Growing a green garden…

Sometimes a green thumb can lead to “green” rewards.  While the garden outside of Augustine Neuert’s Wyndemere townhome is a pleasure for the eye, it also features area native plants and is attractive to birds and butterflies. Augustine’s commitment to conservation recently earned her garden a plaque awarded by The Conservation Foundation, a non-profit land and watershed protection organization.

“I’ve been committed to recycling a long time,” said Augustine, who has been a gardener for more than 40 years.  “Our Wyndemere recycling committee began to talk about increasing the number of native plants in our outdoor gardens and I invited the representative from The Conservation Foundation to see the garden at my townhouse.”

Augustine’s garden features 100 different varieties of plants and flowers, including a thistle feeder, which attracts goldfinches.  “Every year I add something new to my garden,” said Augustine.  “I try to have something different blooming every season.” 

Augustine’s interest in garden really took root when her children left for college.  “I began taking classes at Morton Arboreteum and landscaped my back yard when I lived at my home in Lombard.”

Augustine fostered her love of gardening when she and her husband, Harry, came to Wyndemere more than 11 years ago.  She helped to plant 500 bulbs for snowdrops, Wyndemere’s original logo. Today, she continues to help beautify Wyndemere’s property by planting flowers near Wyndemere Park on the east side of the Campus.

For Augustine, gardening is great therapy. “I have a little bit of everything in my garden, including herbs which I use in my kitchen,” said Augustine. “The change of seasons here is just wonderful.  I love being outside in the elements.”