By: Phyllis Giffard
Arlene Billock and Paul Klerks celebrate their gold-level
certification in Church Point.
Paul and Arlene's rural property is located in in the Acadia Parish southeast of Church Point on part of the original Cajun Prairie. The property attracted them because of the many mature trees, including four live oaks over 100 years old as well as pecans, magnolias and cedars. They share the property with several horses, dogs and cats. They are both scientists and educators who enjoy wildlife and birds, so they made the decision to “go native” and expand their natural habitat.
A fenced pasture for the horses leads into a wooded, shady grove with water oaks, hackberries, native dogwood and yaupon holly. This provides cover and food for birds, while providing shade for the horses. Prunella (self heal) and Ladies tresses orchids (Spiranthes vernalis) grow among the prairie grasses and sedges and the horses don't seem to care for the taste of the lovely orchid flowers! A small pond provides water for the animals and wet conditions for Louisiana iris, thalia, hibiscus, lizard's tail, smartweed, wax myrtle and pickeral weed.
A large live oak is a focal point for a patio behind the house perfect for shade loving plants such as shield fern, Indian pink, American beautyberry along with Turk's cap and tropical salvia. Coral honeysuckle, clings to fencing around the patio enticing hummingbirds to visit. In the front yard, some of the older large trees have come down in storms and are dropping limbs so Arlene and Paul turned a hollow stump into a planter for tropical sage. They use the limbs to line beds where they can decay and enrich the soil. To reduce lawn area and mowing in front of the house, they planted a prairie last year with rattlesnake master, monarda species, mountain mints and native grasses.
From the July 2022 ANPP Newsletter
Kommentare