Ladew Gardens is preparing for its 18th annual garden festival this weekend, which will feature rare plants, antiques, and new wellness initiatives aimed at enhancing visitors’ experiences. The festival begins Friday with a preview evening and continues Saturday with its biggest plant sale and fundraiser of the year. “Guests get to shop from some of the best rare plant, unusual plant, beautiful plant vendors in the region. And we have fabulous antique vendors as well, garden-related antiques, and then our large tent is just a variety of items for people that love gardening,” said Emily Emerick, executive director of Ladew Gardens. The event will include more than 41 vendors, 11 of which are new this year. Native plants that benefit the environment will also be available for purchase. Last year, attendees even spotted Martha Stewart shopping at the festival. “But one of the consistent underlying motivations for people is the peace and joy and rejuvenation that they get outside. That’s not an accident,” Emerick said. Ladew Gardens is also introducing wellness initiatives, including tai chi and yoga sessions in the gardens, as well as a pilot three-month nature therapy program. “The participants will get a workbook that is packed full of reflective prompts, intuitive writing exercises, guided meditations, and they come to the gardens on their own time,” said Rachelle Fowler, environmental educator and art and outreach coordinator at Ladew Gardens. Additionally, six guided meditation stations have been installed throughout the gardens. “Take a well-being pause. Life is so hectic sometimes, it’s nice to just be present and ground yourself in the exact moment where you are and take a pause,” Fowler said. Ladew Gardens hopes to offer nature therapy to the public by August.
MONKTON, Md. —
Ladew Gardens is preparing for its 18th annual garden festival this weekend, which will feature rare plants, antiques, and new wellness initiatives aimed at enhancing visitors’ experiences.
The festival begins Friday with a preview evening and continues Saturday with its biggest plant sale and fundraiser of the year.
“Guests get to shop from some of the best rare plant, unusual plant, beautiful plant vendors in the region. And we have fabulous antique vendors as well, garden-related antiques, and then our large tent is just a variety of items for people that love gardening,” said Emily Emerick, executive director of Ladew Gardens.
The event will include more than 41 vendors, 11 of which are new this year. Native plants that benefit the environment will also be available for purchase. Last year, attendees even spotted Martha Stewart shopping at the festival.
“But one of the consistent underlying motivations for people is the peace and joy and rejuvenation that they get outside. That’s not an accident,” Emerick said.
Ladew Gardens is also introducing wellness initiatives, including tai chi and yoga sessions in the gardens, as well as a pilot three-month nature therapy program.
“The participants will get a workbook that is packed full of reflective prompts, intuitive writing exercises, guided meditations, and they come to the gardens on their own time,” said Rachelle Fowler, environmental educator and art and outreach coordinator at Ladew Gardens.
Additionally, six guided meditation stations have been installed throughout the gardens.
“Take a well-being pause. Life is so hectic sometimes, it’s nice to just be present and ground yourself in the exact moment where you are and take a pause,” Fowler said.
Ladew Gardens hopes to offer nature therapy to the public by August.