Westchester Community College Plans Native Plant Sale

Following up on its success last year, The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College (WCC), is planning an even more extensive and varied plant sale this year. The sale will be held on Saturday, April 28 from 12 to 4 pm at the Administration Building on the campus of WCC. The sale is being organized as a way of providing access to native plants that are not widely available at local nurseries. The Native Plant Center seeks to be known as a resource center for those interested in growing, maintaining, and protecting native plants and wildflowers.

The day will begin with a talk "Creating Backyard Habitats" by Christine Cook from 10-11:30 am. Registration fee is $20. Afterward, refreshments will be available for a small fee, or visitors can just browse at the Gift Shop or get a preview of the sale, which will be located just outside the Administration Building. The plant sale itself will begin at noon and continue until 4 pm. The plants will be organized into different areas according to whether they require sun or shade, or whether they are deer-repellent or not, so that novice gardeners will know what they are purchasing. Planting demonstrations for children will also be given.

Another special feature this year will be the Gift Shop, which will be selling unusual products supplied by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. These items will include colorful aprons, cocktail napkins, and tote bags, as well as notepaper with botanical drawings designed by local artists. There will also be colorful wildflower t-shirts for the kids, t-shirts to paint, Wildflower Bingo, and other activities. Unusual and informative books related to the topic of native plants will also be sold.

The Native Plant Center of WCC is the first national affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Both centers share a common mission: to educate the community about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural beauty of native plants. The Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden is located near the site of the plant sale, and is open year-round for visitors who may follow a self-guided tour. The Native Plant Center is a non-profit organization and a project of the WCC Foundation, the fundraising arm of the college.

For more information about directions and other details about the plant sale or The Native Plant Center, call (914) 785-7870 or email wcc.nativeplant@sunywcc.edu