Events

“Digging Deeper: Native Plants in the Garden”

June 1, 2024 from 2 – 4pm

“Garden to Support Nature’s Intricate Web”

Sept 7, 2024 from 9:30am to 4pm

Open Garden Days Guided Tours

New Dates for Summer 2024: August 9, 10, 12, 30, 31 and September 2

Your Garden is a Home (Habitat)” at the Flower & Garden Expo

March 24, 2024 at 12 p.m.

Conference at The Native Plant Center: “Designing Native Landscapes: How the Pros Select Plants”

March 11, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Webinars: “Easy Native Trees and Easy Native Shrubs For Your Yard:

February 1 and 8, 2024 Respectively from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

“Rondout Neversink Stream Program Guided Tour at Flying Trillium”

August 25, 2023 from 12 – 2 p.m.

Wild Ones Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter Garden Tour at Flying Trillium

August 18, 2023

Archives

2023 

AUG 25, 2023
Rondout Neversink Stream Program Guided Tour at Flying Trillium

We are pleased to collaborate with the Rondout Neversink Stream Program of the Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide this garden tour.

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SEP 1, 2, 4, and OCT 8-9, 2023
Open Garden Days Guided Tour at Flying Trillium

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AUG 18, 2023
Wild Ones Mid-Hudson Valley Garden Tour at Flying Trillium

Join Wild Ones Mid-Hudson Valley for our second tour this season when we visit these wonderful gardens again, this time with the meadows in full summer bloom.

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AUG 11, 2023
Ecological Landscape Alliance Eco-Tour

Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve

Experience the splendor of the Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve, a testament to the beauty and versatility of native plants, set in the picturesque southern Catskill Mountains. Join us on this guided eco-tour, curated by renowned author and landscape designer, Carolyn Summers, and leave inspired to incorporate native flora into your own spaces.

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MAR 25, 2023
“Native Plants: From the Wild to the Garden”
36th Annual Lahr Native Plants Symposium
U.S. National Arboretum

Join Carolyn Summers and other native plant professionals at the Administration Building Auditorium, U.S. National Arboretum, for the 36th Annual Lahr Native Plants Symposium. Carolyn Summers will present “Natives in Design from Formal to Naturalistic,” showcasing the use of native plants in formal front yards and more naturalistic mixed borders.

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JAN 14, 2023
“Gardening for Nature’s Intricate Web – Webinar with Carolyn Summers”
Mountain Top Arboretum

Summers will present an informative review of current research that reveals the many ways in which native plants form the basis of the food web that supports a healthy, pollinator-rich landscape. Her lecture covers ways to minimize harm from exotic plants, including the use of native substitutes for a wide variety of traditional styles. Examples of striking, unusual native plants used in formal settings will be provided along with naturalistic styles to explore the full design potential of northeastern native flora.

2022

FEB 10, 2022
“Native Plants Are for the Birds”
Orange County Audubon Society

In this virtual program, Carolyn Summer teaches the advantages of growing native plant species and what we can do at home.

2021 

SATURDAYS OCT 23 – NOV 6, 2021
“Introduction to Native Plants and Landscapes”
Westcester Community College

Gain a comprehensive foundation for garden design using native plants. Learn about the importance of native plants, showy substitutes for non-native plants, and sustainable design concepts. Recommended as a first class to the other courses.

2020 

NOV 18, 2020
“Native Plants for 21st Century Gardens:
Ending Invasive Exotic Landscape Clutter”
The Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Carolyn Summers will discuss native plants, many of which are under-utilized in the landscape industry, that make excellent substitutes for over-used invasive exotics. Emphasis will be on species that work well in common garden settings, including foundation plantings, hedges, and rain gardens.

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MAR 15, 2020
“Gardening with Native Plants to Buffer the Impact of Climate Change”
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

Discover how introducing native plants can be a resource for combating climate change in our own landscapes. This talk will help teach us that what we choose to plant can make a difference.

