Get Growing: Plants Galore for Northwest Gardens
Here in the Northwest gardeners are blessed with incredible growing conditions for a wealth of plants, both native and exotic. But how can you choose the best plants for your garden from such abundance?
Our horticulturists, designers and garden writers will help you hone in on the right plants for your garden conditions—wet or dry, sunny or shady, large or small. Discover a world of plants you might never have considered, or find the perfect plants for a real problem spot. Be sure to catch our "Richie's Picks" seminars on the DIY Stage, as horticulturist Richie Steffen shares all the great plants, seeds and bulbs that you can find right at the festival! Plant shopping has never been so fun and easy!
The Seminars by Category are listed in chronological order. Please check the Seminar Schedule for
a full list of all our seminars. No ticket refunds for Speaker cancellation.
All seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival are FREE with your ticket!
Richie’s Picks #1: Trees, Shrubs and Surprises for the Long Haul
Richie Steffen–Executive Director, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden and co-author, Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns
Many of the plants used in the luscious display gardens at the Festival can be purchased from nurseries in the Plant Market. Richie has visited with nurserymen and women to find the hidden gems that are for sale. He will introduce his top picks from the conifer, tree and shrub categories available at the show. These plants tend to be longer lived in our gardens, so the selection process is all the more important. Richie has done the homework, so you don’t have to!
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 10:00 am / DIY Stage / Book Signing to follow
A Gardener’s Guide to Botany
Scott Zona, Ph.D.–Research botanist and author, A Gardener’s Guide to Botany
It’s a jungle out there! Your beautiful, tranquil garden is a battlefield in which plants wage war against predators and struggle to outcompete one another for light, water, and nutrients. Using familiar examples, this seminar looks at how plants fulfill the five functions necessary for life: growth, feeding, defense, reproduction, and dispersal. This is a fascinating look at how plants grow—not how to grow plants. Get to know your plant family like you never had before!
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 10:45 am / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Orchids 101: Everything You Need to Know to Grow Gorgeous Orchids Like a Pro
Joe Grienauer–Orchid expert and owner, Emerald City Orchids
Joe will help you get orchids that you treasure with this great hands-on demonstration. He’ll cover basic orchid background, cultural requirements, (light/temp/water/etc.), fertilization, and pest/disease control and reblooming. He’ll review greenhouse vs. window vs. artificial light growing techniques, how to initiate flowers on a healthy plant, which orchids are best for newbies, demo orchid repotting and mounting an orchid to a piece of wood. Even brown thumbs can grow orchids if you learn the basic techniques!
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 11:45 am / DIY Stage
Discovering Lichens in Your Garden
Jessica L. Allen, PhD–Co-author, Urban Lichens: A Field Guide for Northeastern North America and Assist. Prof. of Biology at EWU
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the wild, wonderful, and colorful lichens that adorn the fences, benches, and trees in your garden? In this presentation you will learn how the lichen’s symbiosis works, how important lichens are to natural ecosystems, and where lichens may be growing in your garden. Come watch this seminar to take a closer look at these often-unnoticed organisms and discover the fascinating world of lichens.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 12:00 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
GARDEN 101: GREAT STRUCTURAL PLANTS FOR ALL LANDSCAPES
Beyond Arborvitae: Every Garden Needs More Conifers!
