Friday, March 14, 2014

Paint Your Garden with Plants -- Two Classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden

I like to think of my garden as part coloring book, part laboratory.  Each year, I play with annuals and perennials to create new color combinations -- with plants that benefit insects and birds.
 
On Saturday, March 29, I'll be teaching a 2-part class, "Paint Your Garden with Plants," at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe:

Designing the Sunny Perennial Garden 10 a.m. – noon and
Designing the Shade Garden 1 – 3 p.m.
Linnaeus Room
$52/$65 for both sessions at 10 percent discount
 
 
 
The classes are filling up fast.  For more information, visit www.chicagobotanic.org or call (847) 835-5440. 




Thursday, March 6, 2014

From an English Garden: Revisiting Great Dixter with Fergus Garrett





At some point in a gardener’s life, he or she will likely come across the writings and photographs of the renowned gardener and garden writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006). Lloyd gardened at his family’s estate, Great Dixter, in Northiam, East Sussex, in the south of England. The wonderfully atmospheric and picturesque garden surrounds a rambling fifteenth-century Tudor-style manor house that continues to draw thousands of visitors each year. 

A charismatic and highly opinionated gardener, Lloyd was capable of inspiring others through his written and spoken word. His head gardener and renowned plantsman, Fergus Garrett, carries on Lloyd’s unique gardens. Garrett will be at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Monday, March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss the thought process involved in creating vibrant plant combinations where colors are used to maximum effect. Great Dixter’s beds and borders paint a powerful, vibrant and adventurous picture, one that is sure to inspire you as you think about planting your own garden this year.  After the presentation, he’ll be joined by local plantsman Roy Diblik to continue the discussion. 

The fee is $37 for nonmembers; (members receive 20% discount).  To register, visit chicagobotanic.org/school or call 847-835-8261