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Native plant sale becoming an Ashland tradition

May 28, 2009

On June 6 the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute on the Northland College campus will host the Northern Native Plants Project’s annual native plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of the natural flora of the region. There will be four vendors selling a wide variety of native plants, including perennial flowering plants, native grasses and shrubs.

According to local plant ecologist Becky Brown, native plants have a number of benefits. Because they are adapted to the area, native plants fare well against the diseases, pests and eccentric climate of northern Wisconsin. They provide color and interesting textures throughout the growing season, and also provide a connection to the unique vegetation of the area.

“We are ‘up north’ because we love the north woods,” says Brown. “Including northern native plants in your garden is a way to strengthen your connection to the north woods environment… native plants are beautiful and can be planted in both formal and informal settings. It is easy to include natives in an existing garden, or start a new garden with natives.”

Members of the Northern Native Plants Project hope the sale will be much more than just a chance to buy plants. They hope to share their knowledge and passion for local flora through expert advice, field guides and even a coloring book of northern native plants. Equipped with wide variety of plants, they also hope to provide appropriate plants both for beginners curious to diversify their existing garden and returning enthusiasts, perhaps expanding into butterfly gardens, rain gardens or woodland gardens.

“Many gardeners who begin planting natives enjoy breaking away from their meticulously manicured lawns and flower beds,” says Karen Danielsen, a member of the advisory committee for the Native Plants Project. “Their gardens grow rough at the edges, but invite delightful surprises such as dazzling monarch butterflies, ruby-throated hummingbirds or warty American toads. After planting natives, their gardens seem less like sterile museums and more like explosions of movement, sound and fragrance.”