Juniper Hairstreak on Rattlesnake Master. Photo by Heather Russell

Program Description: Rooted at the intersection of ecology and horticulture, ecological gardening strives to produce aesthetically pleasing gardens that function as a part of the greater ecosystem. Focusing on plantings as a living, breathing community rather than individual plants with no commonality, eco-gardens are resilient to our changing world and, once established, require significantly less maintenance than a conventional garden. An Introduction to Ecological Gardening will provide attendees with basic ecological principles as they apply to the Piedmont. These principles will then be extrapolated in how they can be utilized in residential & commercial landscape design and ongoing management to support birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Speaker Maxwell Nottke.

Speaker Bio: Maxwell Nottke is the owner and lead horticulturist of Bashavia Gardens, a native plant nursery and ecological garden design & services firm located in the Piedmont Triad. Following his acquisition of a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont, Max immediately entered the horticultural field, where he has done everything from nursery production to fine gardening & estate management. Faced with a changing world, Maxwell and his wife Clara decided to start their own gardening company with the intent of infusing ecological principles into their garden designs and management. Founded in 2019, Bashavia Gardens is focused on creating resilient and aesthetically-pleasing gardens that play a functional role in the greater ecosystem. They also began retail nursery sales in 2023—available by appointment or at the Piedmont Triad or Cobblestone farmers markets.