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I started some seeds last fall of dense blazingstar (Liatris spicata) and rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium). The top left photo is a pot of the liatris seedlings that just appeared, like jousting lances aimed toward the sun. The top right is the plant they will become, alongside a rain garden at Gwynedd Friends Meeting.
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Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe tells us that one of the most important things we can do to fight climate change is to talk about it. The problem is that we are often caught in a "spiral of silence." We assume that no one else cares, so we don't speak up. We don't want to depress people or become depressed.
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Good news! You can talk about native plants! They are uplifting, they are adaptable, and they are resilient. Now that I have these little liatris and rattlesnake master seedlings, I am going to be showing them off. Both species endure drought, look beautiful, and attract tons of pollinators. When we trade out the invasive and ornamental species in our yards for more native climate resilient species like these, we are increasing biodiversity and fighting climate change.
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So start talking, keep talking, and I hope you find one or many things in this newsletter that intrigue you and draw you in. We have many ways for you to get involved this spring. I hope to see you soon!
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Glad to be thinking spring with you,
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Growing a riparian buffer
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After Journeywork volunteers removed multiflora rose from this bank along the Wissahickon, more volunteers returned on April 5 to plant buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) live stakes and April 12 to plant common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) shrubs. These shrubs will hold the soil and provide wildlife cover and habitat. Many thanks to all who helped!
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English ivy update and opportunity
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In January, Journeywork volunteers worked with Community Canopy Project at Harriet Wetherill Park in Plymouth Township to remove English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle vine. Andrew Conboy, President of CCP, recently shared photos (below) of bloodroot and yellow trout lily, two native spring ephemeral wildflowers that are blooming where we worked. He reports that there is a notable increase in bloodroot this year! (CCP will be back at Harriet Wetherill Park on 5/13 to plant trees and shrubs if you want to help and see this area.)
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We have two opportunities for volunteers to help a homeowner in Wyndmoor free some space in her yard of English ivy. Join us on May 7 and May 8 from 6:30-8:00 pm.
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You can make new room for native shrubs and flowers to grow and take home your own free shrub!
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Two seasons of Pollinator Palooza
Because Pollinator Palooza was so well received last fall, we are offering it again this spring for fall planting. Sign up from April 1-May 15, sheet mulch in the spring, and pick up your plants in September!
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Great native plant sale on Sunday, May 18
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Join us!
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There are many opportunities to get involved with Journeywork this spring! Order plants through Pollinator Palooza, volunteer to plant, help us manage one of last year's plantings, and the list goes on! ***Volunteer in May and get a free shrub while supplies last!***
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- May 3, 3:00-5:00 and May 9, 5:30-7:30: plant trees in Blue Bell register here and here
- May 7 and May 8: remove English ivy in Wyndmoor, 6:30-8 register here and here
- Saturday, May 10: Screening of Citizen George with tabling at Ambler Theater, 11:00 email me to volunteer /buy ticket here
- Saturday, May 10: Towamencin EAC Environmental Fair during Towamencin Community Day, Fischer's Park, 12-4 email me to volunteer
- Saturday, May 17: Pollinator Palooza plant pick-up, Gwynedd Friends Meeting, 9:00-11:30
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- Sunday, May 18: AWNF&GA plant sale at Twining Valley Park, Upper Dublin, 12:00-3:00
- Sunday, May 18: plant in Dresher, 1:30-4:00 register here
- Tuesday, May 20: plant in Hatfield, 5:30-7 register here
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- Saturday, May 24: plant in Blue Bell, 9-11:30 register here
- Saturday, May 24: plant at Glenside Free Library, 2:00-4:00 register here
- Wednesday, May 28: weed woodland garden at Gwynedd Friends School, 6:30-7:30 register here
- Saturday, May 31: plant in Lansdale, 2:00-4:00 register here
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Saturday, June 7: Bioblitz with Wissahickon Trails at Gwynedd Friends Meeting Burial Ground 9:00-12:00 sign up here
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- Sunday,
- June 8: Weavers Way garden workshop tour at Hope Lodge, 1:00-3:00 register hereMonday, June 9: Journeywork plug sale at Gwynedd Friends Meeting, 6:00-7:30, **one free plant for members
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- Saturday, June 14: Bucks WNF&GA Designed for Nature Garden Tour buy ticket here
- Monday, June 16: meadow management at Plymouth Meeting Friends School, 7:00-8:00
- Tuesday, June 17: Microcosmos movie at Ambler Theater, 7:00 buy ticket here
- Friday, June 20: Summer Solstice lecture by Jenny Rose Carey, Gwynedd Friends Meeting, 7:00-9:00 buy ticket here
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Getting ready for the BioBlitz on June 7
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If you missed Kristy Morley's wonderful iNaturalist training a few weeks ago, you can watch it here.
