Karen Bussolini is a lifelong organic gardener and lover of nature. Her Sunday, April 10 Cape Cod Museum of Natural History presentation is as much about ecological thinking and the importance of recognizing that our yards are part of an ecosystem, as it is about plants. She believes that everything we do on our home turf can heal and support that ecosystem or unknowingly cause damage.

Karen will show a variety of attractive home landscapes based on natural systems and using native plants, especially shrubs and trees. She will also highlight specific native plants that commonly grow in the Eastern United States and make fine landscape plants, but are often overlooked or cleared to make way for exotic specimens. Readily available native plants that thrive in this region will be highlighted, including plants that are adapted to difficult conditions, such as rocky slopes, poor soil, shade and damp areas.

Karen has a long career as a garden photographer, speaker and writer, and is a frequent contributor to The American Gardener, the magazine of The American Horticultural Society and Wildflower, published by The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She has six books to her credit, including The Naturescaping Workbook, The Homeowner’s Complete Tree and Shrub Handbook, and Elegant Silvers, which she also co-authored. She is a NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional with an eco-friendly garden coaching practice devoted to teaching homeowners to garden more sustainably. Her focus is on creating healthy yards that are resilient, full of life, diversity and delight.  Book signing and Q&A to follow the presentation, which begins at 1.  Lecture Admission is $10 per person APCC Members $5.  Tickets available online at www.ccmnh.org.