Fifty-three more days and the Seventh Annual 'Flower Games' begin!  Gardeners from all over the Northeast will gather at the magnificent Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT to cheer each other on before a new gardening season begins.  And we will have some world renowned garden coaches as instructors:  international garden designer, lecturer and author Julie Moir Messervy; the ever-popular Charlie Nardozzi from the National Gardening Association; annual plant specialist Heather Poire from Proven Winners; garden guru Joe Kunkel, past president of the Perennial Plant Association and current Executive Director of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society; and last but not least, me.

 

The 'opening ceremonies' begin 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening with kick-off remarks and Heather's enlightening presentation on container gardening.  Saturday ramps up at 9:00 a.m. and the action doesn't stop until 4:00 p.m.  The day is packed with five dynamic garden lectures, fabulous door prizes, handouts, and plenty of food to keep your engines running.  For those of you new to this newsletter, the agenda follows.  For those who have 'memorized the course', you can skip to the package and day only registration details.  But donâ't dilly-dally.  The symposium is already well on its way to selling out!

Julie Moir Messervy is an internationally known landscape designer, speaker, and writer.  With over three decades of experience, five books, and numerous high-profile lectures, Julie has emerged as an innovative leader in landscape and garden design theory and practice.  Her newest

book, The Toronto Music Garden: Inspired by Bach, was just released.  It's an in-depth guide to the conception and creation of Julie's award-winning three-acre public garden, designed in collaboration with eminent cellist Yo-Yo Ma.   Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love was released in 2009.  She has lectured at distinguished venues such as the Smithsonian Institution, the National Geographic Society and the Getty Museum.  Her imaginative landscape design work has delighted clients including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Marshall Field's, Fidelity Investments, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. In 1999, Julie completed the award-winning Toronto Music Garden, a collaboration with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the City of Toronto to create a three-acre public park based on the 'First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello' by J.S. Bach.  In 2005, the Toronto Music Garden received a Leonardo Da Vinci award for innovation and creativity.  For more about Julie, visit her web site at www.jmmds.com and her blog at www.blog.jmmds.com.  Julie will be presenting two talks at the symposium: 

Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love.  In this inspiring lecture, Julie demystifies the art and practice of landscape design for homeowners and professionals alike. Using beautiful images, together with helpful tips, case studies, befores and afters, diagrams, and plans, she walks you through the process of turning any property into the "home outside" you've always dreamed of. Julie highlights many of the ideas introduced in her book, Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love, illustrating that good landscape design does not have to be overwhelming or expensive.

Gardening for Your Soul. Contemplate the transcendent power of landscape as seen through Julie's eyes, an award-winning landscape designer and author. Julie explores the deeply personal process of designing a beautiful landscape and reveals how spirituality can inform garden design and the landscapes we create on the earth.

Heather Poire from Proven Winners will speak on creating colorful spring containers and how to refresh tired looking ones for season long beauty.  Heather has worked at Pleasant View Gardens (in New Hampshire), one of the founders of Proven Winners North America, for six years and currently works as a regional sales manager.  Her expertise is broad, with a specialty in Proven Winners annuals and perennials. Heather graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Horticulture.  She has been an avid gardener since 1997.  Heather visits independent garden centers around the Northeast providing guidance, consulting, and garden inspiration.

 

Charlie Nardozzi from the National Gardening Association will share his expertise about kitchen and vegetable gardening in his charming, easy to understand style. His talk is titled Edible Landscaping.  Charlie has gardened for over 20 years, written articles for many magazines, and has authored several books including Vegetable Gardening for Dummies to be released soon. He presently is the senior horticulturist and spokesperson for the National Gardening Association. In 2005 he was the host of PBS's Garden Smart, reaching more than 60 million households. He has also been a gardening expert on many nationally syndicated television shows, such as HGTV's Today at Home and Way to Grow, Discovery Channel's Home Matters, and DIY's Ask DIY. He currently co-hosts In The Garden on a local CBS-affiliate television station in Vermont, does a weekly call-in radio show on WJOY-1230AM, and is a commentator on Vermont Public Radio.

