LUNCH & LEARN: Layering Your Landscape- How Native Plants & “Benign Neglect” Enrich Our Lives

PROGRAMMING NOTE:
Due to a family emergency, Janet Davis is not available to present on Thursday, May 14. In her place, Irvine is excited to welcome Sterling Askin, who works closely with Janet at  at Hill House Farm & Nursery. Sterling will be a familiar face to many participants, as he has been to Irvine on multiple occasions, assisting Janet in her presentations.

Sterling Askin, is an 8-year veteran of Virginia’s native plant world, and a graduate of McGill University’s School of Agricultural and Environmental Science. He has international experience in farming and resource conservation, with an emphasis on biodiversity.  Sterling’s work focuses on harvesting seeds he finds in the wild. In addition to sharing how layering plants in your native plant landscape adds to the beauty, ease of care, and biodiversity of your outdoor space, Sterling will share his firsthand work experience at a small native nursery and his role in evolving it into one of the largest native growers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sterling is passionate about educating others and excited to share this expertise at Irvine Nature Center’s Lunch & Learn.

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Lists of native plants are easy to find, but knowing how to combine and use them effectively in your own landscape can be much more challenging. In this engaging program, discover how thoughtfully “layering” native plants can transform your yard into a beautiful, vibrant, and wildlife-friendly space.
Learn how to select and combine native plants to enhance the beauty of your landscape while supporting pollinators, birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. We’ll explore how diverse plantings can create a more dynamic garden that requires less formality, less mulch, and less work, while bringing more enjoyment and connection to nature.
You’ll also gain practical tips for incorporating native plants into existing gardens, designing plant combinations that thrive together, and creating outdoor spaces that help us feel more a part of nature rather than apart from it.
Following the luncheon and presentation, Janet will be selling a selection of high-quality native plants from her nursery and will be available to answer questions, offer plant recommendations and share expert advice on incorporating native species into your landscape. You can also enjoy a guided walk through Irvine’s Woodland Garden. 
Tickets include a catered lunch and optional tours of the Woodland Garden.

Presenter: Janet Davis, expert gardener, grower, and owner of Hill House Farm & Nursery
Thursday, May 14th
12:00 – 2:00PM
Cost: $30/members*; $40/non-members

Tickets required- REGISTER TODAY!
To reserve a table for 8, please contact Laura at 443-738-9215.

Speaker Bio: Janet Davis
Known as the “cheerleader” for native plants, Janet Davis operates Hill House Farm & Nursery, which grows and sells only U.S.A. native plants, primarily mid-Atlantic natives and select cultivars. She uses her expertise with native plants to offer landscape design and consultation services. Janet Davis received a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and has spent her entire working career growing something—fruit, veggie gardens, indoor plants, herbs and landscape plants, and her daughter, Olivia.

Irvine’s LUNCH & LEARN series is made possible by underwriting from Springwell Senior Living. We are grateful for their support.

*Discount for Pacesetter members and above.