“A passion for Conifers”
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social time - Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share.
11 am - Christie Dustman speaking on "A Passion for Conifers"
Christie Dustman is the owner of Christie Dustman & Company Inc., a landscape design/build and maintenance company in the Boston area. Christie has won design awards, teaches at multiple venues, including the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and is on the national stage. Her personal garden has been showcased on tours and was featured in Fine Gardening magazine in 2021. She is a Certified Landscape Designer with a passion for conifers and design that is meaningful and functional.
Here is Christie's website - christiedustman.com
12 noon - BYO lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Member Share: Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with Estelle James and Priscilla Williams
Learn how to sow seeds of plants that need a period of cold stratification to germinate. We'll use low-tech methods and work with nature, no special equipment required. Each participant will leave with prepared containers that can be placed directly outdoors. If you have them, bring seeds of any plant that needs this treatment to germinate; otherwise, we'll provide seeds from the NARGS Seed Exchange.
Please sign up to participate so we can provide sufficient materials. Contact Estelle, estellejames58@gmail.com
Estelle James is the NARGS NE Chapter President, a Master Gardener, and a long-time plant propagator. Priscilla Williams holds a Certificate in Conservation Horticulture from Native Plant Trust. She founded and operated Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening for 22 years, where Estelle still works part-time. Together, they grew thousands of plants from seed for clients.
11 am - Christie Dustman speaking on "A Passion for Conifers"
Christie Dustman is the owner of Christie Dustman & Company Inc., a landscape design/build and maintenance company in the Boston area. Christie has won design awards, teaches at multiple venues, including the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and is on the national stage. Her personal garden has been showcased on tours and was featured in Fine Gardening magazine in 2021. She is a Certified Landscape Designer with a passion for conifers and design that is meaningful and functional.
Here is Christie's website - christiedustman.com
12 noon - BYO lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Member Share: Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with Estelle James and Priscilla Williams
Learn how to sow seeds of plants that need a period of cold stratification to germinate. We'll use low-tech methods and work with nature, no special equipment required. Each participant will leave with prepared containers that can be placed directly outdoors. If you have them, bring seeds of any plant that needs this treatment to germinate; otherwise, we'll provide seeds from the NARGS Seed Exchange.
Please sign up to participate so we can provide sufficient materials. Contact Estelle, estellejames58@gmail.com
Estelle James is the NARGS NE Chapter President, a Master Gardener, and a long-time plant propagator. Priscilla Williams holds a Certificate in Conservation Horticulture from Native Plant Trust. She founded and operated Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening for 22 years, where Estelle still works part-time. Together, they grew thousands of plants from seed for clients.
Woodland Treasures
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am Social Time - Last name, A-F, please bring a snack to share
11 am John Lonsdale of Edgewood Gardens in Exton, Pennsylvania, speaks to us in person about "Woodland Treasures"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Time to explore and purchase the plants John will bring along
John Lonsdale will showcase an array of unusual and beautiful woodland plants from his USDA Zone 6b garden in Exton, Pennsylvania, including Trillium, Galanthus, Cyclamen, Corydalis, and native Azalea. Explore how these plants thrive in various garden habitats, from dry shade to moist, sunlit woodland edges, with insights into optimal conditions and propagation techniques. John will also discuss his innovative bog gardens, created to support species that often struggle.
John has grown a wide variety of alpines, woodland plants, and bulbs for more than 40 years and is a recipient of the prestigious Alpine Garden Society Gold Merit Medal. https://edgewoodgardens.net/about/
11 am John Lonsdale of Edgewood Gardens in Exton, Pennsylvania, speaks to us in person about "Woodland Treasures"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Time to explore and purchase the plants John will bring along
John Lonsdale will showcase an array of unusual and beautiful woodland plants from his USDA Zone 6b garden in Exton, Pennsylvania, including Trillium, Galanthus, Cyclamen, Corydalis, and native Azalea. Explore how these plants thrive in various garden habitats, from dry shade to moist, sunlit woodland edges, with insights into optimal conditions and propagation techniques. John will also discuss his innovative bog gardens, created to support species that often struggle.
John has grown a wide variety of alpines, woodland plants, and bulbs for more than 40 years and is a recipient of the prestigious Alpine Garden Society Gold Merit Medal. https://edgewoodgardens.net/about/
Member Share
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time - Last name G-M, please bring a snack to share
11 am - Member Share: Judy Leamy will present "A History of Pots" and Paula Bozoian will discuss "What Makes It a Rock Garden?"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm - Afternoon program TBA
11 am - Member Share: Judy Leamy will present "A History of Pots" and Paula Bozoian will discuss "What Makes It a Rock Garden?"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm - Afternoon program TBA
Rare Plant Auction
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time, Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share; Set up for Rare Plant Auction
11 am - Discussion of the plants we've brought to the Auction
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation
12:30 pm - Plant Auction (may start sooner if people are ready)
11 am - Discussion of the plants we've brought to the Auction
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation
12:30 pm - Plant Auction (may start sooner if people are ready)
Garden Tour at Chanticleer
When:
Where: Chanticleer, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Private Tour with Lisa Roper of Chanticleer. a pleasure garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania, exploring the Ruins and Gravel Garden that she oversees
Gather at Admissions: 10:15 am
Reserve your own ticket in advance at www.chanticleergarden.org and enjoy the rest of the day in the garden on your own.
