The Grand Finale

Hairy Blazing Star

The end of the summer season has come.  Fall is here. You can see it everywhere in nature. The days are getting shorter. The sun has a lower angle in the sky. Some leaves are beginning to change. And the native wildflowers? Well, they are looking spectacular! It’s what I like to call the Grand Finale, the final blooming period of the season when there seems to be an explosion of flowering plants, particularly in the Aster family, Asteraceae. Plants in this family include Asters, Goldenrods, Bonesets, Sunflowers, Rattlesnake Root and Liatris.

Fields and roadsides come alive with the colors yellow, purple and white. Actually, it’ not a sudden thing. There are many species of late summer and fall plants, some blooming early, some later and some in between that overlap and the show seems to peak in mid to late September. Then there are those which bloom in October, which keep the color coming. One of those is Seaside Goldenrod, which happens to bloom around the time of the Monarch butterfly migration and is a valuable food source for them along their journey.

Seaside Goldenrod

 

Early species which start in mid-August include Sweet Goldenrod, Slender Aster, Woodland Sunflower, Silver Rod, Bog Aster, American Boneset and Round Leaved Boneset.

Mid species include Showy Aster, Wrinkle Leaf Goldenrod, Slender Goldenrod, Hyssop Leaf Boneset, Hairy Blazing Star, Flat Topped White Aster, Maryland Golden Aster, Blue Mistflower, White Snakeroot and Rattlesnake Root.

 

Later species include Stiff Leaved Aster, Heath Aster, New York Aster, Late Purple Aster and Seaside Goldenrod that bloom well into October. These plants are an important late nectar source for our pollinators.

New York Aster

 

As the days get shorter, and the weather becomes cooler, it’s a great time to get out for a nature walk and enjoy this one last spectacle of nature’s beauty for the season.

Earth Day Celebration 2019!

It is time once again for the annual Earth Day Festival at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority in beautiful Egg Harbor TWP, NJ. This year the event will be held on April 28, from 10am - 4 pm. Looking at their website, it appears there will be even more to see and do this year.

One thing I am doing different this year is that instead of giving a workshop in the amphitheater, I will be giving a guided tour of the native plant gardens that were installed a couple years ago. I did a few of these last summer  and folks enjoyed them so I am excited to do it again. Although it is early and not everything is on bloom, there will be photos posted in front of the plants that reveal what they look like in bloom. I will be talking about the benefits and natural roles of each plant. My tour is at 1:30pm and the garden in located in front of the Geo building near Delilah Rd.

As always there will be food vendors, crafters and live music and a tent with regional non profits including the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. lots to see and do for the whole family. Hope to see you there.

More info  here: http://acua.com/earthday/

ACUA Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 28, 2019
ACUA Environmental Park
6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Twp.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  |  Rain or Shine

Fall is for Planting Native Plant Sale Sat & Sun, Oct 6 & 7

Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm

The heat and humidity are gone and fall weather is finally here. Did you know that this is the best time to plant perennials for next year? Planting now gives plants the opportunity to establish themselves without the stress of reproduction efforts, heat, drought, bugs and disease. This also gives gardeners the opportunity next year to spend less time planting and more time enjoying their already established gardens.

This weekend will be our final Open Garden sale of 2018. It is also an opportunity for our customers to save on native plants. In appreciation for our customers planting natives in their gardens, we are offering the chance stock up on native plants with tiered pricing discounts. The more you buy, they more you save. Our $3.75 square potted perennials will be:

 5 for $18, 10 for $35.00, 15 for $50.00, and 20 for $65.00. Additional plants are $3.25 each.

We still have over 50 species left to chose from, some that were not available last spring. There are plants for every yard, be it coastal, pine barrens, moist, dry, sun, shade and just average gardens. Some plants include Asters, Goldenrods, Sunflowers, Cardinal Flower, Rhexias, Irises, Grasses, Rudbeckias, and Mints.

 We also now carry trees and shrubs like Swamp Rose, Red Maple, Steeplebush, and Sweet Fern and specialty plants like Coral Honeysuckle and Nodding Ladies’ Tresses orchids. These plants are $10.00 each.

 

Our gardens are still in bloom and offer a glimpse of how plants look in their natural habitat.

