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January 15, 2026: Virtual Talk with Camdon Burd
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In January the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse is kicking off its year of programming with a virtual lecture from Dr. Camden Burd, author of The Roots of Flower City: Horticulture, Empire, and the Remaking of Rochester, New York,
which examines how Rochester became the center of horticulture in
America during the 19th century. This free talk will take place on
January 15th at 6:30pm and will be broadcast over Zoom.
Here
is the registration link: https://www.simpletix.
* Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 10 AM to Noon at Wood Library
CANANDAIGUA BOTANICAL SOCIETY PLANNING MEETING
We have the Ewing Room at Wood Library in Canandaigua reserved between 10 AM and Noon on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
We welcome anyone to join us as we plan future events and perhaps give Fred submissions for the Spring 2026 Vasculum. Discuss details for our 152nd annual meeting on May 1, 2026. What places shall we visit or revisit in 2026? Are there speakers or presentations we should host?
If you have input, but are unable to attend the meeting, please share your ideas with us at canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 online via zoom
CANANDAIGUA LAKE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
Native Alternatives to
Invasive Plants
Zoom Presentation
Join Emily DeBolt, Executive Director of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, for a discussion on native alternatives to invasive plants for this zoom presentation. Emily will explain what makes a plant invasive, outline New York State regulations on invasive plant sales, and highlight beautiful, easy-to-grow native plants you can use instead.
Register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pYXkjUshTzOU3NSaDOQ2oQ
* Lesser Celandine Dig at Mertensia Park *
We are hoping the weather will cooperate on Thursday, March 26 from 1-3 PM for our annual Lesser Celandine Dig at Mertensia Park. Everyone is welcome.
All are welcome to join us to dig out the invasive lesser celandine before the blue bells bloom. We will flag the invasive plants and provide the black bags and wheelbarrow to remove the lesser celandine. Please bring garden/work gloves and hand tools (garden trowel, hori hori knife). Small buckets or bins are also handy to collect the lesser celandine to transport to the black bags. Community service credit certificates will also be available for students/scouts/etc.
* Our Potluck dinner, 152nd Annual Meeting and Presentation: Friday, May 1, 2026
Details are still in the works but we hope to meet at the Notre Dame Retreat House on Foster Road on Friday, May 2026. We are welcome to arrive early to enjoy the nature trails on the property. Our potluck dinner will be in the dining room (no need to bring your own place settings this year!). We are hoping to have Shelly Walker as our presenter after a brief annual meeting.
Here's the timeline we are hoping for:
3-5 PM – enjoy the trails and grounds
5-5:30 PM – meet in the dining area with pot luck meal items; membership dues can be collected here
5:30 PM – meal
~ 6 or 6:15 PM – annual meeting
6:30 – 7:30 PM – Presentation by Shelley Walker (open to public and those who can’t arrive earlier)
** Canandaigua Botanical Society's Newsletter: The Vasculum **
Beginning in 2024 Fred Haynes offered to edit a Canandaigua Botanical Society newsletter. The Vasculum is planned to be a quarterly newsletter distributed digitally. We will publish it here on our weblog and members will also receive it as a pdf file via email.
Fred would love to receive
input for future issues from any member who would like to
contribute either a full article, a short text item, or simply an image
or two. The success of any club newsletter is in the diversity of its
content and that is best accomplished with multiple contributors.
The current "Winter 2025" issue is
You are encouraged to submit material to fredmhaynes55@gmail.com.
Spring 2026 submissions should be to Fred by February 15, 2026.
Be sure to take a guess at our mystery plants!
We have printed copies of the Vasculum newsletters now available at the Wood (Canandaigua), FLCC, Geneva, Gorham, Naples, and Victor-Farmington libraries.
Here is a chronological listing of archived issues:
Winter 2024; Volume 1, Number 1
Spring 2024: Volume 1, Number 2
Summer 2024: Volume 1, Number 3
Spring 2025: Volume 2, Number 1
Summer 2025: Volume 2, Number 2
Winter 2025: Volume 2, Number 4
** Membership Donations **
The Canandaigua Botanical Society remains dedicated to advancing knowledge and enjoyment of plants found in the Finger Lakes Region and beyond.
Renew or become a Canandaigua Botanical Society member:
Benefits including:
Membership emails
Our Vasculum newsletters
Field trips and indoor presentations
(some for members only)
Learning about regional plants
Supporting the Finger Lakes Herbarium,
NYS FLORA Atlas and
local conservation projects
Enjoying the outdoors
Meeting people with similar interests
Payments of $10 per individual or $15 per family can be made in three ways:
1. By check to Canandaigua Botanical Society (send to our treasurer: Bill Bross, 31 Alpine Way, Victor, NY 14564)
2. By cash or check at Canandaigua Botanical Society events
3. Through the Canandaigua Botanical Society FLACE account at Canandaigua National Bank
You can expect an email receipt when funds are received and we update our membership list.
We look forward to seeing you in our 151st year!
