Friends of the Wild Flower Garden recent projects at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

	Friends of the Wild Flower Garden Garden Projects Current and Recent at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Special Project Funding The Friends have undertaken funding various projects over the years to benefit the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. These projects are jointly worked out between the Friends and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. These projects are funded from donations and memorials received by The Friends. The most recent projects are shown below.

The Friends funding for 2012 Garden Projects
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden have approved one new project for 2012 and the continuation of two projects from 2011. Approved last year but being accomplished this year are: 1. The planting of 100 to 150 native canopy and understory trees in the east hardwood forest area of Violet Way. This project was delayed from 2011 due to the extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees. The Garden staff decided to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter. Estimated cost - $2,500 2. The Cary George Wetland Project. This major wetland project of creating a boardwalk to replace old deteriorating bridges has involved a wetland survey, design considerations, and the need to move some rare plants. Construction should begin in the summer of 2012. Details Here. Estimated cost - $15,000 to begin. $100,000 to complete. A new project approved for funding is the planting of an additional 1600 to 2400 herbaceous woodland plants, wildflowers and ferns, in the area of Violet Way. This continues the restocking of this hardwood forest area where an extensive spread of periwinkle (Vinca minor) has been removed. This planting will occur in early summer. Estimated cost - $4,800 to $6,000.

The Friends funding for 2011 Garden Projects
The Friends Board of Directors approved funding for three projects in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden for the 2011 season. Two projects involve plantings: 1) 1000 to 1500 wildflowers and ferns to be planted in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail and 2) 100 to 150 native canopy and understory trees to be planted in the same area. Both plantings will be completed by the Garden staff prior to the close of the season. [Status: Project #1 was completed in July and project #2 was delayed until the spring of 2012. The extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees, caused the Garden staff to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter.]

Project - 2011- The Friends funded the planting of 1,429 wildflowers and ferns in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail. Cost - $2,645. Seventeen different species were planted. Garden Curator Susan Wilkins commented on the project: "The planting is part of a long-term, on-going effort to bring the woodland areas around Violet Way Trail into greater health."
Species Planted: Bigleaf Aster Calico Aster Cinnamon Fern Columbine Early Meadow rue Elm-leaved Goldenrod Green-headed Coneflower Lady Fern Polk Milkweed Sweet Joe-Pye Weed (Photo right) White Rattlesnake Root (Photo far right) White Woodland Aster Wild Blue Phlox Wild Geranium Wild Woodland Strawberry Woodland Sunflower Zigzag Goldenrod Photos on all species

Project - 2010 - The Friends funded the acquisition of 145 trees of 6 species that were planted by the Garden staff in selected areas of the lowland hardwood forest in the Woodland Garden. Cost - $3,046, Garden Curator Susan Wilkins commented on the project by saying: "The addition of these majestic trees will greatly enhance the ecological integrity and the beauty of the hardwood forest area for decades, if not centuries, to come."
Species planted: Cottonwood Silver Maple Sugar Maple Bitternut Hickory Shagbark Hickory Tamarack Right: Fall color of the Tamarack. Details on all the trees

Project - 2009 - The Friends funded the acquisition of 1,460 herbaceous woodland plants of 26 species that were planted by the Garden staff in selected areas adjacent to Violet Way Trail (the East path in the Woodland Garden), sections of which are shown below. Read Garden Curator Susan Wilkins' comments on the project and see the complete plant list. Cost - $2,869.

Below: An example of new plants inserted into the existing hillside undergrowth along Violet Way, late spring 2009.



Friends of the Wild Flower Garden, Inc. P O Box 3793, Minneapolis, MN 55403. "www.friendsofeloisebutler.org"010212

The Friends funding for 2011 Garden Projects