Native plants, from the mundane to the exotic, along with a few tips on which to plant where, and which animals like what, were all included in an information packed discussion by Master Gardener Irene Wanat Sunday before a standing room only crowd in the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council display center at 54 First Avenue.
Wanat, a former teacher with more than 35 years of extensive gardening knowledge, is an active Rutgers certified Master Gardener for both Monmouth and Ocean counties and has been gardening educator for the Monmouth County Park System for more than 20 years.
In the program at the Arts Council sponsored by the Wild about Atlantic Highlands local group, Wanat is known not only for her history and background knowledge on all that grows, but also keeping up-to-date with newest information through research, conferences and symposiums. She also has considerable hands-on experience in selecting both new and traditional plants for all kinds of sales at quality nurseries for Master Gardener fundraising events.
Wanat has a knack for presenting a plethora of information in entertaining, easy-to-understand discussions, using both humor and a slide presentation to highlight the variety of native plants that occur in the area and why and how they grow naturally, adapting to the variety of local soils, as well as rainfall, climate, insects and diseases, ensuring they are both environmentally and ecologically friendly.
In selecting plants, the master gardener noted the importance of conducting surveys of possible spots over a two week period prior to planting to consider how much sun is available, the differences in moist, wet and dry soils and the presences of animals, birds and insects that may be attracted to, or drawn away from certain varieties of plants, flowers and trees.
She encouraged photo taking of her video displays to ensure interested persons received all the information they wanted, and answered questions on perennials and ornamental grasses as well as identifying numerous flowers that attract birds and butterflies.
Wanat also distributed information from Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station about native plants that thrive in different environments and are not visited or destroyed by deer or rabbits, common in the area.
Citing historical knowledge of the gardening world, Wanat also noted that many of the names of plants are not Latin, but rather identified by the name of the person who identified or studied them.
The speaker also suggested names of specific gardens interested persons should visit, including Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware as well as several gardens in New York. She also cited a number of books and authors for those wanting more in depth knowledge of gardening.
Local Gardener and co-originator of Wild about Atlantic Highlands Marilyn Scherfen introduced the speaker as well as other members of the founding group, and noted the organization’s planned activities for Earth Day in the borough. She also displayed colorful and personalized signs created by local artist Morgan Spicer as gifts or purchase for personal gardens.
For more information on Wild about Atlantic Highlands, visit their facebook page here . For more information on the Master Gardeners Helpline, visit mgarden@co.monmouth.nj.us
