Fergus will talk about the principles of long season gardening. He will touch on long season plants, shape, texture, underplanting and interplanting with bulbs and other plants which are happy to share the same space, as well as the use of self sowers and temporary fillers to prolong the seasons.

The main part of the talk will concentrate on how you use bulbs and woodland plants to provide another layer in your perennial and mixed borders.  From snowdrops through to alliums, these play a vital role in filling the gaps and giving you color for many months.

Prolonging the season in a colder climate than the UK is still possible. In fact, in many ways it is easier to achieve a seamless transition from Spring through to Autumn. Infrastructure of hardy shrubs and long season plants is critical to then fill the gaps through the winter months.

Fergus has held the position of Head Gardener for the internationally acclaimed Great Dixter Garden in Northiam, East Sussex, UK since 1993. It was from the charismatic gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006) and his unique gardening skills that Fergus learned to keep the gardens of Great Dixter constantly changing throughout the seasons and to be adventurous in trying out new plants and plant combinations.

In 2003, Christopher Lloyd founded The Great Dixter Charitable Trust to secure the legacy of Great Dixter House and Garden and in 2006, Fergus took over the position of CEO. The Friends of Great Dixter and their continuous support helps the Trust to keep Great Dixter House and Garden open to the public, to develop educational programs for all age groups, and to make more and more people aware of the richness and importance of the biodiversity of Great Dixter’s gardens, meadows, and woodland.

This will be an in-person event only and not recorded. Admission for HPSO members (plus one guest) is $25 per person; non-members is $35. Tickets available here.