The prairie plantings, vegetable gardens, native shrubs, traditional garden flowers, and a small pond Even in the winter, I’m aware of incremental changes that have changed our small piece of land. Every year the front and backyards surprise me with their flourishings and failures. What does it mean to care for a piece of land? As the risk of sounding cliché, I think it’s a journey, rather than a destination. Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis ), Crosby’s backyard, Glen Ellyn, IL. Assessing, re-assessing, plotting and planning for 2024. Always some failures of shrubs, trees, and plants that didn’t work out. Crosby’s backyard, Glen Ellyn, IL (2020).Īnd today, I’m thinking about how far we still have to go. Crosby’s backyard (pre-purchase), Glen Ellyn, IL (1998).Īt that time, we had no idea how much it would change over the 25 years we’ve lived here. When we purchased this suburban house 25 years ago, it was mostly lawn, some overgrown arborvitaes, and the infamous Japanese barberry and burning bush with a few other shrubs. American goldfinch (Spinus tristus ) on Purple Giant Hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia ), Crosby’s backyard, Glen Ellyn, IL. The shelter they offer, and their seeds, fruits, and (in the warmer months) flowers, are all a part of the attraction. They come for the bird feeders, of course-so many birdfeeders-but also for the native plants, shrubs, and trees. Or at least, pine siskins do.Īs I drank my coffee, feeling happy about the pine siskin, I found myself thinking about the backyard and how it has changed over the years. Evidently, good things come to those who wait. Those of you who read these posts every week know I’ve been longing to see them, but have struck out at every opportunity. And…could it be? American goldfinch (top) (Spinus tristus) and the long-awaited pine siskin (bottom) (Spinus pinus ), Crosby’s backyard, Glen Ellyn, IL. I glanced out of the kitchen window while brewing a cup of coffee early Monday morning. “…The oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it.” - Aldo Leopoldĭecember.
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