Why Go Wild?
In a native planting or wildflower patch students can learn firsthand about adaptations that enable plants to survive in their environments. They can begin to understand how plants and animals have evolved to depend on one another, and explore factors that threaten them both. Language and history lessons also come to life as students explore the folklore and culinary, medicinal, and other uses, past and present, of these humble residents.

A focus on wild plants can be simple or elaborate to fit your situation. For instance, students might observe, identify, and research local plants, and then create a field guide. Native and other wild plants might also become the foundation of your butterfly garden or full-scale schoolyard habitat. (Because native plants are adapted to local conditions, they also tend to require less water and maintenance than non-native species.)

Are All Wilds Native? Not all wildflowers are necessarily native to an area. Many species were originally introduced to this country from elsewhere (black-eyed Susan, for instance), but co-exist here successfully. However, some introduced plants (such as loosestrife) can become invasive. If you obtain seeds or seedlings of wild plants, make sure you're not getting any potentially problematic invaders!

Follow these links for growing tips and wild plant tales from school gardeners.

Page 2 Native Intelligence: Reviving the Prairie - Some impressive fourth graders dug into plant histories, presented their case to funders, and turned a barren plot into a native prairie.

Page 3 Prairie Visions - A second schoolwide prairie restoration project is featured in the article.

Page 4 Learning Takes Flight - Features raising milkweed for butterflies and their young, tracking migrations, and other inspiring tales of school butterfly gardens.

Page 5 Creating a Habitat - Suggestions for scoping out school grounds in preparation for creating a habitat.

Page 6 Petal Attraction: Weaving Wildflower Lessons - Art, math, and observation skills thrive in a classroom wildflower patch.

Page 7 Harvesting Wildflower Seeds - Tips on harvesting and germinating seeds and creating a wildflower patch.

Page 8 Wildflowers Across the Curriculum - Ideas for engaging students' hands, hearts, and minds with wildflower explorations.

Page 9 Weedbusters: Students Tackle the Purple Menace - Third grade scientists investigate ways to beat back a non-native intruder. Beetle battles ensue!

Page 10 Resources - An array of wildflower gardening Web sites and grant opportunites.

Author: Eve Pranis