All seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival are FREE with your ticket!
Seminar schedule subject to change, so we recommend checking back closer to the Festival for the most current schedule.
Download the Daily Seminar Guide
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Book Signing Add to Calendar
Rainier Room
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10:00am |
Living History: How Stories of Useful Plants Add a Deeper Level of Meaning to Gardens Stephen Orr - Garden Writer, Editor, Cultural Observer
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Herbs have long made our everyday lives better — and more delicious — but their deeper histories add another essential layer to the garden: meaning. In this richly layered session, garden author Stephen Orr explores the stories, symbolism, and cultural lore behind familiar herbs, tracing how humans have relied on them for healing, ritual, and nourishment for millennia. He’ll also touch on the evocative use of herbs in the Oscar-nominated film Hamnet, where plant lore quietly shapes story and atmosphere. Along the way, Stephen shares practical growing tips and recommended varieties that thrive in home gardens of all kinds, connecting ancient wisdom to modern practice.
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Living History: How Stories of Useful Plants Add a Deeper Level of Meaning to Gardens
Herbs have long made our everyday lives better — and more delicious — but their deeper histories add another essential layer to the garden: meaning. In this richly layered session, garden author Stephen Orr explores the stories, symbolism, and cultural lore behind familiar herbs, tracing how humans have relied on them for healing, ritual, and nourishment for millennia. He’ll also touch on the evocative use of herbs in the Oscar-nominated film Hamnet, where plant lore quietly shapes story and atmosphere. Along the way, Stephen shares practical growing tips and recommended varieties that thrive in home gardens of all kinds, connecting ancient wisdom to modern practice.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:00am
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11:30am |
My Plant is Better Than Your Plant Nita-Jo Rountree - Garden Designer, Educator, Garden Celebrity
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Ciscoe Morris - Author, Media Personality, National Treasure When it comes to pollinator plants, even the best of friends can disagree! Beloved local garden personalities Ciscoe Morris and Nita-Jo Rountree share their favorite picks for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—each with their own spirited opinion, of course. Attendees will discover how to design pollinator-friendly gardens that burst with color, fragrance, and life while supporting a healthy ecosystem. Expect laughter, lively debate, and plenty of take-home ideas for creating a garden that both you and the pollinators will love.
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My Plant is Better Than Your Plant
When it comes to pollinator plants, even the best of friends can disagree! Beloved local garden personalities Ciscoe Morris and Nita-Jo Rountree share their favorite picks for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—each with their own spirited opinion, of course. Attendees will discover how to design pollinator-friendly gardens that burst with color, fragrance, and life while supporting a healthy ecosystem. Expect laughter, lively debate, and plenty of take-home ideas for creating a garden that both you and the pollinators will love.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:30am
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1:00pm |
Landscaping to Create Awe Wambui Ipolito - Horticulturalist, Award-winning Landscape Designer, Author
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Nature has long shaped landscapes with a single intention: to stir awe in the human spirit. Drawing from her African-centered identity and relationship with the natural world, Wambui invites gardeners and designers to look beyond plants as objects and toward the emotional, cultural, and sensory experiences they create. This thought-provoking session explores how intentional design can reconnect us with wonder—revealing awe as not just an outcome, but the ultimate purpose of a truly meaningful garden.
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Landscaping to Create Awe
Nature has long shaped landscapes with a single intention: to stir awe in the human spirit. Drawing from her African-centered identity and relationship with the natural world, Wambui invites gardeners and designers to look beyond plants as objects and toward the emotional, cultural, and sensory experiences they create. This thought-provoking session explores how intentional design can reconnect us with wonder—revealing awe as not just an outcome, but the ultimate purpose of a truly meaningful garden.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:00pm
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2:30pm |
Beyond Right Plant Right Place Susan Calhoun - Award-winning Landscape Designer, Writer, Speaker
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Just because a plant is in the right place doesn’t mean it looks good. In this design-focused session, attendees will learn three simple techniques to ensure their gardens look their best year-round. Discover how to create impact through color—without relying on flowers—use light to shape mood and highlight form, and incorporate texture for depth and contrast. With clear examples and practical guidance, this session reveals how thoughtful choices in color, light, and texture can elevate any space from ordinary to stunning.
