A dozen years ago Ruth Ann Ingraham co-founded the Indiana Native Plant and
Wildflower Society (INPAWS). Since then she has incorporated multiple species of native plants into her garden, now listed as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. She grows a variety of spring ephemerals, including a native orchid, and shade-loving zig-zag goldenrods that bloom in the fall. In sunnier areas there are numerous shrubs such as American hazelnut and beautyberry plus an array of flowers that bloom throughout Indiana’s growing season. Her garden requires minimal feeding and no pesticides. Watering is seldom needed. For Japanese beetles her solution is to knock them into a sudsy solution of dish detergent. In Brown County what was once a lawn near her modest cabin is now a naturalized meadow, described in detail in her recent book, Swimming with Frogs: Life in the Brown County Hills.

For advice on using native plants, INPAWS publishes a brochure on native plants for different environments and a brochure on exotic invasives to avoid or eliminate. The books Go Native! by Carolyn Harstad and Indiana Gardener’s Guide, by Tom Tyler and Jo Ellen

Meyers Sharp, are excellent resources. Saturday, May 7, INPAWS holds its annual native plant sale at St. Pius X Catholic Church on 71^st street east of Keystone Avenue. You can join INPAWS at www.inpaws.org - or by calling Ms Ingraham at 317-253-3863.

There are a few local gardens where you can see native plants including the Watanabe Garden, located between the Indiana State and Eiteljorg Museums, and in Holliday Park around the steps leading from the playground to White River. Prairie-type gardens can be found around the parking garage entrance in front of the ISM, near the north edge of Holliday Park, and north of Butler’s campus and the towpath. Ingraham also welcomes visitors to her garden.