The Spring Garden Show transforms South Coast Plaza into a gardening sanctuary, featuring inspiring display gardens created by local landscape designers. The event from April 28 – May 1 also showcases a diverse and outstanding selection of garden tools and art from California vendors, children’s programs, an informative speaker series as well as an extraordinary floral centerpiece.
Back to Natives will promote native plant landscaping once again at the Show – it’ll be our 7th year! Two free “Native Plant Landscaping for Birds and Butterflies” seminars will be presented by BTN Executive Director Reginald Durant. The first will be presented on April 29 at 1:00p.m. in Williams-Sonoma and the second on April 30 at 11:30a.m. in west elm. Durant will show examples of beautiful, drought tolerant native plants that provide habitat for birds and butterflies.
Back to Natives will also have over 30 species of locally native plants available for sale at the Show. By gardening with native plants, you can bring the beauty California offers into your own landscape.
“50% or more of the water we use daily goes on lawns and outdoor landscaping,” said Back to Natives Executive Director Reginald Durant. “Planting natives is one of the best ways for homeowners and businesses to help solve the crisis brought on by one of California’s worst droughts.”
Native plants help conserve water, eliminate the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and provide habitat for butterflies and birds. Many California native plants need minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Saving water conserves a vital, limited resource and can also save money.
Plant sales will raise funds for environmental education and habitat restoration programs.
“We’re especially excited about our focus this year on habitat gardening for birds and butterflies,” said Back to Natives Education Director Lori Whalen.
Research tells us that native wildlife clearly prefer native plants. Native insect pollinators can increase the abundance of fruits and veggies in a food garden, while a variety of native insects and birds will help keep your landscape free of mosquitoes and plant-eating bugs.
Whalen continues, “Our new partnership with the Monarch Joint Venture has inspired us to focus even more on host plants like milkweed that monarch caterpillars depend on, as well as a number of beautiful landscape quality nectar plants. Anyone can provide habitat in their yard – and have a beautiful garden – using locally native plants. ”
Join us at the South Coast Plaza Spring Garden Show to learn more about native plants or visit us at www.backtonatives.org.
We hope to see you there. – Crystal Sayphraraj, BTN Communications Intern