Invasive Species in Our Yards Presented on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Five Oaks on Warson by Jean Ponzi, Green Resources Manager, Earthways Center - MOBOT. In an entertaining and informative presentation she explained how to remove and control various invasive species such as Winter Creeper, Burning Bush, Callery Pear (aka Bradford Pear), Climbing Euonymus, Japanese Honeysuckle and Sericea Lespedeza.
After the presentation participants took a stroll on the Sassafras Trail that is adjacent to the community center. Brian Azcona, Olivette Parks and Rec Horticulturist identified plant species along the trail. He explained the work that went into trail clearing and maintenance and pointed out how the surrounding trail area made way for the growth of native plants to once again survive and thrive for walkers to enjoy a nature area amidst an urban environment.
The little guy shown below first hid from our group, afraid we were predators, by bringing its head and legs inside its shell. Once we passed by it came out of its shell and moved to undergrowth to hid from further inquisitive eyes!
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The night before OIB's Annual Native Plant Sale we co-hosted a workshop to provide folks with not only the benefits of designing a garden with native plantings but also very easy and doable native plantings designs on a small scale for the novice gardener.
Presenters shown below: Whitney Tucker, Jasmine Fazzari and special guest speaker Mike Hoyle of Missouri Wildflower Nursery gave a delightfully fun and educational workshop.
Olivette in Bloom enjoys working with other Olivette and community organizations on workshops and events to benefit the life and breadth of our community. In April we worked with Olivette Sustainability Advocates who spearheaded Treemendous Olivette. OAS also partnered with the Olivette Parks and Rec Department, Forest ReLeaf, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Planting Shade, a student organization of the Horton Watkins Ladue High School . This initiative resulted in 55 new saplings for private and public locations.
2023 Past Events
Old Bonhomme PTO Garden Team and Olivette in Bloom joined for a night of fun creating stunning winter porch pots and door swags using seasonal branches, greenery, and decorations. Workshop was only $15 to create a pot or swag. Photos below capture this holiday inspiring and entertaining evening!
Natural materials were gathered from Olivette parks by the Olivette Horticulturalist, Brian Azcona., for workshop participants to use for their creations. Meanwhile, Workshop Leader, Whitney Tucker, gave tips on how to use these materials.
Participants, using their own pots, enjoyed using magnolia leaves, dried bee balm pods, fonds from large grass plants, boxwood trimmings, birch logs and other natural materials --what materials might be in your own backyard?
Adults, and a creative young man, had fun choosing their favorite natural materials and securing that with twine to create various door and table swags.
Meanwhile, below are more results of porch pots created in less than 2 hours!! What a relaxing atmosphere at Five Oaks on Warson to help set the tone for enjoying a fun event!
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 7 to 9PM, Olivette City Center OIB sponsored presentation by The St. Louis Herb Society
"Making the connection: how indigenous people used native plants for health."