Events

Landscapes that Save the World: The Importance of Biodiversity in the Garden

When it comes to landscapes, there is strength in diversity. All too often gardeners don’t spend enough time thinking about how important it is to promote a well-balanced ecosystem in their home landscape. This talk focuses on why it’s important to create biodiverse landscapes, and how we can achieve that goal in our own garden spaces. Topics will include “plant blindness”, attracting wildlife, pollinator gardens, building soil, managing turfgrass, importance of native plants and more!

Bryce Lane. Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus, NC State University 
After earning his BS in Plant Science at the University of Massachusetts and MS in Ornamental Horticulture at The Ohio State University, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as a Lecturer in 1981. Bryce also served as the department’s Undergraduate Coordinator from 1987 -2014. He spent 34 years teaching and advising over 25,000 students. He was the recipient of numerous local, regional, and national teaching awards. Bryce retired in 2014, but still teaches part-time in the department. From 2003- 2014 Bryce hosted and produced a three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show called “In the Garden with Bryce Lane”. The show focused on all things home gardening and served all levels of gardeners. He now spends his time giving horticulture talks, teaching part-time at NC State, and teaching numerous classes at the JC Raulston Arboretum. An avid gardener, Bryce has gardened on the same one quarter acre plot for 42 years. He and his wife of 48 years also spends plenty of time with their 6 grandchildren!

https://www.brycehlane.com

The Wildland Garden: How Challenging Conditions Led to a Resilient Natural Garden

Botanist Tim Boland and his wife, horticulturist Laura Coit began their garden experimentation on Martha’s Vineyard in 2002. The setting is a one-acre plot adjacent to a 5300-acre State Forest. Facing the challenges of hordes of deer, low fertility soils, and frequent droughts; now some 20 years later their garden reflects their pioneering spirit to design a home garden that is a savvy mix of Island and North American native plants, most all grown from seeds. Please join Tim as he reflects on both the successes and challenges of growing a resilient and beautiful garden.

Tim Boland is Executive Director of the Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha’s Vineyard where he guides programs in education, plant conservation, and the development of a modern flora for Martha’s Vineyard. In 2006, Tim started the MV Wildtype native plant production program where locally grown plants are used for restoration projects or for homeowners hoping to create or enhance their gardens with native plants. Tim has a special interest in Oaks and serves on the board of directors of the International Oak Society as chair of the Oak Conservation and Research committee.

https://www.pollyhillarboretum.org

Plant Community: Gardens as Social Infrastructure

Gardens should not simply be destinations and places of escape; they should be the places we live. To ensure a better future in uncertain times, enriching dynamic gardens must become ubiquitous. Our gardens must move beyond their fences and into our communities – making them accessible to everyone. Our world is a garden, it’s time we cultivate it.

Chris Fehlhaber is a Horticulturist at the famed Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA. Chris’ goal is to raise the public’s consciousness and appreciation of enriching, progressive horticulture. He believes we may all lead better lives by making the world a more beneficial and beautiful place. Chris regularly writes, teaches, and speaks widely on plants and gardening. He is the PPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and provides a garden and design consulting service. Chris holds degrees in Landscape Architecture-Natural Resources and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin.

https://chanticleergarden.org
https://www.chrisfehlhaber.com

Creating Lucious Gardens with Gorgeous Foliage

Foliage can bring so much to garden design, from color to texture to movement and more, it delivers a full season of punch. This talk will introduce you to new, beautiful plants from the palette of a world class plant expert with a great eye for design. You will come away with ideas that will have you truly excited.

Steve Owens is a Horticulturist and gardening enthusiast in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is the owner of Bustani Plant Farm, a specialty nursery that offers unique herbaceous ornamental plants that thrive in Oklahoma and the South. Bustani’s customers come from all over the state as well as several nearby states. The Smithsonian Institution, US Botanical Garden, Chanticleer, Longwood Gardens, and the Biltmore Estate and Garden are a few of the institutions that purchase Bustani’s plants. Steve is also a former Host, Writer, and Producer of the award-winning TV program, Oklahoma Gardening, and coauthored ‘Best Garden Plants for Oklahoma’ through Lone Pine Publishing.

https://bustaniplantfarm.com

Shade Tolerant Plants that Add Color and Texture

Gardening in the shade can be a huge challenge for even the best of gardeners. It is important to do an accurate assessment of light exposure in all our home landscape areas, especially the shady ones. We will talk about shady locations, and try to distinguish between the differing amounts, and kinds of shade that we have. The first part of the talk will focus on shade assessment and plant selection for shady areas, and the rest will be devoted to looking at the many plants that add color and texture to the shady places we have.

Versatile Plants for a Variety of Spaces

Our human landscape is ripe with possibilities for gardens. Each space brings its own opportunities and challenges. Versatile resilient plants are essential to filling them, creating rich, dynamic spaces. Thes plants detailed in this talk do exactly that—bring beauty and nourishment to our communities no matter what the setting.

Good Vibes: Viburnums for the Cincinnati Region

Explore the beauty and versatility of viburnums. From vibrant flowering shrubs to native trees, discover the best species and cultivars for the Cincinnati region. Learn about proper care, including planting, pruning, and pest control, to ensure your viburnums flourish year after year. In addition, we’ll discuss their ecological benefits, as viburnums provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.

Jack Schaefer is a passionate horticulturist and arborist with a deep love for trees and plants. As Head Arborist at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, he’s responsible for keeping the park’s beautiful tree canopy healthy and safe. Jack is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® and holds horticulture degrees from both Cincinnati State and the University of Cincinnati. He is dedicated to helping plants thrive in urban settings and believes that trees and shrubs play a vital role in making our communities more vibrant, healthy, and enjoyable places to live.

https://cincinnatizoo.org/gardens