Pocket Guide
The Bedford Garden Club is pleased to announce the availability of a pocket guide to Native and Invasive Plants of Bedford, Massachusetts, and the Surrounding Area. We developed the Guide for the home gardener and landscaper interested in selecting native species that promote biodiversity and perform well, and in learning which invasive species are the greatest concern. The Guide is a powerful, user-friendly tool unlike any other pocket guide on the market because of its dual focus on both native and invasive species from the perspective of the home gardener and landscaper.
The Guide, tailored to Bedford but applicable to a much wider region will be available for a $10 donation in the coming weeks at:
- Bedford Garden Club Plant Sale, Saturday, May 11 (9:30 – 2:00) at the DPW Building
- First Parish Plant Sale, Saturday, May 18 (10 – 3) on the Town Common
- New England Nurseries
- Bedford Garden Club Programs
It also will be available for purchase at the Club’s program meetings. Visit our Program Schedule for our current meetings.
The Guide is a 22” long x 8” wide plasticized sheet, printed in color on both sides and folded into a pocket size of 3¾” x 8”. The front cover features lovely native Black-eyed Susans in one of Bedford’s islands that are tended by the Garden Club.
One side contains beautiful color pictures of 66 wildflowers, shrubs, and trees historically native to Massachusetts (i.e., pre-colonial) with great wildlife value that are hardy, well-behaved, and relatively deer resistant. Current Garden Club President Patty Carluccio states, “Because they evolved together, our local native plants support local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife in ways that introduced plants cannot. One of the best ways to support the planet for future generations is to grow and protect our native species.”
The other side of the Guide describes the 24 most problematic invasive plants in the area with color pictures of each. It explains why these invasives are such a menace and offers some suggestions for alternatives that might replace them. Additional commentary is provided on key elements of good wildlife habitat and what characteristics are common to the invasive species that outcompete and displace our native species.
The Garden Club produced the Guide for the home gardener and landscaper interested in selecting native species that promote biodiversity and perform well, and in learning which invasive species are the greatest concern.
The Guide is a powerful, user-friendly tool unlike any other pocket guide on the market because of its dual focus on both native and invasive species from the perspective of the home gardener and landscaper. Proceeds from the sale of the Guide will be used to fund the Garden Club’s scholarship and community programs. If you have an interest in purchasing the Guide, please Contact Us.
Learn more about the Bedford Garden Club including dates for upcoming programs.