The meeting point is Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve; check your registration confirmation or the preserve's event listing for exact meeting time and check-in location.

How strenuous is the walk?

The program is an easy, three-hour field walk with short, gentle trails that can be uneven; expect standing and slow walking while identifying plants.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. The class is designed for a range of experience levels and emphasizes clear identification tips and gardening suggestions.

Will we collect seeds or plants?

The instructor will discuss seed collection ethics and propagation but participants should not remove plants without permission; small, instructor-approved samples may be allowed under guidelines.

What happens in bad weather?

The preserve typically posts rain-date or cancellation information on the event listing; check your booking confirmation for specific policies.

Do I need to register in advance?

Yes. Registration is required through Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve's booking system to secure a spot.

Late-Season Asters at Bowman's Hill: Identify, Plant, and Support Pollinators | Guided Tour | Eco Tour

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve rises along the Delaware River corridor near New Hope, Pennsylvania. Knowing Native Plants: Classic Asters and Their Colorful Companions is a focused, three-hour field class led by naturalist Mary Anne Borge that teaches how to identify asters and related late-season bloomers, where they grow, and which species make reliable additions to a wildlife-friendly garden. The meeting point is Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.

On the walk you'll study classic asters—New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)—alongside boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) and mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Look for differences in leaf texture, flowerhead arrangement, and habitats from sunny meadow edges to moist woodland margins. The preserve's mosaic of meadow, oak-hickory woodland, and riparian edge creates the variety of soils and light conditions these species prefer, making it an ideal outdoor classroom.

Borge combines field expertise, photography and practical gardening advice. As editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine and a Pennsylvania master naturalist, she explains pollinator relationships—the role of asters in sustaining late-season bees and butterflies—and how seedheads and stems support birds through fall and winter. Expect thoughtful instruction on species selection for pollinator gardens, including bloom times that extend into November and maintenance tips for home habitats.

This workshop is part of the Knowing Native Plants series, an annual set of 14 Saturday classes that form the backbone of the preserve's Native Plant Advocate Program. The series emphasizes local plant communities and how biology governs where species thrive. Participants often leave with a prioritized plant list and confidence to match species to specific garden conditions.

Practical details: bring a field guide, notebook, sturdy shoes and water; the terrain is generally easy but uneven in places. Photography opportunities concentrate on close-up flowerheads, contrasting seedheads and pollinators. The walk is ideal for gardeners, naturalists and anyone curious about why asters dominate late-season floral displays in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is more than scenery; it is a working conservation landscape where restoration, education and community programs like Lambertville Goes Wild and National Wildlife Federation habitat efforts intersect. This class offers both botanical rigor and actionable ideas to bring native asters into your yard—and to keep local pollinators fed through the shoulder seasons.

Expect hands-on demonstrations of identification techniques: using bract and pappus clues, comparing involucral bracts, and reading habitat cues that separate look-alikes. The instructor will discuss seed collection ethics, propagation basics and native plant sourcing in the region. Suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike, the walk accommodates a range of ages and encourages questions. Check Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve event listings for exact meeting time and any rain-date policy; registration is required through the preserve's booking system. Bring layered clothing and insect repellent.

About Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania, is a native-plant preserve offering seasonal programs and guided walks focused on wildflowers and native plant communities.

The preserve presents a rotating schedule of educational experiences including a Preserve Admission option and the Knowing Native Plants series led by naturalist Mary Anne Borge. Series topics cover winter and spring identification, trees and ferns, flowering shrubs, spring ephemerals, invasive species identification, and plant classification to support seasonal learning.

Programs emphasize hands-on observation, seasonal plant recognition, and practical management techniques relevant to gardens and local habitats. Participants receive interpretive guidance from experienced naturalists and benefit from sessions designed for a range of skill levels. Visitors include gardeners, educators, families, and naturalists seeking focused study of Pennsylvania native flora near New Hope.

Sessions provide identification techniques, ecological context, and practical tips for managing invasive species and enhancing native-plant habitat. As a named wildflower preserve, Bowman's Hill documents seasonal highlights and posts program details to help visitors plan hikes, classes, and guided walks. For those seeking informed, naturalist-led exploration of native plants and seasonal wildflower displays, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve offers specialized classes and thematic walks throughout the year.

Program descriptions list topics such as 'Wildflowers in Winter,' 'Trees in Winter,' 'Spring Ephemerals,' and invasive species management so visitors can choose sessions that match their interests and seasonal timing. Program leaders encourage observation, respectful access, and learning about plant identification and habitat support for local wildlife. Advance registration is recommended when available. Check official program listings.