Chanticleer, Tyler Gardeners Speaking at Woody Plant Conference

Whether you are a home gardener or a landscape professional, you will learn something new about trees and shrubs at the annual Woody Plant Conference this Friday. Longwood Gardens, Scott Arboretum, , Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Tyler Arboretum, and Morris Arboretum sponsor this one-day symposium.

Michael J. Raupp, professor and extension specialist at the University of Maryland at College Park will discuss "Building Diversity, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Services in Residential Gardens." He will explain three simple approaches to managing pests in your landscape as well as explaining why diverse landscapes may be more sustainable than simple ones.

Scott McMahan, owner of McMahan's Nursery near Atlanta, Georgia, will talk about interesting plants that he encountered while visiting China and Vietnam over the years. McMahan will also discuss some of his favorite trees and shrubs.

William Sullivan, professor of landscape architecture at the University of Illinois, will discuss his latest research on "Trees and Health." Sullivan shares his latest findings on the connection between well-being and nature. Attendees will find out about the health impacts of trees and other forms of nature.

Other speakers will be featuring practical gardening tips. Roger Davis of Longwood Gardens will provide tips for pruning hedges. Jonathan Wright of will talk about growing woody plants in containers. Shanti Nagel of Clinton Housing Development Company will talk about tough woody plants that thrive in extreme urban environments.

Conference attendees may tour Scott Arboretum's extensive plant collection.

The conference will be held in the Lang Performing Arts Center at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA. Visit www.woodyplantconference.org for more information. Or contact Longwood Gardens' Continuing Education Office at 610-388-5238.

Check back in with Radnor Patch next week for tips from the conference that you can use.