April marks Mississippi Native Plant Month. Throughout the month, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will raise awareness of native plants and educate the public on the importance of native plants and their benefits through events and other educational efforts.
Mississippi Native Plant Month shines a spotlight on the beauty and benefits of Mississippi’s native flora. Mississippi has over 2,700 native plant species, including trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and wildflowers. These plants, which have evolved in the region over thousands of years, support local ecosystems, preserve soil health, and provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
“Over the past several years, I have planted a variety of native plants and grasses on my family’s farm. Native plants are easy to maintain, and they thrive in our environment, even in times of drought like we experienced in previous years. I encourage the public to visit our website to learn more about native plants. I feel sure there are many who have native plants in their yards or on their property who may not realize they have plants that are native to Mississippi,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson.
In 2023, Governor Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2137 into law, Miss. Code Ann. § 3-3-69, designating April as Mississippi Native Plant Month to preserve the heritage and the importance of native plants for clean air, water and soil stability in the state of Mississippi. This statute authorizes MDAC to educate citizens about the history of Mississippi’s native plants and the benefits they provide to pollinators and preserve Mississippi’s biological heritage in aiding in the prevention of flooding and erosion.
The public can visit https://www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/market-development/mississippi-native-plant/ for more information about native plants including benefits and along with a listing of common native plants, videos and kid’s activity sheets.
The Garden Club of Jackson will have a booth every Saturday during the month of April at the Mississippi Farmers Market from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On April 26, MDAC will host a native plant event at the Mississippi Farmers Market with The Garden Club of Jackson, Mississippi Beekeepers Association, Twelve 2 Farm, and the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra, to raise awareness about the benefits of native plants and encourage the public to use native plants in their home gardens, farms, and public spaces.
The public is encouraged to follow the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce on Facebook, Instagram and X to discover ways to support local agriculture and celebrate the state’s rich plant biodiversity.
To find native plants near you, visit MDAC’s Directory of Mississippi Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers at https://agnet.mdac.ms.gov/agManage/uploads/1415.pdf or GenuineMS.com.