Native Plant Trust

Native Plant Trust Native Plant Trust (NativePlantTrust.org) is the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants.
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We operate Garden in the Woods in E. MA; Nasami Farm nursery in W. MA; and six sanctuaries. The mission of Native Plant Trust is to conserve and promote the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. Sign up for our free eNews here: https://newenglandwild.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=da2ac32891c8517a5f7bca27c&id=f0bd3f3eb2

While much of the interest in spring wildflowers stems from their uncommon and fleeting nature, there is beauty in the a...
05/29/2026

While much of the interest in spring wildflowers stems from their uncommon and fleeting nature, there is beauty in the adaptability and resilience of others.

Spotted crane’s bill (Geranium maculatum) is a hardy geranium that makes for an excellent native garden plant. Its flowers—five-petaled and white to pink to lavender—can bloom repeatedly from spring through late summer and fall when in ideal conditions. Adding to their interest, their seeds are forcibly ejected from the plant making for an intriguing show during the later months of the season. Geranium maculatum does best in moist soils, sunny spots, and thrives in woodlands and meadows.

Spotted crane’s bill is an important pollinator plant: it is a larval host for the leaf mining moth (Parectopa geraniella) and white-marked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma), and is an important food source for a specialist mining bee, the cranesbill miner (Andrena distans), among many other pollinators that look to it for a nectar and food source.

You can spot this wild geranium throughout Garden in the Woods, and can also find it in our garden shops at both the Garden and Nasami Farm.

Photos: Geranium maculatum © Dan Jaffe

Throughout the Northeast, the hardwood trees are leafing out, which means that Native Plant News, our semiannual magazin...
05/29/2026

Throughout the Northeast, the hardwood trees are leafing out, which means that Native Plant News, our semiannual magazine, will be hitting the mailboxes of Native Plant Trust members soon. This issue showcases our Conservation Seed Bank—how botanists throughout the region use it to augment dwindling local populations of rare species like the northern blazing star (Liatris novae-angliae). This is labor-intensive, careful, hands-on work, from collecting seed from wild populations to cleaning and storing it in readiness for a time when a species is on the brink.

Members of Native Plant Trust, watch for the issue to land soon. If you're not a member, consider joining now to receive our magazine and other benefits while supporting crucial conservation work like rare plant seed banking. Click here for membership info: https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/support/member-benefits/

“Grasses are the hair of Mother Earth.”—Karl Foerster, garden designer, botanist, gardenerThe grass family (Poaceae) is ...
05/27/2026

“Grasses are the hair of Mother Earth.”
—Karl Foerster, garden designer, botanist, gardener

The grass family (Poaceae) is one of the largest families of flowering plants and generally the most diverse family in any local or regional flora. It also includes some of the most beautiful plants on earth, whether they grow in wild, wind-tossed profusion in a meadow, or in an artful clump of stately garden specimens.

In our upcoming workshop, Early Season Grasses, on June 6, gardeners and field botanists alike can learn to identify the early-season grasses that are dominant features of our region's meadows and wetlands. Taught by Dr. Lisa Standley, this course is ideal for gardeners interested in native meadow restoration and planting. Saturday, June 6, 10:30–4:30 PM at Garden in the Woods. Sign up here: https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/early-season-grasses/

Photo: Hairy wood brome (Bromus pubescens) spikelets © Arthur Haines

Now that we have surpassed the spring frost date in the Boston area, many of us are planting our vegetable gardens or ge...
05/26/2026

Now that we have surpassed the spring frost date in the Boston area, many of us are planting our vegetable gardens or getting prepared to in the coming days. In this weeks Boston Globe column, Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer is sharing his tips a tricks for a successful and tasty harvest, including how to use native plants to attract pollinators to your garden - necessary for higher yields. Read the full article now through the link: https://www.boston.com/real-estate/gardening/2026/05/22/vegetable-herb-garden-tomatoes-new-england/

If you’re able to get outside today, keep an eye out for King Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum biflorum), otherwise called sm...
05/25/2026

If you’re able to get outside today, keep an eye out for King Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum biflorum), otherwise called smooth Solomon’s-seal

With its small, greenish-white, bell-like flowers dangling in pairs, long, smooth glossy leaves, and bright red berries in the summer, this plant is pleasing throughout the spring and summer. Happiest in shady spots, King Solomon’s-seal is an excellent little flower both for its beauty and its value to native pollinators. See if you can spot it in your local woodlands, or just stop by Garden in the Woods in our Woodland Garden to see it for yourself!

