Ortonville- Wondering what exactly is growing next to the Old Town Hall at the corner of Mill and Church streets?
It’s not weeds. Well, not the kind you pull out, anyway. They are native plants and part of the Heritage Garden planted in spring, at which time pavers were also laid to create walkways and a courtyard.
‘We’ve had complaints that the new native landscape garden looks messy,? says Celia Ryker, a Heritage Garden volunteer and local master gardener who is also a teacher at the Michigan School of Gardening. ‘Gardens at this time of year in general do (look messy), especially if you’re leaving seedheads up for the birds.?
Complaints about the garden were evident at the Oct. 22 meeting of the village council, when Councilmember Mary Kassuba called it ‘a mess,? and Kay Green noted, ‘It almost looks like the yards we’re telling people to clean up.? Council President Ken Quisenberry suggested giving the garden a weed-whipping.
But Ryker says residents should be patient. The garden, which includes several different types of black-eyed susans, sedge (a low, grass-like evergreen plant), native columbine, switchgrass, blue stem and potentilla, requires less water and fertilizer, and once estab-lished will require very little maintenance.
‘The problem is we started with small plants because of our budget,? said Ryker, who notes the garden was funded with grants. ‘The first year, plants sleep; the second year, they creep; and the third year, they leap. It will look better next year and will be at its prime in the third year.?
She explains the garden may look unkempt because they are leaving seedheads for birds, a value judgment.
‘Some think it should be cut down when it turns brown, but brown is a color, too… (The garden) will have moments when it’s beautiful, and moments when it’s dull. Be patient.?