SATURDAY 9/13: Seaside Garden Tour in Wachapreague

Plant Eastern Shore Natives Campaign: 17^th century botanist John Clayton sails into Wachapreague Harbor on Saturday, September 13 at 10 a.m. to tour the native plant demo garden in Seaside Park. Clayton’s visit for the Seaside Garden Tour and Planting culminates a three day series of free public events sponsored by the Plant ES Natives Campaign and its partners to celebrate the beautiful native plants that flower and fruit in fall on the Shore. The partners want to spread the message that the return of cool breezes marks the ideal time to plant trees, shrubs and other perennial plants.

John Clayton will describe his observations of Virginia’s natural world in the 1700s. Clayton’s work documenting the magnificent diversity of Virginia’s native plants led to the publication of Flora Virginica in 1762, Virginia’s first, and until 2012, only plant guide. Clayton will be portrayed by living history re-enactor Richard Cheatham who helped celebrate the release of Virginia’s new Flora in December 2012. Clayton will help plant and dedicate a “Shore Big Tree” in the garden. The “Seaside Garden Tour and Planting” event will be held from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and will include planting of fall perennials in the garden, kids activities and games, a native plant seed giveaway, exhibits and more!

The three day fall native plant celebration begins on Thursday, September 11, with a presentation by Jeff Kirwan, author of the book “Remarkable Trees of Virginia” at 7 p.m. at Eastern Shore Community College. Jeff Kirwan, Virginia Tech Emeritus professor, speaks about his four-year search for Virginia’s most remarkable trees, and his book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia, that features 100 of the oldest, largest, most beautiful and historic trees around the state. It is a truly remarkable book with gorgeous pictures and engaging stories. Jeff also will be making visits to Kiptopeke and Metompkin elementary schools to share his love of trees and their special place in our lives and Virginia’s history.

On Friday, September 12, at 1 p.m. the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission will be dedicating a “Shore Big Tree” planted at their office on Front Street in Accomac. The “Shore Big Tree” program is a new part effort of the Plant ES Natives: They’re Shore Beautiful Campaign to encourage the planting of native trees in public spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of generations to come.

This multiday celebration is being made possible by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District, Town of Wachapreague, Chincoteague Bay Field Station and the Eastern Shore Community College and its partners in the “Science on the Shore” program.

The Plant ES Natives Campaign partners want you to know that the arrival of fall is not time to put away your gardening shovel.  Plant native trees and shrubs in fall, and up until the ground freezes, for a gorgeous yard in the spring for years to come!