Roger Ragusa–General Manager, Wells Nursery
“Structure” is the term used to cover those plants that give you a great looking garden all year round, no matter what’s in bloom. Structure can come from both broadleaf and coniferous evergreen plants and deciduous shrubs with colorful branches. These three seminars cover a range of fabulous plants that provide year-round interest and great structure. Roger Ragusa kicks it off with conifers for dramatic textures and form and a variety of colors, each with distinct attraction. Mark Turner shows you the many beneficial NW native plants that you can tuck into your garden for added beauty and structure. And finally, Gary Lewis will highlight the functional and aesthetic uses of ground covers in the landscape, including tips and tricks for designing with ground covers to take your outdoor space to the next level.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 2:30 pm / Rainier Room
Color In and Out of the Garden
Lorene Edwards Forkner–Author, Color In and Out of the Garden and gardening contributor for The Seattle Times
Color is one of nature’s most sophisticated tools to capture the attention of all living creatures. Learn how cultivating our perception of color and honing our ability to distinguish nuance can be used to create pleasing garden pictures and enhance everyday life. Sharing observations and imagery from her daily practice, Lorene invites you to take a closer look at plants and color in hopes of enlarging the way you see the world and deepening your compassion for beauty in nature.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 2:45 pm / Hood / Book signing to follow
GARDEN 101: GREAT STRUCTURAL PLANTS FOR ALL LANDSCAPES
Incorporating Native Plants into Your Garden
Mark Turner–Professional photographer, author, Trees and Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest and owner, Turner Photographics
“Structure” is the term used to cover those plants that give you a great looking garden all year round, no matter what’s in bloom. Structure can come from both broadleaf and coniferous evergreen plants and deciduous shrubs with colorful branches. These three seminars cover a range of fabulous plants that provide year-round interest and great structure. Roger Ragusa kicks it off with conifers for dramatic textures and form and a variety of colors, each with distinct attraction. Mark Turner shows you the many beneficial NW native plants that you can tuck into your garden for added beauty and structure. And finally, Gary Lewis will highlight the functional and aesthetic uses of ground covers in the landscape, including tips and tricks for designing with ground covers to take your outdoor space to the next level.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 3:00 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
GARDEN 101: GREAT STRUCTURAL PLANTS FOR ALL LANDSCAPES
Best Ground Covers and Ground Cover Combos for NW Gardens
Gary Lewis–Award-winning owner, Phoenix Perennials and author, The Complete Book of Ground Covers
“Structure” is the term used to cover those plants that give you a great looking garden all year round, no matter what’s in bloom. Structure can come from both broadleaf and coniferous evergreen plants and deciduous shrubs with colorful branches. These three seminars cover a range of fabulous plants that provide year-round interest and great structure. Roger Ragusa kicks it off with conifers for dramatic textures and form and a variety of colors, each with distinct attraction. Mark Turner shows you the many beneficial NW native plants that you can tuck into your garden for added beauty and structure. And finally, Gary Lewis will give you a roundup of the best ground covers and dynamic ground cover combinations for different gardens in the Pacific NW. He’ll highlight hot new introductions to the world of ground covers to keep your garden on the cutting edge.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 3:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Let’s Show Off Our Cool Plants!
Ciscoe Morris–Radio, TV host, columnist & best-selling author, Ask Ciscoe and Oh, La La!
Nita-Jo Rountree–Author, Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest
Another competition between Ciscoe Morris and Nita-Jo Rountree, the hortiholics that bring you the Facebook ‘Plant of the Week’ for the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society. They will be featuring the coolest of the cool plants. Watch them battle it out as they explain why their picks are the best for Pacific NW gardens. Besides stunning visuals and entertaining banter, you will learn interesting facts about the plant, how to care for it, and why it is special.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 4:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Neither a Tulip nor a Daffodil: Overlooked Bulbs
Eric Hsu–Chanticleer plant information coordinator, horticulturist and blogger of Plinth et al
Daffodils and tulips are the supermodels for spring flowering bulbs that they eclipse other bulbs worthy of growing. Who has grown or are familiar with Grecian windflowers (Anemone blanda), Ithuiel’s spear (Triteleia laxa), spring starflowers (Ipheion)? With such evocative, poetic names, it’s surprising that they are not more popular. Diversifying our bulb plantings not only extends the season, but support pollinators as these under-utilized bulbs have not been overbred.
Wednesday, Feb 15 at 5:15 pm / Hood Room
Scaling Up: Climbers to Try
Eric Hsu–Chanticleer plant information coordinator, horticulturist and blogger of Plinth et al
With green spaces valued in urban environments and with the effects of climate change a tangible threat, the beauty and importance of vines has never been more pertinent. They add privacy on fences, and screen outdoor spaces from prying eyes. Through their greenery, vines draw dwellings into the garden. Whether trained well or let untamed, they soften hard edges and give the garden a romantic feeling. Clematis, wisteria, and jasmine are obvious options, but leap forward into sausage vine, wood vamp, and cross vine.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 9:30 am / Hood Room
Richie’s Picks #2: A Mixed Bag of Perennials, Bulbs and Tubers
Richie Steffen–Executive Director, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden and co-author, Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns
Gardeners’ passion for seasonal perennials, bulbs, tubers and more shows no sign of letting up. Join horticulturist Richie Steffen as he cultivates his way through some of his dazzling finds from the garden show Plant Market. He will also show you a few other companion plants to go with his selections and provide booth numbers and company names so you can easily find your favorite choices. Richie has done the leg work, so you don’t have to!
