Fall Wildflower Festival and Native Plant Sale | October 13, 2018
The Florida Native Plant Society and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will hold their 18th Annual Fall Wildflower Festival & Native Plant Sale on Saturday, October 13th at Sweet Bay Nursery located at 10824 Erie Road in Parrish.
Plants to be included in the sale include a large selection of native trees, shrubs, grasses and blooming wildflowers for use in any garden. There will also be FloriMulch® for sale, this is made from the exotic, invasive melaleuca tree and is an excellent garden mulch alternative to non-sustainable cypress.
As a special incentive, Florida Native Plant Society members get 15% off all plants! You can join FNPS at the sale event and you will receive 15% off your plant purchase.
The sale is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Free parking is available. There will also be information available from local nature groups including Manatee Audubon, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Tampa BayWatch, Manatee County Extension, Around the Bend Nature Tours and more. Local honey for sale! Ray’s Vegan Soul will provide breakfast and lunch treats for you to purchase.
Here’s what the Institute for Regional Conservation has to say about natives:
Native plant species have already adapted to South Florida's climate and soils. They typically require little or no fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, or other time-consuming and expensive maintenance that most nonnative landscaping plants usually require. Native plant landscaping and gardening is a great way for you to:
- Contribute to the preservation and restoration of our natural heritage
- Enjoy viewing wildlife, especially birds & butterflies, that will visit your native garden
- Save time and money by reducing fertilizer, pesticide, and water usage
- Reduce your energy costs by creating a landscape to help cool your home
- Obtain a deeper understanding of Florida’s natural heritage while restoring our backyards, offices, and schoolyards as natural places
Past President of the Florida Native Plant Society Steve Woodmansee states, “Our Sense of Place is what makes Florida, ‘Florida.’ It is defined by our native plants and our natural communities. It is how we recognize where we are in the world.”
Experts will be available to answer questions so that you can plant the right plant in the right place. Go Wild! Go Native!
The purpose of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
Directions: From I-75 Ellenton Exit 224 go East to Old Tampa Rd/Erie Rd.
Turn left (North) onto Erie Rd travel 4 miles Sweet Bay Nursery will be on your left
941-776-0510