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Beyond Right Plant Right Place
Just because a plant is in the right place doesn’t mean it looks good. In this design-focused session, attendees will learn three simple techniques to ensure their gardens look their best year-round. Discover how to create impact through color—without relying on flowers—use light to shape mood and highlight form, and incorporate texture for depth and contrast. With clear examples and practical guidance, this session reveals how thoughtful choices in color, light, and texture can elevate any space from ordinary to stunning.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2:30pm
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4:00pm |
Delicious Edible Varieties from PNW Seed Companies Willi Galloway - Author, Award-winning Radio Host, Garden-to-Table Expert
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The Pacific Northwest is home to an extraordinary array of seed companies of all sizes that offer flavorful, beautiful, and climate-adapted vegetable varieties. In this seminar, vegetable gardener and author of Grow Cook Eat: A Food-Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening (Sasquatch Books, 2025) shares her favorite West Coast seed sources and highlights exceptional varieties you’ll never find in a supermarket. From rare heirlooms to regional specialties, discover vegetables that thrive in local gardens and elevate every meal. Celebrate the abundance of the Northwest and find inspiration to grow what truly tastes like home.
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Delicious Edible Varieties from PNW Seed Companies
The Pacific Northwest is home to an extraordinary array of seed companies of all sizes that offer flavorful, beautiful, and climate-adapted vegetable varieties. In this seminar, vegetable gardener and author of Grow Cook Eat: A Food-Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening (Sasquatch Books, 2025) shares her favorite West Coast seed sources and highlights exceptional varieties you’ll never find in a supermarket. From rare heirlooms to regional specialties, discover vegetables that thrive in local gardens and elevate every meal. Celebrate the abundance of the Northwest and find inspiration to grow what truly tastes like home.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 4:00pm
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Hood Room
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9:30am |
Clematis & Roses: Creating Horticultural Heaven Linda Beutler - Author, Educator, Curator of Rogerson Clematis Collection
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Roses and clematis are natural partners, creating garden displays that feel timeless, romantic, and effortlessly abundant. In this visually rich seminar, attendees will learn how to pair these two spectacular plant groups for stunning results. The session covers design ideas, variety selection, and maintenance tips to keep both vines and shrubs thriving together for years of color and fragrance. Drawing on decades of experience, Linda Beutler shares practical guidance and inspiration to help gardeners craft their own showstopping combinations—proof that some garden pairings really are made to last.
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Clematis & Roses: Creating Horticultural Heaven
Roses and clematis are natural partners, creating garden displays that feel timeless, romantic, and effortlessly abundant. In this visually rich seminar, attendees will learn how to pair these two spectacular plant groups for stunning results. The session covers design ideas, variety selection, and maintenance tips to keep both vines and shrubs thriving together for years of color and fragrance. Drawing on decades of experience, Linda Beutler shares practical guidance and inspiration to help gardeners craft their own showstopping combinations—proof that some garden pairings really are made to last.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 9:30am
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10:45am |
50 Shades of Green Mark Turner - Photographer, Author, Native Plant Expert
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Flowers may steal the spotlight, but it’s foliage that gives a garden its lasting beauty. This inspiring seminar explores how to use the endless shades and textures of green to create depth, contrast, and year-round interest. Through vivid photographs of gardens from across the region and beyond, discover how to take cues from Mother Nature, experiment with the diversity of leaf shape and color, and blend native and non-native plants to craft dynamic, visually rich landscapes that stay vibrant long after the blooms fade.
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50 Shades of Green
Flowers may steal the spotlight, but it’s foliage that gives a garden its lasting beauty. This inspiring seminar explores how to use the endless shades and textures of green to create depth, contrast, and year-round interest. Through vivid photographs of gardens from across the region and beyond, discover how to take cues from Mother Nature, experiment with the diversity of leaf shape and color, and blend native and non-native plants to craft dynamic, visually rich landscapes that stay vibrant long after the blooms fade.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:45am
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12:00pm |
Assisted Migration in the Garden: Adapting to Shifting Plant Hardiness Zones Jessi Bloom - Award-winning Author, Ecological Designer, Certified Arborist
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As climate zones shift, so do the rules of what thrives where. Explore the science and strategy behind assisted plant migration... the practice of intentionally planting species outside their historical ranges to adapt to a changing climate. Attendees will learn about climate modeling, plant selection, and how to weigh ecological risks while balancing biodiversity with bold experimentation. Whether you’re a plant geek, habitat builder, or climate-resilient gardener, this session offers the insight and tools to rethink your plant palette and design gardens that honor place while embracing the future.
