HortusScope | What’s Up in the Central Gardening Community | Photo courtesy Le blog de berthille

Monday, April 2 Herb Society of Central Indiana Alana Bruggner, owner of Go With the Flo (naptownflo.com)—an apothecary, essential oils, and herbal infusions business—will present “Aromatherapy Beyond the Garden.” She’ll talk about essential oils, how they work and how to use them, and will demonstrate how to make you own custom-blended herbal infusions. A regular vendor at the Indy Winter Farmers Market, Alana makes several plant-based products such as insect repellant, sunscreen, and tinctures. Refreshments are provided and a brief business meeting will follow the presentation. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Carmel Clay Township Center, 10701 N. College Avenue, . http://herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org/event/monthly-mtng-essential-oils/

Monday, April 2 Realistic Climate Solutions: Local to Global Policy (West Lafayette) Purdue’s climate policy panel considers the most cost-effective, realistic, and equitable options for addressing climate change. Panelists are: Eileen Claussen, climate and energy policy administrator, diplomat, and founder of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change; Robert Inglis (NC), former Congressman and Executive Director of RepublicEN; California Assembly member Eduardo Garcia, co-sponsor of the bill to renew California’s groundbreaking cap and trade program through 2030; and former Mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Krannert Hall Auditorium, Purdue University, 403 W. State Street, West Lafayette. http://www.purdue.edu/research/events/index.php?view=1264

Tuesday, April 3 Indiana Daylily-Iris Society Daylilies Guest speakers are Dave Kirchhoff and Mort Morss of Daylily World. Free admission. Guests welcome. 6:30 p.m., First Friends Church (parlor), 3030 Kessler Blvd., East Drive, Indianapolis. http://indianadaylilyirissociety.org/

Thursday, April 5 Composting Night at Sun King Brewing Hosted by Earth Mama Compost and Hoosier Environmental Council. Every Thursday in April, $1 from every growler fill at Sun King Brewing's downtown location will be donated to HEC. Growlers are the greenest way to enjoy a local brew (unless you're into kegs, which Sun King has too!) because there are no single-serve containers to recycle or throw away. On this evening, take home a bag of compost that includes spent Sun King grains! 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Sun King Brewing Company, 135 N College Avenue, Indianapolis.

Saturday, April 7 Especially for Kids: Grow a Pizza or Salsa Garden! Workshop presented by Herb Society of Central Indiana in cooperation with Garfield Park Conservatory. Kids ages 6 to 13

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will be introduced to the joys of tending a garden they can eat. They'll get their hands dirty and go home with instructions, a planted project, and inspiration. 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis. Space is limited. Reserve at https://www.garfieldgardensconservatory.org/.

Saturday, April 7 Boone County MG Gardenfest (Lebanon) Hosted by the Boone County Master Gardeners, this festival features 20 vendors selling unique garden art, gifts, flowers, herbs, succulents, and other garden items. Highlights include a used tool and garden item sale, free soil testing, and door prizes throughout the day. Expert speakers include Amy Mullen on ”Planting for Pollinators” 10:00 a.m.; Myrene Brown on “Treasures in Our Local Woods” 11:30 a.m.; and Constance Ferry on “Gardening in This Life and Time” 1:00 p.m. Children’s activities, free Q & A, and lunch and homemade desserts will also be available. Native shrub seedlings (buttonbush, pawpaw & gray dogwood) will be given to the first 300 attendees. Free and open to the public. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, Farm Bureau Community Building, 1300 E 100 S, Lebanon. www.mastergardenerboonecounty.org

Saturday, April 7 Hike at Mounds State Park (Anderson) This free event is co-hosted by Heartlands Group of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Mounds Greenway: Muncie-Anderson-Indianapolis, Hoosier Environmental Council, Heart of the River and other organizations supporting the protection of this wild riparian habitat and heritage site. The hike will be led by Kevin Tungesvick, a lifelong resident of Madison County, avid naturalist and self-taught botanist, author of a floral inventory of Mounds State Park, and a founding director of Heart of the River Coalition. Whether you are a newbie naturalist or very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Indiana, you will learn lots of new things from Kevin! 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson. Turn right after entering the main entrance; park and meet in the first large parking lot left (north) of the Visitors Center. More details at https://www.hecweb.org/event/hike-at-mounds-state-park/.

