Midwest Groundcovers

I attended my second Garden Writers Association (GWA) event today. A tour of Midwest Groundcovers (MG), it proved to be not just educational but very engaging. This wholesale nursery just west of Chicago is a family run institution greatly respected since the 60s. I know it through the legendary Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm and Grace Koehler, not only the stellar MG sales manager, but a dynamic MELA board member. Here is an image of the wonderful prairie plant Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master) in a planting bed fronting the main building. If you've been to Millennium Park in Chicago you might recognize the designer's hand as Piet Oudolf's. We have much to thank Piet for re: not just rediscovering the genuine four-season beauty of many of our native plants, but for reclaiming the delight of texture, movement & change. And we should thank MG for supporting the installation of such a valuable teaching tool and beautiful garden. On that note, I also noticed a rain barrel in the area where MG has created a rain garden. Step by step...

Also, Midwest Groundcovers is in the process of developing a line of plants soon to be on the shelves of independent garden centers in our region. You can check out the national program at American Beauties. It's a great concept and I totally support the project. From what I can tell of the AB website (through National Wildlife Federation), however, the on-line plant lists appear national, so just like vitamins, you need a custom appraisal.....be careful to note your own garden conditions in terms of soil, pH, moisture, light etc. And remember, plant lists don't necessarily tell you about pests or invasiveness or lots of other considerations. If all this stuff were obvious, then eveybody's garden would look like Eden. And last I looked.....when that happens, I will be glad to find another vocation.