FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: PAT HAFFNER
April 10, 2008 Phone: 371-8503

The Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern will offer a program on Historic and Native Perennials on Saturday, May 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. at Grooms Tavern, corner of Grooms Rd and Sugar Hill Rd, Clifton Park. The program is presented by Nancy Douglas, owner of Willow Spring Perennial Farm. Nancy is a landscape designer with over 20 years experience in the horticultural field.

Nancy will give provide background information on historical plants that have come to the US from other countries and also discuss perennials that are native to this region, especially wet land plants along the Vischer Ferry corridor. These are plants that have stood the test of time and have grown here for generations. Many of these plants grew in the early gardens when Willow Springs (near Vischer Ferry) was a stop-over and water supply for travelers on the Erie Canal. The talk will also cover use of these native plants in early times including: ornamental, culinary and medicinal as well as how to use these plants today in our landscapes.

A list of plants will be available with proper-use for each including soil type, sun or shade, dry or wet, height, color and bloom type along with growing conditions.

Hope you can join us for this historical and inspiring garden program, a great way to kick off Spring Gardening now that the weather has finally warmed. Refreshments will follow the program.