Past Events

  • Lecture: Ada Snyder March 5, 2026

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Ada Snyder

    “How to Successfully Start with Seeds and Grow Flowers, Herbs and Vegetables in the PNW”

    Thursday March 5, 2026
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    New Time!
    7pm • Doors open at 6:30pm
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now

    In this engaging talk by local expert Ada Snyder, you’ll learn how to start and grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers specific to our PNW growing environment. Soil prep, timing for seeding, transplanting and varieties that work in our area are covered along with other tools for a successful and productive garden.

    Ada Snyder is a highly sought after speaker for Master Gardener programs. She has been a leader in the organic seed community for over 15 years, with a focus on regionally adapted seed breeding for organic systems.

    As a commercial sales rep for High Mowing Organic Seed she enjoys visiting farms, meeting with growers, and learning about their farming systems to help find varieties that thrive in their unique conditions. She is also a big supporter of local flower growers and believes in supporting the next generation of farmers and helping them have access to land and equipment. She is a past board member of Viva Farms. Ada was born and raised in Skagit Valley and considers herself very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. She and her husband enjoy getting dirty in the garden and spending time with their two beautiful children.

    To learn more go to Ada’s website and blog
    High Mowing Organic Seeds www.highmowingseeds.com

    Lecture Tickets for Ada Snyder – March 5, 2026

  • 3 Hour Workshop: Mary Marshall & Andrew Tuttle April 4, 2026

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Mary Marshall & Andrew Tuttle

    3 Hour Workshop: “Design and Cultivate a Thriving Edible Garden in the Pacific Northwest”

    Saturday April 4, 2026
    Whatcom Art Center 1105 11th Street (Fairhaven) Bellingham
    1:30pm • Doors open at 1:15pm, Refreshments Served
    Tickets: $15 Members • $20 General

    Buy Tickets Now

    Join us in this inspirational and collaborative 3 hour workshop to experience a virtual garden tour of regenerative landscapes that blend beauty with function. You’ll be guided through the principles and practices of regenerative design and learn the tools needed to create extraordinary landscapes that work with nature, not against it.

    Mary Marshall and Andrew Tuttle are co-founders of Edge Perma & Redtail Edge Design. They teach at Edmonds College and offer engaging seminars on regenerative practices. This sought after team is working on several projects including the restoration of a historic farm education center near Seattle.

  • See Our Christmas Tree in the Whatcom Historical Museum Rotunda Room

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Seeds For Thoughts, Seeds For Flowers is the name of the tree that we decorated for the Whatcom Museum display.

    Visit the Whatcom Historical Museum now to see the Christmas tree display in the Rotunda room. Our tree’s theme was inspired by our December newsletter piece written by Sandi Madison (Publicity Chair).

    Celebrate the season with us at Deck the Old City Hall. From November 28 through January 4, Whatcom Museum’s historical Old City Hall is transformed into a festive holiday wonderland filled with twinkling trees, garlands, wreaths, and cozy winter charm. Wander through decorated galleries, explore seasonal displays, and enjoy the magic of the holidays inside one of Bellingham’s most iconic buildings.

    Admission is by condition and supports Museum programs and exhibitions.

    For visiting hours and more details about the New Year’s Eve Celebration check out these links:

  • Deck the Old City Hall holiday wonderland and New Year’s Eve celebration

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Celebrate the season with us at Deck the Old City Hall. From November 28 through January 4, Whatcom Museum’s historical Old City Hall is transformed into a festive holiday wonderland filled with twinkling trees, garlands, wreaths, and cozy winter charm. Wander through decorated galleries, explore seasonal displays, and enjoy the magic of the holidays inside one of Bellingham’s most iconic buildings.

    Admission is by condition and supports Museum programs and exhibitions.

    For visiting hours and more details about the New Year’s Eve Celebration check out these links:

  • 2025 Members Meeting – Brews & Bouquets

    ByWhatcom Hort Society
    Fall Meeting 2024

    “Brews & Bouquets ~ Creating a Seasonal Bouquet”

    Tuesday September 16, 2025
    Stemma Brewing Company – West
    508 Carolina Street, Bellingham
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Materials fee $45 – pre-registration online is required! You can pay online or at the door but please pre-register by September 11!
    Seating is limited, this event will fill up fast.
    You must be a current member to attend.
    Join or renew online or at the door for 2025 and 2026.

