10th Annual Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival

Discover the important connection between native plants, people, & wildlife at this FREE event on Saturday, May 10th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM! Held at beautiful New Germany State Park in Garrett County, this festival has something for everyone!

A great variety of plants native to the Mid-Atlantic region will be available for sale from five nurseries: Wood Thrush Native Plant Nursery – Floyd, VA; Evergreen Heritage Center – Mount Savage, MD; Native Roots, Inc. – Mineral Wells, WV; Wild Indigo Native Nursery – Grantsville, MD; and Backyard Forest, Bellefonte, PA.

In addition to native plants, there will be nature-themed items offered for sale. Artisans include: Marta Fiscus Photography – Cumberland, MD (award winning macro photos); Peggy Nixon Designs – Salisbury, PA (hand-painted slates & note cards); Keen and Bright – Swanton, MD (glass creations); and Appalachian Wax Works – Oakland, Maryland (quality goods from the beehive).

During the event, there will be two formal programs geared for teens and adults. At 11:30 AM, Dr. Candy DeBerry, Washington & Jefferson College, will discuss “Attracting Pollinators To Your Garden,” and at 1:00 PM, Dr. Raymond Najjar, Penn State University, will present “Plastics in the Environment”. In addition, there will be guided walks: “Tree ID” at 10:30 AM and “Native Plant Garden Tour” at 2:15 PM. Throughout the day, families can also play a unique Bingo Game or visit the cool New Germany Nature Center.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to visit ‘Information & Education’ displays created by conservation groups and local government agencies. Experts will help answer your questions on native plant and natural resource topics. Participating groups include: American Forest Foundation, Evergreen Heritage Center, Friends of New Germany State Park, Garrett County Forestry Board, Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling, Garrett Trails, Maryland Conservation Corps, Maryland Master Naturalist Program, Maryland Native Plant Society, Mountain Laurel Garden Club, University of Maryland Extension – Garrett County Master Gardeners, and West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

New Germany State Park, Friends of New Germany State Park, and the Maryland Native Plant Society are sponsoring this festival. Your support of the vendors and organizations through your purchases is deeply appreciated! Please come prepared to use cash or check (due to limited cell service, credit cards may not be accepted). Only snacks and drinks are available at the Lake House, so pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at this wonderful mountain park!

For more information on this FREE event, visit https://mdflora.org/event-6038726. Email Liz McDowell at wmtchapter@mdflora.org or phone the park office at 301-895-5453.