Northeast Region
Perennial Plant Symposium

 

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Presented by Massachusetts Horticultural Society & 
the Perennial Plant Association

The regional perennial plant symposium is open to all levels of gardeners and professionals. This year's symposium includes four presentations led by C.L. Fornari, Nancy Lawson, Bobbie Schwartz, and Deb Trickett.

 Sign up before August 12 for the Early Bird rate of $99. 

Register Now! 

Association of Professional Landscape Designers: Attendees can receive Four CEUs
Mass Certified Horticulturists: Attendees can receive One MCH Point!

The Day's Schedule:

9-9:15 Opening Remarks
9:15-10:15 Bobbie Schwartz
10:30-11:30 C.L. Fornari
11:30-12:30 lunch (and gardening demonstrations by Mass Hort Garden Curator, David Fiske, and Perennial Plant Association President, Mary Anne Brady)
12:30-1:30 Deborah Trickett
1:45-2:45 Nancy Lawson
2:45-3 Closing remarks

Bobbie Schwartz, Owner Bobbie's Green Thumb:  
"Garden Renovation:  Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams"

 Landscapes, just like houses, sometimes need makeovers but homeowners are often stymied about how and where to begin. They need to know how to evaluate what they have, decide what they want, and put together a plan of action. This talk guides them through the process, offering strategies and advice: How to start, what questions to ask, setting goals, priorities, and budget, evaluating the existing landscape, balancing time vs. money, and discussing whether to hire a professional in order to actualize one's vision. In addition, some success stories demonstrate what can be accomplished. 

 C.L. Fornari, Author and Host of GardenLine and Plantrama podcasts:
"Shade Gardening"

 Successful gardening in shady locations is a matter of knowing the best plants, making good design decisions, and getting creative with assorted colorful solutions  The talk addresses all three with emphasis on underused plants and the recognition that each shady garden is unique.

 Deborah Trickett, Owner of The Captured Garden:
"Power Couples:  Perennial pairings for attention-getting gardens and containers"

Perennials are perfect for adding beauty to gardens and containers.  But are there some perennials that work better together than others?  Are there some pairings that, like the power couples of Hollywood and industry, just naturally cause heads to turn?  Join Deborah Trickett, owner of The Captured Garden, as she shares some of her favorite Power Couples - perennial combinations that will get your gardens and containers noticed.

 Nancy Lawson, Author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife: 
"The Humane Gardener:  Nurturing Habitat for Wildlife"

 Why do we call some insects "beneficial" while others are "pests"? Why are some plants considered "desirable" while others are "weeds"? In this myth-busting talk, learn how common growing methods divide the natural world into false dichotomies and perpetuate misperceptions about the wild species living among us. Discover practical ways to put humane gardening philosophies into action by protecting wildlife nurseries, eliminating unintended hazards, nurturing plants that provide food and shelter, and humanely resolving conflicts with mammals and other commonly misunderstood creatures.

 

Early Bird Registration is Open Now: 
Get a full day of education for $99! 

 

Early Bird: $99; 
After August 12: $125

Register Now!