University of Connecticut
2006 Conference for the Garden Enthusiast

9:15 AM
Tom Rathier
Tom was born in Rhode Island and grew up in Connecticut. He began working on a vegetable farm at age 12 and has been in horticulture ever since. He's a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He is a soil scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Valley Laboratory where he operates the diagnostic lab and conducts soil fertility experiments. Tom works closely with many grower groups, including the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, the Connecticut Tree Protective Association and the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association. He regularly conducts educational sessions on soil and plant relationships in educational programs for home gardening and professional groups.

Keys to Success in Planting and Maintaining Woody Ornamentals
Long term success in the cultivation of trees and shrubs requires careful attention to the steps of plant selection, site assessment, planting and maintenance. Join soil and diagnostic expert Tom Rathier for a lively discussion of the critical issues and the common problems encountered by both professional and home landscapers.

10:15 AM
Steve Frowine
Steve is a well-known professional horticulturist, green industry consultant, speaker, and author. As Chairman of Indoor Horticulture at the Missouri Botanical Garden, he managed one of the largest orchid collections in the United States, with over 10,000 plants. Steve has passionately grown hundreds of orchids in his homes for almost 40 years. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in horticulture from The Ohio State University and Cornell University, respectively. Steve is the author of two orchid books, Orchids for Dummies and Fragrant Orchids.

Surviving the Winter with Orchids
Steve will present a dazzling presentation on gorgeous orchids and will explain how these beautiful, fragrant, wonderfully varied, and surprisingly affordable plants are fun and easy to grow in the home. He will feature orchids that will thrive in windowsills and under lights in homes in southern New England.

11:15 AM Break

11:30 AM
Lee Reich
Lee is an avid gardener who, after more than a decade in plant and soil research with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cornell University, turned to writing, lecturing, and consulting. His books include Growing Fruits in Your Backyard, A Northeast Gardener's Year, The Pruning Book, Weedless Gardening, and Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden. Lee writes regularly for such publications as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and The New York Times, and his gardening column for the Associated Press appears in newspapers across the country. Lee's garden has been featured in such publications as The New York Times and Martha Stewart Living, and has won awards from National Gardening and Organic Gardening magazines.

Delectable, Native Fruits
Most people, when they decide to grow fruits, plant apples, peaches, pears, cherries, or other familiar market fruits that reflect our traditionally European heritage. But, consider native American fruits: Being native they often are better adapted to withstand our pests and climate, and they often look naturally at home in our landscapes. One hundred and fifty years ago, there was great interest in native fruits, and it's time to revive that enthusiasm. Explore the beauty, the flavor, and the cultivation of persimmon, pawpaw, beach plum, lingonberry, and a host of other native delectable fruits in Lee's fascinating photographic lecture.

12:30 PM Lunch

1:45 PM
Featured Speaker
Stephanie Cohen
Stephanie Cohen taught herbaceous plants and perennial design at Temple University for over 20 years. She is the former Director of the Landscape Arboretum at Temple University, Ambler, PA. Stephanie is a contributing editor for Fine Gardening and the HGTV Newsletter, serves on the advisory board for Green Profit, and is a regional writer for the Blooms of Bressingham Plant Program. She also writes for Country Living Gardener and American Nurseryman. Stephanie has received numerous awards from the Perennial Plant Association, Temple University, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the American Nursery and Landscape Association for Garden Communicator of the Year 2000. Stephanie has lectured coast to coast, including Alaska, and has been on QVC TV as the "Perennial Diva." In April of 2005 she became a Temple University Alumni Fellow, the most distinguished award that can be given to an alumna. Stephanie does a monthly show for CNN TV and has co-authored (with Nancy Ondra) a new book on design called The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer published by Storey Press.

Perennial Garden Design Demystified
Learn the essential rules to creating simply sensational gardens. Based upon Stephanie's 20 years of practical experience, you will find out that there is more than one way to create a garden, boosting your gardening confidence. Basic principles of garden design will be discussed, including the use of harmonious colors, contrasting flower forms, and colorful foliage. Since Stephanie Cohen is known as "The Dr. Root" of perennials we promise a fun-filled, entertaining, and informative presentation.

3:15 PM Break

3:30 PM
Nancy DuBrule-Clemente
Nancy is the owner of Natureworks Horticultural Services, a specialty garden center and landscape design/installation/maintenance service based in Northford, CT. Natureworks was started in 1983 and employs up to 25 people during the busy season. Since its inception, Natureworks has always sold and used only organic fertilizers and pest control products. Natureworks is famous for its educational activities: Saturday morning garden walks, winter classes, newsletter, website, catalog, and handouts on a wide range of subjects. Nancy lectures regularly for area garden clubs and horticultural events. In 2005, she self-published her second book, Succession of Bloom in the Perennial Garden. She is also the co-author (with Marny Smith) of A Country Garden for your Backyard, published in 1995 by Rodale Press and featuring six Connecticut gardens. She has written articles for Connecticut Gardener and Organic Gardening magazine, as well as gardening columns in local newspapers. Nancy is known as "The Garden Lady" on Connecticut Public Radio's The Faith Middleton Show.

Succession of Bloom: How to Have Color Every Month of the Growing Season
Everyone wants a garden that blooms beautifully from spring until fall. Most garden books, catalogs, and even plant tags offer information on when plants bloom based upon the entire country. This is a frustrating scenario for a gardener attempting to plan the week-by-week, month-by-month succession of bloom in their southern New England landscape. Nancy will offer detailed analysis of the bloom period of specific perennials based on her 23 years of experience in Connecticut gardens. She will also explain pinching, pruning, and organic feeding practices that will expand the bloom period for many plants.

4:30 PM Adjournment