meetings & events calendar
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our monthly meetings
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NWNARGS meets up to ten times a year at the Bellevue Botanical Garden (12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005), in addition to periodic online meetings. Meetings feature illustrated presentations by local, national and international experts; plant cultivation tips and demonstrations; and information about Pacific Northwest growing conditions and plant resources. Meetings are usually held the second Thursday of each month (with exceptions, see below). Refreshments and social time start at 7:00 pm, business meeting and program at 7:30 pm. Please s the map below for the exact location. Our meetings are free and open to the public and non-members and guests are welcome! Please check our news page as dates approach for more in-depth information about upcoming meetings and events.
2025 Programs & Events (all meetings in person at BBG unless noted)
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Saturday, January 18, 2025, ZOOM ONLY, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm - Jay Akerley, "Crevice Gardens for Small Spaces" - Let’s talk about crevice gardens for small spaces. Yes, postage-stamp sized spaces! Jay will share inspiration and ideas from familiar friends and his natural surroundings in British Columbia and beyond. He will also discuss his experience building budget-conscious crevice gardens accommodating tight geographic constraints and maximizing microclimate opportunities at sea level in Vancouver BC, his dry valley bottom garden in BC's interior region, and at 4350 ft elevation in Canada's second largest ski resort.
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Jay Akerley is a rock gardening enthusiast with unique experience gardening at sea level in Vancouver, at alpine elevations in Canada’s second largest ski resort, on British Columbia’s high and dry Thompson Plateau and in its arid, desert-like interior. His degree in Geography from Simon Fraser University and training at the Pacific Horticulture College in Victoria nurtured an interest in the world's montane, high steppe, and desert plants and landscapes. His gardens have featured the widest possible variety of rock garden plants in British Columbia’s wettest and driest environments, from USDA Zone 3 to Zone 8. Jay is a regular featured speaker and study day presenter for the North American Rock Garden Society and its chapters, as well as a former President and current Executive of the Alpine Garden Club of British Columbia.
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Note that this meeting is ZOOM ONLY - invites will be sent as the meeting date approaches.
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​Sunday, February 16, 2025 - Paul Spriggs, "Crevice Gardens"
Social time at 10:30 am, program and meeting at 11:00 am.
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Thursday, March 13, 2025 - Richard Ramsden, "Alpine Plants of Idaho and SW Montana"​
Social time at 7:00 pm, program and meeting at 7:30 pm.
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Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Del Brummet, "Alpine Troughs"
Social time at 7:00 pm, program and meeting at 7:30 pm.
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​Thursday, May 8, 2025 - Mark Akimoff, "Wildflower Adventures Around Oregon and SW Washington"
​Social time at 7:00 pm, meeting and program at 7:30 pm.
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Thursday, June 12, 2025 - TBD
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​Thursday, July 10, 2025 (Date tentative) - Dr. Ross Bayton, "NW Natives for Rock Gardens"
Social time at 7:00 pm, meeting and program at 7:30 pm.
​​August 2025 - Members-only summer potluck picnic and plant sale! See the newsletter and upcoming chapter mails for details! ​​
maps
pictures from some of our past meetings
One of our members perusing some of Ron Ratko's seeds for sale. A percentage of the profits go to our chapter. Photo by Lynn Schueler
Thanks to our generous donors, we have an extensive collection of garden-related books for sale. Photo by Lynn Schueler
Photo by Lynn Schueler
At our monthly meeting. Photo by Lynn Schueler