NEWS REPORT

Linda Porter, Butterfly and Pollinator chair for the Garden Club of Kentucky, presented a program about native plants at the October meeting of the Garden Club of Danville. Porter shared a whimsical fox figure holding an ear of corn with Caren Herne and Elspeth Cobb to illustrate the importance of native plants to Kentucky’s insects and animals. Many Kentucky insects and butterflies could not survive without specific native host plants they require for food and shelter. Birds, reptiles and larger animals would not be here without those insects lower down the food chain. Porter explained that leaving some dead foliage standing over the winter provides valuable shelter and food for many creatures. By including native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials, gardeners can support Kentucky’s rich biodiversity