Fall Native Plant Fest & Sale 2021

By: Stacey Wildberger

Cape Conservation Corps annual Native Plant Fest and Sale is more than just a great way place to get native plants for creating biodiversity and healthy habitats at rock bottom prices, it is also a place to talk with experts on a variety of topics.  In addition to Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists and Watershed Steward we will have a many experts on hand with a wide range of information.

Master Gardeners have been a partner for our event since the first year and they will once again join us.  They will have information on how you can get your yard Bay-Wise Certified.

There will be a Master Naturalist on hand (me actually) to answer questions on habitats and why native plants are the best choice in creating biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Having just completed the training to be a Watershed Steward I am happy to engage in promoting their mission.  We have several members that are WSA Stewards on hand to discuss native’s plants and their ability to control runoff, slow runoff and reduce erosion.  Complete with a hands on demonstration.  Learn about Jeanne Martin’s capstone project to remove invasive English Ivy at the Deep Creek pier and install native plants.

Chris Pax is a native landscape designer and lives right here in Cape St Claire.  She will happily share with you different plant combinations that will work well together.  She can help you pick out the perfect plants for your conditions.

Lauren Toomey of Pollinator Pathways will also share why and how native plants are the right choice for your backyard landscape.  How can we connect pollinator species in developed areas with the resources they rely on? 

Magothy River Association’s Lise Crafton plans to talk about how their organization executes project to restore and protect the welfare of our local waterways.  It is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of water quality, plants and wildlife of the Magothy River and its watershed.

Adkins Arboretum has also been a long standing “expert on hand” to promote the use of natives. Learn about the 400 acre native garden and arboretum they call home.  Learn about their meadow, woodland and upland trails as well as their youth and adult programs.

Unity Gardens is a new addition this year and we are excited to have them be a part of our Fest & Sale.  UG offers small grants ($1,000.00) to community groups, schools, religious organizations and scouts to implement conservation landscaping projects in the community.  Find out how your organization can benefit from their grants.

Lights Out Baltimore is an important nonprofit project of the Baltimore Bird Club to make the city safe for migratory birds by turning out the lights, in particular decorative lighting during peak migration season and advocate for bird-safe building design.

Close to home Goshen Farm Preservation Society will have information on their new pond habitat, their pollinator garden and no till gardening.

Spotted beeblam

Of course it wouldn’t be a plant sale without the stars of the show—the NATIVE PLANTS.  In addition to the “regulars” we’ve featured the last couple of years we have added a few species this years, including two Monarda’s beebalm selections- M. Punctata spotted beebalm and M. didyma beebalm “Jacob Cline” (picture at the top), Veronicastrum virginicum Culver’s root, Phlox paniculta “Jeane”, Carex vulpinoidea fox sedge, Liatris microcephala small headed blazing star and favorite ground cover of mine Sedum ternatum stone crop “Larinem Park”

We will have all of your rock star native selections from past years from coneflowers to Asclepias sp. milkweeds, Packera aurea golden ragwort, Chelone glabra turtlehead, Pycnanthemum muticum mountain mint, Rudbeckia fulgida black eyed-Susan’s, to our fall blooming selections such as the Solidago  spp. goldenrods and assorted asters.  We have a large selection of ground covers like Antennaria plantaginifolia pussytoes, Chrysogonom virginianum green and gold and Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny spurge.

Please click the link or visit our website at https://capeconservationcorps.org/events/event/fall-native-plant-fest-sale/ to see the whole list of plants.  The sale is September 25^th 9am-noon in the clubhouse field located 1223 River Bay Rd Annapolis.