Snow Got You Down?!

Not To Worry ~
Pre-Sale Order Deadline Extended

Yes, as you might have guessed the office is closed today. But, that's good news for you if you're ordering from the Pre-Sale.

The order deadline has been extended to Monday, February 15.

The fax is turned on, and I left plenty of paper in it yesterday.
The number is (914) 606-6143.

If you prefer to mail the order send it to:

The NPC at WCC Library

75 Grasslands Road

Valhalla, NY 10595

Check out our other events, we have lots planned for the Spring.

If you're in the mood to travel, join us in May for a Garden Tour of Washington, DC

Have you had a chance to read the current NPC Newsletter?

Annual Landscape Conference ~ Monday, March 15 (Snow Date ~ Friday, March 19).

The Words Getting Out!!
Natives are the Best Pick

What has been most interesting about this year's Pre-sale is the customers. There are quite a few new names from all over the county. So, it's safe to say, the words getting out there! It just may be that more and more natives are popping up in the landscape, and their beauty is attracting a new audience. I know I've begun to see a lot more wildflowers since our Sale began in 1999.

Did You Know:
The NPC received an award for Best Plant Value from the Best of Westchester Magazine.

2010 Native Plant Center Steering Committee:
Brooke Beebe, Jan Blaire, Laura Blau, Cynthia Brennan, Myles Brown, Bob Del Torto, Kim Eierman, Cece Fabbro (Chair), Barbara Fischer, Leslie Henshaw, Pat Keesee, Ursula LaMotte, Guy Pardee, Brad Roeller, Heather Sandifer, Denise C.R. Santomero, Betsy Stern, Carolyn Summers, Phillis Warden, Neil Wattles, Lucille Werlinich.

Today's Steering Committee Member

My interest for trees has directly influenced all aspects of my life, both in career and leisure activities. I have been performing arboriculture for nearly 30 years in multiple facets of the industry. I hold certifications as an ISA arborist, ISA utility vegetation specialist, Cornell Municipal Tree Stewart as well as being DEC certified pesticide applicator for turf and ornamentals. Which when given the opportunity, I have applied to educating not only clients, but the public as well in the value that trees bring to our futures. The times that I am not promoting the health of our urban forests, I can be found crossing a mountain peak or camped in some forgotten stretch of river valley. Whether it be karma or destiny my introduction into tree care began with my name which translated means "guardian of the forest."

Guy Pardee
Arborist Representative
The Care of Trees®
57 Valley Avenue
Elmsford, NY 10523
Phone #: 914-345-8733Fax #: 914-345-3340
http://www.thecareoftrees.com/

Serving Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and
Washington, D.C.

Our Business is People and Their Love For Trees ®

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.

Welcome Back to The Blog!

We know you're ready for Spring ~ we are too!

Over the next few weeks, I will introduce you to members of The Native Plant Center's Steering Committee. Introductions will be in no specific order because each of the Committee Members is invaluable to the organization's success! It would be impossible for me to choose who goes first since they all bring something unique to the organization, as well as our events.

2010 Native Plant Center Steering Committee:
Brooke Beebe, Jan Blaire, Laura Blau, Cynthia Brennan, Myles Brown, Bob Del Torto, Kim Eierman, Cece Fabbro (Chair), Barbara Fischer, Leslie Henshaw, Pat Keesee, Ursula LaMotte, Guy Pardee, Brad Roeller, Heather Sandifer, Denise C.R. Santomero, Betsy Stern, Carolyn Summers, Phillis Warden, Neil Wattles, Lucille Werlinich.

Heather Sandifer is a textile designer whose botanical art has been featured in many and varied private and public venues, including Holly Hunt/Chicago, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, and David Winter Works on Paper. In addition to her art, Heather has written on garden subjects for various publications, and has taught at the New York Botanical Garden. She has been a volunteer assistant curator of the herbarium at the Bruce Museum, a Pen Women in both Arts and Letters, and an active member of The Native Plant Center.

Have you heard? The Plant Sale is underway!!

For your convenience, the Pre-Sale Order Deadline is extended to Monday, February 15.
Order now ~ pick up begins April 20 - 24.

To get you started on your order … here are the

Weekly FAVs
Nature's Splash of Color

#1 Aquilegia canadensis - Wild Columbine DR DT BF H - One of the most popular wildflowers with a profuse show in April-May of red & yellow flowers shaped like little Japanese lanterns. Though individual plants can be short-lived, it self-sows prolifically. Average soil, part shade, 12" tall.



#11 Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot The first harbinger of spring, snow-white petals surround deep gold centers. Deep green, deeply notched leaves make an excellent groundcover, but may become summer dormant if too dry. Red sap oozes from cut roots, hence the common name. Moist soil, light shade, 6-12” tall.

