Over time, portions of our gardens are ready for a makeover. Short of starting from scratch, most gardeners would prefer to enhance what they already have. In this two part Native Plant Trust online workshop with Cheryl Saladino, we’ll cover essential design techniques to assess, reshape, and diversify established and newly imagined garden beds. We’ll jump-start your creativity by introducing a selection of native woody plants and perennials to match your growing conditions. You’ll be able to apply these principles by selecting an area on your property to revitalize. The live sessions take place April 13 & 27 from 6 – 9, and are $90 for NPT members, $108 for nonmembers, Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/revitalizing-garden-incorporating-native-plants-existing-landscapes/
Landscape design professionals can play a key role in regenerating our monocultural suburban landscapes. Understanding why this work is so vitally important and how we can create beautiful (even luxuriant) landscapes that capture carbon, create habitat in support of our native pollinators, and contribute to the cooling of the earth’s atmosphere.
Nadia Malarkey will share the philosophy that drives her work in the regeneration of landscapes, showing images from her own commissioned residential projects. These examples illustrate the use of a spatial design aesthetic for viable bio-diverse functional landscapes.
Ms. Malarkey’s gardens have inspired her clients with a deeper sense of environmental stewardship as well as drawn their friends and neighbors to the native plant aesthetic. This webinar, sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance, takes place February 9 at 1 pm, and is free to ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org
Native plants are an important part of establishing a sustainable environment. In this October 28 Tower Hill Botanic Garden session from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, we’ll learn about the tried and true natives that can complement your garden, attract pollinators and withstand our New England weather. Successful herbaceous and woody plants will be included.
Cheryl Salatino is the principal designer and owner of Dancing Shadows Garden Design, a residential landscape design and services firm. She has been designing gardens across Massachusetts since 2002. Cheryl is a Certified Landscape Designer and a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH). She received her certificate in landscape design from the Radcliffe Seminars Landscape Design Program of Harvard University. She was awarded the status of Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist by the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) as evidence of achieving the industry’s highest standards in nursery and landscape professionalism. Cheryl has also earned an Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Design as part of the New England Wildflower Society’s Native Plant Studies Program. This program will be held virtually. Once you register you will receive a zoom link in the confirmation. This webinar will also be RECORDED and available for 2 months to all registrants. $10 for Tower Hill members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.
Viewing landscapes and plants through the lenses of different cultures will help designers create panoramas that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are spaces where Nature is no longer reorganized and alien. Working with Nature to create landscapes in which both people and plants are considered is the new frontier for landscape designers. Join the Native Plant Trust and Wambui Ippolito on October 5 at 6:30 pm online. $15 for NPT members, $18 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/people-plants-world-landscape-commonalities/
Maria von Brincken will help you design an outdoor space that uses texture, color, and mass planting to create visual interest throughout the winter. Winter gardens also create a backdrop for seasonal flower gardens. Featuring the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Bressingham Garden, her design work, and others, Maria will introduce you to lay-out and plant lists that will inspire your garden planning during these cold months. There will be class time for you to experiment with winter planting combinations and layout that could work in your own gardens.
This is a three day workshop, taking place virtually and onsite at The Gardens at Elm Bank.
Virtual Dates – February 10th & 17th, 10am-2pm
On-Site Garden Visit – February 11th, 10-11am
Maria von Brincken, principle of Maria von Brincken Landscape Garden Design, is an award-winning certified designer (APLD and LI) celebrating her 21st year in professional practice. Maria specializes in custom beautiful spaces and colorful flower gardens using native and ornamental plants.
Trained as a fine artist, color theorist, and organic gardener Maria brings years of critical design thinking to her landscape solutions. Her design has been featured in Fine Gardening Magazine, Landscape Ideas You Can Use and others.
Her lectures and workshops have been featured at Mass Hort, Boston The Flower Show, Radcliffe Seminars and the LI, Conn. Master Gardener’s Conference, Perennial Plant Conference, ELA- just to name a few. Her lectures, classes, and workshops teach successful ways of thinking and techniques.
This Native Plant Trust multisession course tackles the different aspects of the landscape design process. Workshop sessions focus on design methods using site analysis techniques and schematic design tools. Participants consult with the instructor and work on projects of their own choosing. Discussions about plants and habitats are interspersed with lectures on design principles, including criteria for making plant choices and determining placement in the landscape. Led by Cheryl Salatino, the class will be held at Garden in the Woods on November 3, 10, 17, and December 1 & 8, from 1 – 4. $225 for members of sponsoring organizations, $270 for nonmembers. Register online at www.nativeplanttrust.org.
Although most often associated with natural settings like meadows, forests, and pond edges, native plants can work beautifully in built landscapes. Learn which native plants work best for gardens and what principles of design enhance their aesthetic appeal. This Native Plant Trust online session will take place Thursday, October 8 from 6:30 – 7:30, taught by Anna Fialkoff. $12 for NPT members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/introduction-designing-native-plants/
Native plant species are often recommended to provide optimal foraging and nesting habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. The growing demand for native plants, coupled with the horticulture industry’s desire for plants with unique characteristics, has led to the increased breeding and availability of native cultivars or “nativars.” But do native cultivars provide the same valuable habitat as the straight native species? Dr. Annie White will share her field research on this topic and discuss the complex benefits and challenges of using both native species and native cultivars in landscape design. The Native Plant Trust webinar takes place August 21 from 1 – 2 and is $13 for NPT members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/role-native-plant-cultivars-landscape-design-and-habitat-restoration/
The area around a building is the very place that says “Welcome” to the visitor or “Relax, you’re home” to the occupant. The foundation of a building also contributes to the elusive quality called curb appeal. Yet how often do we see stressed-out shrubs and struggling perennials in this most visible area?
In this one-hour Tower Hill Botanic Garden online presentation on June 10 at 6:30 pm, we first consider the design problems posed by the foundation area around homes and other buildings. Then we look at native plants that fit into that highly visible setting. The foundation garden need not be a bastion of pachysandra and boxwood!
Kathy Connolly is a landscape designer who specializes in naturalized designs, low-impact techniques, and native plants for homeowners, municipalities, and other organizations. Kathy has a master’s degree in landscape planning and design from the Conway School in Easthampton, MA. She completed the advanced master gardener program and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional through NOFA. She is an active member of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG). She is a regular columnist for The Day community papers which circulate throughout southeastern Connecticut and has written about lawn alternatives for The Spruce/About.com. She gives about 25 talks and workshops each year for conservation organizations, master gardeners, museums, libraries, land trusts, and garden clubs. Her website is http://www.SpeakingofLandscapes.com.
A Zoom link will be sent to participants in the confirmation e-mail that will be sent after registration. $7 for Tower Hill members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org
Ecological design is based on the same principles as landscape design, however, practitioners can become caught up in the arrangement of elements and materials and forget that the application of art and design principles are critical to evoke meaning, intent, and order. Consider this free Ecololgical Landscape Alliance webinar on May 6 from 12 – 1 Eastern time a refresher course for experienced designers and an introduction to design for emerging practitioners. This webinar is adapted from the introduction to Ecological Design in the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s Native Plant and Ecological Horticulture certificate program.
Lisa Cowan, PLA, Studioverde, is a nationally recognized landscape architect with expertise in ecology-based land design and sustainable SITES certification. Lisa’s pioneering work in successful wetland restoration and creation was featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine. Lisa teaches courses at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden focused on environmental design principles and techniques for ecosystem restoration. Her work includes the planting and hardscape design for outdoor gathering spaces at the FBI’s Quantico campus (Virginia), and the landscape art entrance feature for the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building (Maine) and the site design for the Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Mount Desert Island office.
