Hibiscus is one of the top 15 native plants for southern gardens, according to Southern Home & Gardens magazine.The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones will present the third annual Native Plant Symposium, "Native Plants, Natural Landscapes," from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, in the UTC University Center, 642 E. Fifth St.
Created for casual and experienced gardeners, the symposium features practical information and advice on how to improve landscapes and gardens through sustainable practices. Participants will get tips on selecting plants, dealing with invasive/pest plants, creating a beautiful and functional native plant landscape and making the best use of the soil food web, the community of organisms living in the earth.
Guest speakers will offer programs as well as a question-and-answer session at the end of the day. There also will be time to browse exhibits, as well as buy native plants from area native plant nurseries and art from area artists.
Registration costs $70 at the door ($20 for students with ID). The price includes lunch.
Find out more at ten nesseevalley.wildones.org.
SCHEDULE
8 a.m. Registration begins
8:45 a.m. Welcome
9 a.m. "Good Things From the South," Fred Spicer, executive director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
10 a.m. "Piedmont Garden, Beautiful Habitat," Matt Whitaker, landscape architect
11 a.m. "Invasive Plants: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," Dr. Johnny Randall, director of conservation programs, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Noon. Lunch, art sale, exhibits, plant sales, door-prize drawings
1:30 p.m. "The Soil Food Web Is the Web of Life," Duane Marcus, organic farmer and teacher, The Funny Farm
2:30 p.m. Q&A with speakers
3 p.m. Concluding remarks, door prizes, survey, plant sales, art sales, exhibits