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Central Pa Native Plant Festival and Sale
Our Plant Festival on May 4 was a success this year, with the weather cooperating, music to add to the atmosphere, and over 1200 attendees! Lots of native plants found homes. The educational presentations were well attended too. For those of you who sat in on Shari Edelson's presentation, she has provided a copy of her slides for reference. Click here: Concept Spring Summer Fall and Winter
CAN’T WAIT TO GET THOSE SEEDS IN THE GROUND?
You can plant now! Milk jug greenhouses is the solution. Many Pa native plant seeds need cold stratification (seed dormancy is broken in order to promote germination). This can be accomplished by planting them in the fall or keeping them in the refrigerator for a couple months then planting them in the spring. Another way that has proven to be very successful is to plant them in winter using “milk jug greenhouses.” Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Centre County created a flyer for step-by-step instructions: milkjug_greenhouse.pdf. 
Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird
Desirée L. Narango, Douglas W. Tallamy, and Peter P. Marra New research article confirms a direct correlation between the presence of native plants in the landscape and bird populations. Click here to read an Abstract or to purchase the entire article Photo by Ron Crandall What is a Native?
A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human intervention. We consider the flora present at the time Europeans arrived in North America as the species native to the eastern United States. Native plants include all kinds of plants from mosses and ferns to wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Because native plants are adapted to the growing conditions where you live, they are often easier to grow, require less maintenance such as watering, and are less susceptible to challenging conditions than non-native plants. Many Non-native plants are also invasive, and threaten to crowd out our native plant species. Incorporating native plants in your home landscape will encourage birds, pollinators, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Read more. Why Natives?Because native plants are adapted to the growing conditions where you live, they are often easier to grow, and less susceptible to challenging conditions than non-native plants. Many Non-native plants are also invasive, and threaten out our native plant species.
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In Bloom:Lindera benzoin or Northern spicebush, is a deciduous shrub growing 6-12 ft. tall. In early spring – typically April/May, dense clusters of tiny, pale yellow flowers bloom along the twigs before the leaves appear. Bright red fruits ripen from July through October on female plants, but are only showy once the foliage falls off. High in fat content in the berries are quickly eaten by various species of birds. Both the fruit and foliage have an aromatic, spicy smell when crushed – hence it’s name. Leaves turn a colorful golden-yellow in fall. The leaves, buds, and new growth twigs can be made into a tea. The Spicebush is also the host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, which has a very unique caterpillar with big eye spots on the back of its head.
The spicebush is very adaptable and can tolerate shade to full sun. Due to its size, rounded shape and early spring flowers, it is a nice alternative to forsythia in the home garden. If you have a favorite plant or photo, send it to webmaster@panativeplantsociety.org for a future publication. Photo and article by Keppy Arnoldsen Upcoming Events
With the arrival of Spring, the Native Plant Sales are cropping up all over the state. Check out our listing of Native Plant Sales to find ones in your area. If your's isn't listed, let us know and we can add them to our Calendar - email webmaster@panativeplantsociety.org.
Check our Complete Calendar for other upcoming events
Get Involved!Becoming a member of PNPS helps to support our mission of advocating conservation of native plants and their habitats and promote the increased use of native plants in the landscape
Volunteer -Your help is needed!There are always opportunities to help, regardless of your level of expertise. Click the button to see what volunteer opportunities area available.
We accept financial donations by Paypal, credit card or by check. For PayPal or credit card, click the Donate Button above. For checks, please send to our mailing address:
PO Box 807, Boalsburg, PA 16827. PNPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 
Join our Facebook forum to share photos, events and opportunities related to natives plants and our mission. Our group is closed and you must submit a request to join. We do this to help us keep out spam and maintain this group as a respectful forum for people interested in native plants. You must submit a request and answer 2 simple questions to join, even if you are added by a current member.
We are over 6,000 members strong and growing! |
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