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Assisted Migration in the Garden: Adapting to Shifting Plant Hardiness Zones
As climate zones shift, so do the rules of what thrives where. Explore the science and strategy behind assisted plant migration... the practice of intentionally planting species outside their historical ranges to adapt to a changing climate. Attendees will learn about climate modeling, plant selection, and how to weigh ecological risks while balancing biodiversity with bold experimentation. Whether you’re a plant geek, habitat builder, or climate-resilient gardener, this session offers the insight and tools to rethink your plant palette and design gardens that honor place while embracing the future.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 12:00pm
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1:15pm |
Early Season Edibles: Jump Into an Abundant Year Bill Thorness - Author, Educator, Master Gardener
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As the soil warms and spring begins to stir, it’s time to bring the vegetable garden to life. In this session, attendees will learn proven techniques for jump-starting the growing season... from preparing the soil to planting early crops with confidence. Practical guidance covers when and how to start seeds and transplants, plus ways to extend the season using simple protective methods. Drawing from insights shared in Cool Season Gardener (Skipstone Press, 2013), this session offers inspiration and wisdom to help gardeners make the most of those first promising days in the garden.
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Early Season Edibles: Jump Into an Abundant Year
As the soil warms and spring begins to stir, it’s time to bring the vegetable garden to life. In this session, attendees will learn proven techniques for jump-starting the growing season... from preparing the soil to planting early crops with confidence. Practical guidance covers when and how to start seeds and transplants, plus ways to extend the season using simple protective methods. Drawing from insights shared in Cool Season Gardener (Skipstone Press, 2013), this session offers inspiration and wisdom to help gardeners make the most of those first promising days in the garden.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:15pm
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2:45pm |
Plants and Their People: Don't Maim the Name! Daniel Sparler - Writer, Educator, NHS Board Member
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Botanical names often honor those who shaped horticultural history... usually in the genus, as in Forsythia; sometimes in the species, like Acer davidii; and occasionally in both, as with Washington State’s own Lewisia tweedyi. Get to know the faces and historical context behind the names of many widely grown plants and learn how to properly pronounce those derived from Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish botanists. Participants will gain confidence saying the likes of Amicia, Choisya, Echeveria, Heuchera, Kniphofia, and Weigela, plus glean a deeper appreciation for the people behind the plants.
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Plants and Their People: Don't Maim the Name!
Botanical names often honor those who shaped horticultural history... usually in the genus, as in Forsythia; sometimes in the species, like Acer davidii; and occasionally in both, as with Washington State’s own Lewisia tweedyi. Get to know the faces and historical context behind the names of many widely grown plants and learn how to properly pronounce those derived from Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish botanists. Participants will gain confidence saying the likes of Amicia, Choisya, Echeveria, Heuchera, Kniphofia, and Weigela, plus glean a deeper appreciation for the people behind the plants.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2:45pm
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4:00pm |
Plant It Where the Sun Don’t Shine Greg Butler - BLA, ATA–Designer, Educator, Owner of Design of the Times
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In the land of tall timber, dry shade is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most common gardening challenges. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of plants that can thrive in it beautifully. This seminar explores how to assess and improve site conditions beneath conifers, in deciduous woodlands, or along north-facing walls. Attendees will discover a wide range of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers that thrive in low light and limited moisture... proving that even the shadiest corners of the garden can be lush, colorful, and full of life.
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Plant It Where the Sun Don’t Shine
In the land of tall timber, dry shade is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most common gardening challenges. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of plants that can thrive in it beautifully. This seminar explores how to assess and improve site conditions beneath conifers, in deciduous woodlands, or along north-facing walls. Attendees will discover a wide range of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers that thrive in low light and limited moisture... proving that even the shadiest corners of the garden can be lush, colorful, and full of life.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 4:00pm
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5:15pm |
Living Mulch: Choose the Best Groundcovers Mary-Kate Mackey - Award-winning Garden Writer, Educator
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Discover how to make every inch of your garden work beautifully. In this informative seminar, author Mary-Kate Mackey introduces a variety of low-growing plants—both cultivars and natives—that weave between existing plantings without taking over. Acting as living mulch, these selections help retain soil moisture, reduce weeds, and support wildlife, all while adding texture and color. Attendees will gain inspiration and practical guidance for creating thriving plant communities that look natural, require less maintenance, and make gardening more enjoyable season after season.
