This April, Rumson Garden Club (RGC) teamed with the Rumson Shade Tree Commission (RSTC) to hold a Native Plant Sale that was open to the public. Surveying the pots of Echinacea, Monarda, Lavender, Baptesia, Heuchera, Lobelia, Chelone, etc., Liz Card, RGC president, commented: “Native shrubs and perennials help sustain our land and waterways. These native plants not only beautify but also benefit our environment, helping to conserve and filter water, provide habitat for wildlife and protect soil resources. In addition, native plants reduce the costs and environmental impact associated with fertilizers and pesticides.” The plants also were selected for their value in attracting pollinators.
According to Stephen Barrett, RSTC Chair, the sale of native plants was a teaching opportunity: “Any time we can educate the public and make it easy for them to utilize our native resources, Rumson will benefit physically, economically and aesthetically.” Rumson’s Navesink River recently has suffered from pollution, so the plant sale was another way to publicize the need to be aware of how locals can help save the Navesink watershed.
In keeping with the environmental theme, the sale offered composters with proceeds benefiting RSTC.
