AMES, Iowa –Iowa State University Extension’s Herbaceous Perennial Symposium will be at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus on Saturday, Nov. 11. The day-long session features a garden designer from the University of Virginia, the plant evaluation manager at Chicago Botanic Garden, a landscape designer, a hibiscus and dwarf crape myrtle grower, and a man who operates the definitive Web site for orchids.  

Colston Burrell gardens on 10 wild acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia. His company, Native Landscape Design and Restoration, specializes in blending nature and culture through artistic design. He will give two presentations, one on hellebores (often know as Christmas roses) and one on the myths and realities of native plants and ecological design.

Gretch Zwetzig of Fleming’s Flower Fields in Lincoln, Nebr. will talk about the Fleming brothers’ and her work on hardy hibiscus and the hardiest and most dwarf crape myrtles.

Landscape architect Craig Bergmann of Wilmette, Ill. will share how to transform the ordinary landscape to extraordinary. Craig is also the editor of Midwestern Landscaping, a comprehensive and practical guide for gardening in the Midwest.

Chicago Botanic Garden plant evaluation manager Richard Hawke will use his research to talk about proven perennials for the Midwest.

Carson Whitlow has been interested in orchids for nearly 50 years. He has worked with hardy terrestrial orchids for the past 30 years. His presentation is ‘The World of Cyripediums’ focuses on one of his passions – Lady Slipper Orchids.

The symposium is for professionals as well as garden hobbyists. The event begins at 8:15 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. To register online or for more information, see http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/herbaceous/home.html.

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