So much happening!
California gardener and writer, Rebecca Sweet, recently gave a talk titled "Gardening Trends for 2025" sponsored by Garden Design. The first trend she identified? Native plants. A year earlier, the nursery trade publication, Green Profit, featured a story "The Rise of Native Plants" on its cover. Data cited in the article showed gardeners are actively seeking plants at different retail outlets than those traditionally patronized by gardeners (hello native plant nurseries!); showed native plant sales are motivated by both ecological and aesthetic benefits; and these same customers value environmentally friendly gardening practices. This is all phenomenal news.
Combine these sorts of observations and findings with the now well documented increase in the number of gardeners in the U.S. during the Pandemic and things are looking good. Layer on top of it all, the incredible work by Dr. Doug Tallamy, his books, his presentations and talks way too numerous count and the launch of the non-profit Homegrown National Park organization and oodles of other native plant talks, writing and webinars by professional horticulturalists, scientists, journalists, life long gardeners and others and it would seem we are at the absolutely perfect time to be a native plant gardener and we are!
It remains so true though, all gardening is local. And it really is. What works for me in my urban lot brimming with fill dirt does not work for my neighbor two blocks away living on a heavily forested ravine leading to a tributary to a national park.
This is where all of the energetic local efforts come in. From one time plant sales to webinars to events at nurseries, at this time of year there are so many events, it's hard to keep up. I'm taking another week to mention more of these because these are the places where you can talk to the experts and get the local scoop. When it comes to gardening, the local scoop is the best scoop! So here it goes:
Tonight:
A free webinar for home gardeners is being presented tonight, Thursday, March 6th at 6pm, by Landscape Architect Larry Weaner, a Pennsylvania based landscape architect who has designed meadow projects for Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. and Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland. You can learn more about his work here.
At Home With Nature: Beauty, Ecology, and Experience
Even on the smallest residential property, sharing garden decisions with nature changes everything. In this eye opening presentation, Larry will illustrate how an ecology-based, brains-over-brawn approach to home landscaping can reduce management needs, increase desirable wildlife habitat, and enhance the visual and intellectual experience of being in your yard.
You can register for the free webinar here.
This Weekend:
Dr. Doug Tallamy, rock star of the native plant world, is speaking this Sunday afternoon, March 9th, in northern Virginia. Here are the details.
When: Sunday, March 9, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Where: Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA
Fee: $10
Description: Join us at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church for an inspiring talk from Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist and best-selling author of Nature’s Best Hope. Tallamy will share his compelling vision for The Homegrown National Park, a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, farms, and surrounding lands. Learn how reducing lawns and planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials can help repair the devastating loss of native species—all while adding beauty to your surroundings.
You can register to attend here.
Native Plant Nursery News:
Adkins Arboretum's 30th (!) annual native plant sale is underway. You can place your orders now through Thursday, March 27th for pick-up at the time you schedule. This year, in addition to picking up plants at the Arboretum in Ridgley, MD, there is a second pick-up location in Georgetown, Delaware. All the info is here.
The big move is almost complete but until full occupancy, Bona Terra is offering free deliveries. Here is the schedule for placing your on-line order and delivery -- all of which are location based! Here is the place to start an order.
This weekend seasonal nursery in southern Maryland doesn't open until April 11th but now is the time to place your orders for shrubs and trees. They are accepting pre-orders for shrubs and trees through March 17th. Here is the info.
Unity Church Hill Nursery on the Eastern Shore is holding its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, March 22nd from 9am to 3pm!
This year, Watermark Woods, in Hamilton, Virginia (Loudoun County) is holding two bonus open weekends in March before their full opening on April 1st. They are open the weekends of March 13th and 14th and the 28th and 29th from 9am to 2pm. Also, you can place orders for shrubs and trees now! Here is the schedule:
In case you missed the first post about events from two weeks ago, here it is. There are lots more happenings out there! If you have one you are a fan of, please add it in the comments below. Thank you.
Happy Gardening!
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