Ornamental Alternatives Gardening Workshop

Ornamental Alternatives: 
Replacing Invasives with Beautiful 
Natives that Restore a Healthy Home Landscape
with Chris Ferrero

June 2 and 3, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Hybrid: Online and in-person at Berkshire Community College

Official invasive plant lists have unmasked the "bad actors" in home landscapes, but some of these culprits are beloved for their blooms, shade performance or fall foliage. This program highlights common trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials from MA's "prohibited" lists, and offers native alternatives with superior flowers, fragrance, fruits & fall color, plus value to pollinators and birds. 

Chris Ferrero trained as a Cornell Master Gardener in New York where she led demonstration garden teams, plant propagation workshops, and alternatives-to-invasives work groups. She regularly consults on challenges like shade gardening, deer deterrence, and pollinator gardening with native perennials and flowering shrubs, and her 20 talks keep her busy speaking to garden clubs and master gardener symposiums. Formerly a corporate marketing director, she has retired to Stockbridge, MA near the Berkshire Botanical Garden, where she serves on the faculty and also sits on the Horticulture Advisory Committee.

This lecture will be recorded and available for viewing at the convenience of registrants.

Program Cost:

OLLI at BCC Members: $30
Non-members: $40

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.