The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida
Native Plant Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd./US 41, Land O’ Lakes, 34639, between SR 52 and SR 54.
The subject of the Tuesday, October 10, 2017 meeting is “Native Plants 101”, presented by Mary Ellen Gotto, Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society member and Pasco County Master Gardener.
Mary Ellen will define what a native plant is, and why we should use native plants, which will include conserving natural resources (water, soil) and the importance of native plants to wildlife.
She will talk about purchasing and planting native plants, and container gardening for those who are unable to “get down” and dig in the soil. There will be photos of her plants and handouts.
Mary Ellen moved to Florida in 2009 and never having heard of native plants, became very frustrated with not being able to grow what she wanted. Sandy Vanno, a friend in her community, brought Mary Ellen to a Nature Coast Chapter meeting, and after a few meetings, Mary Ellen was completely hooked! Even though she lives in a deed-restricted community, she has probably close to 100 species of native plants on a quarter acre lot. In 2015, her yard received a Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) Native Landscape Award at the FNPS Conference!
Meetings of the Chapter are free, and all interested parties are invited to attend, to bring questions about their yard, and participate in light refreshments and the native plant drawing. Telephone inquiries are taken by Sandy at (727) 207-1853. Chapter website: http://www.pasconativeplants.org