Michigan Gardener Lynn O’Shaughnessy Cultivates 100-Foot Circle Garden Focused on Native Plants and Pollinator Habitat
Lynn O’Shaughnessy of Howell, Michigan, has developed a 100-foot-wide Circle Garden, inspired by an aerial view of a lavender labyrinth. Her gardening approach emphasizes native plants and the creation of habitats for pollinators. The garden, which began taking shape in 2019, is registered on Homegrown National Park’s Biodiversity Map, an initiative that tracks native plantings and efforts to restore biodiversity across the country. O’Shaughnessy's garden features a central 12-point geometric pattern and is almost entirely populated with Michigan native plants, many of which she grew from seed. Notable plant species include clustered mountain mint, spotted Joe-Pye weed, giant coneflower, black-eyed Susans, anise hyssop, cardinal flower, purple coneflower, false sunflower, swamp rose mallow, obedient plant, and Northern blazing star, all chosen for their ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal. The garden has been observed to attract a diverse range of pollinators, including 11 monarchs feeding on Northern...
