The 18th Annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show
THE RHODE ISLAND WILD PLANT SOCIETY Invites you on a walk into the HEART of a changing native woodland!
Come see “A Beaver Family Garden”
In the heart of our woods you can find evidence of a dedicated creator of change, the beaver. The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society would like you to experience this change. A walk in nature is excellent exercise for your health and the element of discovery is always present!
As you meander you will first encounter an ‘upland’ woodland habitat. Then begin to notice changes. Beaver have cut trees, dammed this stream; creating a pond. This altering the water level creates a wetland; a new habitat for plants and animals. Some species benefit from this change, others do not.
Can you find some plants from each habitat; the higher ‘upland’ where Bayberry and White Pine grow and the lower, wetter, ‘pond’ areas where Clethra, skunk cabbage and Royal ferns thrive?
Through the years, RIWPS has received many accolades and awards for its display gardens, including viewers’ choice awards 5 times, the Alan Haskell Award in 2007, the Massachusetts Horticultural Award in 2009, and many others.
The flower show committee chairman is Jules Cohen. Judy Ireland is again serving as the as the designer – having served in that capacity since the start of these Shows. Frances Topping, a naturalist and artist, has provided much of her work and creativity as well. Other members of the committee include: Richard Dalidowitz, Lynn Feiner, Chris Kalina, Debbie St. Pierre, Susan Shuster, Sally Shwartz and Barney Webster.
The Committee has been supported by efforts and finances of their business partners Audubon/Fisherville Brook Refuge, Bartlett Tree Experts, Blue Moon Farm Perennials, Central Nurseries Garden Center, Clark Farms, Farmer’s Daughter, Koszela Lumber, Morningstar Nurseries, Nelumbo Water Gardens, Tranquil Lake Nursery and Weston Nurseries. Particular thanks to the folks at Rhode Island’s DEM – Division of Forest Environment and Division of Parks and Recreation. Also thanks to the Audubon folks at the Fisherville Brook Refuge.
For more information about the RI Wild Plant Society visit their website www.riwps.org or contact them at 789-RIWP(7497).
Comments