Native Plant Trust

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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

New England’s variety of trees have much to offer us, wildlife habitats to autumn colors.Join us on Friday, October 16, ...
10/09/2026

New England’s variety of trees have much to offer us, wildlife habitats to autumn colors.

Join us on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, from 10:30 AM–4:30 PM for Framework Trees of New England. This two-day course will explore the history and ecology of the Northeast’s forests, from the Ice Age through the present day.

Participants will explore how forest composition has changed over time and examine the impacts of natural disturbances and human activities on the landscape.

The course will also consider how current forestry practices continue to shape forest communities today, offering students a chance to better understand the forces that have shaped the forests we see today.

Whether you're interested in botany, conservation, or deepening your understanding of New England’s forests, this course offers an opportunity to explore the connections between history, ecology, and the landscapes around us.

Register here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/class/framework-trees-of-new-england/

Photo: Garden in the Woods © Melissa Blackall

This weekend, join Zoo New England’s conservation team for a hands-on field study exploring the fascinating connections ...
10/05/2026

This weekend, join Zoo New England’s conservation team for a hands-on field study exploring the fascinating connections between plants, insects, and conservation. 🐛🌿⁠
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On Saturday, October 10, from 10 AM–1 PM, participants will head offsite with Senior Field Conservationist John Berkholtz to observe and survey orange sallow moth eggs and larvae. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the moth’s specialized relationship with fern-leaved false foxglove (Aureolaria pedicularia), the host plant it depends on throughout its life cycle.⁠
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The program offers a unique opportunity to get out in the field, take a closer look at a specialized species and its habitat, and gain firsthand experience with the kind of observation and surveying that supports conservation efforts.⁠
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Whether you’re interested in botany, insects, or the ways species are connected within their ecosystems, this field study offers a chance to explore those relationships up close.⁠
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Space is still available — register here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/class/field-study-orange-sallow-moth-survey/

Photo: Orange sallow moth caterpillar © John Berkholt

There’s more time to enjoy the garden this fall! ⁠We’re extending our fall hours at Garden in the Woods! Starting Octobe...
10/03/2026

There’s more time to enjoy the garden this fall!
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We’re extending our fall hours at Garden in the Woods! Starting October 1, visit Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM through November 22. Come take a stroll, enjoy the changing season, and make the most of these beautiful fall days.⁠

Please note that Garden in the Woods and the Garden Shop will be closed October 19 through 23 for preparations for Night of Illumination.
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And don’t forget, our plant sales are still going on! Garden in the Woods plant sales continue through October 18, while Nasami Farm is open for plant sales through tomorrow, Sunday, October 4, 10 AM–5 PM.⁠
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Trees, shrubs, and vines are now 50% off (60% off for members), with perennials 30% off (40% off for members), plus in-store specials. Stop by while supplies last and check out our plant list here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/shop/

Photo: Scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) © Uli Lorimer

10/01/2026

As fall continues to set in, some of New England’s most characteristic late-season wildflowers are coming into bloom. Beyond their seasonal beauty, these late-blooming plants provide an important source of food for pollinators at a time when fewer flowers are available.

One of the gentians that has bloomed in the Garden is closed gentian (Gentiana clausa), also known as meadow bottle gentian. Unlike many flowers that open to invite pollinators inside, the petals of closed gentian remain tightly closed. Insects must be strong enough to push their way between the petals to reach the nectar and pollen inside, making the flower particularly well suited to certain pollinators.

Closed gentian can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows and fields, forests, floodplains, and human-disturbed areas. Its unusual flowers are a reminder that plants have evolved a remarkable variety of strategies for attracting and interacting with pollinators. As the Garden moves toward fall, gentians join asters and goldenrods in providing valuable floral resources during the later part of the growing season. Their colors may signal that summer is winding down, but their blooms are helping sustain the Garden’s pollinators well into fall.

