Rooted Here: A Season-by-Season Guide to Native Plants in the Tri-State
Presented by EVPL and the Southwest Indiana Native Plant Society
Whether you have acres of land or a few containers, gardening with native plants supports local pollinators and wildlife and conserves water and other resources.
This seven-part series will feature native plant gardening experts who will share tips that will benefit beginners and experienced gardeners.
→ Native Plants Made Easy: Why They Matter, What People Get Wrong, and How to Begin Today
Dr. Edith Hardcastle, Biology Professor, University of Southern Indiana
Saturday, Sept. 26 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
EVPL Central
Everyone is welcome in this beginner‑friendly session designed to help you confidently bring more native plants into your yard, no matter your experience level. Edith will break down the science behind why native species matter, clear up common myths, and—most importantly—show you exactly how to get started. Participants will learn how to supplement their existing landscapes with natives, plant successfully in any neighborhood context, and avoid common pitfalls. You’ll also leave with curated local resources, plant lists, and simple steps you can take today to begin creating thriving garden spaces.
→ Start with the Canopy: Making the Case for Native Trees
Donnarae Woolston, Owner, Ancient Roots Native Nursery Ancient Roots Native Nursery and ISA Certified Arborist and Urban Forester
Tuesday, Oct. 27 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
EVPL Stringtown
Trees are often the last thing a new gardener thinks about and the first thing a thriving ecosystem needs. Donnarae will walk attendees through the value of native trees as the backbone of any planting plan, with practical guidance on species selection and siting that speaks to first-time planters and experienced stewards alike.
→ Plant It and They Will Come: Natives and the Birds They Sustain
Sharon Sorenson, Local Author and Former Courier & Press Writer
Saturday, Nov. 7 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
EVPL North Park
This session is for anyone who has ever looked out a window and wished for more birds. Sharon will explore the deep relationship between native plants and the bird species that depend on them, with layering strategies and planting recommendations that work whether you are starting from scratch or refining an established landscape.
→ Sow Before the Thaw: Getting Started with Winter Sowing (Part 1 of 2)
Kathy Yearwood and Megan Ritterskamp, HYR Native Plants
Wednesday, Dec. 16 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
EVPL Oaklyn
Winter sowing is one of the most rewarding entry points into growing native plants from seed, and Kathy will make it approachable for everyone in the room. This first session, which will be in a workshop format, covers the science behind cold stratification, how to set up simple and low-cost sowing containers, and which native species are the best candidates for beginners and experienced growers alike.
→ Natives Without a Yard: Container Gardening for Every Space
Sharon Sorenson, Local Author and Former Courier and Press Writer
Saturday, Jan. 16 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
EVPL West
A small balcony or a concrete patio is enough to get started! Sharon will show attendees how to grow native plants in containers in ways that are both beautiful and ecologically meaningful, with guidance that meets people wherever they are, whether they are planting for the first time or looking for fresh ideas for a mature garden.
→ Right Plant, Right Place: Choosing Natives for Urban Landscapes
Dr. Edith Hardcastle, Biology Professor, University of Southern Indiana
Wednesday, Feb. 3 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
EVPL McCollough
Urban growing conditions can feel like a puzzle, and this session gives attendees the tools to solve it. Edith will help attendees assess their growing environment and match the right native species to the right setting, with real-world examples and practical guidance that translates for a first-year planter and a longtime gardener in equal measure.
→ From Seedling to Garden: What Comes After Winter Sowing (Part 2 of 2)
Kathy Yearwood and Megan Ritterskamp, HYR Native Plants
Saturday, Mar. 13 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
EVPL Oaklyn
This follow-up session completes the arc that began in December. Kathy will guide attendees through the spring transition from winter-sown seedlings to established plants in the ground, covering transplanting, hardening off, spacing for mature growth, and how to fold new natives into an existing landscape with confidence. Participants are not required to attend the December workshop in order to attend this session, but it is highly encouraged.
About the Presenters
Edie Hardcastle is a plant biologist who focuses on native plants and urban ecology. She earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 2003 and is now an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Southern Indiana. Hardcastle leads USI’s Bee Campus initiative and serves on the Bee City Evansville Committee, where she works with community partners to expand pollinator habitat and make native‑plant gardening accessible. Her teaching and outreach emphasize practical, science‑based approaches that empower people to create resilient, beautiful landscapes, no matter the size of their yard or their experience level.
Donnarae Woolston has always been deeply connected to nature. As a child, she spent countless hours exploring the woods, quietly observing the rhythms of the natural world. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for plants, ecology, and habitat restoration.
Together with her husband Daniel, Donnarae reclaimed their own property to create wildlife habitat. Through that work, they discovered firsthand how essential native plants are to a healthy ecosystem. The decline of native species isn’t just a gardening issue—it represents a breakdown in the food web and the ecological systems that support both wildlife and people.
Frustrated by how difficult it was to find true native plants, Donnarae opened a native‑only plant nursery to make them accessible to everyone. Her mission is simple and urgent: to promote the necessity of native plants for people, wildlife, and the ecosystem.
Donnarae has completed a wide range of training, including iNaturalist coursework, Master Gardeners, soil science, plant biology, and ISA Certification in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. She relies on scientifically proven, evidence‑based practices to ensure healthy, resilient, and ecologically valuable plant stock.
Sharon Sorenson has spoken of her passion at conferences across the Tri-State; taught a popular monthly birding class for the past 17 years; written a biweekly “For the Birds” newspaper column for 23 years; and authored three books about birds and their irrevocable connection to native plants. Her lifelong efforts recently earned her two prestigious awards: the Indiana Audubon Society’s Earl Brooks Award for the Advancement of Conservation of Natural Resources and the 2023 Urban Conservationist of the Year from Vanderburgh County SWCD.
Megan Ritterskamp is a native plant enthusiast and conservationist. She lives in Evansville with her husband, teenage son, incredibly expensive dog, and two cats that aspire for world dominance. She enjoys cooking and baking, reading lighthearted YA novels, and spending time with her friends and family.
Kathy Yearwood is a lifelong learner and seeker of change to improve the quality of place within our geographic region. Since 2016, she has produced flowers, vegetables, and herbs for sale to the community, adding in forbs and grasses in 2026. She believes that we each have both the ability and the obligation to improve the functioning of our local ecosystem, and enjoys exciting and encouraging others through the sharing of practical approaches.
