Philadelphia Flower Show: Lectures & Greensource

Another added benefit of attending the Philadelphia Flower Show is a variety of lectures on horticulture, gardening and landscape design.  Free lectures, presentations & demos will provide cutting-edge techniques & instructions for urban agriculture, green roofs, eco-friendly design and sustainable gardening.

Greenies will enjoy a lecture series, “Greensource,” that feature nationally renowned designers. Speakers for the free programs (Mon-Fri @ 1 PM) include White House chief florist Laura Dowling;  landscape architects Walter Hood & Craig Bergmann, and president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Sharon McGukin.

“Transforming Public Landscapes” is a special discussion of the “Greensource” series on Wed March 9. Panelists include Conservatory Garden Director in Central Park (which she rescued and restored) Lynden B. Miller; well-known landscape architect Ken Smith; landscape architect known for his Chicago streetscapes Doug Hoerr; prominent Chicago landscape contractor Christy Webber, and leader of landscape architects in urban green roof designs Susan Weiler. Panel moderator is founder and president of the Cultural Landscape Foundation Charles Birnbaum. (Wednesday, 5-7 PM in the Convention Center Ballroom.  Admission: $40, PHS members $30) 

Other featured lectures in Philadelphia Flower Show Rooms 201B & 201C include:

• “The History of Orchid Growing in France,” Jeffrey Bradley, of the American Orchid Society.
• “The Art of Growing Food,” Ellen Ecker Ogden, author of The Complete Kitchen Garden.
• “Plants for Difficult Situations,” Melinda Myers, author of Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening.
• “Fleur-jugeotte (Flower-savvy) Design Tips the Pros Know and Use,” Sharon McGukin, president, American Institute of Floral Designers.
• “Gardens of Paris and Normandy through a Designer’s Eyes,” Toni Ann Flanigan, of Philadelphia Gardens.
• “Sensational Container Plants,” Ray Rogers, author of The Encyclopedia of Container Plants.
• “Great Garden Design,” Robin Templar Williams.

Philadelphia Flower Programs at the Gardener’s Studio on the Show floor in B Hall include:

• “Green Roofs,” Ed Snodgrass, of Emory Knoll Farms.
• “Water Wise Gardening,” Lenny Wilson, Delaware Center for Horticulture.
• “Designing a Sustainable Garden,” Jonathan Alderson, Landscape Architects Inc.
• “The Best of the Must-Haves: The Coolest Garden Gear and Gadgets for the New Year,” Joe Lamp’l, presented by Subaru of America.
• “Vegetable Gardening,” Nancy Greenwood.
• “Orchids,” Michael Bowell, Create-a-Scene.
• “Culinary Herbs of France,” Ed MacFarland, Tamanend Park Herb Gardening Club.
• “Rain Gardens,” Kevin Staso, North Creek Nurseries.
• “Edible Landscaping,” Julia Marano.

Readers, are you checking out any exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show? What did you learn?

Posted by Julie