The Wild Ones were on the loose recently at Gibson Woods Nature Center.
But they aren’t birds, animals or other critters. They are a group of nature-lovers who want to share the benefits of planting native trees, bushes, grasses, ground covers, plants and flowers. The group acted on its mission at the recent 16th annual Native Plant Sale at Gibson Woods.
“We come to this every year,” James Larson of Merrillville said. “It’s not easy finding so many native plants in one place. But I think that will change because there are so many benefits of using these varieties in your garden, and people are finding this out.”
More Top Picks Best Wiggle Seats For Kindergarten
The payoff includes low maintenance — natives adapt naturally to the local environment. Established plants’ extensive and deep root systems mean less water is needed and no fertilizers are required for them to flourish. Touted as ‘in harmony with nature’ they attract butterflies, provide food and habitat for wildlife and contribute to biodiversity.
Erin Grey-Avis recently moved into a new house in Miller and landscaping is on her immediate to-do list.
The motivated gardener came to the sale with friends, who suggested looking into what has grown here naturally for centuries.
“I want to go all native,” she said, as she browsed among the hundreds of varieties on display. “They told me this would be the place to go. I’m amazed at all I can choose from.”
Indeed, various choice of different heights and widths were displayed on long tables, with planting information printed on cards in each section.
Colorful milkweed plants with white or purple flowers were lined up next to conehead flowers of either yellow or purple. Lush prairie grasses covered an entire hallway, and dozens of tress and bushes could be found outside in front of the building.
A line of customers began to form at 8 a.m., a full hour before the doors opened. Due to the small size of the Gibson Woods Nature Center building, visitors were admitted 10 at a time, in order to keep an even flow going throughout the morning.
“I didn’t mind waiting, it’s hard to find a sale like this” said Michael Koss, of Michigan City. He and his wife Pamela were the first to enter. “We have a 40 foot lot we are converting from a suburban yard of grass to all native plants, so we need quite a bit.”
Customer Minnie Edmond of Hammond remembers the beauty of her grandmother’s garden, which sported all native plants.
“There were so any beautiful colors, I want that too,” she said, as she looked over some blue-stemmed goldenrods. “I’m starting to buy here and there. It’s going slow but I’ll get there.”
In addition to the greenery for sale, customers had another option to bag a few bargains – at the White Elephant Sale, located in the Gibson Woods Nature Center Bird Viewing Room.
Open to the public throughout the year, this room offers comfy chairs, from which visitors can watch through floor to ceiling windows the antics taking place at the large outdoor bird-feeding station.
Wild Ones members Edith Bukwa and Marilyn Thompson manned the sale tables, which included various items ranging from picture frames and cookbooks to Christmas decorations, with much in between.
“The money we make from these items is used strictly to feed the birds,” Thompson said. “We get quite a few visitors here each year, so this a is a good fundraiser for us.”
When the Native Plant Sale closed for the day, some of the leftover plants remained at Gibson Woods, while others were donated to local schools and some placed in Lake County parks.
Proceeds from the Native Plant Sales help fund resources, projects and programs for Lake County Parks.
Wild Ones is a national organization headquartered in Wisconsin; the Gibson Woods Chapter was established in 2000. Members grow native plants in Lake County Park’s native plant greenhouses in Griffith each year to be sold at the May event.
Members also are an important volunteer resource for the greenhouse by propagating native plants for restoration projects in the Lake County parks.
More information about the Wild Ones Gibson Woods Chapter is at 219-844-3188.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
More Top Picks Best Baby Bassinets