Celebrate spring with The Manada Conservancy’s volunteers at their 8th Annual Native Plant Sale on May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Meadowood Native Plant Nursery, 24 Meadowood Drive, Hummelstown, Dauphin County, rain or shine.

This popular annual event offers a wide variety of regional plants that are suitable for all types of landscapes in south Central Pennsylvania and ready for immediate trans-planting.

Native plants featured this year include spring blooming woodland phlox and wild pinks, Bowman’ s root, wild bleeding heart, marsh marigold, summer and fall blooming Culver’s root, Helen’s flower, bee balm, cardinal flower, tall blue lobelia, foamflower, blazing star, several varieties of black-eyed Susans, Joe-Pye weed, phlox, asters and goldenrod. Also available will be woodland spring ephemerals, ferns, grasses, and a wide selection of vines, trees and shrubs appropriate for conditions ranging from bright sun to heavy shade in wet or dry soils.

All plants are chosen for their beauty, hardiness, and wildlife value including their ability to attract butterflies, beneficial insects, hummingbirds and songbirds. Native plants are as useful for strengthening our local ecosystem as they are enjoyable, low-maintenance additions to the garden.

Manada volunteers present a broad selection of carefully cultivated plants for sale. No plants are collected from the wild; many are potted by the Conservancy volunteers. Many are difficult to find in retail garden centers.

The Conservancy’s “Gardening for Nature” consultant will also be on hand along with Manada’s customer service volunteers to answer questions, give planting instructions and provide horticultural advice.

Admission to the sale is free. Manada Conservancy members receive a 10 percent discount on all native plant purchases. All proceeds from the sale benefit The Manada Conservancy's Educational Program and Land Preservation Initiatives.

For more information about the sale contact the Manada Conservancy office at 717-566-4122 or send email manadaconservancy@verizon.net.

4/11/2008