Native Plant Events

Winter sowing is an excellent way to keep your gardening passion active through the dormant winter season using this low- maintenance, cost-effective technique to expand your garden.

Learn all about winter sowing via this workshop - the how-to, different techniques, and strategies that will set you up for success with this immensely gratifying gardening activity.

Join us for an engaging and informative presentation on the ways we can create crucial habitat resources for wildlife in winter

Join us for the January Garden Chat to meet and learn from other native plant garden enthusiasts.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Explore how native gardening can address climate challenges in our next Wild Ones national webinar, “Cultivating Change” with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Johnson has been researching and writing about environmental issues for three decades. Learn about the pivotal role of gardening as an act of stewardship in the face of climate and ecological challenges. Discover the profound connections between individual gardens and the broader world and learn how these green spaces can serve as catalysts for positive ecological and social change.  Join Wild Ones for a practical and insightful discussion on gardening's positive impact on the environment and our future. 

Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch the talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

This presentation will outline how residential yard maintenance, such as leaf litter removal, affects pollinator and natural enemy survival and community composition.

Winter is the perfect time to plan your garden!

Join us to ask questions, share your successes and meet other native plant garden enthusiasts. 

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Registration for this event is now closed, and registrants have been emailed about attending. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues getting in.

This will be a paid event for both in-person and remote viewing. Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch Dr. Kimmerer's talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. This talk explores the ecological and ethical imperatives of healing the damage we have inflicted on our land and waters. We trace the evolution of restoration philosophy and practice and consider how integration of indigenous knowledge can expand our understanding of restoration from the biophysical to the biocultural. Reciprocal restoration includes not only healing the land but our relationship to land. In healing the land, we are healing ourselves.

Wild Ones is excited to cohost this event with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Earth Week 2024 and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter. 

Join us to ask questions, share your successes and meet other native plant garden enthusiasts. 

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

We’ll enjoy a Spring walk through Irvine Nature Center’s woodland gardens. Vinaya Frank, Wild Ones Greater Baltimore Vice President, will lead this walk and share her expertise as we look for spring flowers and other native plant surprises. 

Wild Ones Greater Baltimore will have an educational table at this event.

We will also be leading a tour of The Church of the Redeemer’s north parking lot garden and discussing the native plants and stormwater remediation efforts incorporated in the design.

Baltimore Native Plant Sale Facebook page

Award-winning local residential gardeners will showcase their gardens to Wild Ones members and friends, virtually walking you through their gardening journey with photos and stories. This event will not only feature before/after snapshots, but will be packed with inspiration and ideas to fuel your creative vision for planting natives on your own property. 

This month’s Garden Chat will begin with a short presentation about "Tips for Garden Projects in your Community" by Jimmy Rogers as he shares his expertise and hands-on experience. 

As always there will be time to ask questions and share your successes.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Enjoy a tour of an established native garden in Catonsville

Enjoy a promenade through a small parcel of land in the heart of Catonsville that is deceptive due to the large diverse collection of native trees, grasses, shrubs and flowers that provide habitats and food supplies to all manner of wildlife and insects.

This month’s Garden Chat will begin with a short presentation by Garden Designer Susan Minnemeyer. She will discuss “How to keep your garden blooming all season long:  pruning techniques and overlooked but worthy native plants”.

As always there will be time to ask questions and share your successes.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Pollinators in Maryland and across the globe are in decline. Learn about common groups of Maryland’s bees, what plants provide good nectar, what plants are good host plants for butterflies, and about different types of nest boxes for pollinators.

The presenter, Kerry Wixted, is a Maryland naturalist with over 15 years’ experience studying flora and fauna of Maryland

Let’s get together, talk about native gardening, and share our spreading plants looking for new homes. 

Join us even if you are new to native gardening and do not have anything to share yet. We are happy to help new gardeners get started. 

Event address at a private residence in Owings Mills will be provided to registrants closer to the event date. 

Over 31 years, Kay McConnell has created an oasis in Baltimore. Gravel, cobble and stepping stones, logs, woodchips, and wide grass paths provide access to a series of wild gardens that tell the story of the relationship between the land and the people who have lived here over the years. Traces of traditional gardens are embedded within the native plant community that is influenced by underlying serpentine stone geology.

Wild Ones Greater Baltimore Members received early access to register for this event and we only have a few spots remaining. If you are unable to register, email us at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

We will begin with a short presentation by Brigit Burbak on “Transforming a community garden”

There will also be time to ask questions, share your successes and meet other native plant garden enthusiasts.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Come see the native garden being created by Wild Ones President, Amanda “Nan” Wray, which is in the early stages of what she hopes to accomplish on her 2.5 acre lot.

We will begin with a short presentation on removing invasive plants by Vinaya Frank, Wild Ones Grater Baltimore Vice President. She will discuss several invasive plants that can be tackled in the fall season to maximize the effectiveness of herbicides and manual removal. 

As always there will be time to ask questions and share your successes.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Come see the native garden being created by Wild Ones President, Amanda “Nan” Wray, which is in the early stages of what she hopes to accomplish on her 2.5 acre lot.

