Daily Inspiration: Meet Christy Elena Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Elena Harris. 

Hi Christy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all started with learning that Monarchs need Milkweed to survive. Once I added Milkweed to my garden, I started to see the caterpillars and the butterflies. That was many years ago, and over the course of five years or so, I added other native plants. I began exploring the Metro parks around Columbus to see all of the different flora and fauna that I could find. The new things that I discovered inspired me to research and learn more about native plants. That was two years before the Pandemic began in 2020. I did not know what to do during this outbreak. I lost work, and I felt very isolated. By the end of that summer, I decided to grow as many native plants as I could. I needed to be outside and be in touch with the earth. I grew so many plants and opened the nursery the next year. Within the last year, I also discovered Doug Tallamy’s books and website about the importance of planting natives in every yard. The knowledge and the experience that I have gained in the past six or seven years has led me to make it my mission to support pollinators and protect wildlife. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is a lot of work to grow plants from seed. It requires time energy, and patience. I am a person that learns best by experimenting. I have no background in growing plants. I have a BFA in Sculpture, and I was cleaning houses until 2020. Now I am learning by trial and error how to grow native perennial plants. It is a labor of love. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a BFA in Sculpture. I make sculpture in clay and wood. I also make books, paper, drawings, and painting that usually include natural elements. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Retail is a risk. I take that risk every day that I work without income. Seven days a week, I am in my yard, in the sun, in the dirt. I only get paid if and when I sell a plant or two. I have enough plants here to landscape several homeowners’ yards. This nursery is stocked full of a large variety of natives. Almost a hundred different varieties of native plants are grown and nursed here in my backyard. When I can sell larger quantities of plants to those just starting a pollinator garden, then I feel like taking this risk is worth it. Also, seeing more pollinators makes it worth it all. 

Pricing:

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Contact Info:

• Website: wildhareprairienativenursery.com
• Instagram: Wild Hare Prairie Native Nursery
• Facebook: Wild Hare Prairie Native Nursery