Home gardeners looking to add some local color to their flower beds might choose the purple blossoms of tall larkspur or the broad yellow petals of the wood poppy.
They’re two of the more than a dozen new species featured in this year’s native plant sale at the Brandywine Conservancy’s Penguin Court preserve.
April 30 is the deadline to place online orders for plants, with prices beginning at $6.13 for most flowering varieties.
“Penguin Court has grown more species of native plants than ever before,” said Melissa Reckner, program manager at the site in the Ligonier Township community of Laughlintown. “We have over 110 species of native perennials, shrubs and trees, as well as eight herbs, three tomatoes — including the Brandywine heirloom variety — and three bell peppers to kickstart veggie gardens.”
Orders can be placed by visiting the conservancy website, brandywine.org, and selecting Penguin Court Native Plant Sale on the “Events” page.
Plant pick-up times will be on May 2 and 3 at Penguin Court.
If you’re looking for more information about plants that are native to Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, the conservancy has you covered with its new Brandywine Native Garden Hub, at nativegardenhub.org. The site has profiles of more than 250 plants, including growing conditions and benefits for wildlife.
Penguin Court also is making plans to host an upcoming course for those interested in joining the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program. Since 2019, 45 people have completed naturalist training there.
Classes will meet Tuesday evenings from Aug. 12 through Oct. 28, with four Saturday field sessions planned.
The limited-space course is for adults from Westmoreland and neighboring counties who want to learn about nature, enjoy the outdoors and join in natural resource protection efforts.
Tuition for the training and a full year of programming is $425, with scholarships available and a $75 discount for those who sign up by the early deadline of April 25. May 12 is the final deadline to apply.
Upcoming Local Events
Visit pamasternaturalist.org to learn more.