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JAN 31, 2020
“Spring Awakening”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, SUNY WCC, Valhalla, NY

Discover the beauty and ecology of northeastern spring blooming wildflowers and their pollinators. Find out how to garden with trilliums, orchids, and other early perennials.

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FEB 7, 2020
“Best Practices for Garden Maintenance”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

Discover how to maintain a chemical-free, thriving native plant garden with best practices for weeding and invasive plant control, basic plant identification, and suggestions for equipment that will make the job easier.

2019

DEC 6, 2019
“Fantastic Forgotten Natives and Why We Should Use More of Them”
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Brooklyn, NY

There are so many plants – and so little space. Then why do the same plants appear often on designs? Carolyn Summers will introduce us to a selection of underutilized native plants that merit wider use. Her list will include plants for tough places, pollinator season extenders, edible natives, and some that are simply drop-dead gorgeous. A range of perennials, shrubs, and trees will be covered. Attendees will expand their repertoire of native plants and pick up horticulture and design tips.

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NOV 9 & 16, 2019
“Introduction to Native Plants”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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JULY 16
“Climate Change and Gardening”
Warwick Town Hall Senior Center
Warwick, NY

Carolyn Summers will introduce native plants as one resource for combating climate change in our gardens.

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MAY 31 & JUNE 8, 2019
Open Garden Days at Flying Trillium

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MAY 4, 2019
“Arresting the Floodwaters: Hold Your Ground with Native Plants”
Mountain Top Library
Tannersville, NY
We used to say “it rained.” Now we refer to “rain events.” We’ve all seen wet weather cause erosion and flooding. Through a slide presentation and guided walk, author and landscape designer Carolyn Summers will present information on ways to harness wet weather to beautify landscapes, create better wildlife habitat, and prevent erosion.

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FEB 23, 2019
“Spring Awakening”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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FEB 10, 2019
“Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home”
Eco Film Series at Ohef Sholom Temple
Norfolk, VA

At this showing, teaching materials from the book Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, by Carolyn Summers, will be provided.

2018

DEC 11, 2018
“Rooted in History – Returning Native Plants to Local Landscapes”
CT NOFA Organic Land Care Program
13th Annual Gathering
Heritage Hotel and Conference Center
Southington, CT

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NOV 7 & 14, 2018
“Native Trees and Shrubs”
Westchester Community College
Larchmont, New York

Explore the best native trees and shrubs for this region and the latest techniques for establishing them in a landscape.

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OCT 24 & 31, 2018
“Introduction to Native Plants and Landscapes”
Westchester Community College
Larchmont, New York

Gain a comprehensive foundation for garden design using native plants. Learn about the importance of native plants, their benefit to wildlife, showy substitutes for non-native plants, and sustainable design concepts. Recommended as a first class to the other courses.

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OCT 16, 2018
“Introduction to Native Plants and Pollinators”
O’Hara Nature Center
Irvington, NY

As part of its “Living Classroom Series,” the Pollinator Pathway Project is holding its first public talk and presentation on the important role of native plants and pollinators in our community. Carolyn Summers will be giving an introductory talk at the O’Hara Nature Center about the importance of pollinators and their unique relationship with native plants, shrubs and trees.

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SEPT 28, 2018
“Best Practices for Garden Maintenance”
Westchester Community College
Larchmont, New York

Discover how to maintain a chemical-free, thriving native plant garden with best practices for weeding and invasive plant control, basic plant identification and suggestions for equipment to make the job easier.

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SEPT 28, 2018
“The Native Plant Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration”
Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont, New York

The Native Plant Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration honoring Carolyn Summers, Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award and Lucille Werlinich, Acorn Award.

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April 16, 2018
“Spring Awakening! The Beauty and Ecology of our Spring Ephemerals”
Manhattan Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society
Manhattan

This talk will reveal secrets of our earliest spring-blooming wildflowers and their importance in regional ecology. Ms. Summers will also offer gardening tips.

