Staff Report

The Rock River Valley chapter of Wild Ones is once again sponsoring its native plant sales. The Native Woodland Plant Sale, featuring 35 ferns, flowers and grasses native to Winnebago and the surrounding counties, is accepting orders between Feb. 17 and April 17, 2011. The term “woodland plants” refers to the amount of sunlight tolerance the plants have.

Woodland plants prefer less than four hours of sunlight per day. Many shade-tolerant prairie plants and sun-tolerant woodland plants can be found at the edge of woods or in the canopy openings within woods.

When we think in terms of sunlight tolerance rather than “woodland,” most of us can find places in our yards where woodland plants will thrive to bring us pleasure and help attract a wider array of birds, bees and butterflies than is typically found in suburban settings.

The north side of buildings rarely sees direct sunlight, thus simulating the deeper recesses of the woodlands. The east or north-facing sides of buildings and larger shrubs can simulate a woodland setting just as the areas under trees and shrubs do. Trellises, fences, pergolas and arbors also offer areas of shade for woodland plants.

Orders are being taken for the Native Prairie Plant Sale, featuring more than 50 native grasses and flowers found in Winnabago and the surrounding counties, between March 17 and April 30, 2011.

Prairie plants prefer more than four hours of sunlight daily. If you are new to landscaping with native plants, this sale is  perfect for you. Most of the species offered here are easy to grow and will provide years of beauty—while helping the environment.

Wild Ones is a nonprofit organization that informs and teaches people how to grow native plants in their landscapes. The Rock River Valley Chapter is part of a national organization, which has more than 2,700 household and business memberships. Wild

Ones distinguishes itself from other garden organizations by encouraging natural gardening with native plants and moving away from the use of chemicals, watering, excessive mowing and other practices commonly used by traditional gardeners.

People come to Wild Ones to learn about environmentally-friendly gardening—specifically about plants native to our area that have evolved to survive our climate without help from artificial means.

To receive the sale brochure for each plant sale, contact any of the sale coordinators:

Native Woodland Plant Sale: Barbara Flores at (815) 289-8602 or bafheartland@yahoo.com, Kim Risley at (815) 962-4584 or rip-cord01@comcast.net.

Native Prairie Plant Sale: Constance McCarthy at (815) 282-0316 or kublaikhan@mac.com.

From the March 30-April 5, 2011 issue