The Fraser Valley Conservancy (FVC) is now holding its Spring Native Plant Sale, offering a large selection of locally grown plants that do more than just beautify yards.
Native plants support pollinators, birds and other wildlife while also providing powerful benefits for human health and well-being.
The plants are on sale online until May 4 and will be available for pickup in Bradner on Saturday, May 11.
Gardening is a great way to appreciate nature's beauty while also getting some exercise. Research has shown there are many proven health benefits to spending time in nature.
To achieve these benefits, Dr. Melissa Lem, director of the PaRx initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, recommends physicians prescribe nature to their patients.
The prescription is simple: Spend at least two hours a week in nature for a minimum of 20 minutes at a time.
Lem's definition of nature is whatever one feels is a meaningful nature experience. This includes gardening or simply sitting in a garden and admiring
its beauty.
Besides the health benefits, gardening with native plants has important benefits for local wildlife.
Adding native plants creates a backyard nature sanctuary that feeds and shelters birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
“We have selected locally grown plants chosen specially for Fraser Valley gardens and the wildlife that live here,” says Joanne Neilson, FVC executive director.
She also adds that “they are easy to maintain, use less watering, need less fertilizer, and don’t require pesticides.”
Plants available for sale include favourites like red-flowering currant, goat’s beard, Western columbine, nodding onion and coastal strawberry.
The species are selected for how pretty they look in gardens as well as the value they add to the habitat. Most are not available through retail nurseries.
The FVC’s online catalogue includes details on where they will grow best and how they support wildlife.
Experts will be on hand at the plant pickup day to answer questions and offer tips on how to turn backyards into thriving, low-maintenance habitat.
Native plants provide benefits year-round.
“I love watching the songbirds in winter flit in and out of the Nootka rose and snowberry bushes foraging for food in my garden," says Neilson about her garden.
“I am excited to see the osoberry and red-flowering currant start blooming in early April as I know the Rufous hummingbirds will be appearing any day with their entertaining antics."
Proceeds from the fundraiser support the work that FVC does in protecting and enhancing habitat for nature in the Fraser Valley.
Orders can be placed online at fraser-valley-conservancy.myshopify.com.
