*Advance registration is required for programs. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410.634.2847, ext. 0.*
MARCH
First Saturday Guided Walk
Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m.
Free for members, free with admission for the general public
Explore the rich and unique native plant habitat of Adkins Arboretum. The plant habitats you’ll see include mature and young native forests, meadows, a wetland, as well as a rain garden and a pollinator garden. You may also visit the Arboretum’s Native Plant Nursery and the children’s teaching garden. Tours begin at the Visitor’s Center and last approximately one hour. 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for more information.
Peatlands and Bog-like Habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula
Saturday, March 2, 1– 2:30 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $20 general public
Bogs are wetlands habitats with deep deposits of peat, or partially decomposed plant material. Because most bogs develop in areas of the world where glaciers formerly occurred, there are no true bogs on the Delmarva Peninsula. There are, however, wetland habitats on the Peninsula where peat is well formed and bog-like conditions develop, including habitats such as Atlantic white cedar swamps, acidic fens, and interdunal swales. These habitats often support carnivorous plants that are adapted to the unique environmental conditions that result from peat formation. Join Bill McAvoy to learn more about the ecology and flora of these fascinating habitats.
McAvoy is the botanist for the Delaware Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and has studied and published on both the vascular and nonvascular flora of the Delmarva Peninsula for over 20 years. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Nature as Muse
Wednesday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free for members, free with admission for the general public
Each month this writing group will follow a different winding path through the Arboretum to quietly observe nature in detail. This will provide inspiration for expressing ideas that begin as seeds in our minds and then blossom into discovery as we write. No previous writing experience necessary. Enjoy how the paths in the Arboretum and the paths in your mind can lead you on an unpredictable but delightful journey. Bring a sack lunch and dress for both indoor and outdoor forest adventure. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for more information.
Philadelphia Flower Show bus trip
Wednesday, March 6, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
$75 members, $95 general public includes transportation, tip, and admission
Register by Tuesday, February 26.
The British have a word for something that’s inventive, dazzling, and extraordinary. That word is “brilliant!” In 2013, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will glow with the majestic beauty and creative genius of Great Britain and will pay tribute to centuries of inspiring and influential culture, culminating in the urbane design of 21st-century London. Your admission ticket provides access to the Show’s finest features, including complimentary wine tastings, horticultural demonstrations, culinary presentations, and shopping in the Marketplace. The bus departs from Creamery Lane parking lot (near the fire station) in Easton at 8 a.m. and from Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely at 8:30 a.m. An additional stop at the 301/291 Park and Ride for Chestertown-area participants will be added upon request. The bus will depart for home at 6 p.m. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Growing with Kids
Friday, March 8, 10 a.m. – noon
$15 members, $20 general public
Children are innately curious, and few opportunities hold as many exciting possibilities for discovery as spending time in a garden. Adults, whether family or friends, serve as a gateway by creating time and space for the young to explore the abundance of life that can come from the earth. Elizabeth Beggins will provide ideas for kid-friendly gardening projects that are sure to inspire growers of every age. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Composting
Saturday, March 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
$15 members, $20 general public
Join Dr. Francis R. Gouin, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland and composting expert, to learn about the science in composting, how to start a compost pile and manage it from start to finish, and the benefits of using compost in gardening. Enough Said, a compilation of 125 essays that Dr. Gouin wrote for the Annapolis Horticulture Society newsletter over a twelve-year period, will be available for purchase at this program. This collection of articles on composting, pruning, soil testing, planting, eliminating pesky weeds (like bamboo and kudzu), and much, much more is a user-friendly reference that many gardeners consider an indispensible guide to “best practices” in the garden. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
iNaturalist
Sunday, March 10, 1–2:30 p.m.
Free with admission
Ever taken an interesting photo of a plant or animal, and wanted to share what you’ve seen and where you’ve seen it? Liberate that photo from your hard drive, and share it with an online army of naturalists and scientists. Matt Muir will show how social media, photo sharing, and nature are linking local and global expertise for use in education and science. In an ever-growing world of nature-sharing websites, Matt will focus on iNaturalist.org, a free and open-source community that connects your observations to species range maps, state and county lists, and other external information sources. Learn how iNaturalist can be used to keep lists of all your species records, to establish projects where others can complement your efforts, to seek identification help, and to create field guides for your backyard, your favorite nature area, or any location that you choose. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Geological Formations and Weather Patterns
Friday, March 15, 1–2 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $20 general public
Environmental issues such as climate change and sea level rise are both at the forefront of public interest. Archaeology, as a discipline, is generally not viewed as a way to understand these topics, but according to Darrin Lowery, Ph.D., the best way to understand the impact of climate is to look at the past. By integrating both geology and archaeology, we can more thoroughly understand important environmental issues associated with the Chesapeake Bay region. Join Dr. Lowery to explore various aspects supporting a detailed understanding of Delmarva’s ever-changing landscape.
Raised on Tilghman Island, Dr. Lowery comes from a long line of boat builders, farmers, and watermen. His interest in archaeology and geology began at the age of seven while combing the eroding shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay with his father. His interest is in how geological formations reveal weather patterns and how these weather patterns affect human development. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Herpetology Walk: Amphibians and Reptiles
Saturday, March 16, 10–11:30 a.m.
Free with admission
Join Scott Smith to learn about the frogs, turtles, snakes, and salamanders that inhabit the Arboretum wetlands and forest. Scott Smith is the Maryland DNR-Natural Heritage Program Wildlife Diversity Ecologist and Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project coordinator for Talbot and Caroline counties. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Landscape Design Workshop
Saturday, March 16, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fee: $85 members, $110 general public
This workshop will address the typical challenges of homeowners in the Chesapeake Bay region. Three experienced landscape designers and avid gardeners will lead this all-day intensive design session. Come with your challenges and dreams, and leave with a landscape plan, ideas, and confidence to transform your home landscape for your enjoyment and pride.