Thursday, Feb 16 at 10:00 am / DIY Stage / Book Signing to follow
Connect with Color
Lorene Edwards Forkner–Author, Color In and Out of the Garden and gardening contributor for The Seattle Times
Connect with nature by capturing the colors of the garden in a simple color study. We’ll explore the nature of color, in and out of the garden. Learn how recording colors in paint, fabric, collage, or photos, can encourage you to slow down, pay attention, and savor the season. Then download the handout with simple directions for creating your own color study and a call to share your colors at #NWFGColorcollective.
Thursday, Feb 16 ay 11:45 am / DIY Stage / Book signing to follow
Ground Covers: Reduce Maintenance, Control Erosion, Improve the Environment, and Beautify the Landscape
Gary Lewis–Award-winning owner, Phoenix Perennials and author, The Complete Book of Ground Covers
Ground covers offer a diverse range of beautiful options with a variety of colors, textures, and forms. They can unify a landscape, knit together plantings and hardscape, and add layers of beauty. When replacing lawns they reduce our use of water, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, carbon-based fuels, and transform a yard into a diverse landscape of habitat and food for wildlife. Gary will highlight the uses of ground covers, including tips for designing with ground covers to take your outdoor space to the next level.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 1:15 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Rooting Out Problems Before You Plant
Linda Chalker-Scott, PhD–WSU Horticulture Professor and author, How Plants Work and The Informed Gardener
This seminar will demonstrate the best ways to prepare trees and shrubs for transplanting. Root washing and corrective pruning is different from conventional methods, yet ongoing research demonstrates that this new procedure leads to substantial increases in woody plant establishment and survival. Investing the time to prepare and install trees and shrubs properly will pay future dividends of reduced maintenance and increased plant health for the lifetime of your landscape. Handouts containing the text of the talk will be available to download.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 1:30 pm / DIY Stage / Book signing to follow
GARDEN 101: NOT YOUR GRANNY’S PLANTS
Quintessential Signs of Spring: Valuable, Versatile Primulas
Ginger Hudson–Garden designer and Director, Jensen-Olson Arboretum, Juneau, AK
No matter what the weather, everyone wants to look out the window at their garden and see beauty from flowers and foliage. Here’s a primer on three plants that you might be overlooking for season-spanning elegance. Ginger Hudson shares the springtime colors, shapes and varieties of Primulas from the Nationally Accredited Primula Collection™ at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. Deborah Trickett will get you craving the versatile Coleus, now enjoying a renaissance with luscious varieties sure to liven up any summer container or garden with colorful foliage. Finally, R. Theo Margelony shares his obsession with the perennial Hardy Fuchsias, stalwart performers that are hummingbird magnets lasting from summer into late fall.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 2:30 pm / Rainier Room
Go Bold: Tropical Accents for Inspiring Containers
Marianne Willburn–Award-winning blogger, GardenRant.com and author, Tropical Plants and How to Love Them and Big Dreams, Small Garden
Tropical and subtropical plants can add incredible energy and depth to your container gardens—responding to the heat of summer with increased vigor when more temperate accents are fading. But whether you use them as spectacular ‘thrillers’ or stunning ‘fillers,’ it’s important to follow some guidelines in the selection and planting process to help you avoid common pitfalls of pairing, proportion, and maintenance. You’ll also learn to use some of your favorite houseplants as the stars of some of your favorite new outdoor combinations!