Joe Kunkel is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley, Massachusetts.  Joe served as the president of the Perennial Plant Association in 2005 and also owned his own nursery, Akin' Back Farm in Lagrange, Kentucky for fifteen years.  This successful nursery sold herbs and perennials and featured 18 display gardens. In 2000, he met Adrian Bloom, the head of Blooms of Bressingham. Already considered one of Great Britain's best-known plantsmen, Bloom was becoming known in the U.S. for his stint as host of the PBS series, 'Victory Garden' as well as being the author of numerous books on gardens and contributions to horticulture. Working with Bloom, Joe helped build five demonstration gardens around the U.S., including spectacular ones in Ohio, New York, Kentucky and California. Each garden had the common elements of promoting horticulture and utilizing donated plants and volunteer labor. The fifth Adrian Bloom project was the one that brought Joe back to his native Massachusetts. Mass Hort saw the potential for a 'wow' kind of garden as a counterpoint to the adjoining, formal Italianate Garden at Elm Bank. Then in March of 2008, Joe oversaw the nearly 5-acre Garden on the Greenway project in Boston.  Joe helped turn a sea of mud and construction scrap into a world-class urban oasis of greenery and color. Joe's brilliance, passion for helping others, and leadership are inspirational. Joe will speak on top performing perennials and annuals in the New England Trial Garden located at Elm Bank's 36-acre hands-on horticulture center. Breeding companies from all over the world contribute the newest and best varieties of annuals to the New England Trial Garden (http://www.masshort.org/New-England-Trial-Garden) for viewing by amateur and professional gardeners. This garden also tests new and unreleased varieties competing for All-America Selections awards, displays previous winners, and grows hundreds of cultivars submitted for evaluation by commercial plant breeders.

 

My talk, Make Me Beautiful....PLEASE, is all about what your gardens are trying to tell you to make them more beautiful and lower maintenance.  You would be surprised at the wisdom they want to share with you.  Allow me to interpret for them.   The lecture's in-depth handout is filled with tips and tricks.  You'll be waving your garden hoe and magically turning your gardens into a wonderland. 

 

For more about the speakers, agenda and topics, visit www.pyours.com/Symposium2010.html. 

 

The Equinox Resort was eager to have the symposium back and put together amazing packages.  The one night package (Friday night) includes one night's accommodation, the Friday evening lecture, full breakfast buffet, lunch, five lectures on Saturday, refreshment break, handouts, garden gift, a special $15 one-year subscription or renewal offer for Garden Gate magazine, and all taxes and gratuities.   A single is $266.38 and a double is $384.26 ($192.13 per person).  The two night package includes all of the above plus Saturday night's accommodations, Sunday breakfast buffet, and all taxes and gratuities.  A single two night package is $441.08 and a double is $585.15 ($292.58 per person). 

The $98 day-only rate for Saturday's program includes five garden lectures, coffee at registration, refreshment break, lunch, handouts, a special $15 one-year subscription or renewal offer for Garden Gate magazine, and a garden gift.  Day only participants may attend the Friday 7:00 pm lecture at no charge.  For overnight packages, please call The Equinox Resort at (877) 854-7625 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Day only participants register through me, Perennially Yours, by using the registration form at www.pyours.com/Symposiumregister.html or calling (518) 885-3471.   

MARCH 6 GARDEN WORKSHOPS ARE DAYS AWAY

Sponsored by Saratoga Living magazine (www.saratogaliving.com) and Binley's Florist and Garden Center

 

Time is quickly running out to register for the exciting, interactive gardening workshops taking place in Queensbury on Saturday, March 6^th.  The workshops are a fundraiser for the Adirondack Chapter of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.  The gardening workshops are designed to help gardeners of all levels create magnificent gardens that save time and money. You can register for the morning, afternoon or a full day.  The morning workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. - noon; the afternoon is from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.  For more about what will be covered in each workshop and registration information, please visit www.pyours.com/gardenclasses.html. 

Both sessions include detailed handouts; colorful catalogs; PowerPoints; demonstrations; door prizes; three issues of Saratoga Living magazine (a $14.95 value); and light refreshments.

Morning and afternoon workshops are $39 per person, per workshop. Both workshops (full day) are $65 per person, a 15 % discount. PLUS registrants will be entered into the grand prize for a $75 gift certificate from Binley's Garden Center. Pre-registration is required.  The deadline has been extended to March 3.  Now skiddie-daddle and register!