Workshop leaders are Arboretum Executive Director Ellie Altman; landscape architect Barbara McClinton, formerly of the Baltimore landscape architecture and land planning firm Daft, McCune, Walker; and landscape designer and native plant enthusiast Chris Pax, a graduate of the George Washington University sustainable landscape design master’s program. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Introduction to Nature Journaling
Wednesday, March 20, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Fee: $35 members, $45 general public
This workshop with Lee D’Zmura presents the popular pastime of nature or travel journaling. Participants will learn techniques to quickly and spiritedly record plants, animals, experiences, and places as they happen. Emphasis will be placed on initial sketches, text, and color rendering. Bring a sack lunch; a list of materials will be provided. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Sticks and Stones: A Garden’s Bones
Friday, March 22, 1–2 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $20 general public
The first time he saw a rustic fence made of eastern red cedar, Pierre Moitrier immediately fell under the spell. He was compelled to start building with this wonderful material. Along the way, he found a true outlet for his creativity. Drawing inspiration from nature, his travels, and the charm of the old villages in France, he started creating one of-a-kind structures for the garden. In this talk, Pierre will take you from harvest to construction and show you how to transform a mere pile of cedar twigs into benches, fences, arbors, and gazebos that showcase intricate patterns. While presenting beautiful slides of his work, he will share valuable insights on construction techniques. Walk out inspired and ready to build your own rustic cedar structure!
Moitrier is a professional gardener at Designs for Greener Gardens, an Annapolis-based fine gardening company he owns and operates with his wife, Nancy. After leaving his native France twelve years ago with a degree in sustainable rural land use, Pierre landed in the garden universe. He quickly developed a strong interest in gardening and a true passion for the -kind hardscapes for the garden, including rustic stonework, magical garden follies, and creative woodwork using native Juniperus virginiana in its rough form. His work has been featured in Adrian Higgins’ column, on HGTV and in American Nurseryman, among others. Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
Full Moon Walk
Wednesday, March 27, 6–8 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $20 general public
Take a guided tour of the Arboretum under a full moon. We’ll discover the night sights and sounds of the meadow and forest, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and spring in the woodland. Along the way, with guidance from Science Advisor Mary Travaglini, we might identify some buds by flashlight, check what the goats do under a full moon, and even see what smells the plants might give us. At the end of our walk, a little fire will be going, and we will have warm drinks and marshmallows to toast! Register at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 for information.
ART EXHIBITS
Discovering the Native Landscapes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Adkins Arboretum’s fourteenth annual art competition, will be on view through March 29. This show draws entries in many different media by artists from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond. The juror for this year’s show is Alex Castro, Adjunct Professor of Art at Washington College, who has recently introduced the college’s first classes in environmental art. There will be a reception Saturday, February 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.
One Hundred Footsteps is a unique collaboration between writer Jennifer Wallace and visual artist Katherine Kavanaugh, both of Baltimore. In this limited edition work, fifty of Wallace’s haiku-like poems are paired with fifty small collage drawings by Kavanaugh. Although the poems and images aren’t meant to illustrate one another, they share parallel contemplative moods. On view April 1 through May 31, this meditative exhibit was inspired by a medieval Japanese collaborative poetic form, the renga, often composed of 100 verses. There will be a reception Saturday, April 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.
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Winter and Spring Soup ’n Walks
Nature, Nurture, and Nutrition
Saturdays, March 23 and April 27, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Fee: $20 members, $25 general public
Registration required. Limit: 25
Track the changing landscape from winter to spring. Following a guided walk with a docent naturalist, enjoy a delicious and nutritious lunch along with a brief lesson about the meal’s nutritional value. Copies of recipes are provided.
March 23—Buds and Early Blooms
Many trees and shrubs are sporting new spring buds, fiddleheads are emerging on Christmas fern, and early pink and purple blooms are beginning to appear. Register for a one-hour or two-hour walk to check out skunk cabbage, spring beauty, and bloodroot blooms and the soft buds of paw paw, hickory, and tulip tree.
Menu
Beet and cabbage soup
Black-eyed pea salad
Dill rye bread with strawberry jam
Raspberry rhubarb cobbler
April 27—Fleeting Ephemerals
Appearing in early spring, ephemerals flower, fruit, and die back in a short period of time. Join a one-hour or two-hour walk to catch glimpses of pink spring beauty, Mayapple, and dogwood blossoms, yellow trout lily, golden groundsel, sassafras and spicebush blooms, and white beech tree blossoms.
Menu
Chicken rice vegetable soup
Cabbage and carrot slaw with nuts
Ancient grain bread with buckwheat honey
Baked pineapple
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Spring Preschool Programs
Celebrate spring at the Arboretum with your preschooler! Discover the wonders of bluebirds, spring blooms, pollywogs, and more in a six-week program brimming with hands-on fun. Classes are open to children ages 3 to 5. Advance registration is required. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, so early registration is recommended. Each class includes a healthy snack and a craft. Programs will be offered Tuesdays, April 9–May 14.
The Science of Spring for Homeschoolers
Each spring, the Arboretum’s wetland teems with new life. Home school students will welcome the spring season with hands-on exploration of plant and animal life cycles. Activities will include using microscopes to study organisms at the cellular level, dissecting flowering plants, investigating metamorphosis in a stream study, and more. Students should be prepared to make new friends, get a little dirty, and have fun with science! This program is designed for students in grades 2–5. This program will be offered Thursdays, April 11–May 14.