The Camden Garden Club announces the 55th Annual Winter Horticulture Series. The events include topics related to conservation and environmental stewardship for home gardeners, as well as botanical art, photography and research.
All events are available to the public and require pre-registration. Events will take place Tuesdays January 31 – February 28 10–11 AM via Zoom. The series begins with a ticketed virtual tour of Harvard Museum of Natural History’s acclaimed Glass Flowers exhibit with the remaining four talks are free as hosted by the Camden Public Library.
Those interested in events and tickets should sign up for the Club’s newsletter in order to be informed when registration is open and tickets are available for purchase.
Harvard University’s Glass Flowers exhibit, the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Photo by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
On January 31, the series begins with a virtual tour of Harvard’s Glass Flowers exhibit. Virtual tour guide Carol Carlson of Harvard Museums of Science & Culture will showcase the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Tickets are available online.
A native male Eastern Bluebird on a native flowering dogwood branch, a Maine understory woodland tree. Eastern Bluebirds are widely distributed throughout the Maine and benefit from environmental stewardship such as sustainable woodland management. Photo by Michael Murphy on Unsplash
On February 7, Sally Stockwell with Maine Audubon and Allyssa Gregory from the Maine Forest Service present “Forestry for Maine Birds” on ways to steward woodland and provide habitat. Together, they will discuss ways to enhance habitat for a diversity of birds, fish, and other wildlife that live in or visit privately owned forests.
Dog-safe sustainably managed lawn using microclover as a source of renewable nitrogen. Photo by Rosemary Fields on Unsplash
On February 14, Maine State Horticulturist Gary Fish presents “Yardscaping” on how homeowners can create and maintain healthy landscapes through ecologically based practices that minimize reliance on water, fertilizer and pesticides. Topics include low maintenance and native plants, low input yard care, proper plant choice, and managing pests wisely.
Flowers like the cardinal flower lure in pollinators with nectar like hummingbirds who unwittingly carry pollen from flower to flower. Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
On February 21, Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Bill Cullina presents “Sugar, Sex, and Poison: Shocking Plant Secrets Caught on Camera.” He will discuss how the world of pollen, poisons, pigments, pheromones, sugars and sex translates to sound organic practices from which we can all benefit.
Rose rugosa (Beach Rose) is a widespread and very invasive plant in Maine. Photo by Felix Schmidt on Unsplash
On February 28, gardening journalist Tom Atwell presents “The New Invasive Plants List in Maine” and discusses the new Maine do-not sell list. He plans to explain why plants some people like were put on it, the reasons for the list, and alternatives to undesirable plants for homeowners.
Tickets and pre-registration are required for each event. Event details will be announced on the Camden Garden Club’s website and to newsletter subscribers. For additional information and to remain informed about upcoming events through Camden Garden Club, visit the Club’s website and sign up for our newsletter.
The Annual Horticulture Series was started by the Club in 1969 and took place at various locations around Camden including private homes and is now in its 55th year.
As the oldest garden club in Maine, the Camden Garden Club cultivates the art of gardening to its fullest sense, develops and preserves beauty in and around Camden, and promotes civic improvements, education, and conservation of natural resources. The Club is a registered nonprofit and is always open to new members, who can join online.