- WTH is a Native Plant (and Why Should I Care)? 2027 - January

- WTH is a Native Plant (and Why Should I Care)? 2027 - January

WTH is a Native Plant? (and Why Should I Care?)

4 CNPS hours

Instructor: Jeff Gillman, PhD, Director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Class Dates: This is a two-part class, meeting on the following days:

  • Thursday, January 7th, 2027 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
  • Thursday, January 14th, 2027 from 6:00pm-8:00pm


Class Description: Plants defined as "Natives" receive a great deal of attention from gardeners and horticulturists. Promoted as essential for a healthy ecology and adapted for local conditions, these amazing organisms clearly have traits that make them valuable in our landscapes, but how long does a "native" need to live here to be considered native? Fifty years? Five hundred years? Five thousand years? More? And with our soil and climate changing, are native plants that once thrived here still the right thing for a responsible gardener to plant? Are there fundamental traits that make exotic plants inferior to natives? In this discussion-based class, we will spend time on all of these questions. Reading is required. Come with an open mind and prepare to have your beliefs challenged.


Materials

Location: UNC Charlotte Main Campus - Room TBD

Cost: $20 This includes a book you will receive on the first day of class - "Where Do Camels Belong"

Parking: During the week, you must park in our visitor decks. Park in East Deck #1. Parking is free on the weekends. We still recommend parking in East Deck #1. If you park in an open lot during the week, you will receive an $85 fine from the university. We do have very limited free parking spots in front of the Greenhouse, but those fill up quickly.

UNC Charlotte Campus Parking Map

*If you have any questions, please contact garden-education@charlotte.edu

Stock number:

8468503

Price:

$25.00