9th Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium
9TH ANNUAL GREAT GARDENS AND LANDSCAPING SYMPOSIUM BLASTS OFF!
Ba-Boom! The 9th Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium is off and running. This popular Northeastern symposium returns for the third time to the world-class Equinox Resort (http://www.equinoxresort.com/) in Manchester, VT. The symposium has been moved two weeks later to reduce the threat of spring snowstorms! The symposium includes six incredible speakers, gourmet food, handouts, door prizes, garden marketplace and a garden gift all hosted at a four-star resort in a charming Vermont village.
The nationally recognized speakers are (drum roll please):
William Cullina is an award-winning author, speaker, 
photographer, recognized authority on North American native plants and Director of Horticulture/Plant Curator for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. Bill is back by overwhelming popular demand from last year’s symposium attendees! He will present two different lectures. Bill has an extensive curriculum vitae but to highlight a few of his accomplishments, he was the former Nursery Director and Head Propagator for the New England Wildflower Society; TV guest on the Martha Stewart Show, Rebecca’s Garden, Victory Garden and Garden Smart, and has published five books, the most recent being Understanding Perennials in 2009. To learn more about Bill and his books and services, visit http://www.williamcullina.com/.
Lisa Napolitano, from Hartford, CT., is an Accredited Nursery Professional, has gardened organically for more than two decades 
and ran a small ornamental plant nursery for seven years employing organic methods to keep the plants healthy and vigorous. She has also worked professionally with large nurseries. Lisa is the co-host of the highly popular call in radio show “Garden Talk with Len and Lisa” on WTIC 1080 AM out of Hartford, CT. For two humor-filled hours each week “Garden Talk with Len and Lisa” gives the listening audience insight into organic gardening and offers natural solutions to their gardening dilemmas. For more about Lisa, her show, plant and garden tips of the week and more, visit http://www.gardentqalk1080.com/.
C.L. Fornari is from Cape Cod, MA. She is a garden expert and
the host of GardenLine, a call-in talk radio program on WXTK. C.L. is a professional speaker, the author of several gardening books and articles, a volunteer Master Gardener and featured guest on numerous television shows. Her photos have been published in American Nurseryman Magazine, Prime Time Magazine and many others. She is a brilliant, mesmerizing speaker that enjoys a nation-wide following. To learn more about C.L. visit http://www.gardenlady.com/.
Kerry Ann Mendez (me) is the owner of Perennially Yours, a 
gardening business in Ballston Spa, NY. As a garden consultant, designer, writer, teacher and lecturer, she focuses on time-saving gardening techniques and workhorse plant material as well as organic practices. She has been in many national magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate and Better Homes and Gardens’ Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living. Her books, The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Top Ten Lists and Top Ten Lists for Beautiful Shade Gardens are top sellers for gardeners in Zones 3 through 7. She is a self-taught gardener with over 25 years of experience and a ‘passionate perennialist’ that enjoys mixing humor with practical information.
And the symposium’s lectures:
The Top Twenty-Five. Presented by C. L. The Top Twenty-Five. This talk is part practical gardening, part garden philosophy, and part plants, with an emphasis on annuals and other plants that provide an abundance of color in the garden. Just as our gardens provide us with rich experiences in so many ways, this talk covers a range of plants along with interesting/amusing/useful bits of information cultivated from over 25 years of gardening.
Organic Solutions for the Garden and Home. Presenter: Lisa Napolitano has, for over a decade, co-hosted the call-in radio show “Garden Talk with Len and Lisa” on WTIC 1080 AM broadcast out of Hartford, CT. Her presentation will center on both principles and remedies to convert your garden and home dependent on chemicals, to a habitat that works with nature. Whether the problem is mildew on roses or attracting beneficial insects, sound organic concepts can minimize problems and keep a balance in the landscape that does not let the “bad guys” get the upper hand.
50 (OK, fifty-nine, but who’s counting) Great Natives for the Northeast. Presented by Bill Cullina. You don’t need to look to China or England to find beautiful, functional, enduring plants trees, shrubs, and perennials for our northeastern gardens. From the coastal plain to the Appalachian chain, the eastern US is home to a bewildering variety of native plants that bring with them grace, hardiness, and an adaptability to our climate and soils unmatched by most exotics. In this talk I will profile 50 or so of my favorite native wildflowers, ferns, trees, shrubs, and vines for gardens in the Northeast. Think of this talk as a native plant buffet with something for everyone!
Bodacious New Perennials. Presented by Kerry. This dynamic lecture, featuring recently introduced, sassy perennials, may have you heading for a garden center before the presentation’s conclusion! Colorful photos and plant combinations will inspire low-maintenance vignettes for your own gardens. The presentation will include design tips and planting suggestions.
Going Organic at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Presented by Bill. Two years ago, we decided to convert to organic practices at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Many on the staff were skeptical that we could maintain a high standard of care with a limited budget and staff if we went this route, but we felt it was vital that we try. Luckily the experiment has been an overwhelming success: the plants are far healthier, pollinators more diverse, visitors happier, and costs have remained the same or even decreased. The switch has not been without challenges, however, and in this lecture I will discuss candidly what has worked and what has not when Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens “went organic.”
The Wow! Factor – Moving From Inspiration to Installation. Presented by C.L. We are inspired when we visit beautiful gardens or see photos of lovely landscapes, but how can we go beyond our feelings of envy and admiration, and apply what we see in our own landscapes? This talk is about analyzing why we are inspired, and how to use that information in our own gardens.
The symposium will once again include a Gardener’s Marketplace packed with great plants, gardening items, food, artisans and more.
Special overnight packages as well as day-only rates are available. The registration deadline is April 6th.
The one night package (Friday, April 13) is only $282.21 for a single or $404.91 for a double ($202.46 per person). The package includes Friday night accommodations; full breakfast and lunch on Saturday; refreshment break; six lectures, symposium handouts, garden gift, door prizes, and all taxes and gratuities. The two-night package (April 13 & 14) is $472.00 for a single or $625.91 for a double ($312.96 per person) with all taxes and gratuities included. Two night packages include all of the above plus Saturday night accommodations and Sunday breakfast. PLUS there are double room packages for couples where only ONE person will attend the symposium: To make your reservations for symposium packages, please call The Equinox Resort at (877) 854-7625 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST) and specify the Great Gardens package.
Day-Only Symposium Registration Fee: $98 per person includes five dynamic garden lectures on Saturday, morning coffee, mid-morning refreshments, lunch, handouts, garden gift, and door prizes. Plus you may attend the Friday evening lecture at no cost if your schedule permits. Day only registrations must go through Perennially Yours. To register as a day guest, please visit localhost/pyours/symposium and click on symposium register.