HoCo Native Landscaping Tour: Wilde Lake, June 15

The Howard County Landscaping Tour is in Wilde Lake this Sunday, June 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 am.  The houses are all in Running Brook and we will be giving out free Threadleaf Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii) plants.

Each of the three properties is different, but all are Bay-Wise certified and Bee City registered. Each has projects to mitigate stormwater runoff and has replaced sections of lawn with native trees, shrubs and perennials.

You can expect to see a beautiful sidewalk planting strip (aka hellstrip), a small pond with native aquatic plants, layered gardens surrounding the houses with native perimeter and foundation plantings, and a cul-de-sac with violets as groundcover rather than grass. Use this link for complete details:  2025 HoCo Native Landscaping Series.

Each tour is mostly self-guided. Homeowners will be there to answer questions and help you get the most out of each visit. Homeowners interested in seeing how native plants help with stormwater management while blending in beautifully with traditional landscaping techniques are encouraged to attend tours in their neighborhood and beyond.

Participating homeowners contribute to the health of our climate, environment, waterways, and beneficial wildlife. They have removed many invasive plants, improved soil health, and controlled stormwater runoff and erosion.

Thanks to Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Community Engagement and Restoration Grant and Howard County Bee City, and additional support from community sponsors, we will be giving out $10,000 worth of free native plants to tour visitors.  In addition to a free quart-sized native perennial for the first 55 households at every yard, there will be a lottery with the opportunity to win a free native tree, shrub, or $25 gift certificate.

No RSVP required. This event is rain or shine! Please consider carpooling as parking is limited, or bike or walk (CA Pathways resources and map).