By Bernheim
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has officially proclaimed April 2025 as Native Plant Month in Kentucky, and here at Bernheim, we’re excited to celebrate! This statewide recognition highlights the importance of protecting and planting native species. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share why native plants matter and encourage everyone to grow plants that support our environment.
Native plants are species that naturally grow in a specific region. They’ve adapted over time to thrive in local soils, weather, and ecosystems. These plants aren’t just beautiful — they provide essential food and shelter for native birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. By choosing to plant native, we help restore balance to local environments that have been altered by development, invasive species, and climate change.
As our Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes, Renee Frith, reminds us, “Planting native is more than a slogan. It’s an active choice to participate in a movement to add back the very plants that have been stripped away to build the world we live in today. Planting native provides beauty for humans and food for native wildlife and insects. This win/win approach is one of many actions we as humans can take to create balance in an ever increasingly unstable world.”
While every month is Native Plant Month at Bernheim, April brings extra awareness. Join us at our Earth Day celebration, RESTORE: Healthy Planet, Healthy Us, on Saturday, April 19. We’ll be giving away three native tree saplings to help visitors add native species to their own yards and gardens. It’s a meaningful way to reconnect with nature, strengthen biodiversity, and make a positive impact in your own backyard.
And mark your calendars for our Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, September 20. You’ll find a diverse selection of native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Most of the plants available are U.S. native species, perfectly adapted to our local environment and vital for pollinators and wildlife. Whether you need plants for a sunny garden, shaded space, wet area, or dry soil, there’s something for everyone.
To learn more about our native plant programs, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events in Kentucky, visit bernheim.org/events. Together, we can protect and restore native plant communities, one garden at a time.
