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HOMEGROWN HABITATS PROGRAM AIMS TO MAKE WILMINGTON GARDENS GROW
By PDE’s Delaware Community Assistant Coordinator Kristie Arlotta
Do you love the color of purple coneflowers and the butterflies they bring? How about blue flag irises and how they brighten up a garden? These plants are just some of Delaware’s native flowers that are beautiful, easy to grow, and help improve local habitat. Wilmington, Delaware, residents can grow these plants for free through the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s (PDE) recently launched Homegrown Habitats program.
Homegrown Habitats aims to provide free native plants to those who want to beautify their outdoor space while improving habitat, air and water quality, and health. Every inch of green space, even in urban areas, makes a difference to the environment. Because native plants are local and adapted to their present environment, they are easier to grow, require less water and maintenance, and tend to be naturally hardy. In addition, they’re beautiful and create habitats for birds, pollinating insects such as butterflies and honey bees, and other wildlife.
PDE will work with Wilmington residents to create simple and engaging habitat-friendly gardens. The program offers expertise in planning a garden and free plants that best suit a resident’s outdoor space, from patio planters to pollinator gardens, shrubs, and trees. Those interested in participating in the Homegrown Habitats program must live within Wilmington city limits and attend two project planning workshops. This is one way PDE is leveraging Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to support emerging communities in alignment with the EPA Justice40 Initiative. This program additionally supports Habitat for Humanity projects in Wilmington.
