February 17, 2004

Gardening Event Set For March 9

An all-day conference for garden enthusiasts will take place on Tuesday, March 9, at the Lewis B. Rome Commons in South Campus.

The keynote speaker is Stephanie Cohen, director of the Landscape Arboretum at Temple University in Ambler, Pa., and a contributing editor for Country Living Gardener. Cohen also writes for Fine Gardening, and is a regional writer for the Blooms of Bressingham plant program. Her presentation, "Have Problem, Need Plants!" will include tips on the best species and cultivars for various garden conditions.

Other speakers include:

• John Elsley, who will discuss "Cultivars That Work: What's New, What's Tried and True?" Elsley has more than 30 years' experience in horticulture, including five with the Royal Horticultural Society, nine with the Missouri Botanical Garden, and 25 with George Park Seed Co., Wayside Gardens, and Klehm Song Sparrow Farm, where he specialized in the selection and marketing of new plant material. He has been involved with internationally acclaimed breeding and introduction programs for peonies, hostas, and daylilies, and he introduced the Royal Heritage strain of hellebores.
  
  
• Mary Ann McGourty, who for 20 years owned Hillside Gardens in Norfolk, Conn. The farm specializes in uncommon perennials and perennial garden design. McGourty is a contributor and editor of Taylor's Guide to Ground Covers. She will talk about "Perennials for Continuous Beauty."
  
  
• Sydney Eddison, author of five books on gardening and a frequent contributor to Fine Gardening and other publications. She will speak on "The Rainbow Contained." Her talk, based upon her most recent book, The Gardener's Palette, will explore the connections between color in art, nature, and the garden.
  
  
• C.L. Fornari, a garden writer, speaker, and self-described "out-of-control plant person." She is the author of The Cape Cod Garden and Your Garden Shouldn't Make You Crazy. Her presentation, "Mixing it Up," will discuss ways to best use a variety of plants on an average property.

There will be an opportunity to purchase selected autographed books and a wide array of gardening books.

There is a pre-registration fee of $60 per person if post-marked on or before March 2, or $70 per person if post-marked after March 2. Included in the cost are lunch, snacks, and beverage. Registration is limited and non-refundable.

Make checks payable to the University of Connecticut, and send to Professor Richard McAvoy, Department of Plant Science, U-4067, University of Connecticut, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06269.

For more information, call 860.486.0627, or visit: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/garden/