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Paula Bonelli was born in Madison, Wisconsin, but has lived most of her life in the neighboring state of Minnesota. She started gardening at an early age with her mom, Carol, in their terraced suburban yard. When she bought her own home years later, her favorite aunt, Robyn, helped her transform a yard with no trees or landscaping of any kind into a yard that regularly attracts birds, butterflies and other small wildlife.
Paula’s favorite part? Her aunt brought her heirloom plants from previous generations of their family that she carefully preserved over the years. Now Paula can’t wait to pass those down to her children. Paula describes herself as an amateur gardener, a backyard bird-watcher, a home cook and an antique lover. She has two grown children, both in the Midwest, and loves spending time with family. She lives with her handyman husband, and they both garden their small city lot and are always looking for new things to try as DIY-ers.
Learn more about Paula on her garden blog, Paula’s Garden Patch. And if you’re looking for some good recipes from this Italian, find them on her recipe site, Paula’s Italian Kitchen.
Paula at a Glance
Personal website: Bonelli Enterprises
Lives in: Montgomery, Minnesota
Favorite bird: Hummingbird
Favorite flower: Calla lily
Paula’s backyard wisdom: No garden is perfect. Let Mother Nature have her way, and you’ll have a different and interesting yard each year.
Why she loves the Midwest: The change of seasons.
Favorite things about Birds & Blooms: I love other readers’ ideas. I enjoy learning from others who also embrace the beauty of their own backyard and all the wonder it holds.
Favorite websites for birding and gardening: Northern Gardening, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Minnesota Department of Agriculture.