Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Native plant program returns to Weston for sixth year

PHOTO/WESTON NURSERIES

Weston Nurseries joined 21 other nurseries across the state last weekend to commemorate Growing Wild Day and promote biodiversity with native plants.

Peter Mezzitt, owner of Weston Nurseries, explained Growing Wild is intended to promote public awareness about the benefits of using native plants for pollination purposes. He added that Weston has participated in Growing Wild Day — which was held on May 29 this year — since the program’s inception six years ago.

The Growing Wild Massachusetts Movement aims to enhance the state’s landscapes “for the benefit of pollinators and the environment.” It is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. The program offers educational resources, events, starter kits and a platform where individuals can add their gardens to a statewide pollinator map.

Last weekend’s Growing Wild Day centered on getting native plant starter kits out to the community. Residents had the opportunity to pick up two one-gallon native plants and a seed packet from Weston or another participating nursery.

While the program isn’t limited to one weekend, Mezzitt said that the plants go fast. “We sell out pretty quickly,” he said. Mezzitt also said that across Weston’s three garden centers, the business was allotted about 300 kits by the state.

Mezzitt said that the choice of native plants varies but there is a wide list available. This year, native plant species offered included snakeroot, foxglove beardtongue, white turtlehead and wild ginger.

DCR commissioner Nicole LaChapelle, MDAR commissioner Ashley Randle and MNLA executive director Rena Summer issued a joint statement in support of Weston’s involvement with the initiative. “We’re grateful for Weston Nurseries’ ongoing partnership in the Growing Wild program, which advances our mission to restore native pollinator habitats across Massachusetts,” the statement reads. It acknowledged the nursery’s role in helping make “native planting easier, more accessible and more impactful for residents.”

Mezzitt said he enjoys the program, adding that it helps drive business during a season when Weston already is well-stocked. “I wouldn’t see any reason not to participate,” he said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

At its meeting Monday night, the Planning Board reorganized and approved a minor project site plan for a South Street business.

The Board of Health on Monday voted to recommend the town opt out of the state’s new cannabis delivery laws.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on boys track and field senior Mason Barros, a multi-time Tri-Valley League All-Star who holds a school record in the triple jump.

Coach Jake Enos said the Hopkinton High School boys volleyball team continued to improve in its third season and is building a foundation as a strong, competitive program.

The latest Senior Snippets features information on this month’s book club, a program about the idea of citizenship in early America and a presentation on the history of dolls.

Nancy Flaherty, 84, of Hopkinton died May 28.

Photo of the Day

Hopkinton Middle School student Roger Gu poses for a photo with middle grade author Taylor Tyng at the Letters About Literature event at the Massachusetts State House on May 27. Gu earned first place in his grade category for a letter to author Charles Yu about the book “Interior Chinatown.” Rep. James Arena-DeRosa will present a citation to Gu at HMS on June 8 to recognize his achievement.

PHOTO/MASSACHUSETTS CENTER FOR THE BOOK