Jim and Sally moved to Woodstock 4 years ago from downstate Illinois where they participated in bi-weekly prairie walks. When they came to McHenry County and discovered the WPPC, they decided to upgrade their landscaping to a more native environment. Their home is located on a 1/2 acre lot with a typical suburban yard. With the assistance of WPPC mentors they converted a traditional flower bed into a water retention area that collects rain from the downspout. The prairie plants in this rain garden immediately began attracting wildlife including birds, butterflies, bees and other insects. The very first year they had monarch eggs which hatched to caterpillars and successfully developed into butterflies! They have added an oak tree and native bushes, removed buckthorn and are transforming other traditional plant beds into native wildflower gardens. Come learn more about using native plants in a suburban neighborhood setting and maybe you will see a monarch butterfly, a hummingbird moth or some busy bees!
Directions: From Woodstock Town Square go West on South Street over Rt. 14 to Westwood subdivision. Turn right on Moraine and follow Moraine to corner of Castle Trail.
