January

12  PLANTS Symposium.  Cheekwood Botanical Garden. Nashville, TN. 

17  Middletown Garden Club sponsors 1:00 p.m. garden lecture at Middletown Public Library, Middletown, NJ.  For more information, call Joyce at (732) 706-9314.

February

3  New England Grows. Boston, MA.  2:00 p.m. Three Seasons of Outrageous Color:  Designing with Perennials.  For more event information, visit www.NewEnglandGrows.org. 

4  Connecticut Horticultural Society Symposium. Rocky Hill, CT.  Shade Gardening with an Emphasis on Cool and Outrageous Foliage.  For more information visit www.cthort.org or call (860) 529-8713.

9   Saratoga Springs Public Library.  Saratoga Springs, NY.  Noon.  Bold Perennials and Design Tips for Outrageous Gardens.  For more information call Cathy at the library (518) 584-7860, ext. 248.

11 Right Plant, Right Spot! Being a better matchmaker makes for a happier gardener. Marrying plants to their cultural requirements results in less work for you plus healthier, showier plants that also winter-over better. When planting in a tough location, call in workhorse perennials that will rise to the challenge! In this class we will cover the nuts and bolts of correct site assessment, matching plants to the location, and 'tough love' plants that thrive in hell-strip environments.  Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 a.m. - Noon.  I have reserved meeting space at Faddegon's Nursery (http://www.faddegons.com/) located at 1140 Troy-Schecctady Road in Latham (NY).  The 2-hour class registration fee is $25 per person and includes handouts and light refreshments. To reserve your spot, please click here for a printable form with a check to mail to me OR click here to register with PayPal.  

18  Gardener’s Supply Company.  Burlington, VT (www.gardeners.com).  Two seminars.  9:30 – 11:00 Creating Stunning English Gardens with Yankee Practicality.  Learn great design tips and plant combinations from the gardens of Adrian Bloom, an award-winning garden designer and author from Dis, England. 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.  Hydrangeas Demystified – Great Hydrangeas and Tips for Exceptional Flowering.  Unravel the mystery for having honkin’ Hydrangeas that will be the envy of the neighborhood.  This vast genus of shrubs is divided into five groups. Knowing the differences and how to maximize the show from each will be discussed as well as top-performing cultivars. For more information and registration contact Gardener’s Supply Company at (802) 660-3500.

25  Connecticut Flower & Garden Show. Hartford, CT.  Two presentations.  11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Tips for Gorgeous, Sustainable Perennial Gardens.  For more show info, visit www.ctflowershow.com. 

26  Ward’s Nursery. Great Barrington, MA.  2:00 p.m.  Tips for Jump-Starting Your Gardens in Spring.  For more information visit www.wardsnursery.com or call (413) 528-0166.

28  Burlington Garden Club. Burlington, VT.  1:15 p.m.  Extremely Low-Maintenance Perennials by Season.  For more information contact Patty at (802) 658-2612.

March

1  South Colonie High School Continuing Education.  Colonie, NY.  One night class.  6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Design Tips Shared from Before and After Garden Renovations.  For registration info, contact Susan at (518) 869-3576, ext. 2443.

3  Rhode Island Garden Symposium sponsored by Rhode Island Master Gardeners.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For more program information, contact Elaine at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (401) 884-0711.

4  The Flower & Patio Show.  Worcester, MA.  1:00 p.m.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For more show information, visit www.centralmaflowershow.com.

6  Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA  7:00 p.m.  Right Plant, Right Spot.  For more information, contact Janice at (215) 247-5777, ext 156 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Also visit the arboretum’s web site at www.morrisarboretum.org.

7  Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania.  Philadelphia, PA  10:00 a.m.  And the Winner is…Blue Ribbon Perennials, Flower Shrubs and Annuals.  For more information, contact Janice at (215) 247-5777, ext 156 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Also visit the arboretum’s web site at www.morrisarboretum.org.

7  Philadelphia International Flower Show. Philadelphia, PA.  4:00 p.m.  Hit the Easy Button – Nonstop Color from No-Fuss Perennials.   For more show information visit www.theflowershow.com.