    Registration is closed – there may be 1 seat left, check at the door.|
    Stemma Brewing Company – West, 508 Carolina Street, Bellingham – doors open at 7.

    We’re back with one of our favorite member events – making your own arrangement! We’re excited to be at a new location: Stemma West’s private taproom on Carolina Street. The first beer or wine is on us, delicious snacks and desserts will be served!

    Stemma West’s Private Taproom can be entered Carolina Street (to the left of the main entry). There will be a WHS sign to guide you. Parking is on Carolina, Humboldt or Grant Street.

    We invite you to socialize with us! Join an informal group that will meet up at Stemma starting at 5:30 in the main dining area. The menu is from The Rivera Club.

    Our very own Kelly Swordmaker will facilitate this workshop and we’ll be joined by local flower growers. In this hands-on workshop she will guide us in creating our own seasonal fall bouquet. Also joining the presentation is Jillian Sullivan, an up and coming floral designer known for her stunning arrangements that incorporate both local and exotic elements. We are locally sourcing all of the flowers that we can find and we ask you to check your garden and help with flowers, greens, grasses and other seasonal plant material. Some of you have fabulous plant material to share! Suggestions: any flower, salal, miscanthus seed heads, rose hips, ferns, unique evergreens, ilex (please strip and bring in a bucket if possible).

    Bring with you: clippers, gloves, vase, and box to carry your arrangement home in. We will provide floral and greens, inspiration, chicken wire and floral tape.

    Please help with clean up: wipe surfaces, sweep, recycle, put away tables and some chairs (round tables stay up).

  • Fall Lecture Series ~ September 25 ~ Amy Campion

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Amy Campion

    “Boost Biodiversity in Your Garden with Insect-Friendly Habitat”

    Thursday September 25, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now
    Amy Campion

    ”News of crashing insect populations may make you feel hopeless about the future. However, there are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity where you live.“

    There is so much that you can do to make a difference in your garden! In Amy’s engaging and informative talk, you’ll learn about keystone plants, the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in, and the importance of your garden’s habitat. She will give detailed information about eight simple steps that you can take to increase biodiversity and create a more insect-friendly habitat in your garden.

    Amy Campion grew up in Minnesota and gardened in the Cincinnati area, where she worked at a wholesale nursery for 16 years. In 2013, she and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon. Amy is the co-author of Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide, along with Paul Bonine. She currently works at Garden Fever in Northeast Portland. Amy writes and speaks about gardening for insects and other wildlife, and she’s passionate about helping others make their own gardens more biodiverse.

    To learn more go to Amy’s website and blog
    The World’s Best Gardening Blog https://amycampion.com

    Lecture Tickets for Amy Campion – Sept 25, 2025

  • Fall Lecture Series ~ October 9 ~ Dr. Ross Bayton

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Dr. Ross Bayton

    “Hot Hardy Plants for Super Shady Gardens”

    Thursday October 9, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now

    We are excited to welcome Heronswood Garden’s Director Dr. Ross Bayton for a talk on the best that shade gardening has to offer. Expand your plant palette to include shade-loving plants that are grown in the famous garden that is known for its rare plants and cutting edge design. As with many Pacific Northwest gardens, shade is a predominant feature and the garden utilizes a unique palette of plants to create beauty under the trees. Dr Bayton will reveal a wealth of richly hued and elaborately textured plants that flourish in various shade conditions.

    London-born botanist and gardener Dr. Ross Bayton gained his PhD at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He’s the author of several books on horticulture including New Trees: Introductions to Cultivation (with John Grimshaw), Plant Families: A Guide for Gardeners and Botanists (with Simon Maugham), and most recently The Gardener’s Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Formerly the Gardening Editor of the UK’s best-selling gardening periodical, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, he is now the Director of the world-renowned Heronswood Garden in Kingston, WA, and gardens on a 5-acres in Bremerton.

    To learn more about Heronswood go to www.heronswood.com

    Accessibility at Whatcom Museum (Old City Hall)

    An accessible parking space is located in the rear of the building, on the brick parking platform directly behind the back entrance doors. The accessible building entrance ramp is also at the back side of the building. Take the ramp down to the basement level door and press the buzzer for assistance with opening the door. A desk attendant will open the door. From there you can take the elevator.