Monday, April 9 Indianapolis Hosta Society Finding Art in the Garden Your eyes are instantly drawn to it when on a garden tour, and you want some too! Janet Hommel Mangus is your guide to art in the garden. Where to find it? Where we saw it? What’s unique? How did they make it? Where to buy it? How much did it cost? Come for garden art ideas and share where you have found your best garden art. Hommel Mangus writes a weekly garden column for the Daily Journal as well as garden profiles for Indiana Gardening and The American Gardener. Free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m., Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis. http://indianapolishostasociety.org

Wednesday, April 11 IndyPL Seed Library Planting Your Garden Families and individuals of all ages are invited as Tyler Gough from Indy Urban Acres shares tips on preparing seeds and soil for spring planting. This program is made possible by the Indianapolis Garden Club and Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. 6:00 p.m., Glendale Branch, Glendale Shopping Center, 6101 N. Keystone Avenue, Indianapolis. Contact 317-275-4410 for info.

Thursday, April 12 Bill McKibben at Purdue (West Lafayette) Bill McKibben, Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, author, and founder and senior advisor of 350.org will present a talk titled “Hot Times: Reports from the Front Lines of the Climate Fight.” McKibben’s talk will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by Justin Dearborn, CEO of TRONC Inc. 7:00 p.m. Fowler Hall, Purdue University.

Friday, April 13 Eco-Science Fair K-12 students are getting involved in becoming the solution to global climate issues. See their submissions on a range of topics from aquaculture, vermiculture, composting,

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social awareness, urban farming, to alternative fuel and recycling. There’s also a video contest for high school students. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis. Free for K-12 students and their teachers/chaperones; included with general admission ticket for others. https://www.indianamuseum.org/eco-science-fair

Saturday April 14 Permaculture in Practice Workshop (Noblesville) Want to work with nature to have a productive and sustainable yard, garden, or small farm? Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Purdue Extension Hamilton County will show you how permaculture can enhance your property through conscientious design that strives to achieve diverse, stable, resilient ecosystems. Permaculture uses patterns and relationships on your property to minimize impact while keeping maintenance low and yield high. This hands-on workshop will provide an opportunity to learn what permaculture is, how it can benefit your property, and how to get started. Fee $40, includes lunch. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville. Register at www.hamiltonswcd.org. Space is limited. Address questions to [email protected].

Saturday, April 14 Herb Society of Central Indiana Symposium “Hops” Into Spring Hops is the herb of the year and it's not just for beer! Learn about hops and other herbs from experts across the Midwest and some local ones too. A delectable luncheon is provided by the Juniper Spoon. We have a silent auction, and opportunities to shop with local vendors. You'll go home with freebies, goodies, handouts, and inspiration. Fee $50. Seating is limited; register by April 9 at herbsocietyofcentralindiana.org. 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville.

Saturday, April 14 First Day of Inaugural INPAWS Florathon In its 25th Anniversary year, the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society is introducing Florathon 2018, a team competition to see who can spot the most native plant species in flower in natural areas around the state during a 24-hour period between April 14 and May 13. It’s easy and fun—just pull together a team, get people to sponsor you, and spend a day in the wild hunting for blooming native plants. Proceeds benefit Letha’s Youth Outdoors Fund, which puts kids in touch with nature, nurturing our next generation in the care of Indiana’s rich natural heritage. Get your team together now for this new event supporting a great cause! Details at http://www.inpaws.org/florathon-2018/.

Sunday, April 15 Slow Food Indy Spring Farm Tour & Picnic Please join us for tours of Caprini Creamery’s goat cheese production facilities and Becker Farms livestock, with cheese samples, sweet and spicy snacks, and cute, cuddly animals. As always, our farm tours are free AND family friendly, so bring your whole crew. We will be picnicking at Becker Farms. Bring your blankets, chairs, reusable dishes and utensils, sunblock, insect repellant, yard games, and munchies for picnicking. We’ll provide water; you bring any other beverages you like, adult or otherwise. Noon to 4:30 p.m., Caprini Creamery (and Redbud Farm), 7052 S County Rd 425 W, Spiceland; Becker Farms, 7392 N Wilbur Wright Rd, Mooreland. Carpoolers meet up at Meijer @11:15 a.m., 11351 E Washington Street, Indianapolis. https://www.facebook.com/events/1986303874941173/

