Enjoy fall in the garden! Adkins Arboretum will hold its Fall Native Plant Sale Weekend Fri., Sept. 16 through Sun., Sept. 18 at the Arboretum in Ridgely, Md. The sale benefits the Arboretum’s education programs and affords the public an opportunity to learn about the Delmarva’s native flora and its role in land stewardship practices.
Take advantage of autumn’s cool, moist weather to add color and wildlife habitat to your landscape. Many native plants produce seeds, flowers and fruits in fall that attract migratory birds and butterflies. Plants such as asters and goldenrod extend the garden into fall by adding bright pops of color and structural interest to the landscape. One goldenrod worthy of mention is the cultivar ‘Fireworks’, which forms a dense colony growing 3–4 feet tall with curved flowering tips reminiscent of Fourth of July fireworks. It is deer resistant and makes for excellent cut and dried flowers.
The sale will also feature native trees such as sweetbay magnolia, river birch and black gum. In summer, the leaves of black gum or tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) are a nondescript glossy green, but come fall, it produces deep, rich shades of red and orange. The Arboretum’s Native Plant Nursery is a participating nursery in the Marylanders Plant Trees program, offering a $25 coupon toward purchase of native trees that retail for $50 or more.
In addition to the region’s largest selection of ornamental native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns and grasses for fall planting, items for sale will include nature-themed gift items and used and new gardening and horticultural books. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, and Arboretum docents will lead guided walks.
A members-only plant sale will be held Fri., Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Public sale days are Sat., Sept. 17 and Sun., Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members, including those who join on any sale day, receive 10% off plant and gift shop purchases, and members at the Contributor ($100) level receive a 20% discount on plants. Sale days can be crowded, so please leave dogs at home. For more information, call 410-634-2847, extension 0 or visit www.adkinsarboretum.org.
Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new LEED-certified Arboretum Center and entranceway to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives promoting best practices in conservation and land stewardship. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, extension 0.
In photo: Fall is the best season for planting. Adkins Arboretum’s Fall Native Plant Sale weekend, Sept. 16–18, will feature the region’s largest selection of native perennials, grasses, trees, shrubs, ferns and vines. Viburnum nudum, pictured, exhibits white flowers in early summer and beautiful summer color and berries in fall.