The Earth First Native Plant Nursery is located at 4054-A Tremont Ave, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ 08234

Earth1stnatives@aol.com  609-287-5090

ACUA Native Plant Evening with Raven Ahmed July 24, 7pm

Native Plants Society 

of New Jersey

Southeast Chapter  

Raven Ahmed on Native Plants at the ACUA 7 pm, July 26th

Thursday July 26, 7 pm Join the ACUA for an evening walk, talk, and garden upkeep session. Raven Ahmed, founder of Earth First Native Plant Nursery, will share her knowledge of native plants by guiding participants through the garden and pointing out native species along the way.  We'll talk about the importance of planting native plants and also have the opportunity to remove some of the pesky species that need to be controlled.  The idea is for participants to be able to take this information back home and apply it to their own backyards - keeping those invasive species in check!   Gloves will be provided, but please feel free to bring anything else you like to garden with!  The evening should involve walking, sharing knowledge, and light yard work.    If you would like to be updated with details about our future meetings, please contact Jesse Connor at:  southeast@npsnj.org.  (Contacting this site will put you on the list for monthly meeting information, field trip info, and timely updates.)   Jesse Connor, Jack Connor, Barbara Fiedler, and Steve Fiedler.

Natural Happenings at the Nursery 2017

What's in Bloom...Aug 5

As August comes in, all three Rudbeckia species are in full bloom, as is the Swap Milkweed, Phlox, Marsh Rattlesnake Master, Seashore Mallow, Swamp Rose Mallow, Boneset, Meadow Beauties, Spotted Horsemint and Great Blue Lobelia. The Lobelia look particularly great paired with Brown Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba.) On deck are Cardinal Flower, New York Ironweed and Joe Pye weed ready to pop within a week.

The moon garden received a few White Phlox I got from Bowman's Hill. They took off and are blooming already. The Maryland Meadow beauty I planted there was unfortunately eaten by bunnies. The Pale pink Swamp Milkweed did great and is a butterfly magnet.

I have been honored to have company for the past month and that meant a helping hand to rip out some of the invasive species in the front of the property and to fill in some nice compost for planting a rain garden. This will be a NJ rain garden with all South Jersey plants and a couple Piedmont species that don't mind wet feet on occasion.


In the Lives of the Wildlife
The frogs have grown quiet except for rainy nights, but there are so many tadpoles in the pond. but in their place are the Katydids. I have seen over ten species of butterflies including a Monarch who laid eggs on the swamp milkweed, The babies have hatched and are feeding. A young Northern Fence Lizard has become quite comfortable in the nursery lounging on the plant tables and not a bit camera shy. Mama the rabbit has had babies who unfortunately eat my plants. I guess I better get them started on carrots like Mama.

 

What's in Bloom...July 1

As July comes in, so does Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) both purple and the white cultivars White Swan and Pow Wow White. While I usually don't do cultivars, I like them for the moon garden for the white flowers that stand out in the moonlight. Also both Monardas are breaking out, the red (didyma) and the lavender (fistulosa). I find the fistulosa attracts many more pollinator than does didyma, which I have only seen the hummingbirds on, but boy do they love it. Rattlesnake Master (Eyringium yuccafolium is just starting to bloom in the moon garden.  I have added some non-native annals in pots like white vinca, impatiens and pentas to add some white between the perennials blooming. With additional solar lighting and wind chimes, its beginning to become a peaceful night spot.

Whorled Loosestrife

Then there are the woodland plants, Wintergreen, aka teaberry, (Gaultheria procumbens), and Spotted Wintergreen, (Chimaphila maculata),and Whorled Loosestrife, (Lysimachia quadrifolia). There are not in the garden, rather along the trails and driveway.

In the Lives of the Wildlife

Pine Barrens Tree Frog

 A ground skink hangs around the nursery trays and a Pine Barrens Tree Frog has appeared this year for the first time often calling on wet evenings along with the Grays. It's really a treat to have him. I hope he sticks around for the season. 

 

What's in Bloom... June 7

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

The Slender Blue Flag continues to bloom as the Northern Blue Flag, (Iris versicolor) is beginning to burst out. These look more like your typical Iris with the wide leaves. Also blooming in the Moon Garden are Colic Root and Foxglove Beardtongue( Penstemon digitalis). The Penstemon are breath taking to see at dusk, an ideal moon garden plant. Also a Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is blooming across the street as well as Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis). The Laurels seem to be having a great year this year with nice tight, full blooms. The Blueberries in the native fruit orchard are also forming. Can't wait to harvest them.