9  Washington D.C. Home and Garden Show.  Washington, DC.  Walter E. Washington, Convention Center.  For more information visit www.washingtonhomeandgardenshow.com.

12  Adirondack Community College community programming. Wilton Campus.  1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Double Header:  The Perennial Plant Collector’s Corner and Branch Out in Your Gardening Adventures with Flowering Shrubs.  $40 per person.  For more info and to register call (518) 743-2238. 

13  Stamford Garden Club.  Stamford, CT.  10:00 a.m.  Tips for Vibrant, Sustainable Perennial Gardens.  For more information contact Renee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

13  New Haven Public Library.  New Haven, CT.  2:00 p.m.  Hit the Easy Button – Nonstop Color from No-Fuss Perennials.  For more information contact Carol at (203) 946-8835.

15  Boston Flower Show.  Boston, MA.  1:30 p.m.  Making a Great First Impression.  For show information, visit www.bostonflowershow.com.

16  University of Connecticut Garden Conference.  Storrs, CT.  Embrace Change as an Opportunity for More Beautiful Gardens.  For more information about the garden conference, contact Dawn at UCONN Home & Garden Education Center, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (860) 486-4274. 

17  Boston Flower Show.  Boston, MA  3:30 p.m. Creating the WOW Factor in Shade Gardens.   For show information, visit www.bostonflowershow.com.

18  Manlius Public Library. Manlius, NY.  12:15 p.m.  Creating Stunning English Gardens with Yankee Practicality.  For more information contact the Manlius Library at (315) 682-6400.

20  Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum.  Bristol, RI.   7:00 p.m. And the Winner is……  Blue ribbon annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs that outshine the competition.  For registration information, contact Julie at Blithwold Mansion (401) –253-2707.  www.blithewold.org

21  Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum.  Bristol, RI.   10:00 a.m. Design Tips for Knockout Perennial Gardens.  For registration information, contact Julie at Blithwold Mansion (401) –253-2707.  www.blithewold.org

21  Newport Garden Club.  The Pennfield School, Portsmith, Rhode Island.  7:00 p.m.  Pennfield School's Library.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.

23  Capital District Flower and Garden Show. Troy, NY.  Noon and 3:00 p.m. presentations.  Powerhouse Perennials Plus Tips for Jump-Starting Gardens in Spring.  For more show information, visit www.gardenandflowershow.com.

24  Mahoney’s Garden Center’s Spring Garden Event.  Winchester, MA.  Time and Topic TBA.  For garden center information, visit www.mahoneysgarden.com. 

26  Master Gardeners Perennials Training Program.  Ballston Spa, NY

27  Hortulus Garden Club. Greenwich, CT    10:00 a.m.  For more information, contact Annesley at (203) 564-0338 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

28  Hudson Valley Community College community programming.  Troy, NY.  One night class.  5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Double Header:  The Perennial Plant Collector’s Corner and Branch Out in Your Gardening Adventures with Flowering Shrubs.  $40 per person.  For more information visit www.hvcc.edu/communityed/index.html or call (518) 629-7184. 

31  Master Gardeners Spring Symposium.  Lancaster, PA.  Design Tips for Knockout Perennial Gardens.  For more information about the symposium contact Fran at (717) 656-7605. 

April

April 1  Tower Hill Botanical Garden (www.towerhillbg.org).  Boylston, MA.  1:00 and 3:00 p.m. presentations.  Tips for Jump-Starting Your Gardens in Spring and Creating Stunning English Gardens with Yankee Practicality.  For registration details, contact Ann Marie Pilch at Tower Hill, (508) 869-6111, ext 120. 

3  Portland Public Library.  Portland, ME.  7:00 p.m..  For more information contact Layne at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4  Freedom Public Library, Freedom, NH.  6:30 p.m.  Design Tips for Knockout Perennial Gardens. For more information contact Freedom Public Library at (603) 539-5176.   

