PlantCon International (Dallas, TX)

Experience an immersive weekend like no other at PlantCon, where plant enthusiasts will dive into workshops, presentations, communiity building and more. Buy from internationally known plant exhibitors and mingle with others – all while staying at the Marriot Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center using a special rate.

Herb Walk: Medicinal Plants of California (Claremont, CA)

Join herbalist William Broen for an interactive garden walk and talk focusing on medicinal and edible plants native to California. Participants will learn traditional and modern uses of approximately 15-25 species. William will also talk about the strategies plants use to survive in the wild, how these survival and defense strategies can impact people, how plant communities interact, and the benefits of growing native plants. The class will take the form of a moderately easy 2-hour loop walk, covering 0.5 – 1 mile distance.

Bird and Butterfly Garden Grand Opening (Claremont, CA)

CalBG’s new Bird and Butterfly Garden was created out of the destruction from an enormous windstorm in January 2022. Over the past year, a tangle of damaged vegetation has been transformed into a lush new Garden area dedicated to the intertwined relationships between California’s native plants and the animals that live amongst them. With interpretive signage, shady sitting areas, and the flexible Outdoor Classroom space right next door, the Bird and Butterfly Garden will provide year-round opportunities for celebrating plant and animal interactions.

Southern Garden Symposium (St. Francisville, LA)

The Southern Garden Symposium seeks to preserve and commemorate
gardening in the Deep South through lectures, workshops, and tours of
historic Afton Villa Gardens and the gardens at Rosedown State Historic
Site.
While the symposium’s workshops and lectures provide ideas and
inspiration for the gardener, social activities showcase classic southern
elegance at its finest. From home-baked breakfast breads served each
morning, to sumptuous evening gala fare, not a detail is overlooked.

Annual Open Tour (Darien Center, NY)

This event is an opportunity for the public learn more about Draves Arboretum and experience our woody species collections through a guided tour of the grounds. Curator Thomas Draves will be giving a guided tour of the arboretum that will include its history, species identification lessons, and answer any questions regarding the arboretum and its collections. Thomas has over 40 years of experience in the tree and landscape industry and has been an ISA certified arborist for many years.

Basic Tree Identification (Darien Center, NY)

Our basic tree identification course is a two-hour program from 10am till 12 noon with William Snyder and Thomas Draves which includes classroom and field instruction. This course reviews the basic elements of woody identification utilizing tree silhouette, leaf shape, buds and branching structure. Attendees will have hands-on instruction identifying woody tree species using terminal and lateral buds, leaf scars, bark, pith, and other features that can aid in the identification process throughout the seasons.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts “Fine Arts and Flowers” Exhibit (Richmond, VA)

Held biennially since 1987, Fine Arts & Flowers 2024 is presented by The Council of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts with creative floral designs by Garden Club of Virginia, Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, and Ikebana of Richmond.

The celebration begins with a dazzling gala and preview of more than 70 floral interpretations throughout the museum. Other special events include talks from renowned guest speakers and VMFA curators, luncheons, floral design workshops, exhibition tours, a fashion show, and a variety of family activities.

Plant Amnesty/Prohort Master Pruner Series for Professionals (Virtual)

This lecture series, offered twice annually in partnership with PlantAmnesty, is designed for those who work in landscape maintenance. Each lecture provides information on tools and techniques for quality pruning with better long-term results and customer satisfaction.

Grand Opening of the Children’s Nature Library and Reading Room at River Farm (Alexandria, VA)

Join us Opening Day, June 1, 9am – 1pm, for face painting, story time, interactive crafts, and more!

The Children’s Nature Library and Reading Room at River Farm is a dynamic space for young readers pre-K to 6th grade featuring over 1,700 children’s books focused on nature and gardening, story time, and fun educational activities. River Farm’s Children’s Garden, just steps from the library, enriches the experience with opportunities for children to explore gardening and nature in a hands-on setting.

The library was made possible by generous grants from Dominion Energy and Ruppert Family Foundation and an astounding donation of books from the Jane L. Taylor book collection. Program activities are inspired from PlantHeroes.org.

AIS/Japanese National Iris Convention (Portland, OR)

The Greater Portland Iris Society, of Portland Oregon, has hosted many AIS National Iris Society Conventions and numerous Sectional National Conventions. We are very pleased to be able to host this first-time-ever event. Save the dates from June 26th to June 29th, 2024.