In the Lives of the Wildlife

The last couple days of rainy weather has brought back the Spring Peepers and The Northern Grey Tree Frogs at night. Hummingbirds are hanging out on the wires and nectaring on the Eastern Wild Columbine.

What's in Bloom...  May 27

April saw the blooming of Golden Ragwort, Golden Alexanders, Wild Stonecrop and Violets. As May approached they began to fade and the Lyre Leaf Salvia opened up, and as it has spread quite a bit, made for a very showy display this year . Shortly after, the Eastern Wild Columbine burst out, also doing really good this year. It is currently still blooming, though starting to fade. In the wooded are the Ladies Slippers bloomed. Meanwhile my Pitcher Plant looks better than ever, having benefited from being divided last year. It is in full bloom right now as is the Blue Eyed Grass.
Also just beginning to burst out is Hairy Penstemon and Echinacea "Pow Wow White" a cultivar I picked up last year for the Moon Garden. And finally in the bog garden, Slender Blue Flag, (Iris prismatica) is just beginning. This week in the wooded area, Cow Wheat and Sheep Laural are blooming.

In the Lives of the Wildlife

The Carolina Wrens nesting in my bag of hickory chips under the charcoal grill have grown up and flown away. There were three of them

The Titmouse pair that inhabited the Bluebird house last year returned and had their young. Today I saw four fledglings leave the nest.

The Bluebird couple that has always nested in the old woodpecker cavity of the cut tree have decided to build elsewhere. The tree has mostly rotted at the top now and I supposed they didn't think it made a good home any longer. So they are attempting to get in the bluebird house on my front porch which was inhabited by Chickadees last year. But the Chickadee has also returned, so I am waiting to see which one will have it. Cardinals are nesting, many woodpeckers, Pine Warblers, House Finches, Goldfinches, Hummingbirds; everyone is back except the Cowbirds, haven't seem them yet. The Chuck Will's Widow is back and singing at night at the top of his lungs.

There are plenty of butterflies, Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail and Red Spotted Purple to name a few. Saw my first Swamp Darner of the season today.

Spring Peepers have moved to the pond and also sing at the top of their lungs...... ALL NIGHT LONG!!!. Seriously they don't stop until about 530am. They are starting to fade now though, returning only after a good rain. The Northern Grey Tree Frogs can also be heard in the wooded area near the pond as can the Fowler's Toads.

"Mama" my tame wild rabbit, has built a nest in the Echinacea in the pollinator garden, and let me film her doing it. She is quite a character. It was interesting to watch. Now there are baby rabbits running around along with the squirrels and chipmunks. I will update here when I see something
new to add.






A female Ebony Jewelwing has been visiting the pollinator garden. No doubt looking for insects. She appeared again today and I was able to get a picture. They are not commonly seen in the yard, but there is a stream about 500 feet from me, so she probably ventured from there.

 

2nd Open Garden Sale of 2017

The second Open Garden sale will be held Saturday, May 27th here at the nursery. This is the second of six sales, three in the Spring and three in late Summer/ early Fall. There will be most of the species listed in the previous sale, plus some additional species like Blue Eyed Grass, Virginia Meadow Beauty, Echinacea "White Swan", Coastal Panic Grass, and Coral Honeysuckle (great for hummingbirds.) There are still some Swamp Milkweeds available for Monarchs.

Blue Eyed Grass is a low growing
grass-like plant in the Iris family.
Its great for the front of borders.

The address is 4054-A Tremont Ave, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ 08234
You may call 609-287-5090 for directions if needed.

May Events

 Earth First Native Plant Nursery

May 2017 Events

 

Go Green Galloway Greenfest 

 

 Saturday, May 13 at 10 am

Raindate - Sunday, May 14th

Patriot Lake, Galloway Township Municipal Complex
300 E Jimmie Leeds Rd

Galloway, NJ 8205

 

5^th Annual Yard, Garden and Native Plant Fair

Sunday May 20, 2017 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Rain or Shine!

