Wild Ones Big River Big Woods

09/08/2026

Native plants called Asters (there’s various species) are a great fall native plant! They provide late season pollen, nectar, and shelter for our pollinators and wildlife.

09/08/2026

Some great fall and winter advice for native plant gardens. We think fall colors (red, browns, tans, yellows) on native plants are beautiful 😍 All the more reason to add native plants to your homes.

Sometimes we might think a garden left standing over winter isn't as pretty, even though we know the ecosystem value of leaving plants alone. There are some

08/27/2026

Blazing Star (the purple flower in the video) are native Minnesota wildflowers that provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Species found in Minnesota include rough blazing star (Liatris aspera), prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya), and meadow blazing star (Liatris ligulistylis).

Interested in adding native plants like blazing stars to your yard or garden? Check with your local city or watershed district for grant opportunities to help cover the costs.

08/25/2026

Need some native plants for this fall? Prairie Moon Nursery has native plant packs!

08/21/2026

Make sure to visit Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water at the State Fair this year to learn all about native plants!

08/21/2026

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow??

Replacing turfgrass with native plants can create a more biodiverse landscape but it doesn’t happen overnight.

Join Wild Ones on Wednesday, September 16, for a free Wild Ones webinar with Sara Weaner Cooper, owner and principal of New Directions in the American Landscape, as she shares the real story behind her family’s ongoing lawn-to-meadow project.

👉 Register today: https://wildones.org/from-lawn-to-meadow/

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? 🌿

Replacing turfgrass with native plants can create a more biodiverse, dynamic landscape—but the transformation doesn’t happen overnight.

Join us on Wednesday, September 16, for a free Wild Ones webinar with Sara Weaner Cooper, owner and principal of New Directions in the American Landscape, as she shares the real story behind her family’s ongoing lawn-to-meadow project.

From site preparation and planting to weeds, competition, surprises, and changing expectations, Sara will share what she’s learned through multiple growing seasons—and what it really takes to let a meadow develop over time.

👉 Register today: https://wildones.org/from-lawn-to-meadow/

03/27/2026

Your yard could look like this! Filled with pollinators and birds 😁 Native plants are great for reducing yard work (like mowing), they support outdoor life like monarchs, they’re beautiful, and much more!

Join Wild Ones to learn more about native plants and be surrounded by like minded people who can help you with your native plant questions.

03/11/2026

Save the date!
Sharing an upcoming event from the White Bear Lake Library’s Seed Library!

White Bear Lake Library’s Seed Library - 10 Year Celebration

Saturday, April 25th from 1-3 pm at the WBL library in the large room.

Adults and children welcomed!

There will be seed planting, various games for both adults and kids, lots of information about seeds, hands on seed saving activities, free seeds, yummy treats and more.

Photo: White Wild Indigo seed pod

03/10/2026

A great online tool for selecting native plants this spring! You can filter by sun light, soil, color, and more. Link in comments below!

Thinking about starting or expanding a pollinator garden this spring? 🌸

Our Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water Plant Finder can help you select plants suited to your Minnesota site—sun, soil moisture, pollinator value, and more.

A few things to consider: choose a mix of spring, summer, and fall bloomers to support pollinators throughout the season. Adding grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees can create more habitat and a resilient, diverse garden. 🌾🌳

Explore the Plant Finder: https://bluethumb.org/plantfinder/



Pictured: Red Columbine

03/03/2026

Join us for our March meeting! We’ll learn about the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. You can find a bunch of native plants at this park, especially spring ephemerals like Virginia Bluebells, May apples, trilliums, and more! Additional links in comments. We’ll hear all about them and the garden at this meeting.

All are welcome, free to attend.