Uli Lorimer

Director of horticulture, native plant trust

Uli Lorimer serves as the Director of Horticulture for the Native Plant Trust, a leading non-profit dedicated to preserving the native flora of the Northeastern United States. In this role, he oversees the acclaimed Garden in the Woods in Framingham and Nasami Farm in Western Massachusetts, both of which focus on native plant propagation and research. Uli’s impressive career includes positions at the National Arboretum, Wave Hill, and as the Curator of Native Plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. A lifelong enthusiast of plants and biodiversity, Uli continues to study the region’s ecosystems, collect seeds from the wild, and introduce new plants to gardens. He is also a prolific author and speaker, well-known to audiences across the horticultural community. Uli is a 2026 recipient of the Garden Club of America's Distinguished Service Medal, for dedication to conserving the genetic diversity of native plants and the restoration of native plant communities . His publications include Tough Natives for Tough Places and A Native Plant Reader. His latest work, The Northeast Native Plant Primer, reflects his deep commitment to native plants and their ecological value. Uli currently writes the Ask the Gardener column for the Boston Globe, sharing ecological horticulture guidance with the region. With a science-based approach and a passion for biodiversity, Uli offers invaluable insights into selecting plants that maximize the ecological impact of our gardens while celebrating the beauty of native flora.