Jakes Branch County Park – 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood, NJ

For more info call: 732-281-2750 or visit www.oceancountyparks.org

 

 

Earth First Native Plant Nursery 

 Open Garden Plant Sale

 

May 27, 10am – 4pm

 

4054-A Tremont Ave, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234

 

For info, call 609-287-5090

 

 

 

Two Day Native Plant Sale 4/29-30, 2017

"A" is for Amelanchier

It is April and as "A" is for April, "A" is also for Amelanchier. One of my favorite harbingers of Spring. Even though we are three weeks into spring, this marks the beginning of a series of my favorite blooming trees and shrubs. Here in Atlantic County, NJ we are said to have four species of Amelanchier and that they do hybridize and so are very hard to tell apart. The four species are A. canadensis, Canadian Serviceberry and A. arborea, Common Serviceberry, A. obovalis, Coastal Serviceberry, and A. stolonifera, Running Serviceberry. There are several other common names used to describe this genus such as Shadbush, Juneberry, Shadblow, Sugarplum and June bush. there are as many stories to the names as names. Shadbush is supposedly named as that is when the shad start running. Blooming in April, the berries, which are edible, mature in June, hence the name Juneberry and it is said humans have a hard time getting to them as the birds usually clean them out immediately.




They are found in a variety of soils from wet marshes to dry uplands and varying sizes from trees to small shrubs. They are often seen along roadsides and the edge of wooded areas. So during your travels this month you may see them along the back roads. They stand out with their showy white flowers which bloom before the leaves come out. Once that happens, they tend to fade into to landscape. But I always love to see them blooming and maybe this year I will get to pick some berries. 

I am having a plant sale this weekend at the nursery with a focus on the end of the growing season and all the awesome natives that come alive in a finale of color. I will have some of my favorite bouquets on display as well as some seed pods that are useful in projects. see flyer below for info. Hope to see you this weekend.

FALL IS FOR PLANTING!!!    TWO DAY NATIVE PLANT SALE

SEPTEMBER 24 & 25 10 am -  4pm.      

EARTH FIRST NATIVE PLANT NURSERY

4054-A Tremont Ave, Egg Harbor Twp   609-287-5090

Celebrate the coming of Autumn by planting native plants. Planting now gives plants a great chance to establish their root systems over winter and gives them a head start next spring. This is a great time to plant Milkweed for next years’ Monarchs as well as early spring bloomers. All four inch pots are $3.50. Large pots are $10.00. Cash or local checks accepted. There are over 50 species of chemical free, wildlife friendly plants to choose from.

Golden aster, Smooth blue aster, New York Ironweed, Perennial sunflowers, Goldenrods , Milkweeds, Bog/pond plants, Native grasses, Seashore plants, Bonesets, just to name a few. Many are NJ eco-types so they are naturally hardy to our area.        

 

 

 

 

 

Open Garden Native Plant Sale Sept 10 10am - 4pm

I will be having an “open garden” native plant sale. This is last minute, but I had been planning this for a few weeks, but as the time drew closer and I saw the weather was going to be quite hot I had thought about changing the date. However, I was asked to help out at another event next week so I will be having a plant sale at the nursery on Saturday, Sept 10^th,. Hours are 10am to 4pm. No appointment needed, just stop by during those hours. I really wanted to have it while the Golden Asters and Blue Mistflower are blooming, and they look great. I wanted to be able to offer them now. Turtlehead and New York Ironweed, Sunflowers, Asters, Goldenrods are also in bud, so it is a good week to get these plants. There is also Milkweed available.

Also this year I have grown some plants in large pots for those looking for more instant filling in. Seaside Goldenrod, Turtlehead, Smooth Blue Aster, New York Ironweed, Switch Grass, Giant Sunflower, Coral Honeysuckle and Swamp Milkweed are the options and these are $10.00.

All other plants are in 4 inch pots, priced at $3.75 each tax included. I will have 50 species available altogether.

I will also be talking about native flower arrangements, which I have been cutting most of the summer now that my two- year old garden has filled in quite nicely. I mean, hey, who says the garden is only for wildlife to enjoy? The garden is looking quite full so it is a good time to see it.

