Plants for America on the 4th

Attended a presentation at an area garden center - Homesteads Gardens - this past Sunday. Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries was giving a free presentation on 'Using Natives in your Garden Landscape'. It was an informative mini-lecture on the benefits and relative ease of putting native plants into the your home's yard and garden. The benefits highlighted included not only the creation of food and habitat for local wildlife but also need less maintenance, less water, and increase the aesthetic and often monetary value of your property.

Mr Castorani spoke of his company's website - American Beauties; an informative site that abundant information about native plants including photos, descriptions, benefits, their natural ranges, and growing and maintenance tips. The site even has a Plant Finder that allows you to search for plants by a variety of criteria such as type, sun exposure, and soil preference.

American Beauties is also teamed with the National Wildlife Federation where you can get your garden designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. To be certified your garden must adopt practices to provide food sources such as seeds and berries, a water source, cover and shelter for wildlife, and use sustainable gardening practices.

For America's Independence Day, pledge to plant native plants in your garden and help the all-American native eco-system. Have a happy and safe 4th of July.