Look for details about a group dinner by reservation that evening in upcoming newsletters.
Gather at Admissions: 10:15 am
Reserve your own ticket in advance at www.chanticleergarden.org and enjoy the rest of the day in the garden on your own.
Look for details about a group dinner by reservation that evening in upcoming newsletters.
New Hampshire Members
Open Garden Day
When:
Where: Home of Sally and John Perkins, Salem, New Hampshire, and other sites to be announced
Open Garden for NARGS members in Salem, New Hampshire, to view the extensive rhododendron and azalea collection of Sally and John Perkins on Canobie Lake.
Timing and other gardens or nurseries TBA, but save the dates!
(rain date Saturday, June 13)
Timing and other gardens or nurseries TBA, but save the dates!
(rain date Saturday, June 13)
Tour of the Blue Garden
When:
Where: The Blue Garden, Newport, Rhode Island
Private Tour of The Blue Garden in Newport, Rhode Island, details TBA.
See https://thebluegarden.org/.
A historic recreation of a fabled Gilded Age garden, all in blue flowers with touches of white. Reservations necessary by April 21 to Susan Anthony, programs.nargsne@gmail.com
See https://thebluegarden.org/.
A historic recreation of a fabled Gilded Age garden, all in blue flowers with touches of white. Reservations necessary by April 21 to Susan Anthony, programs.nargsne@gmail.com
Seedling Sale
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time, Last name A-F, please bring a snack to share
11 am - Panel discussion TBA
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell.
12:45 pm - Seedling Sale (may start sooner if people are ready)
11 am - Panel discussion TBA
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell.
12:45 pm - Seedling Sale (may start sooner if people are ready)
Annual Meeting
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time, Conversation.
Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share
11 am - Annual Meeting, show and tell
12 pm - Potluck lunch, details TBA
1 pm - Ellen Hornig and Rosemary Monahan present "Botanizing in Turkey's Fabled Mountains"
Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share
11 am - Annual Meeting, show and tell
12 pm - Potluck lunch, details TBA
1 pm - Ellen Hornig and Rosemary Monahan present "Botanizing in Turkey's Fabled Mountains"
Past Events
Annual Meeting and Catered Lunch
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
Marsha Russell, long-time dedicated chapter member and extraordinary propagator,
Presents
Spring Ephemerals
NARGS TRAVELING SPEAKER
FALL 2025
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
Paul Cumbleton, former head of the Alpine section at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley in the UK, will give two talks:
Alluring Alpines
Our Odyssey with Bulbs*
*A joint talk co-presented with Colin Everett
1030am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage
Last name A-M, please bring a snack to share
11 am: Alluring Alpines
12.15 pm: Short business meeting followed by lunch
1 pm: Our Odyssey with Bulbs
Our Odyssey with Bulbs*
*A joint talk co-presented with Colin Everett
1030am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage
Last name A-M, please bring a snack to share
11 am: Alluring Alpines
12.15 pm: Short business meeting followed by lunch
1 pm: Our Odyssey with Bulbs
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Annual Seedling Sale
Community Room
Goodnow Library, Sudbury
Annual Seedling Sale
Community Room
Goodnow Library, Sudbury
10.30 am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage. Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share.
11.00 am: Panel Discussion on "Seed Cleaning" led by Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer.
12.15 pm: Short business meeting, followed by lunch.
1 pm: Annual Seedling Sale
11.00 am: Panel Discussion on "Seed Cleaning" led by Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer.
12.15 pm: Short business meeting, followed by lunch.
1 pm: Annual Seedling Sale
Annual Rare Plant Auction
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
10:30am Come for a social time in the Meeting Room.
BYO beverage, last name A-M, please bring a snack to share.
11:00am Short business meeting followed by a discussion of special plants we’ve brought for the auction.
Take notes!
Noon BYO lunch
12:45pm Auction (may start earlier if everyone is ready)
BYO beverage, last name A-M, please bring a snack to share.
11:00am Short business meeting followed by a discussion of special plants we’ve brought for the auction.
Take notes!
