Conference speakers cover a wide range of topics, from bees and bats to ferns and vertical landscaping. Here is the schedule.
Friday, Sept. 20
9-10:15 a.m., Keynote address, Great Gardens of the World, Vincent Simeone. Detailed information on a wide variety of unusual and exotic species of plants, picturesque views of natural and cultivated areas and helpful information on garden design and popular trends.
10:45 a.m.-noon, Historic Landscape Preservation: Reinventing an Aging Landscape, Vincent Simeone. Explore the world of historic landscape preservation and how to rehabilitate a landscape.
Vertical Gardening, Mark Dwyer. Plant selection along with the use of various structures can maximize the beauty of your garden while minimizing the “footprint” of these plants in narrow or limited spaces.
The Herbs and Plants of Beatrice Potter’s World, Jan Powers. A look at the herbs and plants of Peter Rabbit.
River Clean-up, Michael Coyne-Logan. The history and mission of Living Lands and Waters, a Hampton, Ill.-based environmental organization founded by river clean-up man Chad Pregracke.
1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Ferns and Mosses, Mark Dwyer. Ferns offer color and texture in the garden and moss have value as a groundcover.
Urban Agriculture Research, Sam Wortman. Economically sustainable food production and the potential environmental issues limiting the growth of urban agriculture.
Patterns in Nature that Inspire Japanese Gardens and the Connections Between Garden and Architecture, Tim Gruner. A sense of calm and peace, the opportunity for fresh, clear thought and awe of nature’s rejuvenative ability are some of the things that can occur in a garden space that might exist in the midde of a busy city or in one’s own backyard.
Plant Clinic Year in Review, Suzanne Bissonnette. Problems with trees and other ornamentals seen in Illinois during this growing season.
Gardening in Miniature, Kathryn Newman. Learn how to creat entire landscapes in a planter. Tips, techniques and easy-to-grow plants.
3:15-4:30 p.m.
All America Selections, Diane Blazek. A look into the past and future of this nonprofit plant testing organization.
Proper Tree Pruning, Less is not More, Scott Carlson. Learn to anticipate a tree’s growth and understand its response to pruning so that the proper cut is made today.
New Trends in Hardscapes, Dave Schneider. Concrete pavers and stone walls for outdoor living spaces.
Organic or Conventional? Jeff Hawes. Strategies of soil management, plant nutrition and pest management to improve your gardening.
Saturday, Sept. 21
9-10:45 a.m., Keynote address, American Home Landscapes, Denise Adams. A historical perspective of the evolution of America’s residential landscape.
10:45 a.m.-12 noon, Sustainable Gardens: Creating and Maintaining a Gravel Garden, Jeff Epping. Based on concepts developed by German horticulturist Cassian Schmidt, these gardens are as lush, green and colorful as any perennial border.
Horticulture Judging: and the ribbon goes to…, Jim Schmidt. The qualities that make common horticulture exhibits blue ribbon winners.
Ancient Gardeners and Gardens, Michael Wiant. Learn how early people laid the groundwork for the gardens and food we grow today.
Beekeeping Basics, Phil Crandall. Beekeeping and encouraging bees to your landscape.
Gardening in Miniature, Kathryn Newman. Learn how to creat entire landscapes in a planter. Tips, techniques and easy-to-grow plants.
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Made Wild by Pompous Catalogues from Florists and Seedsmen…, Denise Adams. How to use old plant catalogs as a research tool.
Sustainable Gardens: Designs and Plants for Greener Gardens, Jeff Epping. How to grow beautiful gardens that require less time, water and chemical inputs.
Bats, Vera Blevins. Putting fears aside, looking at bats as important indicators of a healthy environment and how we can play a part in planning for their future. Live bats present.
Chicago Victory Gardens: Yesterday and Tomorrow, LaManda Joy. The pivitol role of Chicago in the World War II Victory Garden movement and how the city is, once again, playing a leading role in urban food production.
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