BUTTERFLIES: 1, BULLIES: 0

[elleng]

'When the HOA attacked my sister’s garden, they probably had no idea what their actions would wreak: a statewide ban on small-mindedness.

If you live in a community governed by a homeowners association in Maryland, your HOA will soon no longer be allowed to require you to grow turfgrass. It can no longer prohibit you from planting native plants and creating wildlife habitat. The Maryland General Assembly has spoken, quietly and firmly, joining a growing number of states last week by passing House Bill 322, the low-impact landscaping legislation that specifically codifies your right to be wildlife-friendly, plant-friendly, and environmentally conscious.

You can thank my sister, Janet Crouch, for that. The office of Delegate Terri Hill, a cosponsor of the bill, already did, expressing gratitude for her brave advocacy in an email the day after the unanimous Senate vote and adding, “This wouldn’t have all happened without you bringing this forward.”'

https://www.humanegardener.com/butterflies-1-hoa-bullies-0/?

[leftieNanner]

1. Love This!

I read the entire article. I remember a similar issue with someone in a planned community in the East Bay Area (east of San Francisco). During one of the many draughts in California, one woman removed her front lawn and planted a low water garden. Her HOA went crazy. I believe she ultimately prevailed, but she went through a great deal of hassle.

On one hand, I can understand the HOA not wanting front yards to become trashy and diminish the value of homes in the area, but this is absurd.

[Phoenix61]

2. Good for them!

I’m working on getting rid of all the turf in my front yard. So far I have 6 blueberry bushes, 5 blackberry bushes, 2 loquat trees, a grapefruit tree, a satsuma orange tree, and a fig tree. I also have native wild flowers for the bees and butterflies.

[soothsayer]

3. Excellent

[Butterflylady]

4. Anything that has to do with butterflies I'm all for it.