Friday, January 26, 2007
Stave off the winter blues with Tech horticulture lectures
Libba Wolfe
Libba Wolfe's column appears twice monthly in Extra.
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It's only been cold a week, and I'm already bored with picking shriveled leaves off my houseplants, watering my begonias and browsing the plant catalogs. The folks at Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech are putting on a lecture series that is just the thing for the gray, dreary days of winter.
Nothing beats a jam jar of nasturtiums on the kitchen windowsill in summer, but what to do in winter or when a simple jar won't do?
On Feb. 3, Holly Scoggins, director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden, will join David Pippin, a Richmond floral designer, to kick off the series. In the morning they will talk about what to grow for flowers and foliage you can use inside. After lunch, David will demonstrate how to use branches, herbs and evergreens from your winter back yard to complement flowers you pick up at the florist or grocery store.
Holly swears you don't need to be a creative genius to produce a masterpiece. And that's what you'll do before you go home. This is the only lecture that requires pre-registration, as the number of participants is limited.
You shouldn't miss Elissa Steeves on Feb. 17. Her 1-acre garden has been featured in Southern Living twice. She retired last year from teaching horticulture at Pulaski County High School.
Get a good night's sleep before going to see Elissa. She bubbles with enthusiasm, energy and expert advice. Most of us would be exhausted to rev up to the level she calls "slowing down."
Don't let the title of her lecture "Old Age Gardening: Japanese Maples and Companion Plants" fool you. Young or old, who doesn't want less maintenance without giving up on a showy, interesting garden?
A lifelong plant collector, she is starting to focus on less-finicky plants that give at least three seasons of interest. She says, "Buying plants is like buying shoes. Find some you love and get 'em in every color."
Hence her 30 Japanese Maples. And her quickly growing collection of epimediums that spread in the dry shade under the trees. Her experience and expertise can help you select plants and design spaces you won't be too overworked to enjoy. And she'll share her tips that make yard work easier on your back and knees.
Some of you may be familiar with Felder Rushing, a regular contributor to Horticulture magazine and the author of 14 garden books. His garden in Jackson, Miss., defies any style classification and has been featured in many garden magazines.
His March 1 lecture title "Left Brain, Right Brain; Horticulture vs. Gardening (The Rules Stink -- Can't We Just Have a Little Fun?)" says it all. He's funny, irreverent and full of expert, exuberant advice for breaking the rules.
The Southwest Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association is sponsoring the March 3 lecture in the Tech series. Rick Darke, author, garden photographer and former curator of plants at Longwood Gardens will talk about new ornamental grasses and how to use them in the landscape.
I've told you before about Paul James and his amazing 10 acres near Boones Mill. Mark your calendar for March 17 and don't miss the happiest, most generous, expert plantsman you'll ever meet. A couple of hours with Paul and you'll be wild to start digging.
Tech is planning a late spring tour of Paul's garden. The date and details haven't been announced, but you don't want to pass up a chance to walk through his famous collections of conifers, rhododendrons, azaleas and perennials.
The last lecture in the series will feature Dr. Todd Lasseigne on March 24. Todd is a global plant explorer and will share plant discoveries from a recent trip to Japan.
There's no excuse for the winter doldrums this year. Load up a car full of garden buddies and make plans to catch this stellar lineup. You can find details and registration information at www.hort.vt.edu/hhg/WinterSeminars2007.htm or call (540) 231-5970. By the time spring arrives we'll be full of new ideas and grand plans. See you there.
Libba Wolfe will be taking a break in February. Her column will return March 9.