Noon BYO lunch
12:45pm Auction (may start earlier if everyone is ready)
"A Rock and Roll Life-Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way"
with Tony Avent
When:
Where: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA
The North American Rock Garden Society - New England Chapter (NARGSNE)
in partnership with
New England Botanic Garden
is excited to present
"A Rock and Roll Life - Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way" with Tony Avent
Mr Avent is the founder of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org
www.plantdelights.com
NARGSNE members have been invited to sign up in advance.
To register for Mr Avent's talk at no cost (which includes an all-day entry to NEBG) members have been sent a direct email link.
Public registration begins on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 12pm. For more details, visit New England Botanic Garden - nebg.org
in partnership with
New England Botanic Garden
is excited to present
"A Rock and Roll Life - Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way" with Tony Avent
Mr Avent is the founder of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org
www.plantdelights.com
NARGSNE members have been invited to sign up in advance.
To register for Mr Avent's talk at no cost (which includes an all-day entry to NEBG) members have been sent a direct email link.
Public registration begins on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 12pm. For more details, visit New England Botanic Garden - nebg.org
“Annuals and Perennials for the Rock and Gravel Garden” - Zoom talk by Helen O’Donnell
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
Helen O’Donnell of The Bunker Farm in Dummerston, Vermont, will present “Annuals and Perennials for the Rock and Gravel Garden.” In her talk, Helen will highlight some of her favorite annuals and perennials best used in rock and gravel garden conditions, many self-seeders, and some unexpected plants! Helen studied at Great Dixter under the tutelage of Fergus Garrett on two occasions. She has become a knowledgeable and enthusiastic plantsperson. She operates a nursery as part of the farm, raising animals and producing maple syrup.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names A-M - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own lunch
1:00pm - Panel Discussion - Ernie Flippo and Rosemary Monahan on “Favorite Gardening Tools”
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names A-M - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own lunch
1:00pm - Panel Discussion - Ernie Flippo and Rosemary Monahan on “Favorite Gardening Tools”
Some lovely photos taken by our March 15, 2025 speaker,
Helen O'Donnell!
“The Chanticleer Gravel Garden” -
Zoom Talk by Lisa Roper
When:
Where: Sturtz Rm, Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
For the past ten years, Lisa Roper has managed the Gravel Garden at the renowned public garden Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The gravel garden is a stunning and unique landscape, a gently sloping site planted with a mix of fine-textured grasses, gray-leafed Mediterranean plants, drought-tolerant perennials, annuals grown from seed, and hardy succulents.
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Some lovely photos taken by our February 15, 2025 speaker, Lisa Roper!
NARGS NE SeedEX Packeting hosted by Vivien B
When:
Where: Norwood, MA
Hostess will provide soup
If unable to attend, seeds can be mailed to members
Please visit our membership page for Vivien's contact information to receive the exact address location.
If unable to attend, seeds can be mailed to members
Please visit our membership page for Vivien's contact information to receive the exact address location.
Annual Meeting - Talk by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator of the Denver Botanic Gardens
When:
Where: Sturtz Room at the Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
Listen to a talk, in-person, by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator of the Denver Botanic Gardens and immediate past President of NARGS.
10:30 am Gather for conversation and refreshments.
BYO beverage.
Last name A-M: Please bring a light snack to share.
11:00 am “Glimpses from the Eaves of the World: The Himalayas"
12:15 pm Annual Meeting
1:00 pm Catered Lunch
The October Newsletter will have more information about reserving your lunch. Members are also welcome to bring a bag lunch.
10:30 am Gather for conversation and refreshments.
BYO beverage.
Last name A-M: Please bring a light snack to share.
11:00 am “Glimpses from the Eaves of the World: The Himalayas"
12:15 pm Annual Meeting
1:00 pm Catered Lunch
The October Newsletter will have more information about reserving your lunch. Members are also welcome to bring a bag lunch.
NARGS NE welcomes Traveling Speaker Christopher Gardner
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Department Meeting Room, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
Chris Gardner, author and travel guide to exotic sites, NARGS traveling speaker for Fall 2024. In-person, Littleton Fire Station.
Members N-Z bring a snack to share
11:00 am
“Flora of the Silk Road”
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
“Flora of the Mediterranean”
Members N-Z bring a snack to share
11:00 am
“Flora of the Silk Road”
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
“Flora of the Mediterranean”
Welcome: September 2024 Meeting
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Sturtz Room, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
11:00 am
Adam Wheeler, Production and Horticulture Manager at Broken Arrow
Nursery in Hamden, CT, to speak on “Half-Sized Plants for Half-Sized
Spaces” and will bring plants to sell
Members last name A-M bring a snack to share
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
Annual Seedling Sale
Adam Wheeler, Production and Horticulture Manager at Broken Arrow
Nursery in Hamden, CT, to speak on “Half-Sized Plants for Half-Sized
Spaces” and will bring plants to sell
Members last name A-M bring a snack to share
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
Annual Seedling Sale
Sign up to become a NARGS member
New England Chapter
New England Chapter