Montgomery County's GreenScapes Symposium kicked off a season of learning opportunities for gardeners!
I have only listened to half the presentations from the annual GreenScapes Symposium presented on-line last week by Montgomery County and Brookside Gardens and have already picked up so many nuggets of information. Sharing a few and also sharing some of the upcoming events in case you might have missed any. Whether you consider yourself a beginner or professional or in between, there is literally something for everyone. Inevitably, you will also have suggestions so please add away in the comments!
"Butterflies Don't Do Polkadots. They do Masses!"
So said Ann English, Montgomery County Rainscapes manager, landscape designer and lifelong gardener, in her information rich presentation about the whys and hows of designing gardens to be more resilient to predicted temperature and rainfall changes different than norms we know today. If you missed it, Montgomery County is offering more opportunities to learn about this topic included below. Ann packed her presentation with information about resilience in our gardens and good practical gardening advice too.
One theme -- if, as gardeners, we want to see lots of different things in our gardens, we have to plant different species and plant them in mass. This is a great reminder for people like me who, despite having s small garden, would like to grow everything! Ann pointed out butterflies, for example, are far more likely to be drawn to a mass of color than a lone plant.
Another tip Ann shared was her list of the best plants in our area for a drought tolerant garden: Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenufolium), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis), Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana), Bayberry (Morella Pensylvanica) and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). She noted these perennials are drought tolerant yet can take the occasional inundation. Super flexible plants.
As for those of us who experienced plants that went crispy last summer (and that certainly includes me!), Ann advised when that happens again, watch the forecast and right before significant rain is expected, cut perennials back to 4" or so to encourage a flush of new growth. Great tip.
Spring Training for Gardeners
With the number of experts, gardens, organizations and native plant nurseries in the mid-Atlantic ever growing, we are in the season of learning. It is so great to see. And the timing could not be better. These offerings bridge the end of the shortest days and days where we actually get the gardening season underway. It's the real spring training!
This Saturday!
Unity Gardens, the small but mighty native plant garden grant maker in Anne Arundel County hosts their annual Spring Lecture this Saturday. They have seeded lots and lots of gardens. You can support that effort, meet lots of gardeners, and enjoy coffee and treats at this always beautifully organized Saturday morning symposium. This year's presenter is Ryan Drake of Morris Arboretum and Gardens at the University of Pennsylvania!
(Price: $45) More information here. In person.
March 1st
Lauren's Garden Service is offering a class on Kokedama with none other that Young Choe, a very well know artist. I have long been a fan of her Instagram feed. Indeed, native plants show up in her work from time to time!
(Price: $75) More information here. In person.
March 3rd
Geared toward landscape professionals but open to all, this Symposium features Larry Weaner, who has designed a native garden template for Washington D.C. as part of his work for Wild Ones, local landscape design firm Backyard Bounty discussing their natural swimming pool project and Ann English (see above) talking about resiliency in our gardens.
(Price: $205) More information here. In person.
March 5th
Geared toward all gardeners, Mt. Cuba's Sam Hoadley will talk about their Ironweed trials and how to choose the best one for your garden. I have only grown ones that literally seem to top out at 8'! There are many shorter choices it seems. If you are looking for the best purple flower for fall color, this might be for you.
(Price: $25) More information here. Virtual.
March 19th
Geared toward home gardeners, Mt. Cuba's Homegrown Conservation is about the steps we can take as home gardeners to steward our gardens for the greater good.
(Price: $25) More information here. Virtual.
March 22nd
This Mt. Cuba session is all about the business of cultivars. Mt. Cuba says "The concept of a native plant seems simple, until you start hearing about cultivars, nativars, selections, ecotypes, and hybrids. In this class we’ll dig into what all those terms mean, where named plant selections come from, and how they impact the ecosystem that is your garden." The Instructor Joseph Tychonievich is a life-long gardener who has worked in many aspects of the horticulture industry.
(Price: $25) More information here. Virtual.
March 29th
The U.S. National Arboretum hosts its annual native plant symposium and native plant sale. So many great speakers including the head of Stoneleigh Garden, Ethan Kaufman and local Sam Droege of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, native bee expert and bee photographer extraordinaire! Quite the line-up.
(Price: pay what you can starting at $50) More information here. In Person.
May 8 & 15
Montgomery County offers "Rainscape Your Yard" in two Thursday evening virtual classes. These classes are for all and cover how environmentally friendly landscapes help manage your stormwater. They will review steps to plan a RainScape including site evaluation and determining the type and scale of project to best suit your needs.
(Price: $15) More information here. Virtual.
Well that's a line-up! Hope you can make the best of spring training 2025! Should we call it the paw paw league?
Happy Gardening.
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Spring 2025 brings exciting gardening events, like the U.S. National Arboretum’s plant symposium on March 29th and Montgomery County’s "Rainscape Your Yard" virtual classes on May 8 & 15. These offer great insights into native plants and eco-friendly landscaping. It’s a perfect time to refine your skills—whether in gardening or precision challenges like Drift Boss!
I'm surprised to see Swamp Milkweed listed as drought tolerant. I had planted 50 in a wettish part of my garden, but then we improved drainage around the corner from that spot, and the Swamp Milkweeds die out more and more each year. Yarrow is filling in that area now.
Always so much information!!! Thank you so much for putting it together!
Ann English’s Rainscapes class is well worth the time and money to attend. I believe Brookside Gardens will offer it again this spring.
I also thought Kelly Norris’ session, especially his discussion of plant communities, was very valuable. His books are a treasure.