On Saturday, June 29, join landscape architect Claudia West to debunk the myth that native plants are “messy” and to explore the ornamental value of native plants and their highly attractive cultivars when Adkins Arboretum offers “Wild and Neat” from 1 to 3 p.m.

A fascinating range of colors and textures are found in the Chesapeake Bay region’s native flora. Enjoy and be inspired by West’s fascinating talk that includes design examples and plant combinations that demonstrate the beauty, elegance and diversity created through a sense of place, using regionally appropriate native plants in the landscape.

Claudia West grew up in a family-owned landscape nursery business that specializes in garden design and perennial, woody and cut flower production. She holds a master’s of landscape architecture and landscape planning from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Previously, she served as a design consultant for Wolfgang Oehme/Carol Oppernheimer: Landscape Architecture, and was employed by Bluemount Nurseries and Sylva Native Nursery. Her extensive background in horticulture, ecology and environmental restoration delivers a wealth of experience and knowledge in her current role as a consultant to North Creek Nurseries.

“Wild and Neat” is $15 for members, $20 for the general public. Advance registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

In photo: Landscape architect and consultant Claudia West will discuss the aesthetic value of native plants when Adkins Arboretum offers “Wild and Neat” on Sat., June 29.