Native plant garden work party volunteers welcome

Group inviting residents to get involved in future work parties.

March 31, 2019 8:30 am
Photo by Meg Lippert Volunteers prepare for planting native species from King County Conservation District in the Mercerdale Park Native Plant Garden. From left, Patrick Daugherty, George and Roberta Lewandowski, Rita Moore and Al Lippert.
Photo by Meg Lippert Volunteers prepare for planting native species from King County Conservation District in the Mercerdale Park Native Plant Garden. From left, Patrick Daugherty, George and Roberta Lewandowski, Rita Moore and Al Lippert.

The warm, sunny afternoon on Saturday, March 16, was perfect weather for planting 40 young native plants in the Native Plant Garden in Mercerdale Park, organizers said.

With many hands making light work, soon the Bleeding Hearts, Coastal Strawberries, Oregon Iris, Red Columbines and native ferns and plants were tucked into the moist soil.

The plants, purchased with a donation to Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks that was earmarked for the Native Plant Garden, are labeled with permanent signs funded by a grant from the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS). New Mercerdale Park Community Native Plant Garden work party volunteers are welcome — on-site training and guidance are provided by WNPS Native Plant steward Rita Moore.

The Native Plant Garden is a community garden — open to all, both for gardening (under supervision only) and for enjoyment.

To receive notices about future Native Garden work parties email protectMIparks@gmail.com and ask to be added to the Native Plant Garden volunteers email list.