Helena’s Sixth Ward Park Native Plant Garden

The Sixth Ward in Helena, Montana, is a historically significant area known for its connection to the Northern Pacific Railroad and its transformation from a once-neglected area to a thriving neighborhood. It’s characterized by a mix of historic and modern buildings, and has over a number of years been undergoing revitalization with new businesses and community initiatives.

One of the improvement initiatives was the formation of the Sixth Ward Garden Park at 1316 Gallatin Avenue (see graphic above). Several different garden types (fruit/berry trees, grape trellis, hops arbors and pollinator species) were included within the park including a neighborhood garden area. More information on the park in general can be found at this link.

Native Plant Garden Restoration 2020 – 2025

A principal feature from the beginning was a native plant garden. Over the years, the native garden had been invaded by weeds and garden maintenance had slipped badly. In the spring of 2020, the Kelsey Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society was approached to see what could be done to salvage the Native Plant sections.

The Kelsey Chapter, with assistance and support of the Helena Park and Recreation Department and the 6^th Ward Community Garden Advisory Board (along with the knowledge and hard work of Mark Majerus) have successfully establish 27 native grasses, 29 native shrubs and 70 native forbs/wildflowers. These native plants are the primary species under consideration for use in native landscaping, native site restoration, wildlife habitat restoration and general ecological concerns. The display of such a diverse number of native species makes this area an ideal classroom for the identification and understanding of Montana’s most important native plant species.

Here are the principal restoration steps effected:

• A complete excavation of quackgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and cicer milkvetch that had invaded the entire native garden. Only 7 species could be salvaged from original plantings.
• Rocks from old gold dredgings along Prickly Pear Creek were obtained and placed as borders along surrounding walkways.
• Of the replacement plants, 45% were purchased from nurseries and 55% were sourced from wildland salvage.
• Decomposed granite pathways were built around and through the native plant beds.

Kelsey Chapter has planned these native plant gardens to serve several educational functions in the community including:

• As an Outdoor Classroom for College & High School Environmental Science Classes,
• As a Training Site for Regulatory and Service Agencies, and
• As a Native Plant Display for General Public Education and Enjoyment.

To support these educational goals, signs showing the following information were added to the garden in 2024.

Sustainable Ecosystems:

Montana Native Plants Support Sustainable Ecosystems

• Habitat for wildlife (cover/nesting)
• Food for wildlife & domestic livestock
• Soil Stabilization
• Carbon sequestration
• Sustainability
• Evolved adaptation to local climate, soils and geography
• Aesthetically pleasing
  
  Montana Native Plants are a Source of Food and Medicine and more:
  
• Food & Medicine source for Indigenous People
• Modern medicine synthetic derivatives of Native Plants
• Culturally Significant Source of Dyes & Paints, Baskets, Mats, and Cordage

Species lists: Scroll the captions on the photos below to see names of the 27 grasses, 70 wildflowers, and 29 shrubs in this garden.