This is a link to some of the plant info: http://www.bonanza.com/booths/EarthFirstNatives

The address of the nursery is              

4054A Tremont Ave

Egg Harbor TWP, NJ 08234

Phone: 609-287-5090

 

 

NATIVE PLANT SALE IN ABSECON, NJ SATURDAY 6/4/16

Native Plant Opportunity......Absecon City-wide Yardsale 6/4/16



What could be better than shopping for native plants and bargain hunting too? This coming Saturday 6/4, from 8am -4pm, I will have the native plants for sale at the annual city-wide yard sale in Absecon. In the spirit of finding bargains, I will have some special deals. At shows the plants are usually offered in a 5 pack for $18.00. This Saturday they will be 5/$17.00. or 10/$30.00, which is just $3.00 per plant. Single plants are $3.50 each.

The weather is still good for planting. There is shade plants, pollinator favorites, moon garden plant, salt tolerant plants... something for every garden and as always, free advice. The following species will be available:




Aster novae-angliae - New England Aster
Aster nemoralis - Bog Aster
Chrysopsis mariana - Maryland Golden Aster
Aster laevis - Smooth Blue Aster
Aster tenuifolium - Perennial Salt Marsh Aster
Liatris spicata - Blazing Star
Spirea tomentosa - Steeplebush
Solidago sempervirens - Seaside Goldenrod
Solidago erectus - Slender Goldenrod
Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower
Hibiscus palutris - Rose Mallow
Helianthus giganteus - Giant Sunflower
Helainthus angustifolia - Narrow leaf Sunflower
Oenthera fruticosa - Sundrops
Sorghastrum nutans - Indian Grass
Schizachirium scoparium - Little Bluestem
Panicum virgatum - Switchgrass
Panicum amarun - Coastal Panic Grass
Typha angustifolius - Cattails
Penstemion digitalis - Beard Tongue
Kosteletzkya virginiana - Seashore Mallow
Eryngium aquaticum - Marsh Rattlesnake Master
Eupatorium perfoliatum - American Boneset
Eupatorium rotundafolium - Round leaf Boneset
Salvia lyrata - Lyre leaf Sage
Sedum ternatum - Wild Stonecrop
Lysimachia ciliata - Purple Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia lanceolata - Lance leaf Loosestrife
Asclepias incarnata - Swamp Milkweed
Butterflyweed - Asclepias tuberosa
Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia humifusa



The address is 703 Ambassador Drive Absecon, NJ 08201 which is located in Absecon Estates behind the Shoprite and City Hall/Heritage Park.

Organic vegetable plants will also be available for $1.00 each.
There will also be household goods for sale, from 2 -3 families.

The weather looks like its going to be splendid, so come on out and find bargains city-wide.

Earth Day 2016

 

Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata

Earth Day is truly a time to reflect on our planet and all the gifts we receive from her, our food to eat, our water drink, air to breath and fire to keep warm. Its a day to realize how all things on our planet are connected and interdependent on each other. As a plant person, I think of the symbiotic relationships plants have with soil fungi, insects' relationships with plants, a bird's dependence on both, annual weather patterns which control the cycles of the flora so that the fauna may benefit. Its all tied together. And its beautiful.

For 26 years now the Atlantic County Utilities Authority has been celebrating Earth Day honoring our precious Mother Earth. This year it will be held Sunday, April 24th from 10am-4pm at their facility in Egg Harbor TWP. All the vendors and exhibitors are earth friendly themed. I love this event and have been participating for many years now. This year I will give a talk on my pollinator garden, my own living science lab and share what I have learned from it over the past two years so that others may also learn.

I will also be having my first sale of the year at my table near the food court. Speaking of food, last year there was a vendor there who was selling Chokeberry jam and Beach, made from local native plants. There are also beekeepers who sell local honey. All of these items are made via the labor of our pollinators. As pollinators' numbers have declined in recent years, it is important we do all we can to help the, out, after all we depend on them, the tiny unsung heroes.

Here is a list of some of the pollinator favorite plants I will be offering for sale:


Giant Sunflower - Helianthus giganteus

Giant Sunflower           

Sneezeweed

Orange Coneflower

Brown Eyed Susan

Purple Coneflower

Milkweed                        

Seaside Goldenrod                          

Anise Hyssop

Wild Stonecrop

Lyre Leaf Salvia

Bee Balm

Wild Bergamot

Blue Verain

Wild Pinks

In addition to my talk there will be other eco-friendly talks on bees, rain barrels and permaculture as well as live entertainment by Valerie Vaughn who is awesome by the way. Why not come out and spend the day? There is much to do and see, and I do hope to see you there. Be well.

