KILAUEA — There’s a new workshop on island for those interested in learning about native plants.
The first in a new series of native gardening workshops from the Kauai Invasive Species Committee is scheduled Aug. 10 at Seascapes Nursery and it’s a chance to get a few questions answered from experts in the field.
The workshop is free, but registration is required.
Speakers are plant gurus Serina Marchi and Dayne Johnson. Marchi is co-owner and manager of Seascapes Nursery and Johnson is a landscaper and owner of Nature by Design.
Both have a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table and say they’re planning on really digging into the details of choosing proper plants and keeping them thriving.
Both are also some of the first members of the KISC Pono Endorsement Program, a partnership between nursery and landscaping businesses and KISC that promotes practices like disinfecting gear, surveying for invasive species and discontinuing sale of invasive plants.
Marchi said she’s looking forward to hosting the workshop at Seascapes Nursery; she’s been wanting to help with outreach and education in landscaping for a while and it was a perfect opportunity.
“The end goal is for participants to take what they’ve learned and go back to that problem area in their yard with fresh eyes,” Marchi said. “There will be some hands-on (projects) and learning.”
Johnson has been surrounded by plants his whole life and has spent time working in both research and retail nurseries, as well as landscaping.
He’s been owner and operator of the landscaping company Nature by Design, for the last five years and has been on island for seven after moving to Kauai from Idaho.
“I always wanted my office to be outdoors,” Johnson said. “I was raised on a cattle ranch and I’ve always had a relationship with plants; growing what you eat and seeing the whole process.”
The first part of the workshop is set to happen inside and be a lecture-style with photos and examples of native plants and techniques to care for them. Then, participants will go outside and take a look at some of the plants in the nursery.
Johnson said he’s excited to share his perspective on how to use native plants in landscaping and yard projects.
“Native plants are underused and we have such cool species,” he said.
The KISC native gardening workshop is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Seascapes Nursery, 4741 Kahiliholo Road, Kilauea.
Info: bit.ly/2YjeodX or 821-1490
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com
