The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College

The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, founded in 1998, is a program of the Westchester Community College Foundation and an affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas. The Native Plant Center maintains demonstration gardens and educates the public about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural beauty of native plants. The Native Plant Center’s demonstration gardens feature plants native to the northeastern United States:

• Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden: Located near the College’s East Grasslands entrance. Established in 1998 and dedicated in 1999 with a ceremony attended by Mrs. Johnson and her daughters, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson. Expanded and rededicated in 2012. Featured gardens: Native wildflower meadow planted in 1998 and now under restoration and berry-producing native shrubs and trees beneficial to birds, planted in 2012.
• Stone Cottage Garden: Behind the headquarters of The Native Plant Center. The space was renovated in 2017 and officially opens in 2018 as the New American Cottage Garden, featuring familiar aspects of a home garden such as a formal perennial bed, shrub border, seating area, and water feature using native plants exclusively. The garden showcases native plants in a less wild and more traditional setting.
• Rain Garden: Also located behind the headquarters of The Native Plant Center. Established 2008. The central element is a gravel/stone bed that carries stormwater runoff from the roof and downspouts of the cottage. The native plants in this garden can tolerate extreme fluctuations in moisture.

Directions: From northern Westchester, take Sprain Brook Parkway south to Eastview exit. Turn left onto Route 100. Enter Westchester Community College at East Grasslands Gate and bear right. Park in Lot #1. Greeting table at far edge of lot, near garden.

From southern Westchester, take Sprain Brook Parkway to Eastview exit. Turn right onto Route 100. Proceed as directed above.

From I-287, take Exit 4/Route 100A and go north 0.5 mile to entrance to Westchester Community College on right. At end of entrance road, turn right and follow to Parking Lot #1. Proceed as directed above.

Hours: Special Garden Conservancy Open Day guided tours, Sunday, July 29, 2018, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; otherwise year round, daily, dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free

Website: www.nativeplantcenter.org