A free gardening lecture, “The Role of Native Plants in the Landscape Design” is set for Feb. 18.

In response to the growing interest in native plants, the Watnong Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society is pleased to present a free lecture entitled “The Role of Native Plants in Landscape Design: Landscaping with a Purpose.”

Dr. Randi Eckel, who has been working with native plants for over 30 years, will present the lecture. A lifelong naturalist, lover of nature and confirmed plant and ecology nerd, Eckel specializes in the interactions between plants and other living things.

Known for her lively and engaging lectures and workshops on growing and propagating plants, Eckel offers interesting information on the complex issues facing native plants and native plant communities. In 1996 she founded Toadshade Wildflower Farm, a native plant mail order nursery, to further public awareness and the availability of native plants.

The lecture is set to take take place at 10 a.m. at Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s Haggerty Education Center. For directions to Frelinghuysen Arboretum visit www.arboretumfriends.org/directions or call (973) 326-7603.