Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens: Summer Symposium and Plant Sale

Title: Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens: Summer Symposium and Plant Sale
Location: Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
Link out: Click here
Description: The 2012 Summer Symposium and Plant Sale provides a great opportunity for participants and volunteers to learn more about plant varieties that thrive in heat and humidity. The symposium and sale, scheduled Saturday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., features gardening experts who share their knowledge of plant selections and water conservation for the summer months.

Featured topics and speakers include:
• Gingers and Heliconias: David Glover, Tejas Tropicals
• Ferns and Hoyas: Mike Lowery, Another Place in Time
• Plants for a Tropical Effect: Gary Outenreath, Beaumont Botanical Gardens
• Landscape Begonias: Tom Keepin, Astro Branch of the Begonia Society

The day culminates in a tour of Mercer’s own tropical-looking plants with Director Darrin Duling and the day’s speakers. According to Duling, “Many plants that love the heat and humidity are dormant in the winter but thrive during the hottest days of the year.” As you know, many of your begonias, gingers, and other tropical-looking plants are bursting into color during the hottest period of mid-summer.

Begonias, long grown as summer annuals, aren’t just for a garden’s front border: they’re perfect in many areas of the garden. With succulent stems and stunning bloom spikes,rhizomatous varieties work well in dry locations with partial shade. Duling also offers that “their colorful and shapely leaves add a unique texture to gardens.”

Consider volunteering for the 2012 Summer Symposium and Plant Sale: Plants That Thrive in Heat and Humidity. Volunteers are needed to help with plant sales check-out, greeting and checking in participants, and setting up and serving refreshments. Volunteers who assist attend the symposium for free, shop before the sale opens to the public, and earn Master Gardener credits.

REGISTER NOW: The fee for the symposium is $70 for members of The Mercer Society and $85 for non-members, with lunch provided. Registered participants will be able to enter the sale at 8 a.m., before the sale opens to the general public at 9 a.m. There will also be breaks between speakers for additional shopping during the day. A plant-holding area is provided for symposium participants. Space is limited and paid registration is required by Monday, July 16.

Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2012-07-28
End Time: 15:00