The Wilderness Center plant sale features native species
Asclepias incarnata, otherwise known as swamp milkweed or marsh milkweed, is a member of the Dogbane family and should be planted in full sun.
The Wilderness Center’s native plant sale will be Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 from 1-4 p.m.
Native plants attract wildlife like bees and butterflies, promote biodiversity, and help conserve threatened wildlife populations.
TWC’s native plant sale is an opportunity to find a large selection of plants not available at most nurseries. Plan for spring by checking out the online catalog for photos as well as plant size, sun, water and soil requirements at www.wildernesscenter.org/native-plant-sale/.
Quart pots are $6.50-$9, and gallon pots are $8-$14. Members of TWC receive 10 percent off.
The Native Plant Nursery also will be open for sale May through August Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
Upcoming events include gardening seminars on Saturday, April 27. The cost is $5 per session, payable at the door.
The choices made in yards and gardens can have an impact on the wildlife diversity of local ecosystems. The gardening seminars will teach ways gardening can improve soil health, support complex food webs, protect threatened species, help local water quality, decrease habitat fragmentation and more.
“Soil: The Ecosystem Under Our Feet” will be from 10-11 a.m. Dr. Jeffery Corney, TWC executive director, will discuss why soil is so much more than just “dirt” by exploring how soil forms, what comprises a healthy soil, what creatures live within the soil, and how soil makes possible all of the plant and animal life.
“Promoting Wildlife Diversity in Your Yard” will be from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Lynda Price, TWC senior naturalist, will discuss how to create living landscapes and healthy plant communities while enjoying gardening and wildlife watching. Increase the diversity of plants in your landscape, discover ecosystem-friendly gardening techniques and learn how to share your backyard with the wildlife it attracts.
“Gardening for Pollinators” will be from 1-2 p.m. Pat Dutton, pollinator specialist, will discuss pollinators and how they are under threat from a variety of stresses including habitat loss, pests, pesticides and climate change and how gardeners can make a difference in their own gardens.
“Free Wildflower Walk” will be from 2:15-3:30 p.m. Paula and Tim Lavey, TWC botanizers, will discuss the names and lore of spring wildflowers.
The Wilderness Center is located at 9877 Alabama Ave. SW in Wilmot.