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Living Mulch: Choose the Best Groundcovers
Discover how to make every inch of your garden work beautifully. In this informative seminar, author Mary-Kate Mackey introduces a variety of low-growing plants—both cultivars and natives—that weave between existing plantings without taking over. Acting as living mulch, these selections help retain soil moisture, reduce weeds, and support wildlife, all while adding texture and color. Attendees will gain inspiration and practical guidance for creating thriving plant communities that look natural, require less maintenance, and make gardening more enjoyable season after season.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 5:15pm
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Main Stage
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1:00pm |
Great Plant Picks - Water Wise Wonders: Drought-tolerant Plants for PNW Gardens Richie Steffen - Executive Director, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden
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Do you hate paying those high water bills to keep your plants alive all summer? Great Plant Picks, a non-profit education program of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, has a great selection of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs and perennials that will thrive with minimal water. Learn the best choices for dry shade or blazing sun to create a beautiful garden that will look good in any season.
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Great Plant Picks - Water Wise Wonders: Drought-tolerant Plants for PNW Gardens
Do you hate paying those high water bills to keep your plants alive all summer? Great Plant Picks, a non-profit education program of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, has a great selection of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs and perennials that will thrive with minimal water. Learn the best choices for dry shade or blazing sun to create a beautiful garden that will look good in any season.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:00pm
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11:00 am |
Container Showdown - Wednesday Kate David - Award-winning Garden Designer, Educator, Owner of Hello Garden
Claire Lidell Hanna - Award-winning Designer, Educator, Founder of Relish Gardens
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Container Showdown - Wednesday
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:00 am
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2:30pm |
Blooms & Bubbles: Designing with Roses [additional ticket required] Cory Webster - Floral Designer, Instructor, Slow Flower Advocate
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Kick off the 2026 Blooms & Bubbles workshop series with floral designer Cory Webster, as she leads a hands-on exploration of one of the world’s most beloved blooms: the rose. Drawing on her experience with expert growers at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, Cory will showcase the finest locally and American-grown hybrid tea and spray roses, paired with lush seasonal foliage and textural accents. Participants will create a romantic, early-spring hand-tied bouquet or small vase arrangement while learning design principles like color harmony, scale, and proportion. Cory will also share insider tips for selecting and caring for your blooms to ensure long-lasting beauty, whether as a gift or centerpiece. With a glass in hand and roses all around, this workshop sets the tone for a week of creativity, community, and Slow Flower inspiration.
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Blooms & Bubbles: Designing with Roses [additional ticket required]
Kick off the 2026 Blooms & Bubbles workshop series with floral designer Cory Webster, as she leads a hands-on exploration of one of the world’s most beloved blooms: the rose. Drawing on her experience with expert growers at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, Cory will showcase the finest locally and American-grown hybrid tea and spray roses, paired with lush seasonal foliage and textural accents. Participants will create a romantic, early-spring hand-tied bouquet or small vase arrangement while learning design principles like color harmony, scale, and proportion. Cory will also share insider tips for selecting and caring for your blooms to ensure long-lasting beauty, whether as a gift or centerpiece. With a glass in hand and roses all around, this workshop sets the tone for a week of creativity, community, and Slow Flower inspiration.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2:30pm
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4:00pm |
Stop Killing Houseplants: Shop Based on Your Plant Parent Personality Maria Failla - Podcast Host, Author, Plant Educator
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Killed a houseplant before? You’re not alone. The number-one reason people fail with plants isn’t light, water, or lack of knowledge—it’s choosing plants that don’t fit their personality or lifestyle. In this fun and relatable seminar, Maria Failla, host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast, helps attendees discover their Plant Parent Personality and choose houseplants that are almost foolproof to grow. You’ll learn your strengths and challenges as a plant parent and leave with a personalized list of plants to match your style... just in time to shop the Festival!
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Stop Killing Houseplants: Shop Based on Your Plant Parent Personality
Killed a houseplant before? You’re not alone. The number-one reason people fail with plants isn’t light, water, or lack of knowledge—it’s choosing plants that don’t fit their personality or lifestyle. In this fun and relatable seminar, Maria Failla, host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast, helps attendees discover their Plant Parent Personality and choose houseplants that are almost foolproof to grow. You’ll learn your strengths and challenges as a plant parent and leave with a personalized list of plants to match your style... just in time to shop the Festival!
