Daily Archives: June 13, 2021


Wednesday, June 23, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Beautiful and Tough Natives Shine in Uncertain Times, Online

A spring trip to the garden center offers a tempting array of exotic plants that promise to bloom throughout the season. The allure is great when coupled with the misconception that many gardeners have that native plants are not the most beautiful plants and can be messy.  Before succumbing to annual or exotic plant temptations, let’s consider the role that native plants play in our gardens. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. They provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. Native plants require little or no fertilizers and require less water. The deep root systems of many native plants stabilize the soil and increase the soil’s capacity to store water. And native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage.

Many native plants are not just beautiful, but also multi-task in tough conditions.

Join The Ecological Landscape Alliance and Teri Speight online on June 23 at noon for this inspiring presentation on native plants. She will share insight into what native plants offer in terms of both beauty and environmental value to the landscape. Teri will reacquaint us with some familiar plants and will offer other suggestions that just might make you rethink your garden needs.

In addition to providing valuable plant information, this presentation will inspire you to spend time in the garden and to consider native plants for your next garden project.

Teresa (Teri) Speight is a proud Native Washingtonian, Region II Director of GardenComm International, Steward of the Land, Garden Coach, Garden Writer, Podcaster at Garden in the Court, Garden Experience Curator, Estate Gardener, History Lover, and Visionary. With ancestral sharecropping roots originating in North and South Carolina, connecting with the earth is authentic to Teri. Her ancestor’s hands helped build and feed her family for generations. Teri honors this earth in respect to her heritage. Reconnecting average people with the soil is important. Teri believes that when we reconnect with the soil, nature, and our roots, we can begin to respect all that the earth provides.

This webinar is open to ELA members. If you are not a member, Join Us.

Log into your ELA member account to view tickets. The event is a free, but registration is required.


Friday, June 18 – Sunday, June 20 – Blooming Art 2021

Blooming Art is Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club’s exciting show that pairs the artwork of Vineyard artists with floral designs inspired by those works, created by Garden Club members.  Happy news is that Blooming Art is returning to the Old Mill this year… A little different from past years, but happening nonetheless.  In past years, we began the Blooming Art event with an ‘Opening Night Cocktail Celebration’, but due to the uncertainty of Covid, we have chosen to not have the opening night event be a part of Blooming Art this year.  Instead, this lovely celebration of art and flowers will begin on Friday, and will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and on Sunday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.  No pre-registration is necessary, an admission fee of $10.00 will be taken at the door. This event will be Covid compliant, based on the State and town regulations in place at the time of the Show.  

This year we have 34 artists presenting their work and have paired the art with 34 of our Garden Club members that will be doing the floral designs for the show.  All of the art work will be for sale with the Club receiving a percentage of the sales. We are planning an in-person demonstration for floral designers in May, so for exact dates and times that are available, please email Anda Woodward at andawoodward@gmail.com. For more information visit https://www.marthasvineyardgardenclub.org/