Fall 2012 Home Landscapes

Admission is free with non-member class registration

Please Note: Weather and trail conditions are always changing and unpredictable. We encourage everyone attending hikes or field classes to wear long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, shoes and a hat to help protect skin from the sun, insect bites, scratches and poison ivy. During colder/rainier months dress in warm layers, paying particular attention to hands, head and feet with waterproof protection so you will be comfortable outside during the duration of the program. During programs marked Off-Trail you may encounter, tall grass, poison ivy and slippery, muddy trails.

Please feel free to call the Education Department at 440.602.3833 for further clarification on the physical conditions of any program we offer.

Lantern Court Garden Tours

Tour the exquisite gardens of Lantern Court. Delight in the formal English borders, wooded ravines, rock and naturalized gardens, and perennial beds. Pick up plant combination ideas to try in your own yard.

Arlene and Arthur S. Holden Jr. Butterfly Garden Tours

Enjoy a leisurely 40 minute walk through the Holden Butterfly Garden to observe pollinators in action. You will learn about their importance and how to attract them and pick up many plant combination ideas! Whether you are a beginning or seasoned gardener it is easy to attract them to your yard.

Tree Treks - Evolution and Diversity of Trees

The oak family is one of the most important groups of trees in the world’s temperate forests. Holden boasts a world-class collection of oaks, chestnuts and beeches, which Hamilton and Tubesing will use to illustrate stories of the evolution, diversity, ecology and human use of these beautiful and inspiring trees. This session will offer a sneak preview of the plants and stories we intend to feature in the oak family area of Holden's new Tree Crescent, which will be planted in the coming years. Distinguishing characteristics for identifying each species will be covered, along with site adaptations and other horticultural characteristics. Dress for the weather of the day. Please bring a hand lens and water and wear good walking shoes and a hat *ISA members can earn CEUs for participation.

Creating a Seasonal Garden

Ferreniea, Holden's lead horticulturist, will use the plantings at Lantern Court to show you how to create an outdoor landscape that provides interest, color and form in each season. In addition to observing and learning about selected plants, explore gardening questions that reflect your taste and ideas including:

• When do I want my garden to look its best?
• What look do I prefer to cultivate for my garden?
• What plant choices are available for different cultural situations?
• What is it we like about certain plants and don't like about others?

Each remaining session will highlight two important seasonal considerations.

Autumn: blending subtle and brilliant fall color and tips on putting the garden to bed

Winter: creating interest through beauty and form, as well as providing food and shelter for birds

Creating Effective Raised Beds

Typically raised beds are associated with vegetable gardens, however they can be a boon to ornamental gardening where soil is a problem or privacy is wanted. During this mostly outside presentation we will discuss how to prepare soils for a raised bed and create it for best use in any garden setting. We will also look at plants that like this kind of situation, especially rhododendrons and other members of the heath family.