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 4:00pm
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DIY Stage
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10:15am |
Day-to-Day Floriography Teresa Sabankaya - Author, Floral Designer, Slow Flowers Advocate
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Teresa Sabankaya invites you on a floral adventure into the language of flowers... an art form where blooms speak volumes about love, friendship, and sentiment. She’ll demonstrate how to create modern-day posies inspired by the historical nosegay tradition, where each flower and herb carries meaning and emotion. Beginning in the garden, Teresa shares how inspiration grows from simple stems and blossoms into a personalized message of beauty and connection. Drawing from her newest book, Modern Floriography (The Countryman Press, 2026), she shows how to craft exquisite, heartfelt bouquets that express what words sometimes cannot.
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Day-to-Day Floriography
Teresa Sabankaya invites you on a floral adventure into the language of flowers... an art form where blooms speak volumes about love, friendship, and sentiment. She’ll demonstrate how to create modern-day posies inspired by the historical nosegay tradition, where each flower and herb carries meaning and emotion. Beginning in the garden, Teresa shares how inspiration grows from simple stems and blossoms into a personalized message of beauty and connection. Drawing from her newest book, Modern Floriography (The Countryman Press, 2026), she shows how to craft exquisite, heartfelt bouquets that express what words sometimes cannot.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:15am
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11:45am |
Pruning Shrubs, Simplified! Christina Pfeiffer - Horticulture Educator, Author, ISA Certified Arborist
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Pruning shrubs for natural beauty is simpler than it may sound. In this hands-on session, attendees will see how and when to use two essential pruning cuts that maintain shape, encourage healthy growth, and save time in the long run. The demo includes examples of popular deciduous and broadleaf evergreen shrubs, with clear guidance on how to prune according to each plant’s growth habit. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and renewed confidence to bring out the best in their garden’s shrubs... naturally and beautifully!
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Pruning Shrubs, Simplified!
Pruning shrubs for natural beauty is simpler than it may sound. In this hands-on session, attendees will see how and when to use two essential pruning cuts that maintain shape, encourage healthy growth, and save time in the long run. The demo includes examples of popular deciduous and broadleaf evergreen shrubs, with clear guidance on how to prune according to each plant’s growth habit. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and renewed confidence to bring out the best in their garden’s shrubs... naturally and beautifully!
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:45am
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1:30pm |
Think Luffa is Just a Bath Sponge? Think Again! Janice Cox - Author, Natural Beauty Expert
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Luffa is far more than a bath sponge... it’s a versatile, fascinating plant with uses that stretch from garden to kitchen to self-care. In this engaging session, author Janice Cox introduces the world of sponge gourds and shares how to successfully grow, harvest, and use them at home. Attendees will learn practical growing tips, including hand-pollination techniques, along with creative ideas for crafting, cooking, and natural skincare. Whether you’re drawn to unusual edibles, DIY projects, or simply love trying something new in the garden, this session offers fresh inspiration for making the most of this remarkable plant.
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Think Luffa is Just a Bath Sponge? Think Again!
Luffa is far more than a bath sponge... it’s a versatile, fascinating plant with uses that stretch from garden to kitchen to self-care. In this engaging session, author Janice Cox introduces the world of sponge gourds and shares how to successfully grow, harvest, and use them at home. Attendees will learn practical growing tips, including hand-pollination techniques, along with creative ideas for crafting, cooking, and natural skincare. Whether you’re drawn to unusual edibles, DIY projects, or simply love trying something new in the garden, this session offers fresh inspiration for making the most of this remarkable plant.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:30pm
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3:15pm |
Wake up Sleepy Heads! Overwintering Fuchsias in Pots & Containers R. Theo Margelony - Fuchsia Authority, Writer, Speaker
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Don’t toss those potted fuchsias when winter arrives! They’re surprisingly easy to overwinter and bring back for another season of garden magic. In this practical and encouraging session, attendees will learn simple techniques to help fuchsias thrive year after year... from preparing plants for dormancy to waking them up for spring. The session also covers easy propagation methods to multiply your collection and fill the garden with even more of these eye-catching, elegant blooms. A little care now means months of color and charm to come.
