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One of the many monarch butterflies hatched at Wellfield after being released into the gardens, summer 2025. The Monarch is considered a "flagship species" for pollinators worldwide — and for good reason. Since the 1990s, their population has dropped an estimated 80%, landing them on the International Red List as endangered. In Spring 2025, Wellfield volunteers and staff began raising Monarchs in an on-site butterfly hatchery, giving guests a front-row seat to the magic of me

Whether it's a small fountain feature or a full-blown pond, water in the Garden can add a feeling of relaxation and peace. Not only can a water feature add aesthetic beauty to the Garden, it also appeals to many natural garden helpers, like pollinators and birds. Water sources are also attractive to wildlife, so you may even see an increase in rabbit, groundhog, and even deer populations. This, of course, can also prove to be a nuisance if you have certain plants that are con

Spring is on the horizon, and it's time to start thinking about your vegetable garden! Here in Michiana (zone 6a), our last frost date falls in mid-May, so timing is everything. Whether you're starting seeds indoors or sowing them directly into the ground, understanding your crops is the key to a thriving season. Get ready — gardening season is almost here!

Don't be fooled — the Shamrock is actually a type of Clover! It always has exactly three leaflets, each representing the Holy Trinity. Those lucky 4-leaf clovers? Just a rare mutation. And those heart-shaped "shamrocks" in stores? They're likely wood sorrel — not even in the clover family! The word "shamrock" simply means "little clover" in Gaelic, which explains the centuries of confusion.

With fossils dating back 35 million years, the rose has a rich history rooted in power, mythology, and romance. Tied to the love goddess Aphrodite and used as a symbol of devotion during the Victorian era, the red rose has long been associated with passion and desire. Aromatic, vibrant, and delicate, it has inspired generations of art, poetry, and song — and remains the universal symbol of love to this day.

What makes a Botanic or Botanical Garden different from any other garden or park? When you walk through a botanic garden, it may seem...

With spring on the horizon, flowers are beginning to bloom at Wellfield. One of the first blooms of the growing season is the flower of...

Winter can feel dreary and unending for all of us gardeners. Pruning trees and shrubs, with an emphasis on their winter appearance, is...

With the growing season behind us, we often use the winter to reflect and plan for the next year. Planning involves annual bed design,...

When we think of conifers, we typically imagine evergreen trees like pines, spruces, and firs—those steadfast symbols of winter...

The native of the month for November (and our last native plant feature of 2024) is a cultivar of Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis...

Many tools are used to keep the Gardens looking the way we want them to look for our members and guests. So many in fact, this blog will...

September’s Native of the Month at Wellfield is one of the most underrated flowers in the surrounding area: Blue Wood Aster, also known...

The native plant of the month for August at Wellfield Botanic Gardens is the compass plant, or Silphium laciniatum. Compass plant is a...

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive species native to Europe and Asia which can be described as a perennial with a...

Phlox paniculata, also known as Garden Phlox or Tall Phlox, is an herbaceous perennial native to the eastern and central United States....

Ailanthus altissima, more commonly known as Tree-of-Heaven, is an invasive species growing across the United States. This deciduous tree...

June’s Native of the Month: Baptisia australis The perennial Baptisia australis, with the common name blue false indigo, is June’s native...

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formerly known as gypsy moth, has been a problem species in the United States since they were...

There are many types of mulch for garden use; each one has its own benefits and could be the best type of mulch for your future project....