** 2026 Canandaigua Botanical Society Events **
This is where you will find Canandaigua Botanical Society *sponsored events* for 2026 as well as community events we think you might appreciate. Check back often to see the latest updates and links to past events. Underlined events have links on our weblog or another community site.
Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 PM: Fun Western NY History - online
Saturday, January 10 at 10:30 AM: Invasive Plants in Your Back Yard - Wood Library
Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 PM: The Making of Flower City - online
* Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 10 AM to noon: PLANNING MEETING to firm up 2026 plans. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. Please help us plan our 152nd year!
Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 PM: CLWA Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
* Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 1-3 PM: Lesser Celandine Dig at Mertensia Park (weather permitting)
* Friday, May 1, 2026: Annual Potluck, Meeting and Presentation
Images shared by our members:
Check back on occasion to find images submitted by our members. I've added a link to the left column to easily locate this post.
Early April 2025 from Barb Manchee along the Domine trail:
Shared on April 20 by Marie Heerkens. Scarlet cups in Fishers, NY:
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From Mary Perry's yard in Lyons, NY mid April:
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| trillium |
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| Mayapples and more |
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| Trout lilies |
Laura made a visit to Chimney Bluffs State Park on May 10, 2025. Click here to see plenty more images.
Saturday, January 10, 10:30 AM at Wood Library
Sonnenberg Garden Club presents:
INVASIVE PLANTS IN YOUR BACK YARD
Master Gardener, John Nelson, from the Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension, will explain the term invasive species and describe the NY Sate regulations for them. The talk will then review the various invasive plants found in Finger Lakes gardens either as weeds or as ornamental plants that are no longer recommended for landscaping. The presentation will include methods for control. when available, and recomended replacements for the invasive ornamental plants. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
(taken from the Genesee Valley Penny Saver calendar)
January 8, 2026: Fun Western New York History
The Honeoye Falls - Mendon Historical Society is hosting a zoom meeting with Jack Kowiak beginning at 7:30 PM.
The January 8th meeting of the Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society will feature Jack Kowiak, whose topic will be “Fun Western New York History”
This meeting will be on Zoom, not in person.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88396590261?pwd=Uaw14X6aQ32xBmLAab6YY9uRaFOpJa.1
Meeting ID: 883 9659 0261
Passcode: 694153
The amazing rags to riches story of seven Western New York sisters who became world famous hair celebrities. The story of Rattlesnake Pete who was Rochester’s answer to PT Barnum.
Jack Kowiak is a retired market research manager from Eastman Kodak who enjoys researching and presenting material that he finds interesting. Jack speaks on a variety of topics to numerous organizations in the Rochester area. In addition, he teaches regular classes at the Penfield Recreation Center. Jack’s goal is to present programs that both educate and entertain.
The meeting will begin at 7:30pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Again, it will be a Zoom presentation. Please join us from wherever you may be this winter!!
** 2025 Canandaigua Botanical Society Events **
This is where you will find Canandaigua Botanical Society *sponsored
events* for 2025 as well as community events we think you might appreciate. Check back often to see the latest updates and links
to past events. Underlined events have links on our weblog or another community site.
iNaturalist online event: January 22 - recording available
Kettle Ridge Farm Pancake Sundays: 9am - 1pm; January 12-March 9
Plant Native - Getting Started: 9:30 - 12:00, Saturday, February 1 at Fairport Library
Winter Plant ID Series: February 2 and 9; Muller Field Station and Cumming Nature Center
Finger Lakes PRISM Hemlock Woolly Adelgid training session - Feb 5
Fruition Seeds Events including a Seed Swap at Wood Library on February 6
* Home Sweet Sanctuary*: Wednesday, February 12; 6 PM at Wood Library
* Winter Walk at Gosnell Big Woods*: Saturday, February 22, 1-3 PM
* Planning meeting at Wood Library*: Tuesday, February 25 at 1 PM
Nature's Resilience: Ash-Absent Ecosystems: Thursday, March 13 at Muller Field Station
*Lesser celandine dig at Mertensia Park*: Thursday, March 27, 2 PM
*Spring Ephemeral walk at Domine Trail* in Fishers, NY: Saturday, April 5, 10 AM
Canandaigua Tree Advisory Board presentation: Thursday, April 24 at 7 PM - Wood Library
City of Canandaigua Arbor Day Tree Planting: Friday, April 25, 1 PM
*Rush Oak Openings Unique Area: Sunday, April 27, 2 PM *
Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm - TRILLIUMS
*Annual Meeting, Potluck and Bluebell wanders*: Friday, May 2, 2025
*Population census for American Columbo* Monday, May 19 - Registration Required
*Planning Meeting at Wood Library*: Tuesday, May 20 at 1 PM
*Zurich Bog walk*: Saturday, May 31 at 10 AM - Membership and Registration Required
