April lidinsky & Ken smith, Planted 2023

We have been delighted with The Botany Shop’s help in transforming more of our yard into native plants. We began with a swath of our backyard and were immediately charmed by the proposal to include some berry bushes to add structure to the garden around our deck and feed the birds. Even in the first season, the plants became established, grew fuller, and bloomed. 

We were so happy with the quality of the plants and the care in design and planting that we asked for another native garden, this time in our front yard. We tore out most of the remaining grass in our sun-baked Western-facing slope, and called Lindsey into action. She provided a cheering and creative design that will provide all-season delights. Again, the quality of plants was notable, and even though the plants went into the ground in September, our teeny goldenrod were blooming (and attracting insects) before the first frost.

We live on a very public street, with lots of pedestrians and dog-walkers, and it’s been fun to see people stop to use The Botany Shop’s QR code sign to learn more about what’s growing in our yard. We also have had so many more warm conversations with passers-by about plants than we ever did when we had boring old (terrible for the environment) grass out front. Native plants inspire friendships! 

We’re excited to see our beds grow, and thrilled to share the reasons why we have invested in native plants — for our own enjoyment, for our community, and for our planet.

Ann Rosen, Planted 2021

Last evening I was in our front yard pulling weeds and two people stopped to talk about the planting. They had taken up a bit of their lawn and are trying to decide what to do. They walk past our house often and are watching to see what will appear next. We had a great conversation, and I would never have made this connection without our “meadow” and without being out there taking care of it.

When we decided to have this wonderful new front yard, I didn’t consider it as a way of influencing other people, nor did I see the community building part of it. I’ve read that the end of the front porch and the introduction of air conditioning have reduced the possibilities of interacting with our neighbors. And this brings it back. I love it.