Second and Fourth Sessions will be a choice of one concurrent speaker and an opportunity to visit gardening demonstrations. Our Symposium theme comes from the opening essay of Allen Lacy s book The Gardener s Eye. In his presentation, he will explore the changes in our perceptions and insights resulting from our gardening experiences. An entertaining speaker and dynamic teacher, Jim will show us how to select wood, how to work with bent twigs and branches, and how to shape them into interesting and unique structures. Every article that we read about vines starts by discussing our deep-rooted fears and our bad experiences with the likes of kudzu.
Many gardeners start small when thinking about plants.
Miniature leaves, short stature and gentle pastels seem safer somehow. Yet the most exciting gardens are those that venture beyond safety by increasing contrast - juxtaposing tiny leaves with giant ones, wee plants with towering giants and tender colors with sultry, saturated ones. Learn about powerful herbaceous plants and plant combinations, both hardy and tender, that brings boldness into your garden and create an excitingly vibrant feast. Elizabeth Dean Take a look at the spectrum of woody plants for the garden with the notion that there are many wonderful plants for the South besides evergreen azaleas and Bradford Pears. See how to use a variety of plants, shrubs and trees in garden design for multi-seasonal interest and for berries, flowers, and cut stems.