Session 5

Kokedama moss balls or “string gardens” are a unique way to garden vertically.

Kokedama is a Japanese method of planting a houseplant in a self-contained moss ball planter that can be hung or displayed on a saucer. As you create your own Kokedama during this session, you will learn the process of correctly mixing soil, choosing plants, and wrapping your moss ball as well as at home care and maintenance. Best of all, your Kokedama will be ready to take home and enjoy.

Over the years we’ve received hundreds of emails about plants that just don’t look quite right to the only thing that’s left is a stick in the ground.  Join us as we look at the pictures and information sent with them to see if you make the correct diagnosis!!!

This lecture will feature a slide show of my favorite companion plants for hostas.  We will discuss the general planting guidelines and growing requirements for the various perennials, shrubs and trees that make great companion plants in your hosta garden.  Foliar nematodes and their host plants will also be discussed. I will also provide some planting/design options for difficult planting locations. A short question and answer period will follow the presentation.  Resource  material will be available.

Get the lowdown on one of the most underappreciated perennials you can bring into your garden.  You’ll learn about the unique characteristics of daylilies with pointers on how to make them grow and flourish.  We’ll take a look at the various flower forms and incredible array of colors and patterns.  You’ll get to see the latest trends in hybridization and take a peek into the likely future of this essential perennial.

Anyone can enter a hosta show.  Using slides and handouts, instructor will discuss how to select leaves and prepare containers, how to groom entries, what to do at the show, and discuss how entries are judged.

If you are looking for easy and carefree, an Iris bed is not for you.  Pam has been growing Tall Bearded Iris for over 20 years.  In this class, I will share basic Iris care, pests and diseases and will show you why all the work is worth the reward.  This will be a PowerPoint presentation with class notes. 

What do we do and when to make our hostas happy? Growing tips, buying tips, when to fertilize, irrigate and divide your hostas.

Camellias are known as the queen of the winter garden blooming from September through to May. Although hybridizers have come a long way with cold hardiness, this presentation is for participants in zone 6 & above. Come and learn all about growing this evergreen shrub in your garden and enjoy their wonderful blooms when everything else has gone sleep for the winter.

How many of us have said “Rhododendrons?  I have the purple one and the red one.” Reconsider rhododendrons in your garden, just like hosta there are plenty of options. The American Rhododendron Society held their delayed 2020 convention in 2022 in the Pacific Northwest. The convention presented many plants of different sizes, colors, leaf shapes, and variegation. With proper siting many of these can be grown in our area. We will discuss the plants, gardens and suppliers to reconsider your use of rhododendrons in your landscape.