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Several people who attended were interested in the field guides that she mentioned, so I am including a photo of some of my favorite field guides.
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Kristy will be leading bird walks for the BioBlitz at Gwynedd Friends Meeting on Saturday, June 7 from 9:00-12:00. Other local guides will be leading walks to look for insects, bees, mushrooms, plants, and trees. It's fun for the whole family!
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Then go to Doylestown the next weekend for the garden tour!
Buy tickets here to visit five different gardens and support scholarships for Delaware Valley University students and the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Internship Program.
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Volunteers from the Bucks County Branch of Woman's National Farm & Garden Association will be at each location to answer questions, and there will be native plants for sale at one of the gardens.
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Spend Pollinator Week with Journeywork!
We have a couple of exciting events planned to celebrate pollinators during their special week at the beginning of summer.
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We are partnering with the Ambler Theater on Tuesday, June 17 to show Microcosmos, a groundbreaking 90s documentary that takes us into the hidden daily rhythms of the insect world. You can reserve tickets here.
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Then on solstice eve, Friday, June 20, we are honored to have Jenny Rose Carey deliver our inaugural Summer Solstice Lecture. With her vast knowledge and infectious wonder, she will discuss how to take our native gardening cues from nature. This event is a fundraiser to support our plant grants to schools and outreach efforts.
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This event will take place in the field at Gwynedd Friends Meeting. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to relax, enjoy refreshments from local venues, and watch bats and lightning bugs appear as the sun sets.
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We are currently seeking sponsors for this fundraising event. Please email paige@journeywork.org if you would like more information about becoming an individual or business sponsor.
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New native plant nursery opens in Blue Bell
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The MagiK Garden is a backyard native plant nursery based out of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, inspired after a decade-long battle against invasive plants in a remnant woodlot surrounded by long-developed properties. Just 5 minutes from Plymouth Meeting Mall, with 476 on one side close enough to hear road-traffic year-round, Wings Field on the other side, and business parks at the end of the road, this one-acre-wood seemed like a real life Fern Gully.
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As commercial lots and traditionally-trained gardeners continue to fill their gardens with common exotic species, the need to preserve this native haven felt all the more dire.
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Magi, a former graphic-designer-turned-homeschool-mom, dove head-first into learning everything she could about native plants and how to eradicate invasive species. She trained as a horticulture intern at Jenkins Arboretum for much of 2024 to get first-hand experience with native plants and maintaining a larger property. In January 2025, she was ready to start The MagiK Garden, where she shares treasures from the remnant that grow in abundance so others may re-establish true, local ecotype plants on their properties, as well as seed-and-spore grown native plants, many of which are uncommon or rare.
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The income from the nursery will help to continue to restore and protect this remnant, which Magi hopes to eventually register as private conservation land, as well as continued efforts to promote native plants and help others eradicate invasive species on their own properties. The battle against native species will not end as long as people continue planting them in their yards. She hopes that she can inspire others to see the beauty and value of native plants, and what we stand to lose if we don't rethink our approach to gardening.
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If Journeywork inspires you to sheet mulch, start seeds, or plant some native plants in your yard, please send us a picture! Or a donation! Let's celebrate and support each other!
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