Wednesday, April 18 Webinar: Glyphosate—Friend or Foe? Reports about the harmful effects of glyphosate (e.g., RoundUp) continue to be in the news every couple of years. Whether it is toxicity to frogs, cancer in rats, or potentially carcinogenic effects in humans, this world leading herbicide is commonly discussed. In this presentation Dr. Jason Ferrell of the University of Florida will review the science behind these claims and debunk some of the myths. We will also frame these claims in a proper

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context to help us understand whether glyphosate is harmful or a useful product for our industry. 3:00 p.m. Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4144679839211223555.

Saturday, April 21 Earth Day Indiana Festival: Bee Green! Come to the festival for local food vendors, kid’s activities, over 125 exhibitors, live music, and a 5K run/walk. Better than driving downtown is to take IndyGo! Whether you plan to be on foot for the day or want to bring along your bike, IndyGo has you covered. If you bike and bus to Military Park we will watch your bike for free at our Pedal and Park area as you enjoy the festival or other downtown happenings. The 5K run or 1-mile walk begins at noon and finishes at Historic Military Park at State Park; the course will take you upstream and then downstream along the White River. Register for the run/walk at RUNSIGNUP. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Military Park at . http://www.earthdayindiana.org/

Sunday, April 22 Z’GreenFest (Zionsville) Zionsville’s Earth Day/Arbor Day festival provides educational information and activities that celebrate backyard gardening, native plants, and pollinators as well as encouraging community members to more fully experience nature and engage in sustainable living practices. Annual features include educational and interactive exhibitors for adults and children, live music, and free giveaways. Sponsored by Boone County Voices for Change Green Team. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Zionsville Christian Church, 120 N. 9th Street overlooking Oak Street. The event will take place outside, surrounded by beautiful greenspace and the Rails to Trails Walkway. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside at the church.

Saturday, April 28 Indiana Organic Gardeners Association Plant & Garden Auction A pitch-in lunch (organic and/or homemade) will start at 11:00 followed by Q&A and a short business meeting. The auction will start at 12:45. If coming for lunch, please bring your own plate, silverware, and drink. Plants (vegetable starts and perennials), books and garden items donated by members will be available. Everyone welcome; it's always an enjoyable time. Zionsville Library, 250 N. 5th Street, Zionsville. For further information contact Judith at 317-243-6671.

Saturday, April 28 Hendricks County Master Gardeners Event (Danville) Gardening for All Ages More than 60 garden-related vendors with plants, garden décor, bird-watching supplies, and advice to make this year’s garden your best ever. This year’s educational sessions have information for gardeners of all experience levels, from total newbies to the ultimate green thumbs: 9:30 a.m., Garden Creation: The First Step; 10:30, The Best Annuals; 11:30, Straw Bale Gardens; 1:00 p.m., A Pollinator Garden; 2:00 Venus Fly Traps; 3:00 p.m. Foodscaping: Create an Edible Landscape. The first 500 visitors will receive a free tree courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. An information booth will be staffed by Master Gardeners to answer gardening questions. A children’s booth will have crafts and educational activities for younger attendees. Free flower and vegetable seeds will be available. Crowd favorite food truck BoxBurger will be catering the event. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex, 1900 E. Main Street, Danville. www.hendricksgardeners.com

Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29 Perennial Premier at Newfields Join the horticultural experts of Newfields (the venue formerly known as the IMA) and shop for the best plants for your garden with excellent plant advice. As always, we will have native plants for sun and shade, shrubs, and trees. Sale is held in free area of the grounds. Saturday: Members only 9:00 a.m. to noon; open to the public noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday: noon to 3:00 p.m. Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Visit www.discovernewfields.org for additional information.

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Monday, April 30 Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Spring Plant Sale Begins One of Broad Ripple's best kept secrets is the greenhouse at ISVBI. Students enrolled in the Horticulture Program, along with Master Gardener volunteers and the horticulture teacher, tend the greenhouse, growing and propagating plants. Four times a year we hold a sale which is open to the public. This sale includes annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets, native plants, and vegetables (including heirloom varieties). We accept cash or checks but not credit cards. Weekdays noon to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed Sundays. Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 7725 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis. Contact 317-253-1481 ext. 207. Sale continues through May 12.

