Oklahoma Hosts Second Annual Fall Native Plant Festival to Promote Native Flora.
On Saturday, the second annual Fall Native Plant Festival took place in Oklahoma, aiming to bolster the population of native plants in the state. This year’s event highlighted the vital role that native plants play in supporting wildlife.
Susan Chambers, Chair of the Oklahoma Native Plant Network, identified several native species, including Switchgrass, Purple Coneflower, and Giant Coneflower. She emphasized the urgent need for more people to cultivate these plants.
“Many of our growers are aging and nearing retirement, but there is no new generation stepping in to take their place. Currently, the demand for native plants exceeds the supply,” Chambers explained.
Chambers also noted the critical importance of native plants for various wildlife in Oklahoma, from lady beetles to bats.
“We are losing our native wildlife at an alarming rate. One of the most effective solutions is to plant more native plants, providing essential food and shelter,” she said. “Many of the European and Asian plants in our landscapes are unrecognized by our native insects and birds, as they have not evolved with them.”
The festival served as a marketplace where growers could sell their plants, and shoppers could purchase them. Joshua Platter, a native plant grower and owner of Prairie Floraco, encouraged the public to consider planting native species.
“We all have some space where we can plant, whether it’s in a yard or a pot on a porch. If we can think about how to use that space to improve the world, native plants are an excellent choice,” Platter stated.
Related topics: