Wild Ones Lexington Chapter promotes the use of native plants in private gardens and public landscapes.
Plants that are native to our region thrive here because they are adapted to our climate. They feed our local insects and sustain the higher order fauna of our region. Many native plants are stunningly beautiful and make great garden plants. In fact, gardening with natives is Nature’s way.
Wild Ones Has a New Meeting Location!
Meetings are now held at South Elkhorn Christian Church, 4343 Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, KY 40513 unless event states otherwise. Our monthly meetings are on the first Thursday of the month, except for April which will be the second Thursday April 9th because of Holy Week. Our meetings are free to attend. From 6:30 to 7 PM is a social time with refreshments. Program starts at 7 PM. Join us!
The Garden Treasures Table at Wild Ones Meetings
Bring garden or nature-related items to the Garden Treasures table at chapter meetings. Items such as books on plants, birds, insects, butterflies, or clean pots, native plants or houseplants, seed packets, nature-themed art or crafts, and useful tools are welcome. Selected items may be taken in exchange for a cash donation to the chapter. If an item is not chosen, please take it with you when you leave.
Thursday April 9, 2026 6:30pm
Garden Grant Winners Present their Gardens
City Nature Challenge
Two recipients of the Lexington Wild Ones Garden Grants will describe their gardens, how they used the grant funds, and faced and resolved challenges. Our Lexington Wild Ones 2026 Garden Grant Program to encourage the planting of native plants will be presented and what you need to do to become a recipient of this year’s grants.
The meeting will also present the opportunity to volunteer in the 2026 City Nature Challenge April 24 to 27, using iNaturalist app to make observations of wild plants, animals, and fungi anywhere in Fayette County. Your observations will contribute to one of the largest community science events in the world to better understand nature that lives in and around urban areas. A brief iNaturalist training will be done at the April 9th Wild Ones monthly meeting at 6:30 PM. Please have the app downloaded on your phone. For more training opportunities with iNaturalist, visit our Volunteering page.
Thursday May 7, 2026 6:00pm
Annual Native Plant Exchange, Rain or Shine!
Parking Lot, South Elkhorn Christian Church, 4343 Harrodsburg Road
Entrance donation to event: $10.00/person; Cash or Check.
You do not have to be a Wild Ones member to participate.
Bring the native plants you have in your garden that you would like to swap with fellow gardeners to this fun event! Bring one or more, preferably native plants (e.g., trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, ferns, grasses). Acceptable non-natives would include naturalized plants and herbs. Bring plants in clean pots, not bags or buckets! Please pot your plants at least 2 weeks in advance for good root development.
Labels should include common name, scientific name, light needs (e.g., sun, shade, sun/pt shade), and water requirements (e.g., wet, medium, dry). Other info could include height, bloom time, color.
Wild Ones will supply 8 x 1” craft sticks at the April meeting. Avery mailing labels work well to mount on this craft stick. Sample label writing:
beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, sun, dry/med, 3 ft, spring, white
beardtongue, Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’, sun, dry/med, 2 ft; spring, pink
Silent Auction: 5 items will be auctioned. The value and a minimum bid will be stated. Further bids will be in $10 increments. Participants add their name and bid. Yes, you can rebid at any point. Winners must be present to claim their prize and pay the donation bid.
You are welcome to bring refreshments to this event. No alcohol allowed. See you there!
Looking to buy native plants, hire a landscape service? Please see the Community tab.
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