*National Trails Day -Ontario Pathways* Saturday, June 7 at 10 AM
*Orchid talk and potluck at BANC*: June 27, 2025 5:30 - 9 PM
*CBS History talk at OCHS*: Tuesday, July 8, 2025; Noon - 1 PM
* Visit to Walton Point *: Saturday, July 19, 10 AM
* Ontario Pathways Walk *: Wednesday, August 6 at 9 AM
Burroughs Audubon Nature Club Tour, Sunday, August 17, 2025
* Cumming Nature Center walk *: Tuesday, August 19 at 10 AM
* Planning Meeting at Wood Library*: Wednesday, August 20, Noon
*Ganondagan Fort Hill Granary Trail*: Saturday, Sept. 20, 10AM
Genesee Land Trust celebration at Mertesia Park: Sept. 20, 1-4PM
Doug Tallamy in Rochester, Monday, September 22, 9:30AM
Ontario Pathways Great Pumpkin Walk, Sat. Oct 18- PM
* Rob's Trail Nature Conservancy * Saturday, October 25, 10 AM
* If You Plant It, They Will Come * Wood Library on Thursday, November 6, 7 PM
* Planning Meeting * Wood Library on Thursday, November 13, 12:45-2:24 PM
Lilac Nature Connection event
Lauren and Elio are excited to share several opportunities to enjoy nature immersions with Lilac Nature Connection. Their website is https://www.lilacnatureconnection.com/
Upcoming events include:
Forest Bathing Transitions - Saturday, September 27; 9-11 AM at Mendon Ponds
Forest Bathing Collaboration with Cumming Nature Center - Wednesday, October 8; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Cemetery Bathing Halloween Edition at Mount Hope - Saturday, October 25; 4-6 PM
Forest Bathing: Reciprocity - Thursday, November 27; 9-11 AM Thanksgiving
Planning Meeting - all are welcome
Thursday, November 13, 2025
12:45 - 2:45 PM
We have the Ewing Room at Wood Library in Canandaigua reserved between 12:45 and 2:45 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
We welcome anyone to join us as we plan future events and perhaps give Fred submissions for the Winter 2025 Vasculum. Where, when, and what shall we do for our 152nd annual meeting? What places shall we visit or revisit? Are there speakers or presentations we should host?
If you have input, but are unable to attend the meeting, please share your ideas with us at canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com.
Thursday, November 6 at 7 PM - Presentation at Wood Library
Judith Alberts presented: If You Plant it, They Will Come - Gardening for Our Pollinators
The Monarch butterfly is the poster child of pollinators and milkweed is in high demand at garden centers everywhere. But what about all the other butterflies, moths, and bees that are threatened by habitat loss? Learn about plants that attract and support swallowtails, Red Admirals, Skippers, and more. Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Emerita Judith Alberts shares here photographs to illustrate her citizen scientist's approach to raising wild butterflies and cultivating native plants. Judith serves on the executive committee of the Town and Country Garden Club of LeRoy.
There were 11 in attendance for Judith's presentation about lepidoptera. Lepidoptera include butterflies, moths and skippers.
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Judith, while wearing wings, gave a nice overview of lepidoptera including life cycles, needs for survival, and host plants.
Plants have four jobs:
- sustain the food web
- sequester carbon
- support diverse pollinators
- help manage the watershed
Lepidoptera by the numbers:
Judith shared the lifecycle of monarchs which migrate and evolve through 4 generations. Most lepidoptera do not migrate.
Lepidoptera rely on plants throughout their life cycles from egg to caterpillar to pupa to winter shelter or migration.
Judith shared these partial lists of recommended plants providing year round nectar for lepidoptera.
Early Spring: American Wisteria, Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Eastern Red Columbine, Lyre-leaf Sage, Marsh Marigold, Passionvine, Spring Beauty, Sundial Lupine, Trumpet/Coral honeysuckle, Violets
Summer: Black-eyed Susan, Boneset, Buttonbush, Coneflowers, Coreopsis, Lantana, Milkweeds, Sweet William, Thoroughwort, Virginia Blue Flag Iris, Virginia Creeper, Wild Quinine (Feverfew), Yellow Wild Indigo, * There are a multitude of plants that provide summer nectar, but it is best to focus on native species, many of which do double duty as host plants. This is just a partial list. *** AVOID the Butterfly Bush because it is an invasive species!!!
Fall: Aster Lantana , Blazing Star, Blue Mistflower, Boneset, Cardinal Flower, Goldenrod * (see note), Great Blue Lobelia, Joe Pye weed, Narrow leaf Sunflower, Sneezeweed, Sweet William, Thoroughwort *NOTE:Goldenrod is NOT the same plant as ragweed. It is ragweed that causes allergies, not Goldenrod!!!
The New York State official butterfly is the white admiral (which happens to be the same as the red spotted purple admiral of Virginia).
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| image from wikipedia |
Judith urged us to embrace a different mindset of VARIETY, IMPERFECTION, NATIVES/"WEEDS", and LONG TERM PLANNING.
Judith's presentation was a delight to watch as she shared many photographs she's taken through the years.
common buckeye 
black swollowtail (female)
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| BST and Judith |
* A note about our previously scheduled event for this date: CONGRATULATIONS to Sophie! She's been hired for a job out of state with the International Crane Foundaation. Sadly, this means she will not be in NY in November. We hope to have Sophie present the jumping worms program for us in 2026.
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