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Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 8am-2pm at the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg, PA, for Society updates, a plant sale, and guest speakers! Learn more.
Mark your calendar for the next Central Pennsylvania Native Plant Celebration, taking place May 1, 2027! Learn more.
A native plant is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human intervention. We consider the flora present at the time Europeans arrived in North America as the species native to the eastern United States. Native plants include all kinds of plants from mosses and ferns to wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Because native plants are adapted to the growing conditions where you live, they are often easier to grow, and less susceptible to challenging conditions than non-native plants. Many Non-native plants are also invasive, and threaten out our native plant species.
PNPS is committed to supporting programs and events advocating for the use of native plants. Money obtained from memberships and donations go to the following:
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Join our Facebook forum to share photos, events and opportunities related to natives plants and our mission. Our group is closed and you must submit a request to join. We do this to help us keep out spam and maintain this group as a respectful forum for people interested in native plants. You must submit a request and answer 2 simple questions to join, even if you are added by a current member.
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This is a relatively common native perennial aster that grows in partially shaded areas of dry woods, compared to most asters that prefer open fields. It produces clusters of dainty 1” white daisy type flowers from July – October.
This species has not been used as commonly in home landscapes as other asters, which is a shame. This hardy, adaptable aster tolerates a range of soil types and growing conditions, and is an excellent choice for naturalized areas, woodland gardens, or mixed borders. It performs well in dry shade, brightening the shady landscape with its white flowers. Asters are particularly beneficial as a late season pollinator plant. The seeds are enjoyed by winter songbirds. It will spread by underground rhizomes, forming a nice ground cover.
Photo and article courtesy of Diane Albright
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