TA DA!  MY BOOK IS FOR SALE

 

I'm pinching myself.  My book is a reality!  I was speechless (a sight to behold by itself) when I saw the finished copy.   My deepest thanks to all who encouraged me and helped make this a reality.  The Ultimate Flower Gardener's Top Ten Lists is 260 pages, includes 51 color photographs plus 70 garden-transforming lists and strategies for growing gorgeous, low-maintenance gardens in zones 3, 4 and 5. The book features hundreds of powerhouse perennials, flowering shrubs and annuals; proven design tips for a range of conditions; a monthly garden calendar; organic practices; strategies for dealing with deer, rabbits, voles, moles and chipmunks; pruning and division tips; an insider's tips on saving money; and garden care shortcuts.  The book is written in a light-hearted, inspiring voice and shares my experience from interacting with thousands of gardeners of all ages and abilities.  Here are some testimonials about the book (the first two are on the back cover):

 

"Kerry's passion for gardening is infectious and she communicates her hands-in-the-soil knowledge in a way that makes it easy for others to join in the fun. This book, from one of the great horticultural educators in North America today, has been long awaited."  Paul Tukey, author of the best selling The Organic Lawn Care Manual and the 2006 American Horticultural Society Gardening Communicator of the Year.

 

"Whether you've been growing perennials for years or are just getting started, Kerry has helpful tips and techniques you can use."  Jim Childs, Associate Editor, Garden Gate Magazine

 

"What Julia Childs did for French cooking....Kerry Mendez does for gardening....Making it easy and possible for all to have wonderful gardens despite our individual time constrains and skill levels....Your book shows the how's, what's, and when's of it all.  Fabulous!"    Margaret, home garden hobbyist

 

"Kerry is a garden designer and perennial specialist with whom I have often worked and who I admire and respect deeply for her superior garden abilities. I highly recommend this book." Keith Davitt, international garden designer, lecturer and author (www.keithdavitt.com)

 

The book retails for $21.95 and will be back from the printer by March 20^th BUT pre-orders are now being taken.  As a special thanks to YOU, my patrons, I am offering signed copies of the book for only $25 including sales tax, shipping & handling on my web site.  To order your copy, please visit www.pyours.com/Toptenlistsgardenbook.html and use the Paypal button or the order form provided.  By early April, books should also be for sale from Troy Book Makers (www.tbmbooks.com), Amazon.com, and at many fine bookstores including Barnes and Noble.  More info, including book signing events, will be in my April newsletter.

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR VERMONT MAGAZINE!

You'll feel like you've stepped right into the enchanting Vermont landscape when opening the pages of Vermont Magazine.  Take a peek yourself by visiting www.vermontmagazine.com.  This attractive publication delivers a blend of historic, traditional and contemporary Vermont in extraordinary words and exceptional photographs.  There are six issues a year plus a special Weddings issue that has become a definitive planning guide.  Vermont Magazine features include Vermont dining, history, farms, literature, heritage and more.  A remarkable read.  And even more remarkable is that patrons of Perennially Yours can get two complimentary issues as a trial offer.  Free!  A special link has been set up for PY readers.  Please go to http://www.vermontmagazine.com/pyours and enter your name and other information to start getting this premier magazine.  This great deal will expire on June 30^th so don't delay. 

FOURTH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY AT BASIN HARBOR CLUB
MAY 16 & 17, 2010

 

Sponsored by Vermont Magazine (www.vermontmagazine.com).
Overnight packages and day only rates available.

Treat yourself to incredible an experience at one of the prized Historic Hotels of America.  This grand 700-acre property in Vergennes, VT (south of Burlington) will soon have a perennial garden designed by you, that is if you are planning to join us for a lively and informative garden design clinic on May 16 & 17.  This breathtaking resort features great dining, breathtaking gardens, nature trails, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a heated outdoor pool, sandy beach, and much more.  Check it out at www.basinharbor.com.

I will be leading a garden design clinic that covers assessing light conditions; proper placement of plants for three seasons of bloom; unique and simple methods for designing on graph paper; preparing and planting new beds as well as fixing soil in existing ones; the best perennials for longest bloom and easiest care; no-fuss annuals; division and transplanting techniques; a soil pH test; and much more.  In addition to designing a garden for this world-class property, the resort's floral designer will lead a hands-on, floral arrangement workshop.  All participants will make their own fresh cut flower arrangement to take home.

 

The program kicks off Sunday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. with an overview of the garden to be designed and a walkabout of the site.  Following the opening discussion there will be a 6:00 p.m. wine and cheese boat cruise.  The program continues Monday from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. and includes lunch. 

 

This grand gardening event is being sponsored by Vermont Magazine.  All participants will receive three complimentary issues of the magazine, a $14.95 value. 

