My Botanical Sanctuary!!
- Linda Crider
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
Who would've thought it was possible? For quite some time now I've been reading about United Plant Saver's botanical sanctuary network, envying those fortunate people who tend extensive fields of diverse plants, healing herbs, arbors of various trees and thriving flowers. Some of these are medicinal and some yield food while they all beautify the landscape and create a bio-diverse environment. It never occurred to me that I could become a part of this network, considering my tiny, fenced in spot on the planet.
All this changed a few months back when I listened to a webinar by the UpS people. I learned that anyone can declare their property to be a botanical sanctuary, even if one's gardening is limited to a few potted herbs on a patio or balcony. It seems that joining this effort isn't about acreage; it's about intention.
In their words: "a botanical sanctuary is more than mere ownership of land–it is a way of regarding the land we live on. It is stewardship, a relationship that takes into account the natural resources of an area and its native inhabitants and helps to restore the sacred relationship between people and place."
After sending in my application and donation, they sent me this awesome metal sign (see above) to seal the deal!
If you look at the interactive map that includes hundreds of members (most of which are concentrated in the eastern and coastal regions of the US and Canada), you'll see that these sanctuaries vary from local farms and ranches to botanical gardens and healing retreats that are open to the public. Some of them are learning centers such as the Herbs on the Side Educational Botanical Sanctuary in Montreal, Quebec and the Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark, Massachusetts.
Plant Medicine & Magic Sanctuary is none of the above. For me it's about annually supporting UpS and doing what I can to grow and preserve the native wildflowers and plants in my quiet little corner of the earth.
I've also made attempts to grow some of the "at risk" medicinal herbs like Goldenseal and Ginseng, but so far it's too early to tell if there's been any success with either. As in the past several years, Fennel has returned and gone wild with no prompting from me. Here it is to the left, highlighted in front of this year's early crop of Firewheels. Note the gopher mound between the flowers and the tree trunk.
Speaking of the biodiversity that includes such native inhabitants, I've become more aware of the critters and so called invasive plants that show up and deserve consideration as part of my little ecosystem.
I'm still making my peace with the squirrels and chipmunks that ate every one of my early stage pumpkins and a few choice tomatoes last season, but it all continues to be a learning experience in progress.
I just recently discovered that the "weeds" I've been pulling out every spring are in fact Mexican Hat Flowers, a local wildflower perennial! Sorry guys... →
Since this is the southwest, lizards scurry about and can easily get trapped in the most unexpected places, so care has to be taken to avoid creating any such hazards. I'm also mindful to more gently repatriate snails, horn worms and other potentially destructive garden visitors rather than just tossing them over the fence into the wild vegetation that backs up to my yard.
This summer I'm letting more things grow where they choose, within reason. This may turn out to be an experiment in terror, so we'll see what happens. I've become aware that plants will step up to let you know that they are here to help, sometimes anticipating when their healing actions will be needed most. Last year I had an army of over seventy (I stopped counting) Mullein plants that appeared and dominated my wildflower "meadow," and we all managed to coexist. I ended up with a supply of home made Mullein tincture that has helped with a dry cough and offers timely lung supporting benefits for any future issues.
Most of the plant people in my orbit aim for a Better Homes and Gardens look, but my efforts seem to lean more and more toward Field and Stream (minus the stream although we do back up to a wash)! At times this concerns me, but I take comfort in the approach that botanist, medical bio-chemist and avid tree hugger Diana Beresford-Kroeger alludes to in her book To Speak for the Trees. Her fields and gardens,"would never be a place of sterile beauty." Instead, she describes a preference for "an active and open beauty, the wonder that exists in the intricate relationships between all living things."
With that being said and in the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit to the obvious...
As far as I know, Diana is not at this time a member of UpS's botanical sanctuary network, but she and her husband live on and steward 160 acres near Ontario, Canada. With such a large patch of land, they are not likely to distress the neighbors by any unconventional gardening efforts.
On the other hand, there's my modest but burgeoning sanctuary. I took this early morning shot of some wayward Hollyhocks that have decided to shoot up and bloom where none of my Hollyhocks have ever dared to before. These trailblazers are out of sight from the street view, so hopefully, nobody will alert the HOA.
For now, I hope everyone is enjoying the strawberry full moon!
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
I had no idea that the Botanical Sanctuary existed. I also garden in the wild way and it is so nice to know there is a community and a supportive individual like you to go to. Thank you for continuing to share your knowledge and gifts.