Check out our Native Plant Highlights board to discover other late-season blooms: https://nativeplanttrust.org/garden-in-the-woods/

Video: Closed gentian (Gentiana clausa) © Hope Miller, Native Plant Trust

🍂 Fall Plant Sale savings just got even better! 🍂⁠⁠There’s still time to add beautiful native plants to your garden—but ...
09/30/2026

🍂 Fall Plant Sale savings just got even better! 🍂⁠
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There’s still time to add beautiful native plants to your garden—but don’t wait! For a limited time, shrubs, trees, and vines are now 50% off (60% off for members)! It’s a great weekend to shop the sale and take advantage of the gorgeous weather.
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Stop by Nasami Farm through Sunday, October 4, or Garden in the Woods through Sunday, October 18, to browse what’s still available. Our inventory is always changing, so visit soon for the best selection!
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Check the updated plant list through the link, and then stop by this weekend and take advantage of these deeper savings while supplies last!⁠: https://nativeplanttrust.org/shop/

Plant blindness is real. It can be easy to look at the plants around us without noticing the differences between species...
09/29/2026

Plant blindness is real. It can be easy to look at the plants around us without noticing the differences between species, or understanding the important roles they play in our landscapes and ecosystems. Learning to recognize the plants in our own backyards can be a first step toward seeing the natural world in new ways.⁠
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Join us on Saturday, October 3, from 10:30 AM–4:30 PM for Native New England Shrubs. This hands-on course will introduce participants to many of New England’s native shrubs and the characteristics that can help us tell them apart, including size, shape, color, bark, flowers, and fruit.⁠
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Participants will use field guides, plant ID apps, and other resources to explore a small group of shrubs and develop memorable strategies for identifying them. Rather than simply memorizing species, the course will encourage students to recognize broader patterns and the stories plants can tell about our landscapes and ecosystems.⁠
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Whether you're new to plant identification or looking to deepen your botanical skills, this course offers an opportunity to slow down, pay attention, and develop a deeper connection with the plants around you.⁠
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Register here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/class/native-new-england-shrubs/

Photo: Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) © Uli Lorimer

Experience Garden in the Woods after dark! ✨🌿Join us for Night of Illumination on October 22 and wander along enchanting...
09/27/2026

Experience Garden in the Woods after dark! ✨🌿

Join us for Night of Illumination on October 22 and wander along enchanting Garden trails illuminated by more than 1,000 luminaria, along with beautiful light installations and displays. It’s a special evening to experience the Garden in a whole new light!

Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and availability depends on your membership level. Please note that parking and shuttle arrangements are different for this event. Food will also be available for purchase from Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizzeria food truck.

Learn more and reserve your tickets here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/event/night-of-illumination/

We look forward to welcoming you to Garden in the Woods for an evening of light, nature, and fun. ✨

Photo: Lanterns crafted by Native Plant Trust staff for Night of Illumination 2025 © Native Plant Trust

Due to the weather forecast for this week, Native Plant Trust and Boston Dance Theater will postpone this weekend's perf...
09/24/2026

Due to the weather forecast for this week, Native Plant Trust and Boston Dance Theater will postpone this weekend's performance of Plants: Solos for Native Species. While we are disappointed not to share this experience with you all this weekend, we look forward to rescheduling this performance at a future date.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you at the Garden before the 2026 season ends.

09/24/2026

Our new website is now live!

We are elated to welcome you to our new website: easier to navigate, elegantly designed, and still full of the knowledge and resources that our members and visitors know and love. We hope that this new website will help us better reach an even wider audience with our message that native plants are not only beautiful, but ecologically important to the wider landscape.

Thank you so much to Friendly Design Co. for bringing our vision to life. Check out our new website here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/

Join members of Zoo New England’s conservation team for a rare opportunity to observe and survey orange sallow moth eggs...
09/22/2026

Join members of Zoo New England’s conservation team for a rare opportunity to observe and survey orange sallow moth eggs and larvae, which rely on fern-leaved false foxglove (Aureolaria pedicularia) for survival.⁠
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On Saturday, September 26, from 10 AM–1 PM, Field Study: Orange Sallow Moth Survey will explore the ecology and conservation of this fascinating moth through hands-on observation and surveying. Led by Senior Field Conservationist John Berkholtz, this offsite field study offers a unique opportunity to learn more about this specialized species and its host plant.⁠
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Whether you're interested in insects, plant-insect relationships, or hands-on conservation, this field study offers a closer look at the connections between species and the habitats they depend on.

Register through the link: https://nativeplanttrust.org/class/field-study-orange-sallow-moth-survey/

Photo: Orange sallow moth caterpillar © John Berkholtz

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321 Commonwealth Road, Suite 204
Wayland, MA
01778

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