April is National Native Plant Month!

One of my gardens. The alliums arent native but I love them and they don't spread.

Always adding new sections and expanding my gardens

Winter sowed some Common Milkweed seeds.

Look at those root systems!! And on the far left, turf grass, so sad!

I like to hold bees. Early morning when they are kind of groggy and dewy is the best time.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

SENATE RESOLUTION 570

Designating April 2022 as ‘‘National Native Plant Month’’.

Whereas native plants are indigenous species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat;
Whereas there are more than 17,000 native plant species in the United States, which include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and wildflowers;
Whereas native plants help prevent flooding, drought, and erosion and can help restore damaged ecosystems;
Whereas native plants provide shelter as well as nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot;
Whereas more than 200 of the native plant species in the United States are estimated to have been lost since the early 19th century;
Whereas habitat loss and degradation, extreme weather events, and invasive species have contributed to the decline of native plants in the United States; and
Whereas native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our natural heritage: Now, therefore, be it Resolved,

That the Senate—

(1) designates April 2022 as ‘‘National Native Plant Month’’; and

(2) recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of the United States.

These are beautiful words! Im so pleased that not only are we in Ohio Native Plant month, we are in NATIONAL native plant month. Admittedly I care about plants more than the average bear, but we should all care about native plants not only for their beauty but for what they do for us. It’s all listed above.

I strongly encourage you to go native in your yard and gardens. Make the ecosystem friendly to beneficial bugs, our important pollinators, and encourage a root system that often times goes down 15-20 feet. If you are starting from scratch, incorporate a few native plants this year and remove any invasive plants.

Each year I expand my gardens by a little (sometimes a lot) and add more native plants to the landscape. It’s become quite an obsession actually. I document it on a facebook album, all the way from the first green that pops up, to the harvesting of seeds, and winter sowing seeds to grow more plants. It's interesting to see how the bloom time differs each year and I know what to expect so I don't plant over something that is taking a little more time to emerge (Common Milkweed, I'm looking at you - late to wake up and then goes bananas!!)

Here are some great resources for lists of native plants and where to find them!

Our Fall native plant kit sale will be available at the beginning of May and we sell native seeds year round.

We strive to bridge the gap between raising awareness of the importance of native plants and how to get them and incorporate them into your landscape! For more info, listen to the EcoSpeaks CLE podcast where we talk about native plants!

Happy Spring and Happy planting!

Blog author: Amy Roskilly, Conservation Education & Communications Manager

April is National Native Plant Month!

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