BLUE HILL — Join Native Gardens of Blue Hill for an event-packed morning of garden tours and mini-workshops on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Bagaduce Music’s NGBH four-acre campus, 49 South Street, Blue Hill.
The event celebrates the 10th summer since the idea for a garden showcasing the use of native plants was first discussed in 2015. The open house celebrates both the garden that has been established since then and the passion and generosity of all those who have donated their time, expertise and funds to make NGBH a vibrant community resource.
According to a press release, the depth of NGBH's mission and impact is reflected in a lineup of mini-workshops where local experts will share their passion and skills with an ecological gardening audience.
The schedule includes “Planting Seedlings” with Molly DellaRoman of 5 Star Nursery, “Variable Movement for Gardeners” with Dan Waterman of Variable Movement, “Bonsai with Native Plants” with NGBH board member Greg Mekras, “Nature Journaling” with author Kim Ridley, “Macro Photography” with nature photographer Gary Harmatz, a tasting of native plant-infused teas with herbalist Torsten Magnus Peterson and children's activities with Hilary Tobin of Island Meadow Arts.
Garden tours are scheduled every 30 minutes, each focusing on a different aspect of the gardens, such as the gardens' history, paths and bridges, ferns, woody plants and ornamental grasses.
Guest artist Kirsten Rickert will present “Ephemeral Nature Collage,” an interactive installation that draws homage to the spiritual practice of mandala, a Sanskrit word meaning circle or pattern that represents the infinite possibilities of the universe.
The Open House is free and open to the public. NGBH will be providing botanical iced tea for refreshments, and The Blue Chill will be selling popsicles on-site. It is primarily an outdoor event, although some activities will take place under a small tent. In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Sunday, July 21.
For more information about NGBH or the event, visit nativemainegardens.org or email info@ngbh.org.
