My property has 4.5 acres of woods and walking trails with oaks, shagbark hickories, elms, and black cherry trees along with invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle trees. I am continually in process of restoring the woods. My four native plant gardens are mostly shady, though some portions are in enough sun to grow prairie plants. I am learning about native plant gardening and native plants in the woods as a mentee in the Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee program in McHenry County.