Tuesday, May 1 Indiana Daylily-Iris Society Water Lovers of Asia Chad Harris of Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm will speak on Iris ensata, Iris laevigata, and the new hybrid "Pseudata." 6:30 p.m., First Friends Church (parlor), 3030 Kessler Blvd, East Drive, Indianapolis. Free admission. Guests welcome. www.indianadaylilyirissociety.org

Thursday, May 3 Containers from the Ground Up (Zionsville) Myrene Brown of Myrene’s Garden discusses container choice, placement, plants, and planting medium, with the goal of helping you make selections that allow you to go one week between watering your creation. 7:00 p.m., Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech Street, Zionsville.

Friday, May 4 Native Plants Unlimited Plant Pickup & Sale Begins (Fishers) Customers who placed advance orders should pick up their plants May 4 through 6. Sale of open stock continues through Sunday, May 20. Sales hours and catalog at http://www.nativeplantsunlimited.com/plantsale.htm. Geist Nursery, 9890 Mollenkopf Road, Fishers.

Friday & Saturday, May 4 & 5 Avon Outdoor Learning Center Native Plant Sale & Every Day Is Earth Day Event The Avon Outdoor Learning Center’s 16th annual Native Plant Sale will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Hendricks County Master Gardeners will be on hand to help make selections for your yard. On Saturday, concurrent with the Native Plant Sale, we will celebrate Every Day Is Earth Day, featuring vendors of earth-friendly products plus gardening, cooking, and bee-keeping demonstrations. Local Scouts and volunteer groups will offer activities for families, and the seven-acre site will be open for family hikes and adventures. The Vegesaurus Food truck will be on hand selling their amazing food. Free and open to the public. For more about the events, visit http://www.avon-schools.org/Page/262 or find us on Facebook, Twitter @AvonOLC and Instagram.

Saturday, May 5 Johnson County Garden Club Garden Celebration (Franklin) For the Love of Gardening Hosted with the Purdue Master Gardeners of Johnson County, this 14th annual event will include more than 50 flower, plant, and garden art vendors along with guest speakers. New this year will be the Mobile Garden Classroom featuring environmental educator Greg Marlett of the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District. Seed packets and tree saplings (bald cypress, buttonbush, chestnut oak, pawpaw) will be given away free while supplies last. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Admission is $2 at the door. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Johnson County Fairgrounds, Franklin. For information see the Johnson County Garden Club Facebook page.

Friday & Saturday, May 4 & 5 Hancock County Herb Society & Master Gardener Association Plant Sale (Greenfield) Get expert advice and select from a large array of plant choices. The Herb Society offers a variety of culinary, medicinal, decorative, and craft-use herbs, along with tomato and pepper plants and potted perennials. Master Gardener choices include an extensive variety of perennials, vegetable plants, geraniums, begonias, and woodland plants. Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00

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p.m., Hancock County Fairgrounds 4-H Show Arena, 620 Apple Street, Greenfield (southwest corner of Apple and Park Streets). For more information, please contact Carolyn (HCHS) at 317-326-2274 (www.facebook/HerbiesofHancockCounty) or Jane (HCMGA) at 317-861-8145 (http://hancockmga.com).

Saturday, May 12 INPAWS Native Plant Sale & Auction: Planting an Invasive-Free Landscape Something for everyone at this popular annual event sponsored by the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society. On offer will be native plants for shady, sunny, and wetland settings, a different selection every year. The choicest, rarest plants are set aside for the plant auction, an entertaining and informative opportunity to learn about Indiana natives. Returning pre-sale speaker is biologist/botanist Dawn Slack, who works as a land steward for The Nature Conservancy and chairs the Invasive Plant Advisory Committee for the Indiana Invasive Species Council. This time with a working audio system, Dawn will talk about the role invasive plants play in our environment, and the importance of replacing them with Indiana native plants. The $10 fee for the talk entitles ticket holders to start shopping 15 minutes before the general public and get a discount off an auction purchase. Alongside the plant sale, INPAWS will sell select books on plant families, naturalistic gardening, conservation, and related topics. Pre-sale talk begins at 9:30 a.m. Plant and book sale open 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Live auction begins at 11:15 and continues until every plant is sold. Park Tudor School, Upper Gymnasium, 7200 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis (use the 71st Street entrance). http://www.inpaws.org/gatherings/native-plant- sale-auction

