Mark your Calendar!
Spring is coming - and that means plant sales!

Check out our listing of plant sales on our Plant Sales and Festivals page.  If you know of one that isn't listed, please contact us so it can be added.
And don't miss our plant sale!
Central Pa Native Plant Festival and Sale
May 6, 2017 - Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg, PA
Click here for details

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
Your help is needed!!
You've probably noticed that exotic shrubs are increasing in abundance in deciduous forests and tend to have a different leaf phenology than native shrubs. We're starting a citizen science data collection effort called Shady Invaders through the National Phenology Network to track these differences regionally.  For more information, or to participate, contact:

Erynn Maynard, PhD Candidate,
Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
eem212@psu.edu

Volunteer Opportunity

The Penn State Arboretum at University Park is seeking volunteer stewards to help with the development of their Hartley Wood Wildflower Trail -http://arboretum.psu.edu/programs/conservation/

All Interested should contact:
Vasiliy Lakoba vtl106@psu.edu
Shari Edelson ske13@psu.edu

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.

Read More....

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.

In Bloom:

Hepatica-Anemone americana previously Hepatica americana
It's a sure sign of spring when you see hepatica blooming.  This year we've had reports of it blooming as early as March 27.  Beautiful blue or white flowers sparkle amongst the leaf litter.  This diminutive plant has interesting, 3-lobed leaves reminiscent of the human liver - hence its name.  Two varieties - round-lobed and sharp-lobed. 

Hepatica makes a lovely garden plant for shaded location with rich organic soils. Once established in a good location they will live for many years. They form colorful little clumps of flowers that typically will bloom in April and May.


If you have a favorite plant or photo, send it to webmaster@panativeplantsociety.org for a future publication.

Photo courtesy of Terry Melton

Picture
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.

We are over 1,000 members strong and growing!
We accept financial donations by check. Please send to our mailing address:
PO Box 807, Boalsburg, PA 16827.

PNPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.