Photos courtesy of Mt. Cuba Center 

Native Perennials Benefit for Mid-Atlantic Landscape

Presented by researchers from the Mt. Cuba Center, Delaware. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 · 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Sponsored by: Cavano's Perennials | Homestead Gardens | Proven Winners

Homestead Gardens’ perennial supplier Cavano's Perennials has partnered with the Mt. Cuba  Center in Delaware to provide the local market with native plants that have been tested in their trial gardens for outstanding use in the garden in the mid-Atlantic region. These native plants are as beneficial to homeowners as they are to landscape contractors. As more homeowners search out native plants that are helpful to the environment and the local pollinator population, LCA members need to be the first to know how to find these vital plants and, more importantly, be familiar with the research behind them.

Join your fellow LCA members for an evening of networking and education as we learn more about how native perennials benefit mid-Atlantic landscapes! Refreshments will be provided, and all attendees will receive:

• Giveaways from our generous sponsors
• A complimentary ticket to visit the Mt. Cuba Center
• Complimentary research reports to take home
• A first look at Carex trial results
• A sneak peek of ongoing and upcoming trials
• A chance to participate in a raffle and more!

Program:

"Knockout Natives"

• An overview of the trial programs at the Mt. Cuba Center and some insight on how data is collected and how plants are evaluated from both horticultural and ecological perspectives. 
• Brief previews on the ongoing Carex, Vernonia, and Solidago trials.
• Discussions on the recently completed wild hydrangea and Echinacea trials as well as brief summaries of some favorites from the Helenium, Phlox, Monarda, Baptisia, and Coreopsis trials

"Plant This, Not That: Putting the Trial Data to Use in the Field"

Wendy Brister, marketing director at Cavano's Perennials, will discuss which top performers from the Mt. Cuba Center trials have made it into wholesale production—resulting in availability for landscape installations and municipal and institutional projects, as well as for garden center distribution. Discussion will include which plants outperform the "old standbys'' in the industry, pollinator benefits, and more! 

This talk will include:

• What is involved to get a top performing plant into wholesale production.
• Top performers vs. old varieties—pros and cons.
  
• Pollinator benefits for the end-user of native species and cultivars in the landscape.

Presenter:

Wendy Brister is the marketing director for Cavano’s Perennials Inc. in Kingsville, Maryland. She holds a B.S. in landscape architecture from Temple University and has worked in the green industry for over 25 years. As the former conference coordinator for the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference (Millersville, Pennsylvania), Wendy has an appreciation for native plants and gardening to support pollinator biodiversity.

Homestead Gardens Horticulture Supply
1238 Governors Bridge Road
Davidsonville, MD
www.homesteadhort.com

Free parking is available onsite.