Cantigny to host gardening symposium
The Cantigny Horticulture Department and Chicagoland Gardening magazine will present a one-day symposium for home gardeners from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Cantigny Park Visitors Center in Wheaton.
The agenda for "Moving Your Garden Forward" features expert speakers and practical workshops designed to inform and inspire. Attendees will hear new ideas and receive practical advice for making 2010 their best gardening year ever.
"It'll be a fun day of learning and idea sharing," said Bob Waterman, director of horticulture at Cantigny, "and a chance to look forward to warmer days. We've wanted to offer this kind of program for a long time and our new partnership with Chicagoland Gardening helped make it possible."
The symposium features two keynote speakers, Craig Bergmann and Roy Diblik.
Bergmann, owner of Craig Bergmann Landscape Design in Wilmette, will share his design philosophy and distinctly Midwest approach to garden projects of various scales and budgets.
Diblik, co-founder of Northwind Perennials (Burlington, Wis.), will speak on the selection and placement of perennial plants, exploring their role in the creation of more thoughtful gardens.
"Our keynote speakers alone will be worth the admission price," said Bill Aldrich, Chicagoland Gardening publisher. "I'm confident that anyone looking for solid and practical information about landscape design and perennials will benefit from their expertise."
Symposium attendees will also choose from a schedule of workshops conducted by Cantigny Horticulture and Chicagoland Gardening staff members. Choices will include:
• "Growing Better Roses," Bob Waterman, director of horticulture, Cantigny
• "Small Space Gardening," Carolyn Ulrich, editor, Chicagoland Gardening
• "Containers for all Seasons," Liz Omura and Jill Weiss, horticulturists, Cantigny
• "Vegetables Anywhere!" Beth Botts, senior editor, Chicagoland Gardening
• "Increase the Wow! Factor in Your Garden," Jane Rogers, senior ornamental horticulturist, Cantigny
• "Better Than One Season: Chicagoland Trees and Shrubs," Todd Henderson, forester, Cantigny
Throughout the day, question-and-answer tables will be staffed with Cantigny volunteers. Tips and information will be available on floral design, rain barrels, beekeeping, attracting birds and more.
Attendees are invited to arrive early for a guided bird walk. Jeff Reiter, Cantigny communications manager and DuPage Birding Club president, will lead a casual explorations of the Cantigny grounds starting at 7:30 a.m.
Limited to 100 participants; fee is $75, which includes lunch. Download registration forms at cantigny.org or call (630) 260-8162. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with the first seminar starting at 9:30 a.m.
The visitors center is located inside the park's main entrance on Winfield Road, just south of Roosevelt Road, in Wheaton.