Thursday, Feb 16 at 2:45 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
GARDEN 101: NOT YOUR GRANNY’S PLANTS
Crazy for Coleus: Looking at Coleus in a Whole New Light
Deborah Trickett–Award-winning container designer and owner, The Captured Garden
No matter what the weather, everyone wants to look out the window at their garden and see beauty from flowers and foliage. Here’s a primer on three plants that you might be overlooking for season-spanning elegance. Ginger Hudson shares the springtime colors, shapes and varieties of Primulas from the Nationally Accredited Primula Collection™ at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. Deborah Trickett will get you craving the versatile Coleus, now enjoying a renaissance with luscious varieties sure to liven up any summer container or garden with colorful foliage. Finally, R. Theo Margelony shares his obsession with the perennial Hardy Fuchsias, stalwart performers that are hummingbird magnets lasting from summer into late fall.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 3:00 pm / Rainier Room
GARDEN 101: NOT YOUR GRANNY’S PLANTS
Perennial Favorites: Hardy Fuchsias in the Garden
R. Theo Margelony–Fuchsia expert and blogger The Fuchsietum|A Garden in Portland
No matter what the weather, everyone wants to look out the window at their garden and see beauty from flowers and foliage. Here’s a primer on three plants that you might be overlooking for season-spanning elegance. Ginger Hudson shares the springtime colors, shapes and varieties of Primulas from the Nationally Accredited Primula Collection™ at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. Deborah Trickett will get you craving the versatile Coleus, now enjoying a renaissance with luscious varieties sure to liven up any summer container or garden with colorful foliage. Finally, R. Theo Margelony shares his obsession with the perennial Hardy Fuchsias, stalwart performers that are hummingbird magnets lasting from summer into late fall.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 3:30 pm / Rainier Room
Demystifying Botanical Latin
Ross Bayton, PhD–2023 Show Judge, director, Heronswood Gardens, and author, The Gardener’s Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names
For every gardener, whether beginner or professional, understanding botanical Latin, the language of plant names, is both difficult and rewarding. Latin unlocks a world of information about your garden plants, in books and online, and ensures you apply the right care to the right plant. In this seminar, plant taxonomist and gardener Ross Bayton will guide you through some basic principles of botanical Latin, including its history, meanings and pronunciation, revealing some of the fascinating and touching tales behind the names.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 4:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
A Memorable Garden Is Built from a Series of Vignettes
Loree Bohl–Award-winning author of Fearless Gardening and blogger, thedangergarden.com
When reflecting upon a garden that inspires you, do you recall the big picture, a panoramic shot? Or do you remember evocative details, a creative display within the garden, a vignette? These smaller elements encourage you to stop and engage. By including vignettes throughout your garden, you create focused areas within the whole. As a result, the space expands and feels much larger. Loree will share inspiring vignettes from her garden travels, as well as from her own Portland garden.
Thursday, Feb 16 at 5:15 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
For the Love of Hummingbirds
John Shewey–Author, The Hummingbird Handbook and co-author, Birds of the Pacific Northwest
Hummingbirds amaze and intrigue us. Their high-speed enigmatic lifestyles are a blur; their startling colors and exotic behaviors are delights. Hummingbirds also inspire us—they are like tiny ambassadors with the power to usher people into a deeper interest in and appreciation for the natural world. Join John for this fun-filled program and learn how to attract hummingbirds with their favorite flowers and astute gardening techniques; learn how to cater to them, and how to be a great hummingbird host in your garden.
Friday, Feb 17 at 9:30 am / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Richie’s Picks #3: Garden-to-Table Freshness from Fruit, Veggies and Seeds
Richie Steffen–Executive Director, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden and co-author, Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns
Eating wholesome fresh fruit is not just “trendy” anymore; it’s a cultural shift. Anyone can grow veggies and fruit in the garden, and even containers are great on the patio or balcony. Join horticulturist Richie Steffen for his top discoveries from the garden show Plant Market. Indulge yourself in this main course of terrific edibles. Richie will also cover partner plants to go with edibles. Finding just what you want is a breeze, as Richie provides booth numbers and company names for you to follow up on your favorite choices.
Friday, Feb 17 at 10:00 am / DIY Stage / Book Signing to follow
Ecological Gardening and Companion Planting
Charlie Nardozzi–Regional Emmy award-winning radio, TV host and author, Gardening Complete and No-Dig Gardening
Ecological gardening is a way of gardening that enhances life under the soil and in our gardens. In this seminar you’ll discover the key elements of an ecological garden, including garden practices that build healthy soil, preserve pollinators, create habitats for birds and wildlife and protect and enhance plant growth through finding the right plant partners. Charlie will focus on new advice about companion planting, including information on flower, herb and vegetable combinations that have been proven to work. Sponsored by Gardeners Supply Company & Velcro USA.
Friday, Feb 16 at 10:00 am / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Ideas for Pacific Northwest Gardens—from England
Karen Chapman–Owner, Le Jardinet, award-winning co-author, Fine Foliage, Gardening with Foliage First and author, Deer-Resistant Design
Once hailed as the style, English gardens then went out of favor, considered to be too labor intensive due to their reliance on an abundance of perennials or endless clipping of topiary structures. Yet there are many lessons to learned including maximizing small spaces, layering, and using sight lines and focal points effectively. Enjoy an immersive and educational presentation featuring gardens from across England while you glean dozens of ideas for your own garden. .
