MDC co-sponsors native landscaping workshop at Powder Valley

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
03/05/2012
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ST. LOUIS -- Attracting wildlife, less maintenance and multi-seasonal beauty are a few of the benefits homeowners are discovering when landscaping with Missouri’s native plants.

Both beginning gardeners and advanced landscape enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn more about using native plants in their gardens and yards during Partners for Native Landscaping—a Workshop for Homeowners. The workshop is being held Saturday, March 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Powder Valley Conservation Center in Kirkwood and is being co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

The focus of the in-depth workshop will be practical techniques on landscaping with native plants. It will offer information and resources homeowners can take with them to successfully select, plant and maintain a native garden or landscape.

Native gardens provide food, shelter and places to rear young for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. Missouri native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses are better adapted to our local soil and climate, so they require less maintenance and watering, and little to no fertilizing or pesticides. Natives can also provide a varying palate of beauty throughout the growing season.

Topics covered during the workshop will include how to mimic nature in a backyard, identify the best-performing native plants for a particular setting, create rain gardens, control undesirable invasive plants and cultivate ones that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Other details will be addressed such as municipal ordinances and native garden case studies. In addition, representatives from conservation-related organizations will be on hand to answer participant questions and distribute information.

The fee for the Partners for Native Landscaping Workshop is $15, which includes a buffet lunch. Advanced registration is required by calling 314-301-1500. Payment can be made by cash or check at the door. Early registration is recommended as space is limited

The MDC Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.

In addition to MDC, other partnering organizations sponsoring the workshop include Shaw Nature Reserve, The Missouri Prairie Foundation Grow Native! Program, St. Louis Wild Ones and the St. Louis Audubon Society.