The one-night package includes Sunday afternoon's garden lecture; the wine and cheese boat cruise; one night's accommodation; Monday's breakfast and lunch buffets; garden design workshops; floral arranging hands-on session; handouts; colorful garden catalogs; a soil pH test; door prizes; three complimentary issues of Vermont Magazine; and garden gift. Package rates start at $230 for a single and $355 for a double ($177.50 per person). Taxes and gratuity are additional. Plus, all packaged guests will be entered into a drawing for a complementary one-night stay at Basin Harbor Club. 

The day-only rate is $120 and includes all garden design and floral arrangement sessions, handouts; colorful garden catalogs, a soil pH test; Monday morning coffee; lunch; door prizes; three complimentary issues of Vermont Magazine; a garden gift, and all taxes and gratuities. Please call Basin Harbor Club at (800) 622-4000 to reserve overnight packages. Day only reservations go through Perennially Yours by visiting www.pyours.com/gardenclasses.html or calling me at (518) 885-3471.

GARDEN TOUR OF ENGLISH GARDENS

 

I am honored to be working with Adrian Bloom from Bressingham, England.  Adrian is a world-famous garden designer, plantsman, author, lecturer and president of Blooms Nursery, Ltd.  Many of you are familiar with his incredible plant line, Blooms of Bressingham.  Blooms of Bressingham has long been recognized as a leader in the horticultural industry both in identifying and selecting the finest of herbaceous perennials and alpines. The company was founded by Adrian Bloom and his father Alan, over 80 years ago.  Adrian has organized a special Celebration of English Gardens Tour that will take place July 3^rd - 11^th.  The tour features visits to some of the finest gardens, horticultural facilities and shows in England, personally selected by Adrian.  Highlights include the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show; a tour of the facilities of Thompson & Morgan (a long time fine producer of flower, vegetable and herb seeds); Will Giles Exotic Gardens; the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens; Abbey Gardens and much more. 

A very special event will take place Thursday, July 8th when participants will be treated to a full-day visit to Adrian's 17-acre landscaped property at Foggy Bottom.  You will be awestruck by his fabulous gardens that hold over 8,000 gorgeous perennials.  The day includes a presentation by Adrian on his new book Gardening with Perennials and Grasses, lunch, a look at 2010 plant introductions, and a panel lead by horticulturalists, that I am honored to be part of.  The panel's theme is how to get more people interested in ornamental gardening.  You have not been on a tour like this before.  Trust me!  For a full day-by-day itinerary visit www.gardeningtours.com and click on the Blooms link.  Registration and pricing details are also on this page.  The registration deadline is March 31st.  This tour has been opened to patrons of Perennially Yours by special arrangement, as most participants will be garden writers and horticultural professionals.  I'm signed up and I hope many of you will join me!  If you have questions, please email Donna at donna@icangarden.com.

SMILEMONSTER KEEPS BRINGING THE SMILES!

 

I introduced SmilesMonster.com to you in an earlier newsletter.  This cool web site is all about making folks of all ages feel good and....SMILE!  It's a perfect match with Perennially Yours.  The site features exceptional businesses, regional events, feel good articles, silly pictures and videos.  SmilesMonster.com is one for the sponsors for the Seventh Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium as well as New York in Bloom at the New Your State Museum.  This month SmileMonster.com is sponsoring the Hannaford Kids Expos at the Empire State Plaza on March 7^th and the 6^th Annual Family Chocolate Festival on March 20^th at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany.  For details visit www.SmileMonster.com.  You'll also see my smiling face on this site ... I'm the Garden Guru.

 

THIRD ANNUAL GARDEN TALK FUNDRAISER FOR VERA

This will be the third year I've helped the Valatie Economic Development Authority (VERA) raise money for community projects.  The money will be used for beautification projects including flowers and hanging baskets in the village.  This year's program is on Thursday, April 8^th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Barnwell Center located at 3230 Church Street in Valatie.  My talk, Four Seasons Of Color - Hit the Easy Button, will show you tricks of the trade for having WOW gardens month after month with smart plant selection, design tips, and surefire maintenance shortcuts.  The $10.00 per person fee includes handouts, door prizes and light refreshments. Registration is being handled by VERA. To register or if you have questions, please call Jackie Hennessey at (518)610-8164 Monday through Friday between 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.   E-mails may be sent to hennessyins@nycap.rr.com.  Let's get out and support this terrific project!

