I Saw the Sign and It Opened My Mind

By Duong Vu

Close-ups of Duong’s garden signs

It was an early summer morning in 2021 and I was touring our son’s campground when I saw the sign. But it was the garden that caught my attention first. The garden was fully grown and busting out at the fence line. The sign read “Monarch Waystation.” It sparked my curiosity, and I started researching; little did I know that little sign changed my way of gardening forever. My perspective on the trees and the plants shifted, and I started seeing the world anew.

Location of the signs in the front yard oak soft landing conversion (project in progress)

Doing research on the “Monarch Waystation'' introduced me to the concept of native plants. I learned why native plants are important and why there’s a need for host plants. I’ve started reading the work of Prof. Doug Tallamy: “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope.” I learned from listening to presentations on bees by Heather Holm. I found lists of native plants from the National Wildlife Federation, the Xerces Society, the Green Belt Native Plant Center... and that led me to find ReWild Long Island. I was instantly attracted to the organization, its mission statement and the wonderful people that’s working hard to promote awareness locally. In Fall 2021, I placed my first native plant order with ReWild and planted them in October. Ten months later, my garden was bursting alive with plants, bees, butterflies, and caterpillars! My son was especially fond of the caterpillars, and he kept track of them and checked on how much they grew every day. He would brag to the neighbors that we had caterpillars and excitedly show them to anyone who’d stop by. I am grateful that he is growing up aware of nature, the little things that run the world, and knowing the difference between native and invasive plants.

I am also growing. I am aware now that my plant choice matters. I know which is a keystone plant and is on track to add them to our garden. I see the trees and the plants anew. The spring white flowers of the Bradford pear are no longer beautiful. The profusion of pink roses along the Parkway in the summer brings concerns. And in the wintertime, the sight of evergreen ivy covering the trees all over my neighborhood brought in a slightly depressing thought that we are fighting a losing battle.

Front yard oak soft landing project in progress

Yet, springtime brings back hope, as the rosettes of native goldenrod and aster are stretching taller and spreading further, promising a spectacular fall display. Summer will come with its buzz of bees, and we will again watch our caterpillars grow. Our winter garden would be ever so slightly messy and full of life. Our garden is now a certified “Monarch Waystation”, “National Wildlife Garden” and a “NABA Butterfly Garden”. Hopefully, our signs will bring out conversation and spark interest in the neighborhood. Who knows? It may change another person’s mind and introduce them to the wonderful world of native plants.