Wednesday | March 25 | 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. FREE (Registration needed) #PBG0228 100001 (Virtual)

After registering, a link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the live webinar. Recordings will be made available to students.

Wambui Ippolito, Horticulturist and Landscape Designer
Immigrants have profoundly shaped American gardening traditions. From introducing new plants to transforming design practices, their influence on our landscapes is lasting and complex. In this lecture, Wambui Ippolito explores immigrant landscape histories and their impact on land management and gardening, offering fresh insights into how cultural exchange continues to redefine the American garden.

Teresa Woodard, author
Join Teresa as she delves into the new American design aesthetic that embraces regional cultures, plants, and growing conditions. Enjoy a visual journey of exceptional designers and their home gardens covering all the regions of the country. You’ll discover new design influences and take home innovative design tips and plant suggestions.
FREE | #PBG0209 400001 (Virtual)

Doug Tallamy, author and Professor of Agriculture, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware Visitor Center Auditorium
Don’t miss this opportunity to see Doug Tallamy, a national leader of the native plant movement, speak in person. He’ll discuss his new book on ecological landscaping and share insights on biodiversity, native plants, conservation, and how we can help restore ecosystems at home. Tallamy’s new book will be available in the gift shop, with a signing to follow the talk.
$25 | FOBG: $22 #PBG0198 300001

Explore the science and art of gardening through child-driven art projects and engaging science activities. Groups will rotate through outdoor activity stations designed to educate and entertain. Bring your friends, family and picnics (allowed in the Gardens during this special event only). Registration is encouraged but not required.
FREE | #PBG0077 300007

ONE DAY ONLY: Saturday, September 13: 10 AM - 1 PM
Open to the public, RAIN or SHINE!

EARLY ACCESS: 9:00-10:00 AM FOBG Members ONLY + 10% Discount.
Not a Member? Come early and join at the Sale!

CLICK HERE for the FALL PLANT SALE PAGE and plan your shopping!

Virtual - Friday | February 14 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (#PBG0057 400001)
Sponsored by Friends of Brookside Gardens

Early Bird Fee expires Friday, January 10: $50
Regular Fee starts Saturday, January 11: $60
Offered as a series of live online lectures with audience Q&A incorporated into the program. All lectures will be recorded and made available for online viewing.

The GreenScapes Symposium is an annual program organized by Brookside Gardens since 2004. The symposium will highlight the intersection of horticulture and environmental issues. Environmental stewardship is a core value of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Brookside Gardens’ parent organization. As such, we strive to provide timely information and viable solutions to environmental challenges. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden (Virtual #PBG0161 400001)
Wednesday | February 5 | 7:00 – 8:15 pm FREE | Registration required
Sponsored by Friends of Brookside Gardens

Camille Dungy, poet and author

Camille recounts the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden through the lens of being a Black mother living in a predominately white community. Through the metaphor of converting her garden from a monoculture lawn to a native prairie, she reveals how cultivating diverse perspectives in our national discourse about the environment is the best means of protecting it. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World’s Rarest Species (Virtual #PBG0163 400001)
Wednesday | October 30 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm FREE | Registration required
Sponsored by Friends of Brookside Gardens

Carlos Magdalena, Tropical Senior Botanical Horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and author of “The Plant Messiah”
Enjoy tales of adventure from the Amazon to the jungles of Mauritius to the Australian Outback in search of rare and vulnerable plants. Discover groundbreaking lab techniques for rescuing species from extinction, encouraging them to propagate and thrive. You will appreciate plant diversity in a new light through stories about the secrets these incredible organisms contain. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Heaven is a Garden – Serenity by Design (Virtual #PBG0155 300001)
Wednesday | October 30 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm FREE | Registration required
Sponsored by Friends of Brookside Gardens

Jan Johnsen, author and landscape designer

Drawing on ancient traditions and contemporary horticultural practices, Jan reveals design strategies for creating serenity and relaxation in the landscape. Enjoy this journey of stunning garden visuals while learning new concepts like how to identify a “power spot” in your garden, the importance of cardinal directions, and how forms and shapes affect our sense of well-being. Plant list provided. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Meeting Theme : REJUVENATE! CLICK HERE for details
Sunday, October 27th - 1.30 PM - 3.30 PM
Brookside Gardens Visitor Center Auditorium
1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
Free Registration via Eventbrite Sep. 23 - Oct. 20 (SORRY WE ARE SOLD OUT)

Come meet other FOBG members and learn what's new in Brookside Gardens and Montgomery Parks!!
Socializing - Light Refreshments - Talks - Gift Card Raffle - Plant giveaways

Explore the science and art of gardening through child-driven art projects and engaging science activities. Groups will rotate through our outdoor activity stations designed to educate and entertain. Bring your friends, family, and picnics (only allowed during this special event). Registration is encouraged but not required.

FREE. #PBG0077 300005.
Register through Active Montgomery.

