Environmental Concern’s annual Spring Native Plant Sale will be held on Mother’s Day weekend. Our staff will be ready to welcome the public on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th. Growing more than 120 species of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants for over 43 years, Environmental Concern (EC) hosts one of the largest native plant sales on the Eastern Shore. The sale will take place at EC’s campus located at the head of San Domingo Creek by the St. Michaels Nature Trail. Plan to walk the trail during your visit as many native species will be in bloom.
EC’s featured plant this spring is yellow sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale). Vibrant yellow flowers bloom from June through November. Helenium autumnale offers high wildlife value. Both butterflies and hummingbirds find the flower an attractive food source. This easy-to-grow perennial mixes effortlessly with other summer blooming natives such as swamp milkweed and butterfly milkweed – two plants that are crucial to the survival of the Monarch Butterfly. The Monarch population has decreased by 90%. Help increase the population by planting milkweed in your garden this year.
Perennial favorites including the showy violet-blue flowered pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) as well as the eye-catching cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) will also be available. The vibrant scarlet blooms of the cardinal flower, visible from May through October, offer hummingbirds an endless supply of nectar.
The sale hours are Friday, May 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pre-orders will be accepted until Wednesday, May 6th. Contact Penny at (410)745-9620 or email at [email protected].
All proceeds from the plant sale will help fund EC’s mission to improve water quality and enhance native habitat in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
EC is a 501(c)3 public not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.wetland.org or call (410)745-9620.
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