CMGA Symposium Event 2021 - Speakers
28th Virtual Garden Symposium
Our Two Featured Speakers & Presentations
Margaret Roach
“Non-stop Plants: A Garden for 365 Days”
Margaret’s lecture is based on her webinar of the same name, and is about making a four-season garden. Drawing from her own garden and gardening philosophy, she will leave you with a year’s worth of ideas, information and inspiration.
Bio: Margaret Roach is one of America’s best-known garden writers, and is the winner of multiple Garden Writers of America medals. She is also the creator and publisher of the popular website - A Way To Garden - and the public radio show by the same name. She was the first garden editor of Martha Stewart Living magazine, where she also co-hosted a weekly call-in radio show for several years. She lives in rural New York State, and her garden has been open for Garden Conservancy Open Days for more than 20 years.
Dan Benarcik
“Foliage First: Boom Without the Bloom”
In his talk, Dan will look at this often overlooked but vitally important component of the landscape. He will show us how to create a strong foliar background to carry the garden when the floral aspects fade. Woody plants, herbaceous and tropical plants are discussed in this garden study.
Bio: Dan Benarcik has been a Horticulturist at Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA, for the past 25 years, and is part of the creative gardening team that is responsible for the garden’s seasonal displays. He also conceives and manufactures the wood workings, stone carvings, paintings, and metal works on display throughout the garden. Dan has also worked at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware as the Woods Path Gardener, and as a Sales Representative for Imperial Nurseries in Pennsylvania.
Our 2021 Breakout Session Speakers & Presentations
Tovah Martin
“The New Terrarium”
Tovah will share her ideas for enlisting everything from cake stands to cookie jars for growing plants and showcasing nature. Recommendations for plant selection, care, and maintenance will also be discussed. This lecture demonstrates how to work with glass enclosures of all types, so you can enjoy gardening no matter how tight your space or schedule might be.
Bio: Tovah Martin is an award-winning garden writer and lecturer, with expertise in both indoor and outdoor gardening. She is a passionate perennial, heirloom, vegetable and cottage gardener, and is accredited with NOFA as an Organic Land Care Professional. In addition to the garden outdoors, Tovah’s specialty also includes indoor gardening with tropical plants (especially begonias) in windowsills, greenhouses, and otherwise.
Lorraine Ballato
“Hydrangeas for Cold Climate Gardens”
Lorraine’s talk will focus on how to ensure that your hydrangeas bloom every year, even in zone 5 and colder climates. It all starts with the right plant in the right place, but it's much more than that. Lorraine will share her extensive knowledge and experience with growing hydrangeas in CT.
Bio: Lorraine Ballato is a professional horticulturist who specializes in hydrangeas. She also teaches at the New York Botanical Garden and lectures throughout the Northeast region. She has published numerous gardening books and articles, and is a frequent guest on radio garden shows. As an Advanced Master Gardener, Lorraine works with gardeners of all levels in the 3000 square foot organic demo garden at the Fairfield County Extension Center.
Irene Brady Barber
“Growing Vertically for Accessibility with Practicality in Mind”
In her talk, Irene will show us how vertical growing techniques can create a low-maintenance, accessible garden that is easy to work in at any age, and that stimulates all our senses.
Bio: Irene Brady Barber is the Horticulture Education Program Coordinator at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. An experienced educator, Irene has degrees in Communications, Horticulture, and Horticultural Therapy. Irene’s educational programs emphasize ecological balance, therapeutic design and universal access to gardening for people of all abilities. She also founded Greenscapes Design, an ecological landscape company that focuses on therapeutic and interactive garden/landscape spaces.
Gregory Bugbee
“ Improving Soil Fertility: A Soil Scientist’s Perspective”
Greg’s lecture will cover the basics of soil improvement for homeowners, including pH adjustment, organic matter additions, types of fertilizers and soil testing. He will also share the latest CAES research on the use of composted biosolids in horticulture.
Bio: Gregory Bugbee has worked at the CT Agricultural Experiment Station since 1979, where he is now the head of the soil testing program in New Haven. His research activities include invasive aquatic plants, soil fertility, turfgrass, potting media, composting, and utilization of composted biosolids in horticulture. He holds state licenses in the care of trees, turf, and aquatic weed control. He enjoys working to solve soil and water-related problems, and is available for site visits and speaking engagements.
Nancy DuBrule-Clemente
“Mulch vs. Ground covers: A Garden Experiment”
Nancy will discuss the pros and cons of standard bark mulch, and show us how to use ground cover plants as mulch alternatives.
Bio: Nancy DuBrule-Clemente is the founder of Natureworks Horticultural Services, an organic garden center, landscape design, consultation, installation and maintenance service in Northford, CT. Started in 1983, the Natureworks crews and retail store have sold and used only organic fertilizers and pest control products since the business began. Nancy also has a degree in Floriculture from the University of Connecticut.