For all those plant lovers out there disgusted by the sight of invasive species like Australian Pine or Brazilian Pepper, your day has arrived.
The annual Spring Native Plant sale returns today to Rotary Park to inspire Cape residents to go native. Literally.
Sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Coccoloba Native Plant Society, the plant sale has become a favorite among the plant community.
Offering educational tips from local experts and a vast array of native Florida flora, the sale welcomes the novice and expert plant aficionados alike.
“Our mission is to educate people,” said John Sibley, president of the Coccoloba Native Plant Society. “It acts as both a fundraiser and an educational process … education is as important to us as selling the plant.”
Sibley said most of the plants for sale will be well suited for drought conditions, require little attention, and create wonderful wildlife habitats.
Sibley is expecting a good turnout for the sale despite the economy, as the increased interest in everything “green” is creating new plant fans on a daily basis.
“We’re expecting an increase, it is gaining interest,” Sibley said. “With the global warming issues and the climatic changes people are getting in tune with the going green concept.”
The local chapter of the Coccoloba Native Plant Society boasts 130 plus members, so there will be plenty of educated plant enthusiasts on hand. Most of those members are also part of other plant or fruit clubs, expanding their knowledge even further. They’ve been doing plant sales for more than 15 years.
All proceeds from the plant sale are directed back into community plant projects. The Coccoloba Native Plant Society is a non-profit, 501-3C, organization.
Even for those who aren’t interested in plants, organizers are hoping people come out and enjoy the day, have a look around, and experience everything the plant sale has to offer.
For more information call 549-4606.