Saturday, May 12 Madison County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale (Alexandria) A huge variety of plants will be available for sale, grown by local Master Gardeners and acclimated to Indiana’s climate. Prices are well below local garden centers. Bring your tools to participate in our tool sharpening clinic. There will be garden decor, gloves, and treasures for sale. The day will also include free educational materials and lectures covering many aspects of gardening. Our “Ask a Master Gardener” service is there to field questions and provide gardening advice. Proceeds go to students in Madison County interested in horticulture-related careers and community activities supporting horticultural practices in Madison County. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Exhibition Hall, Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds, Alexandria. For more information, contact Beth at 765-641-9514.

Monday, May 14 Indianapolis Hosta Society Gardens of France Experience the delights of French gardens as seen through the eyes of tour guides Linda and Ron Williams, owners of Garden Travelers. Their European presentations always deliver stunning visuals with interesting narratives about the people and places they discover along the way. Free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m., Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis.

Saturday, May 19 Hamilton County Master Gardeners Plant Sale (Noblesville) More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale to the public. Bearded iris will be dug to order at the Iris/Daylily bed. All plants are priced well below local garden centers. Proceeds from the sale support scholarships for students in Hamilton County interested in horticulture-related careers. Grants are also awarded to support local groups and schools with horticultural programs. 8:00 am to 3:00 pm., Exhibition Hall, Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, Noblesville. For more information contact 317-776-0854 or visit www.hcmga.org.

Advocacy Opp Help Stop Sale of Invasive Plants in Indiana Indiana spends millions every year to control invasive plants, but most of those invasive plants are still for sale at your local garden shop. The DNR has drafted a rule that would make it illegal to sell the highly invasive plants, but that rule is stuck in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Want to urge Governor Holcomb to see that this rule

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moves forward? Here are the simple steps you can take to help get this rule unstuck: http://www.inpaws.org/2018/you-can-help-stop-sale-of-invasive-plants/

Advocacy Opp Hoosier Environmental Council HEC is a leader in the movement for positive change in Indiana, achieving victories for healthier waterways, more abundant forests, and cleaner, safer communities. HEC works to 1) Protect fellow Hoosiers from coal ash, factory farm waste, and industrial toxins; 2) Achieve state-level climate solutions; 3) Be your year-around eyes-and-ears in the ; and 4) Provide trainings & workshops that empower you to make greater impact. Their Newsletter and Bill Watch are excellent resources to help you advocate to make Indiana a better place to live, breathe, work, and play. https://www.hecweb.org/

Skip the Straw Every day, humans throw out approximately 500 million straws; these pieces of plastic can end up as litter in the surrounding environment, including watersheds and eventually oceans, endangering the lives of creatures worldwide. Earth Charter Indiana’s Strawbale Campaign is out to help us break the straw habit. It began when artist Jim Poyser turned a pun into action: a strawbale made from used plastic straws. He soon realized the educational opportunities of using #Strawbale as a hands- on, art-and-science project to reduce plastic waste by inspiring personal and civic action. Check out this video and see a nifty resolution to reduce straw waste at https://www.earthcharterindiana.org/straw- campaign/.

Volunteer Opp Keep Indianapolis Beautiful KIB relies on volunteers to help build community and transform public spaces. Indianapolis benefits from tens of thousands of KIB volunteers each year cleaning up litter, building pocket parks, creating greenspaces, planting trees and flowers, and assisting with special projects; and our volunteers benefit too. Even a few hours can make a big difference! KIB seeks to engage diverse communities to create vibrant public places, helping people and nature thrive. http://www.kibi.org/volunteer/ways-to-volunteer/

Eco Logic Saturday Nursery Talks (Bloomington) May 5: Organize your Neighborhood to Remove Invasives & Plant Natives--You Can Make a Difference! May 12: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants. June 2: Identification and Ecology of Indiana Frogs. June 9: Beginning Bird Watching and Citizen Science: How to Help Conserve Birds. Each event is at 10:00 a.m. and will last about one hour. The Eco Logic Nursery is open select Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., exclusively selling native plants: May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9. Eco Logic, LLC, 8685 W Vernal Pike, Bloomington. Nursery office 812-876-7711.