Friday, Feb 17 at 11:30 am / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Growing and Propagating a Bevy of Begonias
Ann Amato–Horticulturist and seed propagator at Cistus Nursery and blogger, amateurbotannist.com
Begonias are one of the most beautiful plants in our homes and gardens. From the huge blooms that last all summer in the tuberous group, to the luscious leaves of the indoor and conservatory types. Fibrous-rooted, tuberous, hardy, rhizomatous, and rex begonias, where should a beginner begin? From the easiest begonias to the fussiest, care, propagation, and cultivation tips will be shared for both beginners and advanced growers.
Friday, Feb 17 at 11:45 am / DIY Stage
PLANTS FOR A BETTER PLANET
Newer Plants Showing Promise
Richard Hawke–Director of Ornamental Research, Chicago Botanic Garden
New plants are what make every gardener’s heart skip a beat. But a lot of the time, that new plant requires a ridiculous amount of care and resources to look decent, if it doesn’t die within the first year. Richard Hawke of the Chicago Botanic Garden has spent much of his career trialing plants. Each year he puts new offerings into the test gardens at CBG and monitors their overall performance, determining which are worthy of your hard-earned dollar and which can be classified as unsustainable pitfall plants. Over the past few years Richard has developed a list of newer plants that have done well in the trials—plants that he feels confident enough to recommend to gardeners—and even plant in his own landscape. In this lecture you’ll find out about scores of new nativars and ornamentals that require little input to perform brilliantly. Sponsored by Fine Gardening’s Growing Knowledge lecture series.
Friday, Feb 17 at 1:00 pm / Rainier Room
A Simple Approach and Best Tools for Pruning Most Shrubs and Small Garden Trees
Christina Pfeiffer–Horticulture consultant and educator, ISA certified arborist and co-author, Pacific Northwest Gardening Month-by-Month
Pruning shrubs and small trees is very much a science as well as an art. If you’ve had the frustration of not getting the results you expected after pruning, this invaluable seminar will help you figure out the right tools, the right cuts, and the best timing to get the most out of your garden shrubs with the least amount of effort. Properly pruned trees enhance their beauty and add value to your landscaping. Your shrubs and trees will thank you!
Friday, Feb 17 at 1:30 pm / DIY Stage / Book signing to follow
PLANTS FOR A BETTER PLANET
Praise and Protection: Why You Should Care About Endangered Plants
Sue Milliken and Kelly Dodson–Founders, Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy and Far Reaches Farm
Chances are, you’re familiar with nursery owners Sue Milliken and Kelly Dodson and perhaps some of the plants they have introduced to the Pacific Northwest and gardeners across the country via their plant explorations abroad. But more recently, the couple has started a nonprofit organization, Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy with goal of preserving botanically important rare and endangered plants. In this lecture you’ll learn why conservation efforts like these are important to the world of horticulture and the planet as a whole. Sue and Kelly will also share some success stories of plants that have been fostered at the conservancy and that you might be able to grow in your gardens to further the cause of preservation. Sponsored by Fine Gardening’s Growing Knowledge lecture series.
Friday, Feb 17 at 2:15 pm / Rainier Room
PLANTS FOR A BETTER PLANET
Everywhere Plants: Natives That Make Great Supporting Players
Kelly D. Norris–Award-winning plant expert, designer and author, New Naturalism
Ecological generalists—plants with broad tolerances to where they root—power the planet. Many of these species lurk in the shadows of traditional gardens or sulk in obscurity on the garden floor. But prevalence is their virtue; they have adapted to a wide range of growing conditions across a considerable geographic footprint. In this immersive class, renowned plantsman Kelly Norris will introduce the audience to a wide range of ecological generalists from North America and explain what makes them important to the ecology of the garden. Participants will learn about varied plant communities, the ecological properties that define them, and how to translate them into gardening practice, as well. Sponsored by Fine Gardening’s Growing Knowledge lecture series.
Friday, Feb 17 at 3:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Groundcovers: Great Alternatives to Turf Grass
Kathy Jentz–Award-winning author, Groundcover Revolution, co-author, The Urban Garden and editor/publisher, Washington Gardener
Groundcovers are low-growing plants that serve many different purposes in the landscape from limiting weed growth to stabilizing slopes to adding texture to your garden. Kathy Jentz, author of the forthcoming book, Groundcover Revolution, will cover several of these beautiful, hard-working plants and the best kinds to use for your region.
