Explore garden possibilities for our region
Brie Arthur
Brie Arthur, a renowned bestselling author and horticulturist, captivates audiences with her dynamic presentations and innovative gardening advice. Hailing from southeastern Michigan, Brie honed her skills in Landscape Design and Horticulture at Purdue University, amassing over two decades of expertise. An advocate for consumer horticulture and home gardening across America, she authored "The Foodscape Revolution" and "Gardening with Grains," while also contributing to the Emmy-winning PBS program, "Growing a Greener World."
Brie's role as an ambassador for Soil3 organic compost underscores her commitment to sustainable practices, showcased through her YouTube channel, "Brie The Plant Lady." As a representative of the International Plant Propagators' Society Southern Region, she connects with global horticulture professionals. Recognized by the American Horticultural Society, Brie earned the inaugural Emerging Horticultural Professional Award for her dedication to inspiring a new gardening generation.
A fervent garden communicator, Brie curates a diverse array of programs for live and virtual events, embodying her passion for fostering green connections.
More info about Brie and her work here.
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Opening Presentation:
Seeds of Enchantment - The Art of Creating Gardens From Seed
Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the world of Gardening from Seed! Learn the art of directly sowing flowers and vegetables and discover the secrets to crafting one-of-a-kind, effortlessly stunning displays that require minimal upkeep. Join Brie as she takes you on a captivating exploration of site and soil preparation, the art of seed selection, perfect timing, and ingenious long-term management strategies. Immerse yourself in a year-round symphony of colors, fragrances, and textures that define the essence of a captivating garden. Prepare to be inspired as this presentation ignites a passion to embark on your own journey of scattering seeds, fostering resplendent beauty, and reaping a bountiful harvest across every inch of your landscape. Get ready to turn your open spaces into veritable havens of natural wonder!
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Closing Presentation:
Ultimate Plant Combinations
For our final discussion of the day, Brie unveils a captivating world of plant pairings that will transform your garden into a paradise of color and life. From timeless classics to exciting newcomers, this presentation is your ticket to discovering the most splendid, easy-to-grow varieties that promise year-round beauty. Dive into the sun-drenched and shaded realms, from dry earth to lush wet soil, as we explore an extensive array of trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, veggies, and flowers. By the end of this journey, you'll be brimming with excitement for the forthcoming seasons. Get ready to witness the birth of your dream garden, bursting with vibrant life and flourishing with joy. Don't miss out—your garden's transformation awaits!​​
Dr. Carrie DeJaco
Carrie DeJaco earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She began her professional career at Queens University of Charlotte in 2006 and has since served as a professor at Pfeiffer University, Catawba College, and University of North Carolina—Charlotte. Additionally, she has taught classes for programs such as the Certificate in Native Plant Studies, Master Naturalist, and Master Gardener on a variety of topics relating to ecology and the natural world.
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Carrie is an ecological consultant through her business For the Birds and the Bees since 2016. She co-founded Constructive Plant Rescue in 2025.
When she is not working with and for plants and wildlife, she enjoys spending time with her musician husband and working with stained glass.
Watch this quick video as Carrie explains the unique mission of the Constructive Plant Rescue.​​​
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​​​​Lunch Presentation:
Succession Gardening: Planning a Year of Flow, Rest & Abundance
Today Mary will introduce the art and science of succession gardening, and the practice of planning continuous, seasonal harvests by aligning crops, soil health, and gardener energy with the natural rhythm of the year. This session will help gardeners think beyond spring planting and into the full cycle of renewal, productivity, and rest.
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We’ll explore how each season overlaps the next, ensuring the garden, and the gardener, never runs out of steam or fresh produce. At the end you will have a plan for year-round planting, rotation, and soil renewal, plus practical tips for avoiding burnout, crop failure, and timing mishaps.
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Mary Roberts
After twenty years as a corporate instructor and project manager, Mary turned her passion for growing plants organically into a business that supplies market farmers and home gardeners with over 300,000 heirloom vegetable, flower, herb, and fruit plants each year as well as growing fresh produce for local farmers markets and restaurants.
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In addition to growing specialty and hard-to-find plant varieties, Mary also conducts on-farm classes to help the beginner and the advanced gardener or farmer learn the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture.
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​More info about Windcrest Farm here.​
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​Extending the Pollinator Season in Your Landscape
Everyone loves butterflies and bees and wouldn't it be wonderful to have pollinators visit your garden over more months of the year? Dr. Carrie DeJaco will share plants and plans to extend the pollinator season from early Spring to late Fall. You will learn about specific plants to make your garden more wildlife friendly​​ and learn how to identify and support the early and late pollinators. She will also discuss garden management techniques that will help pollinators over-winter in your landscape. Most require you to do less work not more.