PLANT FEATURE

 

Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) 4" - 6".  Part Shade - Shade. This charming little spring perennial never fails to entertain visitors.  Small, sword-shaped leaves spring from petite rhizomes.  Flowers are blue, violet or white.  Like its larger cousin, German Bearded Iris, Dwarf Crested Iris does not like to have its rhizomes buried under soil or mulch.  Leave the top half enjoying fresh air.  Because of its small size, place it at the entrance of a path or near a sitting area so it can be best appreciated.  I like planting it around trees, especially near tough to plant spots next to a trunk's flare line. Dwarf Crested Iris needs very little soil to sink its roots into and is quite drought tolerant.  One word of caution: if you have children or pets that are 'ground feeders', think twice about Crested Iris.  Its rhizomes are poisonous.  It is hardy to zone 3. (photo courtesy of US Forest Service web site)

PRODUCT FEATURE

 

Organic 5-5-5 Granular Fertilizer  Depending on how quickly things warm up, I will be reaching for an organic fertilizer to cast on gardens later this month or in April.  Almost every plant (perennials, bulbs, climbing vines, roses, groundcovers, flowering shrubs, evergreens) other than turf, gets a 'swig' of 5-5-5 or 5-10-10 granular fertilizer as a spring treat.  I am a big fan of Gardeners Supply Company's custom organic blend 5-5-5.  The recommended application rate is 5 pounds per 200 square feet.  It is available in one pound ($6.95), 5 pound ($11.95) and 25 pound ($39.95) containers.  For more details (including shipping) go to www.gardeners.com.  You can also purchase organic fertilizers around the Capital District (NY).  Saratoga Organics (www.saratogaorganics.com) in Ballston Spa, Faddegon's Nursery (www.faddegons.com) in Latham and many others on my top recommended businesses web page (www.pyours.com/business.html) carry good fertilizer choices.  The best time to apply the fertilizer is right before it rains so that any granules that land on foliage will be washed into the soil. 

FIRST 2010 OPEN HOUSE AND PLANT SALE

As promised, I wanted to give you advance notice about my first 2010 open house and plant sale.  Kindly save the date of Wednesday, May 12 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.  More information about the open house, including directions, will be in my April newsletter.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH A GARDEN CONSULTATION

Thankfully the economy is starting to turn around.  I'll follow suit and help you get better 'returns' from your gardens and landscape.  As your garden coach, I'll show you  how to make your gardens more beautiful, less work, less money, and more colorful year-round.  My 2010 consulting fee is the same as last year, $65 per hour on site.  There is no travel charge for consultations within a 15-mile drive of my home in Ballston Spa.  Outside this radius there is a small travel surcharge to cover additional mileage, gas, and traveling time. For more about my consultation services, visit my web page at www.pyours.com/consultations.html.  To request a consultation, kindly send me an e-mail at pyours@nycap.rr.com and include where you live.  I'll be back in touch to schedule a date to get together.  Thanks! 

SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT GENEVIEVE'S HOME AND GARDEN DECOR SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT GENEVIEVE'S HOME AND GARDEN DECOR

Many of us need some reassurance that spring is indeed around the corner as the winter days roll on.  Genevieve's spring open house does the trick for me.  A simple stroll into this refined, stunningly beautiful store filled with classic home and garden decor, fresh green ferns and white flowers will refresh your spirit.  For a peek at what you will see at the open house, visit their web site at www.genevieveshomeandgarden.com.  The open house is Friday, March 5 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 6 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Genevieve'™s is located at 55 Front Street, Ballston Spa.  If you have questions, call Christi at (518) 885-7276.  FYI:  The store is closed on March 4 as they get ready to welcome you in their usual grand style.

MORE SUPER BUSINESSES JOIN THE WINNERS’ LIST

 

I am repeatedly asked where I buy my plants, mulch, garden tools, ornaments, and landscape related products or services.  I buy over 95% of my material from businesses in the Capital District.  Just visit my top recommended business web page, www.pyours.com/business.html, and you will have the answer.

EVAN AND MOM'S CORNER

Evan just returned from England with his soccer team and had a BALL!  They spent five days in London and three in Durham.  They enjoyed hours practicing on different pitches, toured Wembly and Old Trafford stadiums, and experienced the intensity first hand of watching Fulham and Middlesborough soccer games.  He ate lots of fish and chips plus rode the biggest ferris wheel in the world, the London Eye.  I get the sense that landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London were not highpoints for him.  Surprise, surprise.  All in all it was a fantastic trip that gave him the opportunity to be more independent plus Sergio and I had a chance to experience the empty-nest syndrome.  I think it is fair to say Evan survived the time away better than his parents.

 

Perennially Yours,

 

Kerry

(now nesting happily)