How Our Gardens Grow: Ferndale’s Perennial Exchange
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, 9/24/2011)
There aren’t many places where Mother Nature has a good return policy, but here in Ferndale the annual Perennial Exchange gives residents a chance to dig up the plants they don’t want and trade them with other gardeners for some they may like better. The event took place on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Kulick Community Center.
“You just can’t kill a healthy plant if you’re a gardener,” said Ferndale resident Sue Stoltz. “Sometimes you have plants that you need to thin out or get rid of and the thought is always, now where can I put that? Here there is a place. Those plants can make the rest of the neighborhood beautiful.”
Stoltz picked up a healthy young raspberry bush and a beautiful flox plant, to replace the Shasta daisies and ferns brought in from her yard. She also bagged up Black-eyed Susan seeds to give away.
Like many at the perennial exchange, Gail White brought in the infamous “mystery plant.”
Fortunately there are always experts on hand to help people identify the plants and look up tips for planting and care. Carol Olson of the Ferndale Garden Club and Master Gardener Mary Frederick were among those that lent their expertise. “This is a great turnout,” Olson said. “I love being able to talk to other gardeners about their experiences and seeing people excited about getting new plants.”
The event takes place each year at the Kulick Community Center and is organized by the Ferndale Beautification Commission.