DATE: 1/31/07

CONTACT: Tim Davis, 803-730-7956; tdvs@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Greenville Master Gardeners offer gardening symposium

GREENVILLE – The Greater Greenville Master Gardeners will hold a gardening symposium Feb. 10 beginning at 8 a.m.

“Through the Looking Glass: Creating a RemarkableGarden” is the theme for this year’s event. It will be held at the Palmetto Expo Center in Greenville. Cost is $50.

The agenda will be divided into five sessions. The day will begin with three speakers in the morning and participants can choose between afternoon concurrent speakers for two additional sessions.

Elizabeth Dean and her husband, Gene Griffith, will talk about how to create and expand the boundaries of your garden with woody ornamentals and how to grow hydrangeas. They have 25 years of experience in gardening and have an extensive collection of hydrangeas.

Hunter Stubbs, garden designer, writer and lecturer, will be discussing smart tools for the gardener and how to design your garden.

Brent Heath, of Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, will tell how to plant bulbs in the best spot in the garden and learn which flowering bulbs flourish in the shade.

Also, Pete Madsen of Pete’s Herbs will discuss choosing the best herbs.

Paul Zimmerman, owner of Ashdown Roses Ltd., will talk about landscaping with roses.

Lindie Wilson, writer and gardener, and owner of the former Charlotte, North Carolina home of Elizabeth Lawrence, garden writer and author of the 1942 classic, A Southern Garden, will talk about “Survivors – The Ideas, the Garden and Plants of Elizabeth Lawrence.”

The Master Gardener training program is administered by the Clemson Extension Service. Participants receive at least 40 hours of intensive, practical horticultural training.

After successfully completing the classroom portion, participants receive the title of "Master Gardener." Master Gardener graduates then are required to volunteer at least 40 hours of service to complete the last part of the program. Many far exceed the expected 40 hours of service.

Make checks payable to Greater Greenville Master Gardeners and send to Fran Heman, 108 Comstock Court, Greer, S.C. 29650. For more information, call 864-292-9118.

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