Shopping! “Grow Indiana Natives” Retail Incentive Program Grow Indiana Natives (formerly known as Grow Native) enters its second year of being a statewide program and initiative of the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society (INPAWS). The program incentivizes retailers to sell native plants and NOT to sell invasives. Retailers who sell natives and no invasives are eligible to register through the GrowIndianaNatives.org website and be added to the Buy Natives Directory. Check out the Directory to find a participating retailer near you and patronize their business for your native plants this spring! INPAWS provides guidance on landscaping with native plants here.

Shopping! Indiana Wildlife Federation Native Plant Kits IWF offers a variety of native flowers, shrubs, and trees to spruce up your yard or create new habitats. We are continuing our partnership with Cardno Native Plant Nursery to provide a selection of native plant kits, bare root shrubs and trees, and seed

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packets. Each plant kit contains 50 native plants that will be delivered to your door. Every purchase supports IWF and Indiana’s wildlife. For more information visit http://www.indianawildlife.org/wildlife/native-plants/native-plant-sale/

Shopping! Hamilton County SWCD Native Plant Kits & Rain Barrels The soil and water conservation district has all you need to conserve water and support pollinators like bees and butterflies with beautiful native plants. Each kit contains 50 native plant plugs for $120. There is a kit for any area of your landscape including pollinator garden, rain garden (for wetter areas), and shade garden. Each kit contains 10 different perennial species of native plants and can fill 50 to 150 square feet of space. Rain barrels are also available for pre-order at $75. These repurposed barrels capture rainwater from your downspout and roof and hold it for later use. Order at www.hamiltonswcd.org or by visiting the SWCD office at 1717 Pleasant Street in Noblesville. Orders and payment are due by April 16. Pick-up is Friday, May 11 in Noblesville, just in time for Mother’s Day. Proceeds support conservation projects and education in Hamilton County.

Bird Hikes : 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis. Every Sunday year-round, 9:00 a.m. Meet at the Ornithology Center. Information 317-327-2473. Beginning Bird Hikes at Cool Creek Park: 2000 East 151st Street, Carmel. 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m., and every other Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. Meet in the parking lot at the bottom of the road by Cool Creek, past the Nature Center. Information 317-774-2500 or www.myhamiltoncountyparks.com Strawtown Koteewi Park: 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville. First Wednesday of each month, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Meet at the Taylor Center of Natural History. Information 317-774-2574 or www.myhamiltoncountyparks.com. Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab: 3200 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis. Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. Meet at the St. Francis statue next to Allison Mansion on the north end of campus. For more information, contact David Benson at [email protected]. Holliday Park: 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis. The third Tuesday of the month, 8:00 a.m. Meet in front of the Nature Center. For more information, call 317-327-7180. Southeastway Park: 5624 South Carroll Road, New Palestine. Mondays at 9:10 a.m. Meet at the Nature Center. For more information, call 317-327-2473.

Garden Travel Cole Burrell is hosting tours to Cuba, France, Brazil, and South Africa this year! Details at https://gardenandnaturetours.com/.

Be Informed Purdue Landscape Report Purdue provides science-based, timely information for Midwest landscapes to benefit commercial growers, garden centers, landscapers, arborists, or others who want to keep up with current landscape issues. To receive the newsletters and reports, subscribe by clicking this link! https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/

Photo Notes What am I going to do with you, Scilla siberica? You’re popping up everywhere in my back yard, too exuberant to be contained in the woodland garden. Your cerulean petals are adorable next to Narcissus ‘Tête à Tête’ and ‘Jack Snipe’, but really, enough is enough. I’ll be digging you out of the tulip and perennial beds, lest you cover the entire back yard in a sea of blue.

HortusScope, an e-bulletin for the Central Indiana gardening community, is published the first of every month as a public service by Wendy Ford. To submit news items, add or update your e-mail address, or remove your name from the HortusScope e-mail list, please drop me a note at [email protected]. Your supporting donation cheerfully accepted at 6911 Cabernet Way, Indianapolis, IN 46278, check made out to Wendy Ford.

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