Third Saturday Class: What’s This Buzz About Native Plants? Why do they matter?

There’s a lot of news about how essential native plants are in supporting the North American insect, pollinator, and bird populations.   What does the science say?  How can ordinary gardeners use this information to build beautiful, cheap, and easily maintained gardens, while also providing essential habitat for urban wildlife? 

 Lisa Lemza is a lifetime master gardener whose home garden and gardening approach were featured in the March 2021 “Chatter” magazine. She is an active member and former president of the local native plant society, the Tennessee Valley Wild Ones.  She co-chairs the community garden at Grace Episcopal Church with Kristina Shaneyfelt, and is in the process of establishing a Level Two certified Arboretum at the church.  With Alison Hoffman, she co-manages the Tri-State Chapter of the Tennessee Bluebird Society.