Photo of the Silva Creek Botanical Garden (Photo by Elroy Limmer)The Gila Native Plant Society has developed a four-part online course, "Landscaping with Native Plants," which will be available this summer. Thanks to the generosity of Western New Mexico University, the course will utilize WNMU’s online teaching platform, Canvas. Students will be able to access the videos of the four modules at any times at their convenience between July 15 and September 15, 2020.  Canvas also makes it possible for students to have written interactions with their instructors.

The four modules will cover these aspects of landscaping with native plants:

* Students will learn about the variety of plants (trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, cacti, etc...) that can be used to create a landscaped garden or space. Native plants highlighted will include those in the Silva Creek Botanical Garden. (Instructor: Elizabeth Kaido)

*  Students will be introduced to basic principles of landscape design. (Instructor: Jeff Boyd).

*  Students will learn how to plant, prune and care for their native plants. (Instructor: Elroy Limmer).

*  Students will take a virtual tour of local environments landscaped with native plants. (Depending on Covid-19 conditions, students may be offered a live tour of gardens in addition to the virtual tour.)

Course cost will be $25, including a copy of the new GNPS brochure, Beginner's Guide to Planting Native Perennials of the Gila Region, which describes 26 native flowering herbaceous perennials that are well adapted for natural gardening in the Silver City area.

There are two ways to register: 

Send a request and a check for $25 made out to the Gila Native Plant Society to GNPS, PO Box 457, Silver City, NM 88062. The information needed: first and last names, email address and mailing address (to receive the Beginner’s Guide). (If you wish, you may reserve your registration first via gilanative@gmail.com). 

Or go online to http://gilanps.org/education/classes/ and pay by PayPal; make sure PayPal has your current email and mailing address.

Whether or not you decide to take the course, please feel welcome to visit the Silva Creek Botanical Garden, located on Virginia Street two blocks north of 180, for planting inspiration or just for pleasure. And those not taking the course can purchase the Beginner’s Guide to Planting Native Perennials of the Gila Region for $5 from Tricia Hurley of Lone Mountain Natives at the Silva City Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, at Country Girls’ Nursery, at the Grant County Art Guild store on Bullard or by mail order through the GNPS website (www.gilanps.org/books/).

The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promoting education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest; encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species; and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org.