Home Gardening Symposium at Cantigny January 16
WHEATON, IL, December 2, 2009
The Cantigny Horticulture Department and
Chicagoland Gardening magazine will present a one-day symposium for home gardeners on Saturday, January 16, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Cantigny Park Visitors Center.
The agenda for “Moving Your Garden Forward” features expert speakers and practical workshops designed to inform and inspire. Attendees will hear new ideas and receive practical advice for making 2010 their best gardening year ever.
“It’ll be a fun day of learning and idea sharing,” said Bob Waterman, director of horticulture at Cantigny, “and a chance to look forward to warmer days. We’ve wanted to offer this kind of program for a long time and our new partnership with
Chicagoland Gardening helped make it possible.”
The magazine, in fact, was instrumental in scheduling the symposium’s two keynote speakers, Craig Bergmann and Roy Diblik.
Bergmann, owner of Craig Bergmann Landscape Design in Wilmette, will share his design philosophy and distinctly Midwest approach to garden projects of various scales and budgets.
Diblik, co-founder of Northwind Perennials (Burlington, Wis.), will speak on the selection and placement of perennial plants, exploring their role in the creation of more thoughtful gardens.
“Our keynote speakers alone will be worth the admission price,” said Bill Aldrich,
Chicagoland Gardening publisher. “I’m confident that anyone looking for solid and practical information about landscape design and perennials will benefit from their expertise.”
Symposium attendees will also choose from a schedule of workshops conducted by Cantigny Horticulture and
Chicagoland Gardening staff members. Choices will include:
- “Growing Better Roses,” Bob Waterman, Director of Horticulture, Cantigny
- “Small Space Gardening,” Carolyn Ulrich, Editor, Chicagoland Gardening
- “Containers for all Seasons,” Liz Omura and Jill Weiss, Horticulturists, Cantigny
- “Vegetables Anywhere!” Beth Botts, Senior Editor, Chicagoland Gardening
- “Increase the Wow! Factor in Your Garden,” Jane Rogers, Senior Ornamental Horticulturist, Cantigny
- “Better Than One Season: Chicagoland Trees and Shrubs,” Todd Henderson, Forester, Cantigny
Throughout the day, question-and-answer tables will be staffed with Cantigny volunteers. Tips and information will be available on floral design, rain barrels, beekeeping, attracting birds and more.
Symposium attendees are also invited to arrive early for a guided bird walk. Jeff Reiter, Cantigny communications manager and DuPage Birding Club president, will lead a casual exploration of the Cantigny grounds starting at 7:30 am. Binoculars will be available for those who wish to borrow a pair.
“Moving Your Garden Forward” is limited to 100 participants. The symposium fee is $75 and includes lunch. Registration forms can be downloaded at Cantigny.org or the public may call 630 260 8162.
Check-in on January 16 begins at 8:30 am, with the first speaker at 9:30 am. The Cantigny Visitors Center is located inside the park’s main entrance on Winfield Road, just south of Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.
About Cantigny
Cantigny, part of the McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton (Illinois) estate of Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the
Chicago Tribune. Cantigny Park is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center with banquet and dining facilities. More information is online at
Cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf is adjacent to the park and includes a 27-hole championship golf course, full-service clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, visit
CantignyGolf.com.
About Chicagoland Gardening
Chicagoland Gardening, “the magazine for our region,” has been publishing since 1995. Its mission is to help local gardeners succeed in the unique climate and soil conditions presented in the greater Chicago area. The magazine’s website is
ChicagolandGardening.com.