Ciao! Italia

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By Mark Zelonis, The Ruth Lilly Deputy Director of Environmental & Historic Preservation

Fourteen members of the IMA Horticultural Society ventured to one of the most beautiful areas of northern Italy in May 2012, visiting Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary gardens on the shores of Lakes Maggiore and Como, as well as in the historic towns of Verona, Vicenza and Padua. Towering rhododendrons bloomed beside palm trees, with the snow-capped Alps and azure lakes forming a gorgeous backdrop. Colorful and fragrant anemones, poppies, iris and roses were at their peak of bloom, competing with strutting peacocks for most colorful display.

Magnificent villas along lakeshores and out in the country afforded the group glimpses of extraordinary wealth, history and art. The fabulous work of architect, Andrea Palladio, was evident at his Villa La Rotonda, the fascinating Teatro Olimpico, and at numerous churches.

Finally, water taxis brought the group of travelers to the magical city of Venice, where countless works of Venetian art were enjoyed at the Accademia, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and on the island of Torcello. A very special highlight was a private evening showing of St. Mark’s Basilica and its astounding mosaics.

In addition, eight of the travelers stayed on for an optional extension to Florence, Sienna and Lucca. Tour planner, Susie Orso, of SpecialTours and the Ultimate Travel Company, was an excellent hostess and guide. She provided fabulous meals and other special treats for the group. A special presentation about this trip will be March 10, 2013 at the IMA’s Toby, with refreshments following in the Garden Terrace. Stay tuned for that, and for the next overseas adventure.

 

Shade gardens focus of 2013 Horticulture Symposium

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Border GardensWhat’s so exciting about this year’s Horticulture Symposium on Feb. 14. It’s all about shade—inviting, mysterious and at times exasperating—shade!

At Shade Savvy, we are going to dedicate an entire day to discussing a gardening topic that remains difficult to research for adequate, inspiring information, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the launch of the Emily N. Daniels Horticulture Symposium, which honor a benefactor who passed away in November 2012.

Most of the information you can find from quick search recommendations for shady locations results in the same plants—hosta, with a couple varieties of ferns. There is much more available that will perform better and doesn’t require a regular application of deer deterrent and you’ll learn about them at Shade Savvy.

Another reason to get excited for Shade Savvy is the chance to hear from some serious rock stars from the world of horticulture. We’ve got a tremendous group of individuals who will share their knowledge on designing with and finding the best shade lovers, each one relevant for both the home gardener and landscape professional.

• Dan Benarcik, who oversees the Courtyard Gardens at Chanticleer in Wayne, Pa., is a longtime instructor at Longwood Gardens, an author, photographer and writer. His topic will be Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: Shedding Some Light on Designing with Color, Texture and Form in the Shade.

• After years working in botanical gardens in the United States, England and Scotland, Karen Perkins gave into the retail bug and is the owner of Garden Vision Epimediums, a Massachusetts-based mail order nursery. Her topic will be Epimediums: Jewels of the Shade.

• Gene Bush, who with his wife, JoAn Riley, owns and operates Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, in southern Indiana mail order company, is a well-know garden writer, photographer and popular speaker specializing in native and exotic shade plants. His topic will be 10 Months of Blooms in the Shade Garden.

• Brian Jorg is manager of the Native Plant Program at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, nature photographer and tourist. The plant program includes the conservation, education and promotion of native flora, focusing on propagation and cultivation. His topic will be Woodland Wildflowers for the Native Shade Garden.

• Paul Cappiello, executive director of Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, Ky., is known nationally and internationally for his 20 years of research of cold tolerance, propagation, nursery production and work on selection, introduction and evaluation of new ornamental plants. His topic will be Shady Characters 101: A Garden Geek’s Take on the Woody End of the Darker Garden.

Save the date and invite your gardening buddies from throughout the Midwest for a day in the shade. Here are details and registration information.

Indianapolis Garden Club and IMA Horticultural Society partner for Les Belles Fleurs

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The Indianapolis Garden Club in collaboration with the Indianapolis Museum of Art Horticultural Society will present Les Belles Fleurs, a Garden Club of America flower show in April.

The 2013 two-day special event celebrates the 100th annivarsary of the Garden Club of America and Oldfields: J.K. Lilly Jr. Estate.

The flower show will be 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday, April 27 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28 in Deer Zink Pavilion. Admission to the show is free.

For IMA Horticulture Society members who would like to participate in the flower show, there are some early deadlines: Flower Design, Botanical Arts registrations are due Dec. 12, 2012.

Les Belles Fleurs Program and Registration Information