2016 Spring Has Sprung

 

Yesterday sure didn't feel like spring. Most of winter was warmer then yesterday and last night when it began to snow. But despite last night's snowfall, Spring is officially here as are my backyard visitors. Our mild winter however has brought them here even sooner than usual it seems. The Bluebirds and Mourning Cloaks appeared two weeks ago and I heard Spring Peepers on February 29th, Leap Year Day, no pun intended. The seedings are emerging as are the garden plants. And I have heard the calls of the Pine Warblers. So I believe we are on our way to seeing the beautiful spring green leafbudding soon. This always brings me a happy feeling and I believe I would be correct in saying many would share that sentiment.

My plans for the property this year are to install a native fruit orchard where Blueberries, Blackberries, Chokeberries, Beach Plums, Cranberries and Ostrich Ferns will grow. I will also be expanding the native moon garden and hope to be able to start the rain garden.

Perennial Salt Marsh Aster

I have sown a new species this year to offer in the nursery, Perennial Salt Marsh Aster, Symphyotrichum tenuifolia, which is  great for coastal gardens as it is salt tolerant and blooms along with the Seaside Goldenrods. I am happy that they have germinated well, and hopefully will be ready in late summer. I am interested to see if it will bloom the first year as many fall blooming plants do. I have also geminated some Pink Turtlehead, Chelone lyonii, a more southern species, for the first time.  

I love talking about the plants and once again plan to hold a workshop at the ACUA annual Earth Day fair. I will be talking about how to make a pollinator garden. I created one two years ago here on the new property and it really took off and has been "abuzz" ever since. I will be sharing my tips for helping folks start one.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful year and that I will be seeing you all, my friends and customers at the fairs and festivals. And please feel free to send me a message if you have any questions on native plants. I will be happy to help. Be well and happy Spring!

Raven

First Annual Open House Fall Native Plant Sale

FALL IS FOR PLANTING OPEN HOUSE

 

NATIVE PLANT SALE

SATURDAY SEPT 26, 11AM - 4PM
 

Earth First Native Plant Nursery

4054-A Tremont Ave, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ 08234

No appointment needed - open house

 

Fall is a great time to plant and benefits plants by allowing them to grow their root systems over the winter and establish themselves by spring.
 

All plants are of chemical/pesticide-free and benefit local wildlife


Most plants are in 4 inch pots, some are in 1 gallon pots
 

Many plants are seed propagated from local eco-types.
 

Cash and local checks accepted.
 

Species available include:
 

Blue Eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium atlanticum

Slender Blue Flag - Iris prismatica

Bog Aster  - Oclemena nemoralis

Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum leave

New England Aster - Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Giant Sunflower - Helianthus giganteus

Narrow-leaved sunflower - Helianthus  angustifolius

Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata

Butteflyweed - Asclepias tuberosa

Sneezeweed - Helenium autumnal

American Boneset - Eupatorium perfoliatum

Swamp Rose Mallow - Hibiscus palustris

Seashore Mallow - Kosteletzkya virginica

New York Ironweed - Vernonia noveboracensis

Narrow-leaf Cattail - Typha angustifolia

Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium

Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum

Prickly Pear - Opuntia humifosa

Coral Honeysuckle - Lonicera sempervirens         

Seaside Goldenrod - Solidago sempervirens

Great Blue Lobelia - Lobelia syphyllitca

Sticky Catchfly - Silene carolinana

Foxglove Beardtongue - Penstemon digitalis

Wild Stonecrop - Sedum ternatum

Brown Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia triloba

Blazing Star - Liatris spicata

Monkey Flower - Mimulus ringens
 





The weather is great for planting right now. The sunflowers and asters are in bloom or bud and will make great additions to your fall décor. Get a head start on Spring and come check it out.

New England Aster

 

Swamp Milkweed

Blue Eyed Grass

Narrow-leaf Sunflower

 

 

 

 





Native Plant Sales

Don't miss this opportunity to purchase locally grown native shrubs and trees.

When: Saturday Sept 19, 2015 10am - 2 pm

Where: Clemenson Farms Native Nursery,
108 Linwood Ave.      Estell Manor NJ 08319

This nursery is a wholesale nursery, but runs retail days three times a year. This is their fall 2015 sale.

