Romberg Yard: From Lawn to Living Landscape

When we moved to Mount Prospect 20 years ago, our yard was mostly grass with overgrown Juniper hedges and non-native dogwood (Cornus alba), both of which were removed by hand. We were lucky to inherit native Juneberry, White Ash and Ironwood trees. Over time we've filled most parts of the yard with a mix of native plantings, fruit, herbs, cut flowers and vegetable gardens.

Our main native garden in front began with a simple native seed mix and some potted plants, and has evolved over time to prefer common species like Joe Pye Weed, yellow composites, Bergamot, Prairie Sage, milkweeds, Big Bluestem and other grasses, various sedges, and in spring Geraniums and Golden Alexanders. 

Every spring we cut and burn most of the dry plant matter from the prairie and spread it back on the soil. Some of these have lasted 15 years or more, and others are more recent additions collected from wild seed. We credit the good health of our vegetable garden in part to our native gardens, which stretch around to the back yard and are host to a constant stream of native wasps, dragonflies, ladybugs, praying mantises, birds and other predators that visit the other gardens looking for insects.