Ecological gardening with native plants uses our treasured flora of the past and applies the most innovative sustainable practices to create a new norm for the American garden. Learn practices in horticulture that have positive or neutral ecological impact—methods that can be sustained over the long term with the least possible alteration of the existing community of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. Ecological gardening is a way to work with nature, not against it, and sustainable practices are those which work in an ecologically sound manner. The New England Wild Flower Society has utilized principles of ecological gardening for over 40 years at its botanic garden, Garden in the Woods. Such practices preserve floral and faunal diversity, both above and below the soil line, and do not significantly alter the soil, water, air or organisms that exist in, or come in contact with, our landscape. In this Saturday, November 12 Berkshire Botanical Garden class, held at The Berkshire Botanical Garden from 1 – 3 pm, led by Scott Lafleur of the New England Wild Flower Society, learn about the sustainable practices with a focus on creating and maintaining healthy soil and effectively using compost and compost tea. Consider site location and how to identify the “right plant for the right place.” These techniques use a hands-on approach to mitigating the adverse affects of traditional gardening. Learn how to put all these practices together to achieve a closed system. $35 fee. Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.

Scott Lafleur is Botanic Garden Director at Garden in the Woods, home of the New England Wild Flower Society, where he is curator of plant collections and oversees facilities, visitor services and retail services. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire horticulture program, and specializes in perennials and perennial garden design.