#23 Monarda punctata - Spotted Bee Balm DR DT H - This annual bee balm relative sports fragrant whorls of snapdragon blossoms layered on straight stems. Blooms have lavender bracts over soft yellow flowers with purple spots. Self-sows in sunny, well-drained gardens alongside companions like blazing star & penstemon. Average to dry soil, full sun, 12-18” tall.


#28 Aster laevis - Smooth Aster - DR DT BF Give blue-violet “daisies” a starring role in meadows and sunny borders in the summer and into fall. Lovely blue green leaves clasp the upright stems, which rarely if ever require staking. Average soil, sunlight shade, 1-3’ tall.



#33 Liatris spicata - Dense Blazing Star - DR DT BF BD H - Purple, tufted flower heads are arranged in a long, dense spike blooming from the top down. The protruding styles give the flower an overall feathery appearance. A Monarch butterfly magnet. The linear, grass-like leaves form attractive basal clumps and extend up the flower stalk. Moist to average soil, sun, 3-4' tall.

#37 Dryopteris marginalis - Evergreen Woodfern - DR - A tall, handsome, vase-shaped fern with deep green leathery evergreen fronds (leaves). Moist soil, part shade-shade, 1 - 3' tall.


# 40 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry - DR DT BD - This charming, woody groundcover thrives in harsh conditions. Small glossy leaves, flowers in April-May followed by red berries. Closely resembles non-native cotoneaster. Slow growing but durable once established. Average to dry soil, full sun, 4” tall.

#41 Parthenocissus quinquefolia - Virginia Creeper - DT BD - A woody deciduous climber that is often used to decorate trees, buildings and as a groundcover. This plant attaches with self-adhering suckers (not roots) that do not infiltrate structures. Small greenish flowers in spring are followed by dark blue fruit that are relished by birds. Elegant, medium green, 5-parted leaves turn blazing red in very early autumn. Average to moist soil, sun to full shade, 30’+ if given support.

#46 Asarum (Hexastylis) shuttleworthii - Evergreen Ginger - DR Native to the southeast, this handsome evergreen (in mild winters) forms clumps of rounded to heart-shaped aromatic leaves which are usually mottled with silvery gray markings. Small vase-shaped, purplish brown flowers with reddish purple spots in spring. Average, well-drained soil, part to full shade, 6-8" tall.

#54 Senecio aureus - Golden Ragwort * DR DT - Cheerful yellow daisy-like blossoms light up the early spring shade garden and will also bloom in full sun, given adequate moisture. After the spring show, glossy evergreen basal rosettes slowly spread to make an attractive groundcover. Moist to average soil, part sun-shade, 12-18” tall.

Pre-Sale Order Deadline ~ Monday, February 15
Regular Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 24.

The NPC is a project of the Westchester Community College Foundation located on the Valhalla Campus at Westchester Community College. The Center is also the first national associate of The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

Personnel
Beth Roach ~ NPC Special Programs Coordinator
Nancy Inzinna ~ NPC Assistant Director
Darrin Duling ~ NPC Director
John Fellas ~ WCC Foundation Director of Operations

Plant photos compliments of The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the Smithsonian Institute.

June 13 ~ NPC to Participate in Community Event in Eastchester

Stop by and say "hi" to two of our Steering Committee members on Saturday, June 13 at Green Day Celebration and Summit. Kim and Lucille will have a table with information about The NPC and are looking forward to talking about native plants with you.

Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe are sponsoring the event at Eastchester Town Hall located at 40 Mill Road, Eastchester, NY 10709

The event is free and will be held Rain or Shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Various tents will be set up and other indoor events include educational demonstrations and exhibits for your enjoyment.

Bring your own re-usable mug for a free cup of coffee.

There will be a performance by world-renowned Solar Punch the all solar-powered folk rock band. You'll also enjoy the Musical Munchkins, SHA!Capella, Annie and the Natural Wonder Band and Kristina Con Vita.

So the Rain's Got You Down ~ Well It's Working Wonders in The NPC Gardens

Looking for something to do this weekend? Take a ride over to The Native Plant Center, park in Lot # 1 and enjoy the scenery. Click on photos to enlarge. While you're here,

have a seat on Betsy's bench,

or just stop and smell the roses.

Wear your walking shoes and enjoy a walk around the Westchester Community College Campus. Do you you the history of your community college? Click here to read more about Hartford Hall.

DIRECTIONS TO THE GARDENS AND VALHALLA CAMPUS

400 Years after Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain

Sunday was a day full of sunshine and adventure as Westchester County residents flocked to Hudson River Fest.

The Native Plant Center had a chance to display native plants and literature to inform residents about The Center.

Lyndhurst was the ideal setting for the County to celebrate its 400th Anniversary.