FIFTH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY AT THE MAGNIFICENT BASIN HABOR CLUB SEPTEMBER 25 & 26, 2011

FIFTH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY AT THE MAGNIFICENT BASIN HABOR CLUB SEPTEMBER 25 & 26, 2011

This ever-popular event draws gardeners from around the Northeast.  This year’s festivities will be Sunday and Monday, September 25 & 26. Special overnight packages and day-only rates available. This will be the Fifth Annual Garden Party at this dreamy 700-acre resort in Vergennes, VT (just southwest of Burlington, VT). This captivating resort features great dining, breathtaking gardens, nature trails, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a heated outdoor pool, sandy beach, and much more. It is one of the prized Historic Hotels of America. For more about this remarkable property, visit http://www.basinharbor.com/.  

Presenters are highly acclaimed writer and author, Tovah Martin; Winslow Tudor, grandson and garden companion of incomparable and inspiring Tasha Tudor; Claire Lesperance, illustrious head floral designer for this prestigious resort; and Kerry Ann Mendez, international speaker, garden writer, author and designer.

The program kicks off Sunday, September 25 at 4:00 p.m. with a guided teaching tour of the resort’s 400-foot long bed of perennials, flowering shrubs and annuals.  Kerry Ann, the bed’s designer, will lead this tour that includes practical and organic maintenance techniques for colorful perennial borders.  After the tour there will be a 6:00 p.m. wine and cheese boat cruise. The program continues Monday from 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. including lunch and a hands-on floral arranging clinic.  All attendees will make their own fresh cut flower arrangement to take home.

Garden lectures in addition to teaching tour and flower arranging clinic:

Gardening for the 5 Senses. Presenter: Tovah Martin. Maximize our gardening experience by exploring all the senses as they relate to the garden. Learn how colors alter as light changes and how to combine colors. We talk about fragrance from your nose’s perspective as well as from a pollinators’ viewpoint. We discuss the secrets of using tools properly to prevent injury (touch), texture in plants, wind breaks (sound), and the pleasures of savory heirloom vegetables. Gardening will become a new sensation.

Gardening with Tasha Tudor. Presenters: Winslow and Amy Tudor. Tasha’s beautifully written and illustrated children’s stories reflect the dreams of idyllic times in the American rural past. Her particular combination of actual experience and nostalgic longing has, for more than half a century, provided delight, inspiration, and solace to millions of people the world over. Join Tasha’s grandson, Winslow, and his wife, Amy as they share stories, tips and tidbits from their years of gardening with Tasha, including how they first met under the Mystery Rose in her garden.

The Lawn Liberation Movement. Presenter: Tovah Martin. I fought the lawn, and I won. A conspiracy is afoot to beat back the front lawn and do something more daring (and ecologically sustainable) instead. Here’s how I’m doing it by combining low-maintenance perennials, small shrubs, and bulbs. But it’s not all about me. We also romp through other yards of gardeners who are taking similar strides toward lawn elimination.

Gorgeous Perennials by Season that Thrive on ‘Neglect’. Presenter: Kerry Ann Mendez. You will be thrilled to discover beautiful perennials that enjoy little hand holding on your part. These beauties enjoy lean soil, little or no fertilizer, less water, or little or no deadheading. They will save you time and money! Includes are companion planting recommendations and design tips.

The one night package includes Sunday afternoon’s teaching garden tour; the wine and cheese boat cruise; one night’s accommodations; Monday’s breakfast and lunch buffets; four garden lectures; floral arranging hands-on session; handouts; colorful garden catalogs; door prizes and garden gift. Package rates start at $234 for a single and $363 for a double ($181.50 per person). Taxes and gratuity are additional. PLUS, ALL PACKAGED GUESTS WILL BE IN A DRAWING FOR A COMPLEMENTARY ONE-NIGHT STAY AT BASIN HARBOR CLUB.

The day-only rate is $110 and includes all garden lectures and floral arrangement sessions on Monday, handouts; colorful garden catalogs, Monday morning coffee; lunch; door prizes; and a garden gift. Participants may also attend the Sunday teaching garden tour if their schedule permits. Please call Basin Harbor Club at (800) 622-4000 to reserve overnight packages. Day only reservations go through Perennially Yours by calling (518) 885-3471.