Two Dates For the Calendar

Hi Gang. Put down both Wednesday, January 19th and Wednesday, February 23 on your calendars. These are the first two of over 15 evening programs that will be offered at Rotary Botanical Gardens from 6 pm - 7:30 pm. Fees for all programs will be free for RBG members and $5 for all others. The value of a $35 or $50 membership becomes quickly apparent (if you consider 10% discounts at plant sales too....). Anyway, the first topic in January will be entitled "Moss Gardening" by Dale Sievert. The three pictures here are of Dale's garden in Waukesha, WI which I've seen in person twice. It is unbelievable and was just featured in the American Horticultural Society magazine, The American Gardener. Mr. Sievert is a retired economics instructor from MATC and has spent the majority of his free time developing a 1 acre garden that not only has lots of moss but a formal garden, Japanese garden, shade garden, water features, etc. Mr. Sievert will discuss his garden with a focus on the establishment and use of mosses in the garden. Read further below for the February opportunity. On February 23rd (6 pm - 7:30 pm) we'll have Dave Wanninger at the gardens talking about woody plants. His focus will be on his favorite, tough trees and shrubs. Dave has been a speaker at previous RBG symposia and travels the Midwest talking about woody plants and representing Beaver Creek Nursery (Poplar Grove, IL). Dave is an energetic speaker with an encyclopedic knowledge of woody plants and he will also be available to answer questions.

While you have your calendars out, mark the following dates for upcoming topics (TBA): March 30, April 20, May 25, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 28, October 26, November 16 and December 7. If you don't have a 2011 calendar yet, we still have 30 or so of the RBG calendars in the gift shop!