For more than two decades, the annual spring native plant sale at Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust has welcomed gardeners eager to add hardy native flowers and perennials to their landscapes while learning more about the plants that naturally thrive in the region.
Held May 9 at the Trust’s Visitor Center, the spring sale featured more than 1,000 native perennials that had been carefully grown through the winter months in the organization’s greenhouse. The event also included a members-only preview sale on May 8, giving supporters the opportunity for an early selection before the public sale opened.
“We’ve been having these spring native plant sales for over 20 years,” said Chris Dartley, staff horticulturalist at Pennypack Trust. “I started in 2003, and it’s been very consistent over the years. We have lots of repeat customers, people we have formed relationships with over the years. It’s always nice to see them come back each year for their gardens.”
Dartley said many visitors arrive with questions about difficult garden areas, such as shaded spots or areas beneath walnut trees, while others return looking for plants similar to ones they purchased previously.
“Part of the reason people come here is that we can help them pick plants and share some of our knowledge with them and answer any questions they have,” he said.
The greenhouse operation itself is a collaborative effort involving Pennypack staff and longtime volunteers. Dartley noted that several volunteers have worked alongside him for nearly two decades.
“I have a great group of volunteers in the greenhouse and some of them have been with me the entire time I’ve been here, close to 20 years,” he said. “People know me and our volunteers.”
Many of the plants sold during the event are propagated directly from seed collected on Pennypack Trust property, helping ensure the plants are well-suited to local growing conditions.
“A lot of what we sell is grown right here on the property from what we have been growing here for years, so we know it’s going to do well,” Dartley explained. “We know it’s a good local seed source, which is important.”
The proceeds from the sale benefit the Pennypack Trust and support its ongoing environmental and educational programs.
Dartley said the native plant sale has become something of a seasonal tradition for many area residents.
“This event is a good way to bring a lot of Pennypack members together, and for me it’s nice to see them return every year so it becomes a bit of a social event,” he said. “Most people live in the area, though some come from surrounding areas.”
Interest in native gardening has continued to grow in recent years, particularly as homeowners become more aware of the role native plants play in supporting pollinators, birds and wildlife habitat.
“I think there has been more of a concentration on natives partially due to the fate of the monarch,” Dartley said. “People are paying more attention now to preserving native plants to make sure monarchs, pollinators and birds have what they need.”
He explained that native plants provide nectar and habitat for insects, which in turn attract birds and other wildlife.
“All the pollinators have evolved with these plants,” he said. “The fact that they draw all these insects in, it draws birds.”
Dartley pointed to restoration work underway at Pennypack Trust’s farm property, where staff and volunteers have expanded native wildflower plantings to increase biodiversity.
“We recently added 20 wildflower plots out on the farm,” he said. “We continue adding stuff to draw those insects and the birds and pollinators.”
For homeowners looking to begin incorporating native plants into their own landscapes, Dartley recommends starting with a few dependable varieties that offer strong pollinator value and visual appeal.
“The milkweed species are great for beginners,” he said, highlighting butterfly weed, swamp milkweed and purple milkweed as strong choices. He also recommended plants such as gayfeather, purple coneflower and bee balm varieties for their colorful blooms and ability to attract pollinators.
Other favorites include Blue Star and Baptisia, which Dartley described as excellent foundational plants for garden beds because of the structure they provide.
He also encouraged gardeners to pay close attention to growing conditions before planting.
“The right plant in the right place is really important,” Dartley said. “If a plant wants part shade, then give it a half day of shade.”
He added that many residential soils have been disturbed over the years and may not retain moisture the way healthy native soils do.
“I think knowing your soil is important,” he said. “A common mistake is not knowing what type of soil you have at your house.”
Spring, he noted, remains one of the best times for homeowners to experiment with native gardening.
“Springtime is a great time to plant because everyone is so excited to get back outside after being cooped up all winter,” Dartley said. “To me, it’s the nicest time of year to be outside planting flowers.”
Among his favorite spring natives are ephemeral wildflowers such as bloodroot and Virginia bluebells, which bloom early before the forest canopy fully leaves out.
“It carpets the forest floor with beautiful flowers,” he said. “It’s unique in that it showcases spring ephemerals while everything else is just starting to wake up.”
Visitors attending the sale were also encouraged to explore the gardens surrounding the Visitor Center to see mature native plantings in a natural setting.
“It’s a great learning opportunity to see where these plants belong, what conditions they will take and get an idea of what they will look like when they mature,” Dartley said.
For more information about Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, located in Huntingdon Valley, visit pennypacktrust.org/.