Amanda South is excited to share her native gardens with you.  When her family moved into their home in the Fall of 2021, the yard was like all the other homes in the HOA.  Inspired by Doug Talamy’s book, “Nature’s Best Hope,” Amanda and her husband have spent the last 2 years gradually converting grass into native gardens.  Despite being relatively new to gardening, the yard is now full of birds, insects, snakes, and other life.  Last year they were winners in the Green Towson Alliance Native Garden Contest.

In this small suburban yard you can find over eighty different types of native plants, including eight types of milkweed and many other host plants.  Please come and have a look!

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

Sara and Coralie are part of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Landscaping team, and they have collaborated on diverse projects across Indiana, including native planting schemes for schools, community gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Humane Society. Their new design for Indianapolis reflects typical sub-divisions in Indiana and considers future climate challenges, such as increased flooding and hotter, drier summers. The design features resilient, native Indiana plants that thrive in local soil conditions and contribute to the ecosystem.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in native plants! Participants will gain practical insights into native garden designs and learn how tailored landscaping can support wildlife, promote ecological balance, and help restore natural habitats. 

This month we will start with a discussion focusing on observations of plant behavior in your garden. These observations can be extremely helpful since some plants do well in surprising conditions. Do you have a “full sun” plant doing well in shade or a “moisture loving” plant thriving in average soil? We want to know!

This is also a great place to get advice on any gardening issues, so bring your questions!

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Learn how to get started with native plants in your own garden! Join us for a morning gathering at Patterson Park with multiple tables set up by knowledgeable members and experts to help guide you in your native plant journey. 

Topics will include:

-Plant ID with hands-on instruction

-Sourcing native plants

-Getting started with garden design 

-Bird friendly gardens

-Best books for getting started

-Invasive plant Q&A

-Making seeds balls with local ecotype seeds

Find us near the Audubon pollinator garden by the pond.  view park map

Join us afterward for lunch at Mayuree Thai, 2318 Fleet Street (approximately 12:30 pm).

If you are interested in getting your hands in the dirt and supporting another great organization, The Mid-Atlantic Audubon is hosting a clean-up of their Patterson Park gardens at 8:00am and will finish in time to join the Native Plants 101 event. Audubon event information

Join Marlene Smith, President of Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, to learn the tips and tricks of the trade for harvesting, cleaning, and storing native plant seeds. Harvesting seeds is fun and easy, but beware, it can also become addicting. 

Topics covered include:

- Ethical collection guidelines

-Identifying source plants

-Recognizing when seeds are ready (learn the difference between “time sensitive” seeds and “Mama's Boys”)

-Harvesting, drying, cleaning, and storing seeds

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

 You will also learn about Heather McCargo and the Wild Seed Project's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Portland, ME. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in native plant restoration and take your landscaping skills to the next level. 

Jeremy Tidd, owner and lead grower of Bona Terra Nursery in Friendship, MD, has over 20 years of growing, designing, installation, and maintenance experience, and has designed and installed over 1,000 urban conservation gardens. He currently focuses his efforts on the native plant nursery and expanding accessibility to native plants which he has done in a spectacular fashion with seedling give-away events and plant grants. 

Join Jeremy for an hour-long discussion about his experience with Bona Terra followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. 

Topics will include:

-How Bona Terra got started and our sustainability practices

-Seed sourcing

-Soil making with a focus on biochar

-Future goals for Bona Terra

Wild Ones Greater Baltimore and Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay are co-hosting this event. 

Join us to ask questions, share your successes and meet other native plant garden enthusiasts.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Join us for our first annual volunteer social! In addition to current volunteers and their families, anyone interested in learning more about volunteering with Wild Ones is welcome.

Enjoy the company of fellow native plant enthusiasts while relaxing in a beautiful garden setting at the home of our Membership Chair, Martha Ruffin.

We will enjoy a fall color sunset guided tour of the Friends School of Baltimore Nature Trail (map), a campus wide system of Native Plant Teaching Gardens designed to increase wildlife habitat, manage stormwater, and enhance the experience of all who use the campus.

Fall is the perfect time to thin your gardens and share your spreading plants looking for new homes. 

Join us even if you are new to native gardening and do not have anything to share yet. We are happy to help new gardeners get started.

Learn how to use high-density plantings that replicate natural ecosystems in aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing ecological functions while reducing maintenance efforts in our upcoming Wild One's national webinar, "Matrix Landscape Design" with author, landscape designer, activist, and educator Benjamin Vogt.

Matrix planting is a landscape design approach that mimics natural ecosystems by closely planting and layering compatible perennials and grasses to cover the soil, provide more ecosystem services, and eliminate the need for wood mulch or aggressive weeding.  Join Wild Ones for a webinar to learn how author, educator, and landscape designer Benjamin Vogt applies this approach to create stunning native gardens. Learn the principles behind this method, its ecological benefits, and practical steps to implement matrix planting in your own garden. 

You will also learn about Benjamin's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Lincoln, NE. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading voice in natural garden design and take your gardening skills to the next level. Register now to secure your spot! 

Join us for the annual chapter meeting to learn about the successes of the past year and our future plans. 

The evening will begin with “Highlights from Our Gardens” where Board Members will share pictures and inspiration from their gardens. 

Following the garden presentations we will cover the following topics: 

-Chapter activities including photos from 2024 events

-Financial report

-Membership report

A vote for Board of Directors will be held following the reports. Note that participation in this election is limited to current members.

All are welcome to attend the annual meeting. 

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.