Internationally known landscape designer C. Colston Burrell will speak at the 27th annual Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar.
The seminar, hosted by the Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) and Virginia Cooperative Extension, will be held March 21 at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive in White Stone.
“This year’s theme is ‘Spring Fever! Adventures in Gardening,’” reported president Henry Riely. Other speakers include Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife and Vincent Simeone, author and expert on efficient and sustainable gardening.
“Several Extension Master Gardeners have heard Burrell speak and we are very pleased that he will be leading off the seminar,” said Riely. The presentation will be “Ephemeral Beauty: Bulbs, Corms and Tubers, Oh! My!”
With an emphasis on native ephemeral plants, this lecture will examine the adaptations of bulbs, corms and tubers that make them tough and adaptable garden plants, said Riely. A little bit of botany, a little bit of horticulture and a little bit of design means this lecture will be both fun and informative.
Burrell is the author of 12 gardening books and has won the American Horticulture Society Book Award twice. He is a self-described chlorophyll addict and an avid plantsman, gardener and naturalist.
In addition to lecturing internationally on topics of design, plants and ecology, Burrell escorts garden and natural history tours throughout the U.S. and abroad. He is principal of Native Landscape Design and Restoration, which specializes in blending nature and culture through artistic design. His work is part of the Smithsonian Archive of American Gardens.
“Gardening in the Northern Neck has become the go-to gardening event in the area,” said vice president Marge Gibson. “Word about the quality of the seminar has spread and we’ve sold out the last several years. Given the excellent program planned for this year, I expect the event will sell out again.
“Registration opens on February 1 and I encourage anyone who is interested to sign up early to ensure a place at this premier event,” said Gibson.
Registration is $50. Lunch is available for additional cost. Registration forms will be available February 1 at www.nnmg.org.
