On Sat., May 21, when spring is in its glory, Adkins Arboretum brings its fourth annual native garden tour, “Celebrating Natives,” to Kent County.
“Celebrating Natives” is a different kind of garden tour, one that focuses on sustainable approaches to Eastern Shore gardening. The tour not only highlights the beauty of the gardens but emphasizes their importance in a biodiverse landscape.
The self-guided driving tour features six unique gardens from Chestertown to Rock Hall, each demonstrating varying commitments to native plantings and uses of sustainable practices such as rain barrels and composting. The gardens range from a small in-town lot that takes full advantage of every inch, to two multi-acre waterfront property showcasing thriving native trees, to gardens tended specifically for wildlife.
The first garden tour of its kind on the Eastern Shore, “Celebrating Natives” exemplifies the Arboretum’s mission of teaching about and showing by example the importance of using native plants in restoring balance to the ecosystem and fostering community relationships. Native plants are those that grew and thrived on the Eastern Shore before the introduction of European settlers. Because these plants have adapted naturally to the region’s ecology of climate, insects and wildlife, they are a better choice than non-native plants.
“Celebrating Natives” will take place rain or shine on Sat., May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 508 High St., Chestertown. For more information or to order tickets, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.
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