Omaha couple avoid 'yard gone wild' look with their native plants

Joseph and Julie Lecci's property doesn't have the "yard gone wild" look that he thinks many gardeners fear when they think of planting with native species.

Quite the opposite.

Their native plants are contained in neat beds spread throughout their front, side and back yards, including a lovely display on both sides of the sidewalk leading to the house. About 50 percent of the landscape is still grass.

A bee looks for pollen in a foxglove beardtongue plant in the Leccis’ garden. The couple have more than 1,000 native plants in their landscape.

Their corner lot is a great advertisement and a showcase, they say, for how to plant natives so it doesn't look messy while still being beneficial to pollinators and birds.

"We’ve incorporated natives into a nice look," he said. "It looks good."

Lots of walkers stop and ask about how it's done.

The Leccis will also share their knowledge Saturday on the Benson Garden Walk. Their home is one of six residences on this year's tour. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 the day of the event at Metcalfe Park.

Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, has flowers blooming throughout the season.

It's important, Joseph Lecci said, to spread the word that native plants can be easily incorporated into a landscape that will be liked not just by the owner and pollinators but by neighbors as well.

He's a disciple of Doug Tallamy, who encourages property owners to plant natives to support pollinators, birds and other species.

Called the "homegrown national park" movement, its goal is to have 20 million acres of native plantings in the U.S., which represents about one-half of the green lawns of privately owned properties.

Lecci believes so strongly in its benefits that he gives a lot of plants away and will do so Saturday.

"I’m constantly trying to recruit more people to plant natives," he said.

He and Julie used to live on a 9½-acre property north of Murray, Nebraska, before moving to the Benson area in 2018. Seven acres of it was filled with native grasses and wildflowers.

When grandkids in Omaha drew them to the city and a much smaller property, they didn't leave their love of natives behind, Julie said. There's around 1,500 in their landscape, assuming that several weren't eaten this spring by voracious rabbits.

They hired a contractor who specialized in planting native plants to help them design their beds in the spring of 2019. He planted the first 1,150 plants.

They’ve added many more from Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln. They are also fans of Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota.

Prairie Moon pollinator garden kits provide a good base for beginners, Lecci said. He bought some this year for family members who are ready to get started.

"The best thing you can do is have several plants of each species but also to have things that bloom throughout the year," Lecci said. "That way you have a constant source of nectar for all of our pollinators."

Yes, some can spread, but edging around each of the beds has kept the plants where they belong in the Lecci's yard.

The plants fight each other for space, so the Leccis have to do little weeding. They also mulch every other year to help with weed suppression.

At the end of the season, they leave everything in place instead of cleaning up their beds as many do.

"They are afraid of how it will look in the fall or winter," he said. "We leave everything up. We don't cut anything down until March. All these native plants, a lot of them have tons of seeds. Throughout the winter we always have birds feeding off the seeds."

It can be intimidating to take the plunge. For those starting out, his base plants would be milkweed, Golden Alexander, original coneflower (not a hybrid), mint and bee balm.

He's encouraged that it's possible to find more plants of those types in area nurseries. Mulhall's is holding a sustainable landscape seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday and will cover topics such as earth-friendly lawn care, using fewer chemicals, pollinator gardens and planting with natives.

The Leccis also incorporate some non-natives such as zinnias and salvia. They use an organic lawn service to not harm the insects they do draw to the yard.

Every day something new is blooming or they’ll spot a different insect.

"It's great for the environment," Julie Lecci said. "It's also, I think, gorgeous to look at."

Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, that will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

A bee looks for pollen in a foxglove beardtongue plant in Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, which will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

A coneflower blooms in Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, which will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

Sedges in Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, which will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

A patio area in Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, which will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

Joseph and Julie Lecci's garden, landscaped with native plants, will be featured in this year's Benson Garden Walk.

[email protected], 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

Go to https://bit.ly/42plxoT to purchase tickets before the event or buy the day of at Metcalfe Park, 1700 Country Club Avenue.

Stops on the tour:

Midwest native plants: The owners moved from a large acreage filled with native grasses and wildflowers in 2018 to this home with just a lawn. In a short time, they transformed the space, creating a native pollinator garden featuring more than 1,300 plants. Along the way they have encouraged others to convert their yards to feature Midwest native plants.

Natural habitat: Focused on creating a natural habitat for pollinators. And, as it turns out, a popular vacation destination for rabbits. The garden is certified as a Nebraska pollinator habitat and a Nebraska wildlife habitat.

Perennial garden: A simple garden that started as a blank slate. The owners through trial and error found their perfect perennials. Ones that are the easiest for them to grow and are low maintenance. The garden features a variety of perennials, brick paver walkways, a small fountain and seating.

Little yellow house: The gardens are free-form, flowing and peaceful, providing an oasis of calm and serenity amid life that delights the homeowner and her visitors. A wide variety of perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees welcomes all wildlife. Rabbits, possums, racoons, bunnies, squirrels & a myriad of birds populate the gardens throughout the year

A collector's garden: The front yard showcases multiple shade beds with variegated colors and Japanese maples. In the back full sun perennials and conifers flank meandering paths that take you to different rooms to enjoy.

Backyard entertainment: This gently sloping backyard has evolved into a multi-layered parkland, incorporating natural and wild varieties of flowers and grasses, along with a courtyard, alcoves, two gazebos and seating areas.

Point of Interest Stop

Benson Community Garden: Founded in 2010, the Benson Community Garden provides space for individuals and families to grow fruits and vegetables for their personal consumption. The garden also offers the "Earth Stage" for live music performances, neighborhood movie nights and educational offerings. They host a food pantry which provides nonperishable foods for people in the area facing food insecurity.

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Marjie Ducey writes about homes, weddings, outdoors, animals, the zoo and many other topics for The World-Herald. Have a good story idea? Email her at [email protected].

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