Native Plants of Eastern North America

Native Plants of Eastern North America:
Identification, Ecology, Landscape Qualities and Care

Instructor Rick Darke

Tuesday, June 2.

Join us for the final class of this 5-session course. This class will be held via ZOOM. Rick has graciously offered to extend the time of this class to three hours, to include a brief break.

The experimental course has adopted a living systems approach, looking at plants as components of dynamic communities in regional habitats and in gardens, parks, preserves and other managed landscapes. It is aimed at gardeners, designers and stewards of private and public landscapes interested in expanding their ability to identify native plants, to observe and manage ecological communities, and to select, establish and care for plants in truly conservation-based designs.

The June 2 session will focus on woody and herbaceous native species and cultivars suited to the mid-Atlantic region with in-depth focus on those with late Spring through Autumn. 

Topics will include:
– an introduction to techniques and strategies for plant identification
– explanation of rules and concepts of scientific and cultivated plant names and nomenclature
– introduction to the concept of plant families
– plant community dynamics in habitats and in designed and managed landscapes, including discussion of changing conditions resulting from introduced species and climate trends.
– plant form and growth habits as they relate to design and care
– propagation and regenerative strategies
– seasonal qualities of plants
– photography as a tool for learning, designing with and caring for plants

Rick Darke has been studying and photographing Eastern North American native plants in habitats and designed landscapes for over 40 years. A University of Delaware Distinguished Alumnus, Darke was Curator of Plants at Longwood Gardens prior to beginning an independent consulting practice in 1998. His work is grounded in an observational ethic blending ecology, horticulture and cultural geography in the design and care of resilient living landscapes. His collaborative projects include parks, post-industrial sites, transportation corridors, conservation developments, botanic gardens and residential landscapes. His books include The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest, The Wild Garden: Expanded Edition, The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, co-authored with Doug Tallamy, and Gardens of the High Line: Elevating the Nature of Modern Landscapes co-authored with Piet Oudolf. For further info see: www.rickdarke.com

UDBG Friends Members: $35
Nonmembers: $45

Registration is required for this event. To register and pay via credit card, please use our online form. You will be sent zoom link close to the class; be sure to download Zoom app.