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FEB 1, 2018
Course: “Native Conifers”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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February 8 & 10, 2018
“Best Practices for Garden Maintenance”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

2017

JAN 26, 2017
“Sustainable Principles; Designing with Native Plants of the Northeast”
Southeast Regional Conference
Fishkill, NY

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MAR 4, 2017
“Landscaping with Natives and Attracting Pollinators”
Litchfield Master Gardeners
Litchfield County Extension Center
Torrington, CT

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MAY 20, 2017
“Gardening for Nature’s Intricate Web”
LM Flower Day
Presented by Livingston Manor Library at the Laundry King
Livingston Manor, NY

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JUNE 15, 2017
“Landscaping for the Watershed”
Bergen Save the Watershed Network
Westwood, NJ

2016 

DEC 8 & 15
“Native Trees and Shrubs”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

Explore the best native trees and shrubs for this region and the latest techniques for establishing them in a landscape. To register, please call 914-606-6830.

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NOV 16, 2016
“Designing Sustainable Landscapes; Plant Selection”
2016 Turf & Grounds Exposition
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Rochester, NY

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OCT 25, 2016
“Gardens Filled with Life: Designing with Northeastern Flora”
Bainbridge Presbyterian Church

Author and landscape designer Carolyn Summers will present an informative review of current research that reveals the many ways in which indigenous plants form the basis of the food web which in turn supports a healthy, biodiverse landscape.

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SEP 18, 2016
Catskill Native Plant Society
Annual Meeting at Flying Trillium

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JULY 22, 2016
“Gardens of Life”
The Herb Society of America, Great Lakes District
Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie, NY

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June 23, 2016
Pollinator Garden in the Park: A Talk Under the Tent
Bergen Save the Watershed Network
Town of Westwood, NJ

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MAY 31, 2016
Tour of Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve
Master Gardeners of New Jersey
Town of Neversink, NY

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MAY 15, 2016
Angling for Pictures: A Paddle on the Spatterdock March!
Bergen Save the Watershed Network
Town of Orangeburg, NY

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APRIL 16, 2016
Nature’s Intricate Web
CCE Master Gardeners Garden Day, Ulster County
Stone Ridge, NY

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APRIL 2, 2016
“Rooted in History – Returning Native Plants to Local Landscapes”
Time and the Valleys Museum
Grahamsville, NY 12740

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MAR 5, 2016
“Gardening with a Purpose: Designing with Native Species of the Northeast”
URI Master Gardeners Symposium
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

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FEB 18, 2016
“Maintaining Your Native Plant Garden”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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FEB 3, 2016
“Learning by Example”
Evenings with Experts – Native Plant Gardens
Cambridge Public Library
Cambridge, MA

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JAN 8, 2016
Women Gardeners of Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood Library

2015 

DEC 2, 2015
“Northeastern Native Trees and Shrubs”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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NOV 18, 2015
Northeastern Native Trees and Shrubs
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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NOV 12, 2015
Speaking engagement
Dobbs Ferry Garden Club

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NOV 12, 2015
“Native Alternatives to Common Invasives”
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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OCT 14, 21, 28
Northeastern Native Plants
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

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OCT 10, 2015
Highstead Arboretum, CT

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SEP 13, 2015
Walk and Talk at Rosedale Nursery’s Native Plant Weekend
Rosedale Nurseries, Westchester County, NY

A portion of sales will benefit The Native Plant Center

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MAY 20, 2015
“Native Alternatives to Regulated Exotic Species”
Sullivan County Cooperative Extension, Liberty, NY

Slide Presentation on new NYS regulations.

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MAY 16, 2015
“Gardens Filled with Life”
Slide presentation at Garden Day
Sponsored by Sullivan County Audubon, et al.,
Livingston Manor, NY

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JAN 28, 2015
Native Conifers
Go Native U, The Native Plant Center, Suny WCC, Valhalla, NY

Explore the beauty and diversity of conifers native to the Northeast, including the numerous cultivated forms and varieties. Learn the many ways they support wildlife, and their use in designed landscapes.