Celebrate Native Plants

Garden in the Woods is open to the public. For your safety, and to comply with state mandates, admission is limited and by advance ticket purchase only. All visitors, including members, must purchase tickets online, in advance of your desired entrance time. You may purchase same-day tickets online until an hour before any time slot, but not at the gate. Click here to purchase Garden admission tickets through August 31. Please see our Garden in the Woods page for important details about planning your visit.

And you now have two options for plant shopping. Click here for more information.

Photo: Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), ©Uli Lorimer

If you've recently opened your mailbox to find a packet of seeds you didn't order, don't plant them. According to the US Department of Agriculture, people all over the country, including in New England, have received suspicious, unsolicited seed packages that appear to be coming from China. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working with other federal and state agencies to investigate and identify the seeds. Planting them could introduce an invasive species, although officials think it's more likely that the seeds are part of a "brushing" scam (in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales) than a plot. If you have received these seeds, keep them and the packaging and report them to your state APHIS plant health director.

Photo: Unsolicited seed packets, 7/24/20; Washington State Dept. of Agriculture ©Reuters

A recent study led by Tufts University insect ecologist Sara Lewis found that some species of fireflies are declining worldwide. The top three threats across the globe: habitat loss, light pollution, and pesticides. So turn off outdoor lights at night or switch to motion-activated ones, and turn your yard into firefly habitat by providing a bit of standing water, leaving parts or all of your lawn unmown, and eschewing all pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Tall grass gives fireflies cover from predators and places to rest during the day. Firefly larvae feed on moisture-loving slugs, snails, worms, and the like, so leave some leaf litter or other garden debris on the ground to preserve moisture for such critters. And finally, plant native trees and shrubs to give adult fireflies some places to perch. (Source: Xerces Society)

Photo: Common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis) ©Art Farmer

We're pleased to announce that a 2020 USA Today popular poll has chosen Garden in the Woods as one of the 10 best botanic gardens in the entire continent—that's right, all of North America! 

A panel of experts partnered with USA Today's "10Best" contest editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and popular vote selected the top 10 winners. Thanks to all who voted for the Garden!

Photo: Garden in the Woods path, Uli Lorimer©Native Plant Trust

Our staff experts are talking up native plants: In July, Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer chatted with Margaret Roach about how to shop for native plants on her A Way to Garden podcast. WCVB ABC TV 5's Chronicle featured Garden in the Woods in June. Emmy-winning national gardening television and podcast host Joe Lamp'l interviewed Uli on this podcast from Joe Gardener. Catch Uli's interview on Wisconsin Pubic Radio about native plants for home gardeners here, and his talk with Cultivating Place radio host Jennifer Jewell, "Navigating by Plants." Uli also spoke with Tom Christopher on the "Growing Greener podcast. Uli and Director of Public Programs Courtney Allen spoke with the Boston Globe about online programs and the joy of spring wildflowers. New York Times contributor Margaret Roach gave Native Plant Trust a shout out in "How (and Why) to Use Native Plants."

Photo: Seedlings at Nasami Farm, Cayte McDonough ©Native Plant Trust

An anonymous donor is challenging you to support Native Plant Trust's public programs—the classes, field studies, symposia, and educational special events we offer throughout the region to raise awareness about the importance of native plants. For a limited time, our generous donor will match your gift dollar for dollar, so use this opportunity to increase your impact. Donate now to our Public Programs Challenge Match, and your gift will support twice as much native plant education. 

Photo: Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis), Dan Jaffe ©Native Plant Trust