Experience the joys of travel from England to Philadelphia, Japan to Morocco at this year’s inaugural Traveler’s Tea (additional tickets required). Travel the world of plants and gardening with Gastro Obscura and learn exciting trends and design concepts from Europe… the (gardening) world awaits!
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!
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Traveler's Tea: Mamma Mia! Gardens with Passion [additional ticket required] Marianne Binetti - Container Showdown Host, writer, speaker, world traveling tour leader
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 / Traveler's Tea
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Traveler's Tea: Japan [additional ticket required] Ciscoe Morris - Author, Media Personality, National Treasure
Beloved garden personality Ciscoe Morris brings his trademark humor and enthusiasm to this lively seminar inspired by his garden tours of Japan. After hosting his first trip in 2019, Ciscoe returns in 2025 with fresh stories and insights from Japan’s serene gardens, rich culture, high-speed trains, and unforgettable cuisine. Attendees will enjoy a virtual stroll through some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes—complete with the mishaps, magic, and laughter only Ciscoe can deliver. And don’t worry—although karaoke was a tour favorite, Ciscoe promises not to sing this time!
Thursday, February 19, 2026 / 3:30pm / Traveler's Tea
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Legendary Public Gardens that Define the Puget Sound Justin Henderson - Executive Director and Head Gardener, Lakewold Gardens
The beloved public gardens of the Puget Sound are more than places to admire plants... they’ve shaped how we garden, what we grow, and how we connect with the land around us. This visual tour celebrates the beauty and spirit of the region’s most influential gardens, spaces that have inspired, educated, and welcomed generations. Along the way, we’ll go behind the scenes to meet the passionate people who have helped these places flourish. With deep roots and lasting impact, these gardens continue to shape our region’s identity. This is a tribute to their beauty, their legacy, and the joy of celebrating our public gardens.
Friday, February 20, 2026 / 11:30am / Rainier Room
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Strange Garden Follies and Obsessions of the Victorian Gardener Felicia Feaster - Journalist, Author, Former HGTV Editor
The Victorian era (1820–1914) was a time of extraordinary botanical discovery that forever changed how we garden today. Fueled by plant hunters scouring Asia and South America for exotic specimens, this period ushered houseplants into living rooms, popularized terrariums and glasshouses, and transformed gardens into theatrical experiences filled with ferneries, grottos, and follies. Dive into the Victorians’ curious plant obsessions - how they blended science, art, and spectacle - and reveals how passion for the rare and unusual continues to inspire today’s “gothic gardeners” and modern botanical dreamers alike.
Friday, February 20, 2026 / 3:00pm / Adams Room
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Traveler's Tea: "Pinching" England [additional ticket required] Sue Goetz - Award-winning Garden Designer, Author, Speaker
In British slang, “pinching” means to steal—and this session is all about borrowing the best ideas from across the pond. Join Sue Goetz on a visual journey through some of England’s most inspiring gardens, from the sweeping landscapes of Cornwall and Wales to icons like Hidcote and Sissinghurst. Attendees will discover how to adapt classic British design elements—layered borders, garden rooms, and artful plant combinations—for their own spaces at home. Filled with humor, inspiration, and practical takeaways, Pinching England celebrates the joy of creative thievery in the name of great gardening.
Friday, February 20, 2026 / 3:30pm / Traveler's Tea
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Traveler's Tea: Wandering Through the Loire: A Garden Lover’s Dream [additional ticket required] JJ DeSousa - Award-winning Garden & Interior Designer
Take a visual journey through France’s Loire Valley and beyond, where châteaux, abbeys, and flower-filled villages showcase the country’s timeless love affair with gardens. From the formal grandeur of Château de Villandry and the riverside beauty of Chenonceau to the whimsical artistry of Chaumont-sur-Loire and hidden gems off the tourist path, each stop reveals a new layer of French garden charm. This relaxed, image-rich presentation celebrates the diversity of France’s landscapes—structured and wild, opulent and simple—and offers pure inspiration for anyone who loves gardens, history, or a touch of French fabulousness. Saturday, February 21, 2026 / 3:30pm / Traveler's Tea
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