Marilyn Scherfen, co-founder with Elaine Egidio of Wild About Atlantic Highlands, gave a talk recently on native plants and their importance to the area as well as disseminating information on other upcoming events to help gardens, wildlife and the environment in general at the Arts Gallery on First Avenue.
More than two dozen area residents attended the afternoon event and received printed information as well as native seed packets and written guides on landscaping with native plants in the Monmouth and Ocean county area.
Scherfen explained that that plants are those which have adapted and evolved over thousands of years to conditions in a particular region as well as to other plants and animals in that same area. This makes native plants thrive in both the climate and soil of a specific area, as well as build up natural defenses to plant diseases, harmful insects and other pests.
The environmentalist and speaker noted how native plants also save time and money because they require less water and fertilizer than plants newly introduced to an area, as well as provide food, shelter and nesting sites for native wildlife. Because native plant roots also hold soil in place and increase the infiltration of rainwater into the ground, they also improve water quality by reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides, she said.
Included in the information she made available, Scherfen cited such shrubs and trees as American Holly and Beach Plum, as well as perennials like Black-Eye Susans, and Columbine as native to this area.
The gardener also gave tips on starting a garden for wildlife and continued to invite all to have their own gardens, large or small certified as National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat sites. Applications for that certification are available at nwr.org/garden.
Scherfen noted a Blooms & Brews celebration will be held May 10 from 6pm to 8 p.m. at the Chubby Pickle, 23 Bay Ave, Highlands. Registration is necessary for the $40 event which will feature terrarium planting and a succulent creation station.
