Free Open Garden Tour In Montclair: See Spring-Blooming Plants

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey announces a free open garden tour to see spring-blooming native plants. The tour is on Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two locations in Montclair: 12 Godfrey Road and 265 Highland Avenue.

The two locations showcase the variety of different flowers that bloom in a spring shade garden and illustrate how native plants can be used in any size property. 12 Godfrey is a small to medium sized garden and 265 Highland Avenue is a large half-acre garden. The blooming flowers and bushes are labeled in each garden and garden hosts will be available to answer questions.

There will also be a small plant sale at 12 Godfrey of three native plants that thrive in sun to full shade. Two of them are spring blooming flowers: Columbine and Heartleaf Golden Alexander.

The third is Wreath Goldenrod, which was selected by the NJ Native Plant Society as the Garden Plant for 2021. Wreath Goldenrod blooms August to September, providing a late summer burst of golden yellow in a summer shade garden, and is especially important for pollinators.

All native plants are easy-care and only require water during the first summer. They are small plugs for $3 each, cash only.

Deb Ellis, a co-leader of the Essex Chapter, said, “With increased interest in gardening, we are excited to offer the chance to see beautiful spring native flowers in two different settings. Planting native spring flowers is an easy way to help endangered pollinators, who need nectar and pollen in the spring as well as the summer and fall. Unfortunately, typical spring flowers like daffodils, tulips, and irises, do not support our web of life because they are from Europe and Asia.”

The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, founded in 1985, is dedicated to the appreciation, protection, and study of the native plants of New Jersey. The Essex Chapter began in 2019 and sponsors garden tours, plant sales, nature hikes, and information tables at plant sales.

To join the Native Plant Society, go to its website: http://npsnj.org. For questions, email Deb Ellis at essex@npsnj.org.

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