From Horse Farm to Habitat: How I Fell in Love with Native Gardening
A beginner’s journey into native plants, buzzing pollinators, and letting nature lead the design.
Submitted by: Ami Dushkowich, PA, Zone 6b
I got into gardening on our 12-acre horse farm about five years ago. It just started with some small beds around a patio, but once I started watching all the pollinators and anticipating the blooms, I was hooked.
I have a goal to create a grand naturalistic or Arts and Crafts–style garden that will make people say, “Wow.” But we’ll see if I have the stamina and motivation to get that far.
It really doesn’t take much, however, to impress me — a new butterfly species or a native plant I’ve never heard of gets me giddy.
I plant mostly native species, but not exclusively. I’m learning as I go and generally let nature do most of the work when it comes to design.
It makes me feel good that I’m doing something positive for the planet and for the wildlife with which we share it.
Tall, native Joe Pye weed and anise hyssop fill the garden beds with lush, pollinator-friendly color in early August.
The impressive white spikes of native Culver’s root mingle beautifully with swamp milkweed.
The view from a secluded patio space where we like to have drinks, listen to the night creatures and watch the bats.
A fountain we had installed made of an old millstone. Something I loosely copied from a book of local private gardens.
One of our roosters strutting through the garden beside daylilies in his matching shade of gold.
Early July brings the garden to peak color with scarlet bee balm, yarrow, yellow lilies, and blue vervain in full bloom.
Brown-eyed Susans and native phlox bloom as the chickens scratch through the garden.
Our other rooster, Pizza Boy, cooling off on the secluded patio where the stone barn wall keeps things a few degrees cooler.
A cross of anise hyssop and giant yellow hyssop make something new and interesting.
Manny, a rescue horse, hanging out with a palomino pal.
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