These are the folks I always recommend to my customers looking for native shrubs and trees. Fall is a great time to plant shrubs and trees.

NJ Native Plant Society Fall Meeting, Nov 7, 2015

This looks to be good. I especially look forward to the discussion on other insects as I have had so many in my new pollinator garden. Also this is a great chance to see Douglas Tallamy, author of "Bringing Nature Home." Join the society and receive a discount on the fee. I have been to several of these meetings. They do not disappoint. I look forward to going as well.


 

Native Plant Society of New Jersey                

                       

Fall Meeting Membership Registration

Member Registration for the Fall Meeting of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey is now open. "Native Plants: The Birds and the Bees" In partnership with the Raritan Valley Community College Department of Biology and Environmental Science. Saturday, November 7, 2015 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM  Raritan Valley Community College 118 Lamington Road  Branchburg, NJ 08876   -  Author and professor Doug Tallamy will be speaking about the connection between native plants and birds.  -  Toadshade Wildflower Farm owner Randi Eckel will offer up a discussion on other insects worth getting to know and protecting beyond the honeybee and the monarch butterfly.   -  Students in the Biology Program at RVCC will discuss results of their research documenting the impact of invasive plants and deer herbivory on bird populations   -  Graduate student Sam Nestory from the University of Delaware will share her research results on non-chemical controls for Japanese Stiltgrass. Of course, fall is the time for planting, and so there will be a native plant sale and a Native Plant Seed Swap  Fees are: $55 non-members, $35 members (includes admission and lunch) To register go to  Brown Paper Tickets to the NPSNJ Fall Conference or enter http://npsnjfall2015.bpt.me in your browser

Milkweed for Monarchs at September Meeting of NJ Native Plant Society Southeast

Come on out to see Pat Sutton, a great and accomplished expert. There will be a book singing as well. I know Pat and she is very dedicated to helping the Monarchs out. You won't want to miss this.

Native Plants Society  of New Jersey Southeast Chapter   Our September Meeting The Southeast Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey Reminder: Our September Meeting   The next meeting of our Southeast Chapter will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2015, in room C-134 at Stockton University.     "Milkweeds for Monarchs" a program & book signing by Pat Sutton.  Monarch butterflies make the most amazing migration of any insect in the world.  Join Pat to learn all about their life cycle and journey from Mexico to the U.S. and Canada, and back to Mexico for the winter months.  Their future depends on healthy milkweed stands here in the U.S. where their numbers multiply (spring through fall).  There are many different and beautiful native milkweeds that you can plant in your own garden or in community gardens to help create a path of milkweed from Mexico to Canada that will benefit monarchs.  Plant it and they will come!  Don't plant it and someday they may not come.   Pat Sutton  has studied the natural world for over 30 years, as the naturalist at the Cape May Point State Park in the 1970s and 1980s and then for 21 years as the naturalist and program director at the Cape May Bird Observatory.  Today Pat is a free-lance writer, photographer, educator, lecturer, tour leader, and wildlife garden consultant.  For more information go to Pat and Clay's website: www.patandclaysutton.com   Directions to C-134:   To reach C-134:  Park in Parking Lot #1 or #2 and bear right walking down the hill, following the signs to Alton Auditorium. Enter the A-D Building by the main doors (will be on your left, across from the Arts & Sciences Building). Go upstairs one flight:  C-wing will be on your right, halfway down the hallway.  C-134 is at the far right end of C-wing.  Alternative (slightly longer) Route: Park in Parking Lots #3 or #4 and walk through the Campus Center Building, then bear right as you exit.  Go down the hill and enter the A-D building on your left and turn right as you enter.   Go upstairs one flight:  C-wing will be on your left, halfway down the hallway; C-134 is at the far right end of C-wing.    If you would like to be updated with details about our future meetings, please contact Jesse Connor at:  southeast@npsnj.org.  (Contacting this site will put you on the list for monthly meeting information, field trip info, and timely updates.)   Jesse Connor, Jack Connor, Barbara Fiedler, and Jean Riling   For more information contact Southeast@npsnj.org Activities like this are made possible through your membership. Thank you for becoming a member of the NPSNJ. www.npsnj.org STAY CONNECTED:

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