2026 Plant Geek Day

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum, Milton

Event resources

Registration Flyer

A great educational opportunity for all nursery and landscape professionals within the green industry!

Two MCH credits available to event attendees.

Event sponsors and host location

Event Agenda

7:30am
Arboretum Opens

8:00am
Registration at the Carriage Barn

Our morning begins simply with: assorted pastries, assorted teas, fresh brewed coffee (regular and decaf) and coffee accompaniments.

9:00am
Welcome & Recognition of New MCHs for 2026

Join us as we welcome attendees and speakers while recognizing the newest MCHs of 2026 from the February 4th & August 5th exams.

9:30am
Breakout Session I

Attendees can select one session to attend (each session is approximately 45 minutes):

Conifer Tour—The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is a Reference Garden for the American Conifer Society and hosts over 50 species of conifers. This tour will showcase some of the unique conifers in the collection and how conifer collecting has evolved.
The Native Plant Garden—Polly Wakefield’s original plant collection focused on nonnative species that the Arnold Arboretum was collecting. The staff is working to expand the collection with a diverse range of native plant species. This tour highlights the new native plant garden and plans for its future expansion.
Meadow Project—Discover the new native meadow trial and the woodland restoration project and learn about Wakefield Arboretum’s efforts towards creating ecologically beneficial habitats for native fauna and educational opportunities for the public.

10:30am
Breakout Session II

Same sessions as above, please select one.

11:00am
Plant ID Challenge at the Carriage Barn

12:00pm
Lunch

Box lunch pick up at the Carriage Barn

12:30pm
Garden Tour

Tour the formal gardens while hearing about the horticulturist’s efforts to preserve the extensive Kousa dogwood collection while expanding the number of native species.

1:30pm
Thank you and final remarks

2:00pm
Grounds open for self-guided tours

Attendee Pricing

All attendees MUST be pre-registered on or before August 20, 2026.

Pricing

MCH & MNLA members: $75
Non-members $99

Registration includes coffee & a box lunch. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunches and beverages as well.

Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins:

We will be unable to accommodate walk-in registrations for this event. All attendees MUST be pre-registered on or before August 20, 2026.

All sponsors receive logo on signage and conference materials, the opportunity to forward information to be shared with attendees, as well as a mailing list of attendees. Sponsors will also receive one (1) free registration to participate on the day or to share with a customer.

DISCLAIMER: Although every reasonable effort is made to provide the speakers, topics, and sessions listed, some changes or substitutions may occur. Speakers and sessions are subject to cancellation or change up to and including the day the session(s) are scheduled to be held. Changes or cancellations are made at the discretion of MNLA and may be done without notifying attendees. If sessions are changed or canceled no refunds should be expected. Submission of the registration form acknowledges acceptance of this provision.

Register online

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Please note: All registrations are transferable within a company; they are however non-refundable.

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A Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH) is the ultimate resource for growing in Massachusetts. They’ve invested the time to learn and qualify as experts in the field and include nursery professionals, landscape contractors, fine gardeners, designers, land managers, tree care professionals, and turf pros.

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