by Renee’ Benage, Plant Sale Chairperson and Membership Chairperson
Photo by Steve Berry
During the 2022 Mother’s Day weekend, Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter sold 1,826 Missouri native wildflowers and shrubs to Spring Wildflower Market shoppers that were eager to learn about and purchase native plants. Some folks came in with plant lists, others were looking for guidance about what to buy, and we helped them all.
Photo by Katy Muller
This year the weather was uncooperative, and copious rain during the week caused a last- minute relocation of plant vendors to the front area of Shaw Nature Reserve. Friday was drizzly and cool, but Saturday was delightful.
Photo by Renee’ Benage
Forty-one Wild Ones members helped with this year’s sale by
- gathering boxes for shoppers
- setting up the booth and unloading plants
- helping customers locate and select plants
- checking out shoppers and keeping the line moving
- loading up the remaining plants at the end of the sale and tearing down the booth
- photographing the event
- The Friday volunteers were troopers by enduring cold and misty weather, and re-organizing the booth on the fly!
Photo by Dawn Weber
Thanks to the board for once again participating in the planning for the sale (especially Dawn Weber for her expert guidance) – I appreciate everything they did to make the plant sale successful for us and our customers.
Photo by Renee’ Benage
Volunteers were given a $1 per plant discount as a thank you for donating their time, and many took advantage of the opportunity.
Photo by Steve Berry
After paying the vendor, our Chapter made a final profit of $4,877.80. This money supports our Chapter’s gatherings, grant program, tabling event materials, the Landscape Challenge, and our support of the Native Plant School at Shaw Nature Reserve.
Photo by Katy Muller
Thanks again to all who participated by volunteering or shopping. Feel free to offer suggestions for how we can improve our outreach at this sale.
Hope to see you in 2023!
Photo by Steve Berry