Photos: (1) Polygonatum biflorum © Liza Green, (2) Polygonatum biflorum © Dan Jaffe

Although the weather may be fickle this weekend, that doesn't mean that you can't spend some time out in nature!Garden i...
05/22/2026

Although the weather may be fickle this weekend, that doesn't mean that you can't spend some time out in nature!

Garden in the Woods is open and ready to welcome visitors this weekend, including on Memorial Day on Monday! Swing by for a lovely stroll through the Garden: from spring blooms (like these pink lady's slippers on the Ridge Trail), trees leafing out, and native plants for sale, it's the perfect way to spend a long weekend! We are open from 10am-5pm daily.

Photo: Pink lady's slippers (Cypripedium acaule), Tori Young (c) Native Plant Trust

All plants compete for space in order to survive, and those we know as "ground covers" do so by literally covering the g...
05/21/2026

All plants compete for space in order to survive, and those we know as "ground covers" do so by literally covering the ground. Choosing the right native ground covers can be useful in a garden environment. Our class How to Choose Competitive Native Ground Covers will explore seven ways that plants compete for space and go on to focus on those that "cover ground" effectively. With sample plants on hand, you'll experience how to observe and identify some of these competitive traits. Saturday, June 6, in person, in Middletown, CT. Register and get more details here: https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/how-to-choose-competitive-native-ground-covers/

Photo: Foam-flower (Tiarella cordifolia), Lawrence Newcomb © Native Plant Trust

No Mow May, a movement that started in 2019 in the U.K., has challenged how we think about lawns. In spreading public aw...
05/19/2026

No Mow May, a movement that started in 2019 in the U.K., has challenged how we think about lawns. In spreading public awareness, No Mow May can have positive effects in encouraging people to reframe their thinking around lawns. However, in terms of a long term change to supporting pollinators and creating an ecological garden, diversifying your garden and outdoor space by planting native wildflowers and other plants can be more effective. Last year, Fine Gardening magazine invited our director of Horticulture, Uli Lorimer, to weigh in, answering the question: "Is No Mow May a Good Idea?". Read the article here: https://www.finegardening.com/article/is-no-mow-may-a-good-idea?srsltid=AfmBOor8o_hLUhoXxZz-ZJX2zkQIlIsTyYPF9aX2jknr6h68x7kKV7z9

If you’d like to join the movement towards alternative groundcovers and supporting diversity in your lawn space, you can check out our upcoming class, How to Choose Competitive Native Ground Covers, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1:30–3:30 PM at the de Koven House in Middletown, Connecticut. Learn how to leverage native plants' natural competitive strategies to your advantage, and explore those that "cover ground" effectively. Find out more information on our website.

Photo: Carex pensylvanica, Dan Jaffe © Native Plan Trust

How did you first connect with the wonderful world of flowers and pollinators? Likely, being outdoors, interacting with ...
05/18/2026

How did you first connect with the wonderful world of flowers and pollinators?

Likely, being outdoors, interacting with nature, and learning about the beautiful relationships between wildlife and their environment played a role. On Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10–11:30 AM, join children’s book author and environmental educator Sara Levine at Garden in the Woods to expand your learning about pollinators in this interactive and playful program!

Sara’s award-winning children’s book, Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate, lets young readers in on the secret meanings of different flower colors as well as the pollinators that are drawn to those colors. Participants will join in for an interactive reading of the book, a botany walk through the garden, and crafting activities with hands-on opportunities to interact with plants. Attendees will come away with a more thorough understanding of how pollination works and the beautiful diversity of structure in flowers.

This program is aimed towards children ages 5-12 and their caregivers. Tickets to this event include admission to Garden in the Woods for the day, as well as an opportunity to have your book signed by Sara. Register here: https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/flower-talk-a-program-for-children-ages-5-12-and-their-caregivers/

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321 Commonwealth Road, Suite 204
Wayland, MA
01778

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