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Wake up Sleepy Heads! Overwintering Fuchsias in Pots & Containers
Don’t toss those potted fuchsias when winter arrives! They’re surprisingly easy to overwinter and bring back for another season of garden magic. In this practical and encouraging session, attendees will learn simple techniques to help fuchsias thrive year after year... from preparing plants for dormancy to waking them up for spring. The session also covers easy propagation methods to multiply your collection and fill the garden with even more of these eye-catching, elegant blooms. A little care now means months of color and charm to come.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 3:15pm
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5:00pm |
Rock Solid Patrick Ryan - Garden Writer, Educator, Alaska Master Gardener
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Discover the timeless appeal of hypertufa—the lightweight, stone-like material perfect for crafting garden troughs and containers. In this live demonstration, Patrick will share step-by-step techniques for mixing, molding, and finishing hypertufa to create durable planters that look like natural stone. Attendees will learn about texture and curing. Combining creativity and craftsmanship, this session offers inspiration for adding a rustic, handmade touch to any garden space.
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Rock Solid
Discover the timeless appeal of hypertufa—the lightweight, stone-like material perfect for crafting garden troughs and containers. In this live demonstration, Patrick will share step-by-step techniques for mixing, molding, and finishing hypertufa to create durable planters that look like natural stone. Attendees will learn about texture and curing. Combining creativity and craftsmanship, this session offers inspiration for adding a rustic, handmade touch to any garden space.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 5:00pm
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Adams Room
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10:30am |
Native Plants in Flower Gardens: Beauty for Bouquets, Strength for Ecosystems Briana Bosch - Author, Founder of Blossom and Branch Farm
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Native plants offer gardeners the best of both worlds: stunning blooms for arrangements and vital ecological benefits for pollinators, birds, and soil health. In this session, attendees will learn how to weave native species into both cutting and ornamental gardens. The discussion highlights why natives matter, which varieties offer great vase life, and how to design plantings that blend them with traditional cut flowers. With insights from The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook (Storey Publishing, 2026), attendees will gain practical ideas for creating sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardens that thrive in every season.
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Native Plants in Flower Gardens: Beauty for Bouquets, Strength for Ecosystems
Native plants offer gardeners the best of both worlds: stunning blooms for arrangements and vital ecological benefits for pollinators, birds, and soil health. In this session, attendees will learn how to weave native species into both cutting and ornamental gardens. The discussion highlights why natives matter, which varieties offer great vase life, and how to design plantings that blend them with traditional cut flowers. With insights from The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook (Storey Publishing, 2026), attendees will gain practical ideas for creating sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardens that thrive in every season.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:30am
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12:00pm |
Futurescaping: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Technology Erica Grivas - Award-winning Garden Journalist
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Your garden can thrive in a changing climate... and be more beautiful, abundant, and healthy than ever. As innovations transform how we garden, we’re also rediscovering time-honored techniques that have sustained communities for centuries. What can ancient growing systems teach us that AI can't... and vice versa? From drones to food forests, gardeners are exploring modern tools and traditional approaches to create diverse, thriving landscapes. From water conservation to wildlife habitat, discover fresh ideas to make your garden resilient and future ready.
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Futurescaping: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Technology
Your garden can thrive in a changing climate... and be more beautiful, abundant, and healthy than ever. As innovations transform how we garden, we’re also rediscovering time-honored techniques that have sustained communities for centuries. What can ancient growing systems teach us that AI can't... and vice versa? From drones to food forests, gardeners are exploring modern tools and traditional approaches to create diverse, thriving landscapes. From water conservation to wildlife habitat, discover fresh ideas to make your garden resilient and future ready.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 12:00pm
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1:30pm |
Interview with Stephen Orr: The Changing Gardener Stephen Orr - Garden Writer, Editor, Cultural Observer
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Recorded as part of Cultivating Place LIVE! with host Jennifer Jewell, this engaging conversation with garden author and editor Stephen Orr looks toward the future of gardening and where its ideas are taking root. From public gardens and print media to Substack, social platforms, and emerging digital communities, Stephen explores how gardeners are learning, sharing, and shaping culture in new and unexpected ways. A hopeful, forward-looking exchange about curiosity, creativity, and the evolving places where garden knowledge lives, recorded for broadcast on Jennifer Jewell’s acclaimed public radio podcast, Cultivating Place.
