Aquatic plants are an essential part of all natural lakes, ponds, and streams – providing food and shelter for fish and other wildlife, improving water clarity, and in many cases absorbing pollutants. But the benefit that is most obvious is the visual appeal of aquatic plants. The interest in water features in the built landscape continues to grow, with good reason. Waterscapes including rain gardens, constructed wetlands, streams, waterfalls, and ponds are restorative and beautiful in addition to the habitat value that they bring into the landscape.
Join Rip Sokol on Tuesday, June 27 at 10 am for this behind-the-scenes tour of Fourth Generation Nursery in Mendon to learn about the oldest and largest wholesale grower of aquatic plants north of New Jersey. This Ecological Landscape Alliance tour will feature demonstration water gardens and nursery production areas while discussing the role of plants in an aquatic ecosystem. Submerged and emergent plants will be presented for both function and esthetics. Soil & nutrient requirements will be discussed as well as appropriate planting strategies for both newly constructed ponds & streams or for introduction into existing water features.
Natives, “nativars”, well behaved introductions and noxious invasives will be addressed. Fourth Generation Nursery does not recommend introduction of ANY plants into any natural water body unless it is recognized as in need of remedial replanting and then only with an approved plan. Bring your camera!
R. P. “Rip” Sokol has worked in the horticulture industry for over 50 years, has been growing plants since the age of five, and created his first water garden at age 11. He has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 1986 and belongs to multiple nursery associations. Rip is the co-owner of Fourth Generation Nursery, a wholesale nursery and supplier in Mendon, MA. The Sokol family has been engaged in horticulture for over 100 years, and began Fourth Generation Nursery in 1989. $10 for ELA members, $20 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/role-plants-aquatic-ecosystem/#sthash.BKYHRRLJ.dpuf
