Ruffner Mountain, Turkey Creek, to present native plant sale

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Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve — in partnership with Turkey Creek Nature Preserve — kicks off the spring with its annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sunday, April 5, 1-4 p.m.

There will be a pre-sale for Ruffner members on Friday, April 3, from 4-7 p.m.

The event is an opportunity for area residents to obtain native species to plant in their yards or home gardens.

Ruffner has hosted the sale with Turkey Creek since 2016, and the event is Ruffner’s largest annual fundraiser.

More than 200 species of native plants will be available, including Bottlebrush Buckeye, Mountain Mint, Gray-headed Coneflower, Silphium and Scarlet Buckeye.

Planting native species is good for the community because it increases natural biodiversity, said Jamie Nobles, Ruffner’s conservation director.

“The more native plants you have in an area, the more likely you are to have more species of insects, birds, and other wildlife,” he said. “Our insects and birds native to Alabama rely on native plants for food, or a nectar source, as well as habitat.”

Native plants have other benefits, as well. They “help with other ecosystem services such as filtering pollutants and preventing erosion,” Nobles said.

There will also be a selection of native trees and grasses. Grasses available include Pink Muhly, Indian Grass and Woodoats.

“Beyond the positive environmental benefits, trees have societal, economic and health benefits,” Nobles said. “Trees in urban landscapes have been found to lower incidences of asthma and attention deficit disorder and shorten hospital stays. Healthy mature trees add value to home and residential property.”

Native grasses are not only functional but add “textural interest” to gardens, Nobles said. “Benefits include acting as a soil stabilizer on hillsides and for adding showy autumn color.”

In addition to buying plants, attendees at the sale can obtain valuable information.

“There will be educational signage and volunteers to help shoppers broaden their knowledge of native plants, native pollinators and how to easily identify native species,” Nobles said.

Call 833-8264 or go to ruffnermountain.org.