13 & 14  9th Annual Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium.  The Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT.  Premier garden symposium attracting hundreds of gardeners from around the Northeast.  For more information, click here (www.pyours.com/symposium).

16  Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium. Williamsburg, VA.  Two presentations.  Extremely Low-Maintenance, Bountiful Gardens and Not Tonight Deer.  For more symposium information, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

18  Newburgh Public Library.  Newburgh, NY  1:00 p.m.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For more information, contact Pat at (845) 563-3619.

19  Berkshire Public Library.  Pittsfield, MA.  6:30 p.m.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For more information, contact the library at (4130 499-9480. 

21  Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza.  Washington, DC.  Design Tips for Knockout Perennial Gardens.  For event information, visit www.provenwinners.com/OLE2012.

25  Empire State College.  Albany, NY.  Noon.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For college employees.

25  Great Barrington Public Library.  Great Barrington, MA.  6:30 p.m.  Three Seasons of Outrageous Color from Perennials.  For more information, call the library at (413) 274-3738

28 Fine Gardening Institute. Saturday, April 28, 2012.  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Faddegon's Nursery, Latham, NY.  How to Design, Plant, and Care for a Low-Maintenance, Ever-Blooming Landscape. This course covers how to assess light conditions, soil analysis, proper placement of plants in a design for pleasing heights and three seasons of bloom; preparing and planting new beds and how to amend soil in old ones; the best perennials, shrubs and annuals for longest bloom and easiest care; incorporating hardscapes into your design; recommended mulches and fertilizers; plant divisions; cutting back the gardens in the fall and jump-starting them in the spring; and time-tested maintenance tips and shortcuts for your garden's care. $75 per person includes lunch.  Pre-registration is required by calling Faddegon's Nursery, (518) 785-6726 ext 2. Space is limited.  Faddegon's Nursery, 1140 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY  www.faddegons.com 

May

May 2  Garden Education Center of Greenwich.  Cos Cob, CT.  Noon.  Lecture, TBA.  For more information and registration, call (203) 869-9242.  www.gecgreenwich.org.

9  Stonington Garden Club.  Old Mystic, CT  11:00 a.m.  Extremely Low-Maintenance Perennials by Season.  For more information, contact Peggy at (860) 245-0272.

10  Orenda Garden Club.  Schuylerville, NY.  Noon.  Meeting at the Dovegate Inn.  Lecture TBA.  For more information, contact Louse at (518) 583-1058.

17  Torrington Public Library.  Torrington, CT.  6:30 p.m. Design Tips for Knockout Perennial Gardens.  For more information, contact the library at (860) 489-6684.

21  Worcester Garden Club.  Worcester, MA.  10:30 a.m.  Meeting held at Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Boylston, MA.  Lecture TBA.  For more information, contact Meridith at (508) 769-8846.

24  The Fells Arboretum. Newbury, NH   1:00 p.m.  Tips for Vibrant, Sustainable Gardens.  For more information, contact The Fells at (603) 763-4789.   www.thefells.org

June

July

July 8   Secret Garden Tour.  Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, NY.  11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  10 exceptional gardens on the tour.  Kerry Mendez will be doing a book signing at one of the gardens from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. as an additional fundraiser for Soroptimist.  Tickets are $18 prior to the tour; $20 the day of the tour.  Available for sale at the Saratoga Visitor Center starting in June. 

17  Hudson Garden Club, Quebec, Canada.  7:00 p.m.  Lecture TBA.

29  Friends of Schroon Lake Garden Tour and Lecture.  Schroon Lake, NY.  Lecture begins at 3:30 p.m.  For more information about tour tickets, contact Pam at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

August

September

September 20  Pawling Garden Club.  Pawling, NY.  1L00 p.m.  Lecture TBA.  For more information, contact Jeanne at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

October

October 4  Greater Rochester Perennial Society’s 15th Anniversary Celebration.  7:00 p.m.  Lecture TBA.  For more information, contact Laurie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

15  Mountain Garden Club.  North Conway, NH.  11:00 a.m. Lecture TBA.  For more information, contact Annie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

November

December