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Interview with Stephen Orr: The Changing Gardener
Recorded as part of Cultivating Place LIVE! with host Jennifer Jewell, this engaging conversation with garden author and editor Stephen Orr looks toward the future of gardening and where its ideas are taking root. From public gardens and print media to Substack, social platforms, and emerging digital communities, Stephen explores how gardeners are learning, sharing, and shaping culture in new and unexpected ways. A hopeful, forward-looking exchange about curiosity, creativity, and the evolving places where garden knowledge lives, recorded for broadcast on Jennifer Jewell’s acclaimed public radio podcast, Cultivating Place.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:30pm
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3:00pm |
Virtual Garden Tours: Edible and Ecological Landscapes of the PNW Mary Marshall & Andrew Tuttle - Educators, Designers, Edge Perma & Redtail Edge Design Co-founders
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Experience some of the nation’s most inspiring edible landscapes and regenerative farms through guided, immersive virtual tours. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading gardens and farms across the U.S., showcasing how each integrates holistic practices in food production, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Through video walkthroughs, aerial perspectives, and expert insights, you’ll gain fresh ideas and inspiration for your own gardens, education programs, and design projects.
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Virtual Garden Tours: Edible and Ecological Landscapes of the PNW
Experience some of the nation’s most inspiring edible landscapes and regenerative farms through guided, immersive virtual tours. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading gardens and farms across the U.S., showcasing how each integrates holistic practices in food production, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Through video walkthroughs, aerial perspectives, and expert insights, you’ll gain fresh ideas and inspiration for your own gardens, education programs, and design projects.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 3:00pm
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4:30pm |
Gardening for Gut Health: Small Space Strategies to Improve Your Microbiome Grace Hensley - Certified Horticulturist, Photographer, Science Communicator
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You don’t need a large garden to make a big impact on your health. In this inspiring seminar, attendees will learn how small spaces (kitchen counters, patios, balcony planters) can become thriving sources of nourishment. Microbiome gardening expert Grace Hensley shares practical ways to grow sprouts, herbs, and vegetables to support both soil health and personal well-being. Drawing from scientific insight and her own healing journey as a cancer survivor, Grace introduces powerhouse crops and easy fermenting techniques that boost gut health, resilience, and joy in every harvest—no matter the size of your garden.
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Gardening for Gut Health: Small Space Strategies to Improve Your Microbiome
You don’t need a large garden to make a big impact on your health. In this inspiring seminar, attendees will learn how small spaces (kitchen counters, patios, balcony planters) can become thriving sources of nourishment. Microbiome gardening expert Grace Hensley shares practical ways to grow sprouts, herbs, and vegetables to support both soil health and personal well-being. Drawing from scientific insight and her own healing journey as a cancer survivor, Grace introduces powerhouse crops and easy fermenting techniques that boost gut health, resilience, and joy in every harvest—no matter the size of your garden.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 4:30pm
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Traveler's Tea
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3:30pm |
Traveler's Tea: Mamma Mia! Gardens with Passion [additional ticket required] Marianne Binetti - Container Showdown Host, writer, speaker, world traveling tour leader
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Grab your ticket and join Festival favorite Marianne Binetti for a lively escape to the gardens of Italy! From Lake Como’s royal estates to the sun-soaked courtyards of Sicily, she shares creative ways to bring Italian flair to your own backyard—no plane ticket required. Discover how centuries of Mediterranean design have mastered water-wise gardening, blending beauty and sustainability through smart plant choices and bold focal points. With her trademark humor and storytelling, Marianne will transport you to Italy and inspire you to garden beautifully—and sustainably—la dolce vita style.
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Traveler's Tea: Mamma Mia! Gardens with Passion [additional ticket required]
Grab your ticket and join Festival favorite Marianne Binetti for a lively escape to the gardens of Italy! From Lake Como’s royal estates to the sun-soaked courtyards of Sicily, she shares creative ways to bring Italian flair to your own backyard—no plane ticket required. Discover how centuries of Mediterranean design have mastered water-wise gardening, blending beauty and sustainability through smart plant choices and bold focal points. With her trademark humor and storytelling, Marianne will transport you to Italy and inspire you to garden beautifully—and sustainably—la dolce vita style.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 3:30pm
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