Native Plant Sale Catalogue - Delaware Nature Society Native Plant Sale Catalog 2018 | Page 4

Introduction Dear Gardeners, Native Grasses and Sedges, our featured plants this year, are the often overlooked workhorses of award-winning gardens. Unlike turf grasses whose roots only extend a few inches, the roots of our beautiful native grasses can reach down 7 feet or more! And designers appreciate their texture, color, and graceful form in the garden as well. You can learn more about them on pages 18 and 22. Andropogon ternarius Carex appalachica Welcome to our 2018 Native Plant Sale. Our theme this year is Gardening with Purpose: Beautiful Plants that Support Nature. National Audubon Society has noted that over the last century, a staggering 150 million acres of habitat and farmland has been lost to urban sprawl. This, unfortunately, directly attributes to biodiversity loss. However, there are easy things that you can do to enhance your garden with beautiful plants while supporting nature – plant more natives! Research is finding that native plants provide a significantly higher level of ecosystem services than non-native plants by supporting pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Data also suggests that native plants provide greater water purification and flood control services, and they sequester more carbon, provide more natural pest control, and greater soil enrichment services than non-native plants. The roots of Delaware Nature Society also go deep into the community. Since 1964, our organization has focused on educating the public on ways they can take action to protect and improve the environment. Gardening with purpose is just another way you can help improve the environment, by supporting important pollinators, protecting wildlife habitats, and conserving precious resources essential to all life on the planet – clean water and healthy soils. Not only do your plant purchases support wildlife and clean water in your own garden, but proceeds from our sale directly support conservation and management of habitat in Delaware, as well as the protection of our waterways. Thank you for doing your part by planting and caring for native plants and supporting Delaware Nature Society! 4 Anne Harper Acting Executive Director Happy Planting! Joanne McGeoch Deputy Executive Director Visit DelNature.org/NativePlantSale for native plant lists, articles, and programs and to become a member. DelNature.org/Blog @DENatureSociety Facebook.com/DelawareNatureSociety 5