Boston Flora

Tag: Native Plants for New England Gardens

  • Saturday, January 15, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – For Us and Them: Edible Native Plants to Feed Us All, Online

    Ask ten folks why they grow plants and you’re likely to get a variety of answers. The most common reasons are often aesthetic in nature—we like the look of a garden; it gives us a place to relax or play or drink wine with friends. However, simple beauty is not always enough, and in the modern era complicated issues such as sustainability and food stability are becoming more commonplace. Which plants will have the greatest ecological impacts? Which edibles are resistant to diseases and pests? What if you could have it all? Join Dan Jaffe Wilder as he explains how to create beautiful, edible landscapes that feed both us and wildlife using low maintenance native plants that also support the local ecosystem.

    This Mt. Cuba Center program is part of its Winter Lecture Series and takes place online Saturday, January 15 at 11 am Eastern. Register ($25) at https://mtcubacenter.org/event/for-us-and-them-edible-native-plants-to-feed-us-all-online/

    About the Instructor:
    Dan Jaffe Wilder is the Ecological Horticulturist for Norcross Wildlife Foundation specializing in native plant ecology, plant propagation, wildlife habitat construction, and native edible landscapes. His professional experience has ranged from nurseries to botanical gardens to wildlife refuges. A prolific photographer and author, Dan’s book Native Plants for New England Gardens was released in 2018.

    Cuba Center

  • Wednesday, December 8, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Taking on the Big Places: How to Build and Maintain Self-Sufficient Landscapes, Online

    There are a variety of strategies for landscape maintenance that gardeners employ, but mulching, weeding, planting, and various other tasks become problematic when we start looking at acres instead of square feet. How does one manage a woodland as opposed to a woodland garden? What strategies can be applied to multi-acre meadows? How can we manage for specific species when getting down on our knees and weeding is not a viable option? Join Jaffe Wilder, author and ecological horticulturist, and The Ecological Landscape Alliance online on December 8 at noon to explore how to manage the big places. With case studies from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary he will explain various strategies for creating and maintaining large landscapes with ecology and self-sustainability at the forefront.

    Photographer and author Dan Jaffe Wilder has over fifteen years’ experience with ecological horticulture. He is a propagator of native species, the photographer and co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, and a lecturer on numerous topics including pollinators, sustainable landscape practices, foraging and cultivation of edible species, low-maintenance horticulture, among others. He has developed a native plant horticultural database (https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search) and has years of nursery management experience. Dan earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from Native Plant Trust (formerly New England Wild Flower Society). He is the Horticulturalist and Propagator for Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, MA and is currently building his own home-scale homestead, growing and foraging numerous edible species, preserving and cooking whenever possible, and raising small animals.

  • Wednesday, July 28, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Eco-Answers with an ELA Eco-Pro, Online

    Do you have a question about how to manage or maintain edibles in your yard and gardens?
    Is successfully growing edibles a challenge that you are facing this summer?

    Join the Ecological Landscape Alliance and native edible plant specialist, Dan Jaffe Wilder online on July 28 at 6:30 Eastern time to ask your questions and get professional advice to help solve your problems. During this 90-minute Zoom live forum, Dan will provide answers to some common questions, and possibly some not so common questions. Dan will share information dealing with edible plants in your gardens and landscapes, including nut-producing trees, berrying shrubs, and some common and not so common annual vegetables.

    Dan will start the evening with brief opening remarks and then jump right into your questions for the bulk of the Q&A session. Some topics that Dan can address are:

    • Edible plants in containers
    • Native and perennial edibles
    • Organic soil amendments
    • Growing food in less-than-ideal conditions
    • Natural pest controls
    • Weeding strategies
    • And more…

    Please send your questions in advance so that Dan will know where to focus his attention. Also send photos of the plants in question to provide some reference and to add interest to the discussion. Email photos along with your questions to: penny@ecolandscaping.org. We will also be taking questions throughout the event.

    Once you are registered for Eco-Answers with the ELA Eco-Pros, you will receive an email with the Zoom Webinar link. Open only to ELA members – join now and register for this free evening event.

    Photographer, author, and plantsman Dan Jaffe Wilder has over fifteen years’ experience with ecological horticulture. He is a propagator of native species, the photographer and co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, and a lecturer on numerous topics including pollinators, sustainable landscape practices, foraging and cultivation of edible species, low-maintenance horticulture, among others. He has developed a native plant horticultural database (https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search) and has years of nursery management experience. Dan earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from Native Plant Trust (formerly New England Wild Flower Society). He is the Horticulturalist and Propagator for Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, MA and is currently building his own home-scale homestead, growing and foraging numerous edible species, preserving and cooking whenever possible, and raising small animals.

