‘March into Spring’
The Hardy Plant Society’s 21st Annual Symposium for Gardeners on March 25 will bring together diverse elements of gardening for a day of information and inspiration. The event title, “March Into Spring,” kind of tells it all, since this is the season when we seriously begin planning for the growing season. The day will start with a presentation by C. L. Fornari, who will talk about her recent book, The Cocktail Hour Garden.” She’ll show how to create an intimate garden space, where you can enjoy “a cup of coffee in the morning, an iced tea in the afternoon, or a cocktail at the end of the day.” She also details the perfect veggies to grow to provide fresh snacks to go with your beverage. What a wonderful way to start the program! (See “From the Ground Up,” Feb. 25, 2016 for my review of Fornari’s book. http://www.dailylocal.com/lifestyle/20160225/ gardening-a-garden-to-comehome-to)
From there, the program moves on to a subject that no gardeners really like: pests. Neil Hendrickson (Bartlett Tree Experts) will give an update on the Emerald Ash Borer in the mid-Atlantic region. Hendrickson will talk about the research that’s been done since this insect was first discovered in the United States in 2002, how to I.D. the problem, and what the current treatment options are. Perhaps most importantly, he’ll talk about suitable species for replacement. As the program notes suggest, “Some outwardly obvious choices might have their own problems.”
Horticulturalist and plantsman Kelly Norris will highlight some of the main features of his book, “Plants with Style.” As he says, “Why settle for lackluster gardens filled with dull, ho-hum plants.” He’ll talk about ways to create a personal garden style in harmony with your setting and local environment, for a “more fulfilling connection between you and your own patch of soil.”
After lunch, George Coombs, Research Horticulturalist at the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware, will talk about Mt. Cuba’s trials with native perennials Baptisia (Wild Indigo) and Monarda (Bee Balm). Coomb’s extensive research will introduce the most suitable and healthy plants for our own gardens.
The afternoon will wrap up with a presentation by Steven Kristoph — his “Observations from a Life Spent with Plants.” He’ll ponder, “Why do some
plants continue to be standards in the green industry while others languish in obscurity in some arboretum? What new plants have taken center stage, and who are some of the people behind their success?”
I love that the day follows an unusual path, starting with pleasure, moving on to pests, and then finally focusing on planning and plants. That’s the reverse of what we gardeners usually do, which is to do the work of planning and planting, tackle pests (both animal and vegetable), and finally — if there’s time — stop to “smell the roses.”
As I think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s important to start with a vision; to paint a picture of what you want your garden to be, whether it’s an entire landscape or a cluster of containers. From there, it’s easier to plan and to plant, holding that vision in your mind. For me, I’ve always found that with the picture in my mind, nothing feels like a chore. It’s simply one more stroke of paint on the canvas. Sure, sometimes I don’t like the result; but then I can just paint over it.
“March Into Spring” is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, at Delaware County Community College, in Media, PA 19063, in the large auditorium in the Academic Building. The fee is $85 for nonmembers, $75 for members, and includes coffee/ refreshments and lunch. Check-in begins at 8:15. Program starts at 9 a.m. and goes through about 3:30 p.m. The event also includes a silent auction, and vendor and book sale. (Cash and checks only.) For full details and to register, go to http://www.hardyplant.org/2017-marchinto-spring.