The Phone is Ringing off the Wall . . .

Well, it's been an exciting weekend around here ~ The NPC website got 413 visits! I came into a fax full of orders, the mailbox was full too, and people are using the new pay online feature. As I type this blog, the lines continue to ring!

We seem to have a lot of people interested in the Plant Pre-Sale and lectures this Spring. Not that I'm surprised, native plants are a hot topic, and well worth the investment, not only to your property value, but also to the environment. I hope to hear from a lot more of you.

I thought some of you may need clarification on the Annual Plant Sale, so here it is . . .

The Native Plant Sale is held in 2 parts ~
Pre-Sale and Regular Sale:

Pre-Sale (order now and pick up plants between April 20 -24)

Regular Sale is held for 1 day on April 24














You do not have to be a member to participate. However, NPC members receive a discount on Pre-Sale orders, and enter the Regular Sale early.




Question of the Day:


Question for the Garden Guru:
I have a lot of areas in my yard that have dry soil and are underneath Oaks and Maples. I have been successful with lily of the valley and white wood aster. What other native plants would you suggest that I try to plant?


ANSWER:
Dear Shady Lady,

You are off to a good start with those two selections and the good news for you is that there are lots of other native plants that will also grow well in dry shade. Please keep in mind that regardless of their ability to survive dry environmental conditions, new additions in this area of your garden will need to be well-watered through their first growing season. In later years give them an occasional drink during periods of severe heat and/or drought. Remember that soil amendment and mulching goes a long way in keeping all of your plants healthy and happy during dry periods.

Here are a few to consider, some of which may surprise you:
Anemone (Hepatica) acutiloba – sharpleaf hepatica
Anemone (Hepatica) rotundiloba – roundleaf hepatica
Aquilegia canadensis – columbine
Athyrium felix-femina – lady fern
Carex pennsylvanica – Pennsylvania sedge
Comptonia peregrina - sweetfern
Dennstaedtia punctiloba – hay-scented fern
Dicentra cucullaria – Dutchman’s breeches
Dicentra eximia – wild bleeding heart
Dryopteris intermedia – interrupted fern
Dryopteris novebaoracensis – New York Fern
Erythronium americanum – trout lily
Eupatorium rugosum – white snakeroot
Fragaria virginiana – woodland strawberry
Gaultheria procumbens - wintergreen
Gillenia trifoliata – bowman’s root
Heuchera americana – common alumroot
Hexastylis (Asarum) shuttleworthii – evergreen wild ginger
Ilex opaca – American holly
Iris cristata – crested iris
Kalmia latifolia – mountain laurel
Magnolia virginiana – sweetbay magnolia
Maianthemum canadense – Canada mayflower
Maianthemum (Smilacina) racemosa – false Solomon’s seal
Mertensia virginica – Virginia bluebells
Morella pennsylvanica – bayberry
Onoclea sensibilis – sensitive fern
Ostrya virginiana – American hop hornbeam
Oxydendron arboreum – sourwood
Pachysandra procumbens – Allegheny spurge
Parthenocissus quinquefolia – Virginia creeper
Phlox divaricata – woodland phlox
Podophyllum peltatum - mayapple
Polygonatum canaliculatum – Solomon’s seal
Polystichum acrostichoides – Christmas fern
Polystichum goldiana – Goldie’s fern
Sanguinaria canadensis - bloodroot
Sedum ternatum – wild stonecrop
Solidago caesia – wreath goldenrod
Symphotrichum (Aster) acuminatus – whorled aster
Symphotrichum (Aster) macrophyllus – blue wood aster
Vaccinium angustifolium – lowbush blueberry
Viola anadensis – Canada violet
Waldstenia fragaroides – barren strawberry
Woodwardia areolata – netted chain fern



If you have garden questions please forward them to me, at wccnativeplant@sunywcc.edu and I'll get you an answer.