Almost five years ago, I started converting my southeast Michigan suburban lawn and garden to native plants.
My neighbors wondered what I was doing when I planted native plants where an old basketball hoop once stood.
And then expanded it to the now angled 25 foot by 6 foot bed of red, purple, yellow, white, and orange flowers that bloom from April through November.
Over the years, I’ve added multiple native plant beds to the front and backyard.
Last fall I converted a 15 foot by 10 foot section of the hellstrip (also known as easement; it’s the area between the paved sidewalk and street) to native plants.
The questions from neighbors never stopped; many asked why I would convert green grass to what looked to them to be weeds.
Others were curious about the brightly colored flowers that attracted American goldfinches, Ruby-throated hummingbirds and monarch butterflies.
I would have been better prepared for their questions if I had attended this month’s How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your Homeowners Association) About Your Garden free webinar from Wild Ones offering helpful advice and tips.
What You’ll Learn
Author and activist Lorraine Johnson will lead the webinar, helping you to understand how to navigate homeowners association (HOA) rules, address concerns, and start conversations about native plant gardening.
From the webinar description, you’ll learn how to:
- Talk with neighbors who don’t get why you would transition your yard/garden to native plants
- Respond to HOA complaints or bylaw challenges
- Build support in your community for native plant gardens to improve the ecosystem
Webinar Details and Registration
The webinar is Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7pm Eastern Time (time zone converter).
While free, webinar pre-registration is required.
The webinar begins at 7PM; you’ll join via YouTube and can participate with Lorraine in the live community chat.
About Wild Ones
Launched as a local garden club in 1979, Wild Ones has evolved into a national US nonprofit organization focused on educating and sharing information about landscaping with native plants and promoting biodiversity.
People interested in learning more about native plants, biodiversity, and sustainable landscaping are invited to join a local chapter in one of 37 US states.
As a member of our Wayne County Wild Ones chapter for several years, I’ve enjoyed the community, made several new friends, and learned a wealth of information about native plants, gardening, and landscaping.
I’ve registered for the July 22nd webinar, hope you’ll join me!
