American Horticulture is undergoing a revolution. From native plants in plant communities, to matrix-planted xeriscapes, to new perennial grasslands with wildlife habitat, gardeners and designers are using native and exotic plants in new and exciting ways. But the books on how to use these methods, achieve these designs, and work with these plants are only now being written and often omit plant specifics in order to maintain a broad geographic appeal.
Hosted by The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) in collaboration with Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Bridge Park, this symposium will provide a forum for five distinguished plant masters with decades of experience to share in-depth knowledge about a few of their favorite plants. Speakers will discuss plant behavior, propagation, cultivation, design strategies, ecological function, and the appropriate plant communities of just 10 to 15 of the plants that they’ve worked closely with and find to be successful. Presenters will delve into the interactions between individual plants; the more complex interactions among the plant communities; as well as interactions with the plant’s environment. Noted plant masters Claudia West, Roy Diblik, Ian Caton, Heidi Hesselein, and Andrew Bunting lead this rare opportunity to dig deep in the world of plants.
This is a symposium for professional gardeners, horticulturists, landscape architects, and designers to dig deeper into the cultivation of the plants professionals in the Northeast work with every day. From plant selection, to pruning techniques, to long-term plant care, speakers will share the necessary information to grow and create healthy, dynamic, and beautiful plant communities.
An afternoon panel discussion will feature Ronnit Bendavid-Val and Chris Roddick from Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Rebecca McMackin from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Panelists will highlight the new (and surprisingly ecological) practices that are generating excitement and great eco-system benefits in these high-visibility public gardens. The panel will be moderated by ELA President Theresa Sprague. Learn more about the panelists
Morning coffee and catered lunch are included with registration. CEUs are being sought for this program.
Cost: $139 ($119 ELA members, $99 students)