Friday, Feb 17 at 4:00 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Grow More Flowers
Jenny Rose Carey–Garden writer, photographer, and author, The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide and Glorious Shade
We love flowers. The question is how can we grow lots and lots of our favorite flowers in a small space? Jenny Rose loves a floriferous garden, and she will share some of her ideas for growing as many flowers as possible for as many months as possible. Whether you garden in flower beds or containers—plant choice and management techniques can provide a succession of flowery blooms from spring through fall.
Friday, Feb 17 at 6:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Hydrangea Happiness, Hydrangea Hysteria
C L Fornari–Author, Coffee for Roses and The Cocktail Garden Hour and award-winning co-host, Plantrama Podcast
From the blue mopheads and lacecaps to the white panicles and beyond, there’s a hydrangea for every garden. Learn which varieties will live and flower well in your gardens. Find out how to prune those blue-flowering types that bloom on “old wood.” Hear about shorter varieties, and types that do well in pots. Have your Hydrangea questions answered, and discover how to get long-lasting flowers in your yard and garden. From sun to shade, from tall to small, there is a hydrangea for every garden, and attendees will discover the plants that are right for them.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 10:00 am / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Foraging 101: Discover the Bounty of Nature’s Pantry
Ellen Zachos–Award-winning co-host, Plantrama Podcast, and author, The Forager’s Pantry, Backyard Foraging and The Wildcrafted Cocktail
Foraging is hot! Blame it on the pandemic, or on the fact that it’s good, clean, delicious fun…either way, it’s a great way to learn your plants and local eco-system. We’ll focus on easy-to-identify edible plants that have NO poisonous look-alikes. I’ll explain relevant habitats, how to harvest sustainably, and what you can do with your wild edibles. Once the fear factor is gone, you’ll revel in the unbuyable flavors foraging has to offer.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 10:45 am / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Garden Alchemy: Soil Building, Compost, and Pest Management Using the Power of Plants!
Stephanie Rose–Award-winning author, The Regenerative Garden, Garden Made and Garden Alchemy and founder of GardenTherapy.ca
This importance of having healthy soil to feed our plants—and ourselves—is becoming more and more clear. This seminar guides you through four easy pieces to growing an organic garden, with recipes and projects for building soil, composting, natural fertilizers, and managing insects/pests. Experienced and beginner gardeners who want to have more control over their garden’s care will love the practical DIY recipes using herbs, plants, and common household materials.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 1:00 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
A Case for Trees: A Positive Solution to the Negative Effects of Climate Change
Dan Lambe–Award-winning Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation and co-author, Now is the Time for Trees
Dan Lambe wants to talk trees—how they oxygenate the planet, purify water and air, lower city temperatures, provide habitat, nurture the soul, and provide essential food sources. He will leave you with simple and straightforward tips about how to become a tree lover and, more importantly, a tree planter. He will deliver a simple, powerful, and POSITIVE message: trees are the number one nature-based solution for reversing the negative effects of a changing climate. Each of us can make an impact by planting the world’s most valuable resource.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 1:15 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Get Free Plants When You Propagate like the Pros!
Charlie Nardozzi–Regional Emmy award-winning radio, TV host and author, Gardening Complete and No-Dig Gardening
Many gardeners would love more of their favorite plants, but shy away from the expense. You can save money and still have those plants by propagating them yourself. In this hands-on demonstration, Charlie Nardozzi will show the best ways to propagate popular trees, shrubs, houseplants and flowers. Learn plant division, taking and rooting leaf, stem and hardwood cuttings and air layering, along with rooting hormone powders, the best soils, and the watering and light conditions to be successful. It’s fun and easy to get more of your favorite plants when you learn to propagate! Sponsored by Gardeners Supply Company & Velcro USA.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 1:30 pm / DIY Stage / Book signing to follow
Flower Garden Inspiration
Jenny Rose Carey–Garden writer, photographer, and author, The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide and Glorious Shade
Do you want to start or renovate your flower garden but need design and plant choice ideas and inspiration? Join Jenny Rose as she shows a range of beautiful, varied and themed flower gardens—cutting gardens, fragrance gardens, pollinator gardens and more. Get lots of positive ideas, and top ten plant lists for your own flower garden this coming season.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 2:45 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Light, Water, Action! How to Grow Beautiful Houseplants
Susan Maki–Designer, buyer, and houseplant merchandise manager for Squak Mountain Nursery
Are you new to the houseplant obsession? This seminar is for you! Susan will begin with the basics of light, selection, watering and fertilizing. She’ll help you decipher ambiguous light labels, and really understand and measure your light, so you can best decide where your houseplants should go. She’ll also help you match your plants to your personality and lifestyle—nurturer or neglector— to better choose your plant family. Finally, you’ll gain an understanding how to care for your plants, which is critical to your success.