ONE DAY ONLY: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 AM - 3 PM (Rain OR Shine) or until supplies last

8:00-10:00 AM Early entry - FOBG Members ONLY + 10% discount
South Terrace, Brookside Gardens Visitor Center

(NOT A MEMBER? COME EARLY AND JOIN AT THE SALE!)
MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL PLANTS, ALl day!!

You can also join online at JOIN/RENEW FOBG MEMBERSHIP NOW

All proceeds directly support Brookside Gardens and its programs. Thank you for your support!

SPEAKER SERIES

Toni Gattone, author and adaptive gardening expert
FREE | #PBG0136 200001 (Virtual) Register at Active Montgomery
Gardeners of all ages and abilities will benefit from learning new strategies to garden with comfort, safety, and ease. Toni will review dozens of tips, tools, and techniques for adaptive gardening and will help you modify the accessibility of your garden, re-thinking your space to include containers, raised beds and vertical gardens. She’ll introduce new ergonomic tools that are easier on your hands, back, hips, and entire body

SPEAKER SERIES

William Cullina, author and the F. Otto Haas Executive Director, Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania
FREE | #PBG0140 100001 (Virtual) Register at Active Montgomery
Not all woody plants mix well with perennials for several reasons, including differing soil and fertilization needs, incompatible growth habits, or aggressive root systems. This talk explores how to seamlessly blend native shrubs and small trees with existing perennials in your landscape. Discover 30 combinations that bring texture, color, and wildlife to your garden year-round.

Celebrate Earth Month on May 5 as youth take center stage, and the celebration is specially geared towards ages 2–14. Explore the science and art of sustainability through child driven projects, plantings, and activities including:

• Children's Music by Mr. Gabe: “a mix of traditional children’s songs, child-friendly pop songs, and originals”
• Art Activities
• Botanical Art demonstration
• Botanical Watercolor activity
• Plant Science Exploration Stations
• Seed Science activity: children will compare and dissect common seeds
• Pot-a-plant: children will pot a native plant to take home
• iNaturalist: families can learn how to use this popular app to identify the biodiversity in their neighborhoods
• Climate Pledge: families will make a climate action pledge to mitigate their impact on the environment
• Drop-in Children's Yoga Classes
• Kona Ice will be on site for families to purchase sweet treats
• Families will be allowed to bring a picnic and enjoy it in a designated area of the garden

Free. Registration encouraged but not required

South Terrace, Brookside Gardens Visitor Center

Get a head start on spring gardening! You’ll appreciate the high-quality perennials, shrubs, and small trees grown at Montgomery Parks’ Pope Farm and local nurseries. Enjoy a wide selection of plants, including native ecotypes, and get expert advice from staff horticulturists. The plant list will be published on the main page of www.brooksidegardens.org the week prior to the sale. Proceeds support Brookside Gardens.  
NOTE: Debit and credit cards ONLY. No cash accepted. 

FOBG members get a 10% discount. Not a member? Join at the sale and get the discount.

Sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens

Friday | February 16 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm #PBG0057 400001

The GreenScapes Symposium is an annual program organized by Brookside Gardens since 2004. The symposium will highlight the intersection of horticulture and environmental issues. Environmental stewardship is a core value of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC),

• Early Bird Fee expires Friday, January 12: $45

• Regular Fee starts Saturday, January 13: $55The GreenScapes Symposium is an annual program organized by Brookside Gardens since 2004.

FOBG fundraiser 2023 to benefit Brookside Gardens

Saturday | November 18 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | Tickets $125/person. Registration via Eventbrite opens on September 10, 2023

Get ready for a very special morning when FOBG holds a fundraising gala brunch on November 18, 2023. Brunch with Birds and Blooms will feature two outstanding speakers, a catered brunch, and a raffle.

Our speakers will be Sara Hallager, Curator of Birds, and Brian Evans, Migratory Bird Ecologist, both with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

To learn about the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS VIA EVENTBRITE

Simply Fresh is catering the brunch, which includes a mimosa bar. The raffle will feature gift cards from a variety of local merchants, such as restaurants, garden centers, markets, and a few online vendors. Raffle tickets will be sold on site during the event.

Patty Rese Band (Classic Rock)

Wednesday | September 27 | 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Visitor Center Lawn

Allen Ambush Jazz Quartet (Jazz)

Wednesday | September 20 | 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Visitor Center Lawn

Ocho de Bastos (Latin Pop)

Wednesday | September 13 | 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Visitor Center Lawn

FOBG’S PERENNIAL FALL PLANT SALE (ONE DAY ONLY)
(RAIN or SHINE, but may be subject to change due to Montgomery Parks policy)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 | 10 AM - 4 PM
(SATURDAY, 8 AM - 10 AM - OPEN TO FOBG MEMBERS ONLY )

NOTE: If you are not a member and would like to come early, you may come in at 8 AM and become a member prior to shopping for your plants. Go to our membership page for details.

Natives - Pollinator Friendly Plants - Unusual Perennials - Ferns - Shrubs - Evergreens

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS