Growing Greener

"Sustainable" gardening is not enough, according to landscape designer Trevor Smith, past president of the Ecological Landscape Alliance. Trevor's goal is to restore the landscape to full health with his "regenerative landscaping."

Distinguished horticulturist and in-demand speaker Wambui Ippolito discusses her experience as an East African immigrant in American gardening, and the special gifts that immigrants can and have brought to the re-invention of the American landscape

Distinguished horticulturist and author Robert Kourik shares his research on the benefits – and potential liabilities – of garden mulches, with tips on how to use this garden stand-by most effectively.

Dr. Matthew Koski of Clemson University describes his research into the colors of common wildflowers and their response over the last 75 years to changes in the climate and resulting changes to levels of ultraviolet light. These color changes threaten to affect relationships with pollinators and the flowers' reproductive success.

Distinguished horticulturist Abra Lee shares her research into the stories of her African-American predecessors and how their contributions helped shape the American landscape

Horticulturist and forager Ellen Zachos discusses her book, The Wildcrafted Cocktail, about incorporating the flavors of wild-collected plants into a unique and delicious mixology

Dr. Chantel White of the University of Pennsylvania uses archaeological techniques to identify plants that grew in the garden of pioneering plant collectors John and William Bartram. Thanks to her work, a long-gone garden is re-emerging into the light.

Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at the Denver Botanic Gardens, discusses his love affair with the rock garden plants of Colorado and how he has traveled the world seeking adapted plants from climatically similar "steppe" regions

Nicholas Geron of Clark University describes his research into the effects of tree cover on urban landscapes, and how economically disadvantaged communities are, due to lack of trees, already experiencing the heat predicted elsewhere for the next generation of global warming.

Dr. Desirée Narango of the University of Massachusetts Amherst describes her research that reveals the essential connection of songbird breeding success with the percentage of native plants in the surrounding landscape.