Cape Fear Native Plant Festival set for September 16-20
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Community members interested in learning how native plants can support North Carolina wildlife, pollinators and sustainable habitats are invited to participate in the 11th annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival. The event, which is organized by Native Plant Alliance, will run September 16-20, offering educational programs and activities focused on supporting the local ecosystem.
The festival kicks off with the Evening Speaker Series, taking place from 6:30-8 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum’s Education Center, featuring three speakers exploring native plants, resilient landscapes and biodiversity:
- Wednesday, Sept.16: Dr. Lori Sutter presents "Rooted Against the Rising Tide: How Native Salt Marsh Plants Build a Resilient Coast," exploring how native cordgrass helps salt marshes keep pace with sea-level rise and store carbon along the Cape Fear coast.
- Thursday, Sept.17: Barbara Sullivan presents "Native Plants for Climate Change," offering practical guidance on building resilient, wildlife-friendly landscapes suited to a shifting climate.
- Friday, Sept.18: Bryce Lane presents "Landscapes That Save the World: The Importance of Biodiversity in the Home Garden," a look at how gardeners can use biodiversity principles to address challenges like stormwater runoff, invasive plants and wildlife protection.
From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, community members can visit native plant vendors throughout the Cape Fear region, including Farmers Supply, Five Oaks Oleander, Pender Pines, Shelton Herb Farm, The Garden Shop on Moss and Wild Bird & Garden. Several locations will host Extension Master Gardener volunteers who can offer research-based advice, answer questions and help visitors find native plants that work for their garden. (Please note that native plant vendors will not be located at the Arboretum during the festival.)
The festivities conclude on Sunday, Sept. 20, with a self-guided Native Plant Garden Tour, which will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Those interested in the tour can sign up to explore residential gardens throughout New Hanover County. Volunteers from the New Hanover County Master Gardener program will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance.
Founded in 2015, the Native Plant Alliance hosts the Native Plant Festival to educate the public on the value of native plants for local ecosystems and to grow demand and supply for native plant growers in the region. The Alliance currently includes Friends of the Arboretum, N.C. Cooperative Extension, the Extension Master Gardener Association of New Hanover County, the N.C. Native Plant Society–SE Coastal Chapter, and Cape Fear's Going Green magazine.
To learn more or register for events, visit Arboretum.NHCgov.com.
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