[dropcap ]M[/dropcap]ore than 100 people stopped by the native plant sale Saturday to purchase grasses, shrubs and trees that thrive in the Sierra foothills and are resistant to drought. The event was hosted by the Calaveras County Water District at its headquarters in San Andreas.

The Sierra Foothills Chapter of the California Native Plant Society organized the sale, and members were pleased with the big turnout.

“The plant sale was very successful, and I was thrilled to see so many people,” said CNPS member and former master gardener Judy Dean, who is an avid gardener.

Along with the Native Plant Society, these groups also had booths at the event: Natural Resource Conservation Services; Calaveras Master Gardeners; Army Corps of Engineers; Mother Lode Bonsai Club; Audubon Society; Sierra Rock Garden Society; and Calaveras County Water District Water Conservation Program.

The majority of the plants were sold Saturday, and all that remained were purchased by CCWD in order to complete a native plant demonstration garden that the District is planting around its headquarters.

Dean emphasized what a smart choice it is to grow native plants, especially during a drought.

“Native plants take so little care,” she enthused. “People don’t have time to spend hours and hours in their garden. Once native plants get their roots down, they can grow without water or with deep water once a month. They are very drought tolerant and take almost no pruning. You can mulch them with rocks or pine needles or whatever you want and hardly any weeds will come up. They are just so smart!”