Not only do I not have a green thumb, I believe my thumb may be an instrument of death for growing things.
I’m certain I’ve detected a death rattle among the plants handed to me as gifts over the years.
So, imagine my delight in meeting Susan Wilkins, captured above in a photo by my MPR colleague Jeff Thompson.
Susan is the curator, gardener if you like, for the 15-acre Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary nestled within the 800-acre Wirth Park on Minneapolis’ boundary with Golden Valley.
She’s planting a common witch hazel shrub.
The sanctuary is a carefully managed riot of flora.
Here’s another photo taken by Jeff on his sanctuary visit – a montage.
Clockwise from left, bee balm, Culver’s root, buttonbush and Turk’s cap lilies are among the 500 plant species and 130 bird species on view at the garden.
Here’s the crew who led me on a tour; Susan on the left, next to Minneapolis parks environmental education coordinator Marylynn Polscher with self-described park afficionada Pam Weiner, the president of the non-profit group that helps raise money for the garden.