Ruffner Mountain, Turkey Creek, to present native plant sale at Ruffner April 7

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve -- in partnership with Turkey Creek Nature Preserve -- will kick off the spring season with its annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The sale, first held in about 2010, is an opportunity for area residents to obtain native species to plant in their yards or home gardens.

More than 100 species of native plants will be available, including Bottlebrush Buckeye, Mountain Mint, Gray-headed Coneflower, Silphium, Scarlet Buckeye and a selection of native trees and grasses, according to organizers at Ruffner.

But the event is about more than just selling plants, according to Jamie Nobles, the conservation director at Ruffner.

“We want to educate people on the benefits of native plants and finding solutions to many of our community's landscape needs or desires,” Nobles told Iron City Ink.

The event -- which Nobles said will have a “fun” atmosphere -- will feature various exhibits, demonstrations and other eco-programming.

Attendees can learn more about native plants and pollinators and learn how to easily identify invasive species.

Planting native species is good for the community because it increases natural diversity, according to organizers.

In addition, native plants thrive in the local soil and climate without requiring lots of extra water or fertilizers.

Ruffner has presented the sale with Turkey Creek since 2016, and the event has been one of Ruffner’s largest fundraisers in recent years.

For details, call 833-8264 or go to ruffnermountain.org.

Learn more about Turkey Creek Nature Preserve at turkeycreeknp.com.