Both Susan and Rich donate speaking fees to the Harper Endowment Fund at Michigan State University to preserve the collection for perpetuity. Having become experts themselves, Rich and Susan now share their expertise willingly. Last March, at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier, Rich demonstrated grafting procedures. Seated at a table in front of his display garden, wearing his green American Conifer Society cap, he spoke to visitors crowded around him. I ve come full circle since my mother watched a pine grafting demonstration in the 1950 s at a similar show at the International Amphitheater, and I m honored to share my passion for grafting now.
Roots are everything.
A tree is no better than the roots on it. Several months later, the grafts are rooted and growing in a misted hoop house. Rich has definite ideas on how conifers should be used in the landscape. A garden should look like a garden even in bleak winter. In fact, evergreens are four season plants.