Saturday, April 26th Open Day at Deb's Native Garden

Open Day: April 26th, 2025

My garden is our sanctuary; my husband calls it our Garden of Eden. I grow mostly native plants, so in addition to beautiful blossoms, we delight in the life that the garden attracts: native bees, pollinators, butterflies, birds, and small mammals like squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks. When I moved here 25 years ago, I encountered striking infrastructure - a brick patio and rock edging - that was mostly hidden by pervasive English Ivy. My parents taught me about wildflowers, so I knew I wanted to feature native plants, plants that are indigenous to this area and nurture the web of life. Over time, as I learned more about ecological gardening and the biodiversity crisis, I became more committed to replacing non-natives with natives. Out came the English Ivy, Hostas, and even the Japanese Maple, beautiful as it was. My garden now features about 150 species of native flowers, bushes, and trees that bloom from late March until November. I also still grow a few favorite plants from other countries, like Daffodils and Peonies. Each year my garden evolves through the seasons, as different perennials take center stage. So I really have 5 gardens: early spring (the one you will see), late spring, summer, fall, and winter! We have enlarged the garden beds in the front but still have grass, as we love to host block parties. The grass looks pretty good even though I have never used pesticides, herbicides, or watered it. The lack of watering means it has deep roots to withstand drought. I am a "lazy" gardener, so I appreciate that native plants do not require fertilizer, coddling, or even watering after the first year! But most of all, I feel so much awe and gratitude to Mother Earth for the beauty of these native plants as they re-awaken each spring. I will be delighted to share them with you!

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4p.m.