We planted Viburnum, three different kinds. We planted Winterberry and American Holly, an Oak and two Hornbeam.
We saved space for Cercis and Oakleafs.
Since we planted all these natives, there has been a Great Horned Owl and a Barred Owl in the yard. Hunting.
Falcons and Jays beware.
There is a big part of me that knows that it is impossible and unreasonable to think that by pulling out the scraggy yew shrubs and the lilac, replacing them with native shrubs and trees, we have some how laid out a welcome mat for Nature and all her activities.
This planting is just a small area, next to a driveway, in a suburb, 5 miles as the crow flies from the edge of the Bronx.
I am sure these owls were here before.
There is a bigger part of me that hopes that we did have something to do with it. That somehow, we have reversed the historical function of a garden from a space intended to keep nature out and instead, we have invited Nature back in.
In all her glory, her displays of life, death and struggle and then life again.
I hope we were a part of this, any little part.
#designfornature #plantnatives #newyork #owls #thehunt #nantucket #lesslawn
photo credit goes to Hawthorne Valley Farm, @hawthornevalley