  • Native Plants for New England Gardens Online

    Tower Hill Botanic Garden horticulture director Mark Richardson offers an online, informative, in-depth hour long talk on the importance of native plants in supporting ecosystems and how to choose the right ones for your particular piece of paradise. This free video is available anytime at https://www.towerhillbg.org/2020/04/20/webinar-native-plants-new-england-gardens/

    Prior to joining the staff at Tower Hill, Mark wrote Native Plants for New England Gardens, a guide to over 100 native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses and vines with co-author Dan Jaffe.

  • Saturday, August 18, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Dan Jaffe, coauthor of Native Plants for New England Gardens, wants to teach you how to create lovely, low-maintenance gardens that support biodiversity and thrive in New England. This handy guide to more than 100 great native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and vines features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography. Join him on Saturday, August 18 at 10:30 am for this informative discussion about native plants and all their garden uses–from plants to use instead of mulch to tough plants for urban gardens. The Urban Gardening Series is a set of lectures designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful gardens. Led by New England Wild Flower Society in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free lectures take place at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA.

    Image result for Dan Jaffe Native Plants

  • Thursday, June 7, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Gardening for Us and Them: How Native Plants Can Feed Both Pollinators and Humans

    People typically begin to create gardens for aesthetic reasons. However, many soon find that they want more than simple beauty and look to incorporate plants that contribute on multiple levels. On Thursday, June 7 at 7 pm in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, Dan Jaffe will address a current trend (one that we hope is lasting) for gardening with pollinator-friendly and edible plants. He’ll explain which flower shapes and colors attract insects, which edibles are more resistant to diseases and pests, and how to provide for pollinators across the growing season. Armed with a bit of knowledge and a selection of low-maintenance native plants, you can create a multi-tasking garden that nourishes the needs of both humans and pollinators. Dan’s book with co-author Mark Richardson, Native Plants for New England Gardens, will be available for purchase and signing. Fee is Free for Arboretum members; $10 nonmember. Register at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.

    Image result for Dan Jaffe

  • Monday, April 23, 7:00 pm – Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Porter Square Books, 25 White Street in Cambridge, will host Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe on Monday, April 23 at 7 pm for a talk and book signing. This is the essential gardener’s guide to growing native in New England. Plants native to New England evolved to thrive in local conditions and survive harsh seasons. Native Plants for New England Gardens culls the expertise of the New England Wild Flower Society to help anyone create lovely, hardy gardens that will tolerate drought, resist disease and encourage biodiversity. This handy guide to 100 great native flowers, ground covers, shrubs, ferns, and grasses that will thrive in New England gardens features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography. Find and nurture the native plants that your garden is missing–the planet will thank you.

    New England Wild Flower Society Director of the Botanic Garden Mark Richardson studied ornamental horticulture at the University of Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a product of his passion for public horticulture. Photographer and author Dan Jaffe earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, and has years of nursery and plant sales experience. He is the official propagator and stock bed grower of the New England Wild Flower Society.

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  • Saturday, April 7, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Mark Richardson continues to make the rounds with his new book Native Plants for New England Gardens, co-authored with Dan Jaffe, and on April 7 you will have the chance to hear him and to acquire a signed copy of his book at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a handy guide to more than 100 great native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and vines. The book features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography.

    Join co-author Mark Richardson for this informative discussion about native plants and all their garden uses – from plants to use in place of mulch to those that attract and support pollinators. $5 for THBG members, $15 for nonmembers.

    New England Wild Flower Society Director of the Botanic Garden Mark Richardson studied ornamental horticulture at the University of Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a product of his passion for public horticulture.

    Image result for Mark Richardson Native Plants for New England Gardens

  • Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Native Plants for New England Gardens, by New England Wild Flower Society horticulture gurus Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe, will help anyone create lovely, hardy gardens that will tolerate drought, resist disease, and strengthen biodiversity. This handy, gorgeously illustrated guide selects 100 great native garden plants–flowers, ground covers, shrubs, ferns, and grasses–that will thrive in this region’s gardens because they evolved in our local conditions. The authors share their deep knowledge and broad experience about the best place to plant each species and how to care for it.

    Slated for March 2018 release from the Society and Globe Pequot Press, Native Plants for New England Gardens will be out in time for spring gardening. But you can reserve your copy now, at a discount! Though priced at $19.95 for standard retailers, NEWFS is selling it at just $18.50 for nonmembers and $16.50 for members! Pre-order your discounted copies now through the Garden Shop: 508-877-7630 x3601; or email gardennatives@newenglandwild.org.