Saturday, Feb 18 at 3:15 pm / DIY Stage
The Good, The Bad, and Why the @#$%&!?! Did I Plant That?
Ciscoe Morris–Radio, TV host, columnist & best-selling author, Ask Ciscoe and Oh, La La!
With so many spectacular plants to choose from, why go with mediocre, the ugly, or the @#$%&!?! troublesome plants? Some of Ciscoe’s past mistakes still haunt him to this day. Discover Ciscoe’s must-have plants as well as those that you should avoid—at all costs!
Saturday, Feb 18 at 4:30 pm / Rainier Room / Book signing to follow
Growing Anemones, Ranunculus, Peonies and Dahlias
Anne Long–Owner, The Dahlia House, Skagit Valley
Dahlia House owner Anne Long will share everything you need to know to grow these popular spring and summer cut flowers. The following information will be covered for each variety listed: best time to plant for growing zone 7 – 8; ideal growing conditions (temperature, sun exposure, wind consideration, when to water); soil preparation and amendments; season extension; effective staking and corralling techniques (for peonies and dahlias); harvesting and vase life extension; identifying and controlling pests. This year will be your best ever for growing these fabulous florals!
Sunday, Feb 19 at 10:00 AM / DIY Stage
The Three Basic Pruning Cuts (and How to Use Them)
Allen Taylor–Award-winning founder and lead arborist, Conservation Tree Care
Pruning is both an art and a science. A well-pruned tree or shrub both enhances its beauty and its value to a landscape. An entire world of tree pruning all comes down to the three basic cuts: Removal cuts, reduction cuts, and heading cuts. People spend their whole careers just learning where and when to use these three basic cuts. We will delve into what these cuts look like, where to use them, and where to not use them.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 10:30 am / Hood Room
Training Young Trees for Future Health and Beauty
Christina Pfeiffer–Horticulture consultant and educator, ISA certified arborist and co-author, Pacific Northwest Gardening Month-by-Month
The most important pruning for training young trees can be quickly done with hand tools, yet it is often overlooked until much later, when the pruning options and efforts are much more difficult. Learn how to nip those potential problems in the bud with five basic steps for inspecting the structure of a young tree and how to prune early for future structure and long-term beauty.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 11:45 am / DIY Stage / Book signing to follow
Why Every Garden Needs Conifers
John J Albers–Creator of Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens, and author, Growing Conifers: The Complete Gardening and Landscaping Guide
To meet the challenges of climate change, today’s gardeners want a sustainable garden that last without excessive use of resources or maintenance, while providing habitat for wildlife. Gardeners can achieve this by incorporating long lived, drought tolerant, and adaptable conifers that support wildlife, yet require little care once established. Dr. Albers, scientist, and garden expert, will show you how to select, design with, and use these aesthetically and functionally versatile plants in your landscape.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 3:00 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow
Be the Boss of Your Bareroots and Bulbs: Learn Planting Tips and Techniques
Sean and Allison McManus–Co-owners of Spoken Garden, co-authors of The First-time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers, and YouTube channel hosts
Don’t let bareroot plants or bulbs intimidate you this spring. Learn from Sean and Allison how to confidently handle and plant bareroot perennials like Itoh peonies, coneflowers, and more. You’ll also learn bulb planting techniques and ideas to level up your bulb game with “Lasagna” layered bulb containers for both spring and summer flowering bulbs. Take away planting skills, like bulb planting depth, handling, and tools, to help your plants thrive this spring and summer.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 3:15 pm / DIY Stage / Book Signing to follow
Fabulously Fragrant Garden Plants
Richie Steffen–Executive Director, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden and co-author, Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns
Flowers and Foliage are nice to have, but fragrance can bring your garden to the next level. The memories and places that fragrance can invoke give your garden emotional depth. Learn about some of the best plants for fragrance in the garden as well as some tried and true fragrant plants that will thrive in your garden.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 4:30 pm / Hood Room / Book signing to follow