt. 31 to Pioneer Rd. Turn north (right) on Pioneer to Ringwood Rd. Turn east (right) to 1st street on right, Hampshire Ln. Take Hampshire Ln. to Elmshire Ln. turn left; then continue to Waltshire Ln. Turn right again. Our yard will be on the left (east side). Parking is along the street. (815) 675-9004.
