Baltimore Path Planted With Wildflowers and Other Natives

On November 20, a group of about 20 Scouts—boys and girls—and their parents came out to help FoBW volunteers spiff up the Baltimore Hill Path. The path was formed two years ago and allows pedestrians safe passage down a hillside on the edge of Baltimore Woods. We dug the perennially invasive Arum italicum (one heaping tarp load and several 5-gallon buckets full!!) and spread a fresh layer of wood chips the length of the path.

The Scouts also joined in planting 100 natives mostly near the path borders. There were many plants associated with shade such as fringecup, salal, spreading rush, dwarf Oregon grape and Willamette Valley Self-Heal. There were also sun loving plants for the outer edge of the path such as Oregon stonecrop, Roemers fescue, Oregon iris, and Oregon sunshine. Some were used to fill in and occupy other niches on the hillside.

Future plans are to create an informal “bioswale” at the edge of the asphalt going down Baltimore St. The goal is to disrupt the water flow being channelled down the hill during heavy rains, which carries pollutants more or less directly to the Willamette River, just 4 blocks downhill. Water will be slowed and diverted with rock and fallen tree limbs to make gentler “meanders” through the wide space between the street and path. Placed In the meandering streams will be additional hardy riparian natives.

Thanks to Jane Hartline at Sauvie Island Natives for her help in selecting many of the plants and for her kind discount on the cost. Special thanks as well to volunteer, Liz Dally for lending her expertise and to Barbara Quinn for donating plants.