    For additional assistance entering Old City Hall, call the front attendant desk at 360.778.8977. An elevator is located on the basement level that accesses all levels of the building. An accessible/family restroom is located on the first floor of the building.

    Lecture Tickets for Dr. Ross Bayton – October 9, 2025

  • The 35th Annual Tour of Private Gardens is Saturday, June 28!

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Join Us on a Tour of 5 Amazing Bellingham Gardens!

    • A cozy cottage style garden connecting three homes
    • A tapestry of mature trees and shrubs on a south hill slope
    • A colorful textured garden anchored by evergreens, ground covers and maples
    • A garden with an exceptional plant collection and amazing garden structures
    • A big view of the islands, big rocks, collectable plants and a crazy swing
    Tour Details
    Garden Descriptions
    Tickets

  • Spring Lecture Series ~ May 29 ~ Marryn Mathis

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Marryn Mathis

    “How to Successfully Grow Dahlias and Sweet Peas”

    Thursday May 29, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now

    ”Whether it’s growing your own garden, creating handmade bouquets to share, or learning how to grow a new variety – flowers are so much more than just beautiful blooms. They represent hope, nostalgia, and a feeling of coming home to the place you belong.“

    We are so exited to welcome the exceptional local flower grower and author Marryn Mathis to tell us all things about growing sweet peas and dahlias. Marryn, known for her incredible dahlia field and amazing sweet peas, is also a cut flower educator who created the very unique sweet pea school. At her flower farm she specializes in seed production, growing cut flowers for retail, dahlia hybridization and educational workshops. Now the “Queen of Growing Sweet Peas” has published a new book: Sweet Pea School: Growing and Arranging the Garden’s Most Romantic Blooms that will be available at our lecture.

    Marryn Mathis and her family run the Farmhouse Flower Farm in Stanwood, Washington. She always loved flowers and gardening, but it took 20 years of working in healthcare and IT to finally realize what truly fed her soul—being among the flowers. She came alive and found her true passion when she discovered flower farming. In 2018 she founded the Farmhouse Flower Farm that specializes in dahlia tubers, flower seeds, sweet pea seeds, anemone, and ranunculus corms.

    Learn more at www.thefarmhouseflowerfarm.com

    Marryn Mathis Lecture Tickets May 29, 2025

  • Spring Lecture Series ~ April 29 ~ Seamus O’Brien

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Seamus O’Brien

    “Kilmacurragh: The Evolution of an 18th Century Irish Garden and its Spectacular Meadows”

    Tuesday April 29, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General
    Get your tickets online here (ticket sales will open soon) or at the lecture.

    Buy Tickets Now

    We are exceptionally excited to welcome you to this engaging lecture by Seamus O’Brien, one of Ireland’s best-known horticulturists and Head Gardener of the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh, County Wicklow. This garden estate is famous for its conifer and extensive rhododendron collections, and under Seamus’s direction, is being restored.

    The recent rejuvenation of the dramatic Kilmacurragh native wildflower meadows is one of the highlights of this talk. Seamus will describe the process and the unique plants employed to create the colorful tapestry of ever changing seasonal wildflowers that includes snowdrops, crocuses, narcissi, and native orchids.

    We will also enjoy a glimpse into the evolution of Kilmacurragh with its rich and fascinating history dating back to monastic origins in the 1600s. In the 19th century it became a wild-style ‘Robinson’ garden when the latest discoveries of plants and exotic trees from world expeditions were added. Recently the gardens have undergone a major replanting program using material raised at multiple botanical gardens from worldwide collaborative expeditions.

    Seamus has travelled extensively to many areas of the world to study plants in their native habitats. From these expeditions he has published two award winning books: In the Footsteps of Augustine Henry and his Chinese Collectors (2011), and In the Footsteps of Joseph Dalton Hooker: A Sikkim Adventure (2018). He is a regular contributor to Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, The Irish Garden, The Irish Garden Plant Society Newsletter and the International Dendrology Society Year Book.

    For additional information and a look at the wildflower meadow garden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlbbtqEl67E

    Seamus O’Brien Lecture Tickets April 29, 2025