What Do You Mean I'm Not a Perennial?! Native Shrubs and Small Trees for Perennial Companionship

Description

A presentation of the Naturally Better Landscaping Speaker Series

Location

Todd Performing Arts Center • Chesapeake College • Wye Mills, MD

Date & Time

Sunday, August 31, 2025 • 2–3:30 pm

Learn to enhance your landscape with trees and shrubs from award-winning author Bill Cullina.

Native plant expert Bill Cullina explores the art of mixing woody plants with perennials and annuals. Discover shrubs and small trees that thrive alongside herbaceous plants, adding texture and color while supporting a diverse range of wildlife. They can even be cut back to keep your garden looking fresh and dynamic throughout the seasons.

This presentation takes place at the Todd Performing Arts Theatre at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD. It is free and open to all. Advance registration is highly recommended. 


About Bill

William G. Cullina is the F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the University of Pennsylvania's Morris Arboretum. He was formerly the President and CEO of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the Director of Plant Research and Development for the New England Wild Flower Society. While at the New England Wild Flower Society, he developed the largest native plant nursery in New England and introduced over a dozen named cultivars. He was awarded the GCA Sarah Francis Chapman Medal in 2011 for his outstanding books on native plant species and their propagation. His books include: Wildflowers; Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines; Understanding Orchids; Native Ferns, Mosses, and Grasses; and Understanding Perennials.


Naturally Better Landscaping Speaker Series

In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Adkins Arboretum received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) to provide outreach and education to local Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and the general public, supporting environmentally friendly landscaping practices.

This speaker series was developed as part of the Naturally Better Landscaping project, in partnership with ShoreRivers, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Pickering Creek, and Phillips Wharf, and is offered free of charge, thanks to funding from CBT and Queen Anne’s County. It is open to the general public. Not all presentations will be held at Adkins Arboretum.

Register