Echinacea purpurea Artwork

Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower) 2 ft. - Blooming time July/Sep. - Full sun - most soil well-drained During the spring of 2021 I was inspired by an organization that makes gardens and meadows for biodiversity. I joined the opportunity to research and learn about the importance of planting native plants for pollinators, so they can continue the natural process of the ecosystem. There is an urgent need to practice sustainable gardening and I want to be part of a better future by inspiring private gardeners, urban parks, schools, churches and businesses with large green spaces to plant native plants. Exotic plants sold in nurseries do not support pollinator diversity. Habitat loss, climate change, toxic pesticides and disease are the main causes of the decline of living organisms; bees, butterflies, other insects and birds are endangered, declining in numbers and have an unpredictable future. Mega green gardens, however manicured they may appear, do nothing to help the ecosystem, as most are maintained with pesticides. The circles represent the natural process of the ecosystem. The flowers portrays some of the native plants needed by pollinators. I reuse materials, such as glass from previous projects, recycled chocolate paper, genuine stones and found objects. The work is painted with acrylic on paper and mounted on birch wood.