Gardening with native plants benefits wildlife and the environment
ANS maintains beautiful demonstration gardens at Woodend, offers gardening clinics and classes,
holds seasonal native plant sales and can even bring expert help right to your garden!
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Gardening with native plants has many great benefits. Native plant species are adapted to local soil and climate conditions and have evolved complex relationships with local wildlife.
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Carefully planned native plant gardens are easier to maintain, use fewer resources, and offer appropriate food and shelter for wildlife.
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Native plants create habitats for birds, small mammals, reptiles, and insects
including important pollinators. -
ANS established its first native plant garden in 2010. The Blair Native Plant Garden was created in memory of former ANS President William D Blair, with funds donated by his family.
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Blair Garden showcases native plants that can be found in the three physiographic regions of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountain.
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Plants were chosen for seasonal interest, ornamental features, and wildlife value ensuring that the garden stays interesting all year long.
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ANS also uses native plant gardening to manage stormwater runoff with rain gardens and conservation landscapes that slow down rushing water and allow it to infiltrate.
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ANS provides resources including classes, consultations, native plant sales, and more to help you create or enhance your own native plant garden.
Upcoming Classes and Programs
Native Plant Gardening in Containers
Saturday, September 24 (10 am-12 pm)
Member $30; nonmembers $42
Whether you are looking to attract pollinators to your apartment balcony, or you are tired of replacing annuals in your pots every season, join Garden Programs Manager Alice Sturm for native plant gardening in containers! We'll discuss recommended species, how to design an attractive combination, and do a hands-on demonstration. Class held in the tent by the Learning Garden. REGISTER HERE
Native Plant Sale & Garden Program Open House
Sunday, October 2 (9 am-12 pm)
Rain Date Sunday, October 23 (9 am - 12 pm)
There will be tours of the various garden areas given by some of our Master Gardener volunteers, along with native perennials and grasses for sale. Come to learn more about our garden volunteer programs, native plant gardening in general, and the Montgomery County Master Gardener Program. Tours meet by the gazebo; plant sale held in the tent by the learning garden.
Square Foot Habitat Gardening
Sunday, October 9 (10 am-12 pm)
Member $30; nonmembers $42
Learn how to make the most of every square foot in your garden for wildlife benefit with our Garden Programs Manager Alice Sturm. Habitat is a precious commodity in our urban region, especially for wildlife stressed by climate change. But you can make a difference, even in a small space by packing it with food, shelter, water and nesting opportunities. Class held in the tent by the mansion. REGISTER HERE
ANS Garden Consultations
An on-site coaching visit with ANS
will help you:
• Define sunny, shady, dry and wet areas in your garden
• Identify your existing plants and recommend additions
• Strategize next steps to improve habitat or start a food garden
•Provides a simple map of your property with recommendations specific to different areas
Includes Garden Coaching
(One on-site visit)
Provides a technical planting plan including:
• Plant species
• Quantities and sizes
• Locations
• Design provided on a scale drawing
Suitable for installation by you or a landscape contractor for up to 2,000 SF (which can be split over several areas if needed.)
On-site consultations are available within 15 miles of Woodend Nature Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Consultations farther than 15 miles will incur an additional mileage charge for each mile over 15.
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"There is nothing like hands-on experience removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species. Through that process, I have learned more about each plant’s value and impact on improvement of the vibrancy and resilience of the plant and animal diversity at Woodend"
- Gregg -
"I can not thank you all enough for providing fulfilling tangible projects - that saw the full lifecycle of restoration from invasive removal to planting - for our crews to really understand the impact of their work in the watershed."
- Arielle -
"My first experience volunteering at Woodend involved surveying and nurturing the Restored Meadow. I quickly learned to identify many native plant species that were thriving in the meadow and also how much fun it was to volunteer with other nature loving folks."
- Maura -
"It's exciting to see new native plant specifies appearing on the property. Educating children about the importance of biodiversity, food chains, and native flora and fauna becomes much easier when you are able to point them out."
- Frank
For books and resources on landscaping and gardening with native plants, visit Woodend’s Audubon Naturalist Shop.
Visit anshome.org/adults to sign up for nature classes and field trips.
Free downloads and other resources:
Visit Woodend Sanctuary
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk
Admission is free
Thank you for leaving dogs and other pets at home
