By Diane Brady, Michigan State University Extension
Gardening aficionados, don’t miss this one!
- When: Saturday, March 2, 2019
- Time: 8:50am-4:15pm
- Where: DeVos Place,303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Conference Cost: $59.00 (Lunch on your own)
Registration deadline: Friday, Feb. 23, 2019 at midnight or when full. Go here to register.
Registration at the door is not available.
“Sugar, Sex and Poison: Shocking Plant Secrets Caught on Camera”
William (Bill) Cullina, Executive Director, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Plants are at the base of both the human and non-human food chain. Everything eats them directly or indirectly, which may or may not be a good thing as far as plants are concerned. Since they do not move around, it is easy to forget that plants are not helpless. They have evolved an incredible arsenal of chemicals, camouflage, spines, hairs, and waxes to discourage herbivores. On the other hand, they spend a huge amount of their energy on pollen, nectar, edible fruits, and sugary root exudates designed to attract and nourish animals, insects, fungi and bacteria so they can perform services such as pollination, seed dispersal, defense, and nutrient acquisition. It is a carefully balanced natural economy and community based on the products of photosynthesis that is amazing in its complexity and efficiency. Strengthening this natural economy through sound horticultural and agricultural practices is in essence what the organic movement is all about. In this talk, Cullina will show how this world of pollen, poisons, pigments, pheromones, sugars and sex translates to sound gardening practices from which we can all benefit!
“Smart New Shrubs-Advancements in Woody Plant Genetics”
Tim Wood, Spring Meadow Nursery Horticulturist, a.k.a. “The Plant Hunter”
Never in the history of horticulture has so much plant breeding been devoted to improving flowering shrubs. The changes and improvements are nothing short of remarkable, as breeders have made shrubs easier to grow, easier to care for, more colorful and easier to use. No one knows this better than nationally noted, horticulturist and author Tim Wood. Better known as the “Plant Hunter” for Proven Winners, Wood travels the entire world looking for plants, working with plant breeders and breeding plants himself. Come and see the latest and greatest plants that will make your garden and landscapes more colorful and sustainable. Wood will have his latest book, available for sale and signing following the presentation.
“Smart Perennials for Midwestern Gardens from A-Z!”
Richard Hawke, Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Evaluation Manager, Associate Scientist
It’s new… but is it tried and true? Richard will share information on the plants that have proven both beautiful and hardy in Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant evaluation programs. The goal of the trial program is to determine, through scientific evaluation, which plants are superior for gardens in the Upper Midwest. Plants are rated on ornamental qualities, cultural adaptability, winter hardiness, and disease and pest resistance. Find out which plants passed with flying colors and provide support for pollinators from an evaluation program that has been recommending the best garden perennials for 30 years!
“Demystifying GMOs for Gardeners”
Dr. Ron Goldy, Michigan State University Extension, Senior Educator
GMO’s are possibly one of the most misunderstood organisms on the face of our planet. “GMO” stands for genetically modified organisms, something man has been doing for thousands of years. How does a gardener make informed choices, not only about food items but also later on, with seeds and plants? Join Senior Extension professional Dr. Ron Goldy for a look at what GMOs really are, how they are created and how they impact our world.
“Great to Support Pollinators-Gardeners make the Difference!”
Richard Hawke, Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Evaluation Manager and Associate Scientist
Native pollinators are declining at an alarming rate—especially bumblebees. What are the best perennial plants to attract and support pollinators? Hawke will present a variety of native plants, “nativars” (cultivars of a native species), and a few exotics that have been top-performers in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s trials.
