Ecological Approaches to Garden Design and Management with Harland Patch
April 18, 2024
Live and on Zoom
Elmwood Community Center
1106 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT
Free for members; non-members register here.
Zoom links are automatically sent to members the Sunday before and the day of the presentation.
Ecological approaches to garden design and management are hallmarks of 21st century gardening. Until recently most approaches have been adapted for aesthetic reasons or for the ill-defined goal of supporting biodiversity. Much of the interest in ecological gardens comes from concerns about declining biodiversity and degradation of natural spaces. But the processes underlying ecological declines remain poorly understood by gardeners and designers therefore limiting the ability to create a truly sustainable garden aesthetic. Recent advances in pollination science from the landscape level to genetics can greatly inform the creation and management of ecological gardens.
Dr. Harland Patch focuses his research on many aspects of pollinator biology from genes to landscapes. His current research on understanding the biological mechanisms associated with bee nutrition and how nutrition, in turn, affects bee health. Dr. Patch is working with collaborators to understand the underlying factors that contribute to pollinator host plant choice, including the role of annual and perennial cultivars to support pollinator populations. This includes developing an easy-to-use digital tool to determine which cultivars support pollinators. He is scientific advisor and Director of Pollinator Programming at Penn State’s Bird and Pollinator Garden, a recently built 4-acre garden based on scientific research. He is also involved in ongoing projects to determine the causes of pollinator declines in the US and in Africa. Dr. Patch has taught Molecular Ecology, Pollination Biology and an undergraduate course on honey bees, among other classes.
Free for members; $10 suggested non-member donation. After the event, you’ll receive a recorded copy of the talk.
CANCELED BECAUSE IT CONFLICTS WITH EARTH DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL SET-UP.
Join the Bristol Garden Club and Blithewold to experience the breadth of colors, forms, and sizes now available in daffodils! Daffodil enthusiasts proudly display their flowers individually and in arrangements as they compete for awards and share their enthusiasm. The display will begin in Blithewold’s historic Carriage House Visitors Center and continue with floral arrangements placed throughout the first floor of the Mansion.
Included with regular admission.
Interested in competing? Click here for a detailed description of the competition criteria and schedule.
The West Hartford Garden Club will have a table at this Earth Day event.
Rain date 4/21/24: Earth Day at Blue Back Square (see Earth Day flyer). The West Hartford Garden Club is one of the event sponsors. At our booth, which we are sharing with UCONN Master Gardeners, attendees will be able to make native wildflower seed balls, using soil leftover from winter sowing and seeds leftover from our Seed Saving/Seed Swap last fall. Hope you’ll come and support our event! ALSO, we were approved for a 100% Sustainable CT grant, which is contingent on collecting 75 donations (in any amount) through this link: Project Earth Day. We have 4 days left to go from 23 to 75 contributors! Can you help? These funds will help to pay for tables for participating groups to use, the Puppet Parade, and more!
Join the Bristol Garden Club and Blithewold to experience the breadth of colors, forms, and sizes now available in daffodils! Daffodil enthusiasts proudly display their flowers individually and in arrangements as they compete for awards and share their enthusiasm. The display will begin in Blithewold’s historic Carriage House Visitors Center and continue with floral arrangements placed throughout the first floor of the Mansion.
Included with regular admission.
Interested in competing? Click here for a detailed description of the competition criteria and schedule.
Please remember to bring your favorite gardening tools for weeding and pruning.
If it is raining on your scheduled day, the rain date will be the next day.
Meredith Barges, Co-Chair of the Lights Out CT Program, will be speaking.
Please bring your favorite tools for weeding and pruning. A co-chair will arrive at the garden by 8:30 a.m.
PARKING: Parking will be in the paved lot next to the Amos Bull House on South Prospect Street. We encourage you to carpool as space is limited.
We plan to work if the rain is light. If it is pouring, you will get a cancellation call by 8:00 a.m.
FINE ART & FLOWERS
Friday–Sunday, May 3–5, 2024
Celebrate spring at the Wadsworth during our 41st Annual Fine Art & Flowers and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend! This year’s English Gardens theme honors our 400-year-old sculpture, Venus with a Nymph and Satyr. See arrangements by florists, garden clubs, and interior designers alongside the works of art that inspired them, plus floral-inspired LEGO® arrangements generously donated by ConnLUG.
Fine Art & Flowers is presented by the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum. All event proceeds support exhibitions and educational programs.
For Designers
Sponsorship Form
Floral Materials Form
Interpretation / Care Form
Admission
Please note: The prices below reflect a $5 fundraising surcharge added to all museum admissions during Fine Art & Flowers. Thank you for your support!
Members: $5
Hartford Residents: $5
Adults: $25
Seniors: $20
Students: $15
Youth (age 17 & under): $5
Groups of 10 or more will receive a discount by reservation only. To schedule a group visit, call (860) 838-4046 or email tours@thewadsworth.org.
More to See and Do during Fine Art & Flowers
Fundraising admissions apply unless otherwise specified.
ALL WEEKEND LONG | noon–5pm
Artisan Boutique and Afternoon Tea in BMuse Cafe
Friday, May 3 | 11am
Member Morning
Saturday, May 4 | 10:30am
LEGO® Greenery Workshop
Plant yourself in a world of floral fun at our Adult LEGO® Build Workshop and create an arrangement that even a real plant would envy. Sip coffee and enjoy tasty treats with friends as you leaf your worries behind. $50, $35 members. Ticket includes admission to Fine Art & Flowers. Limited capacity. Presented in partnership with ConnLUG. Click here for tickets.
Saturday, May 4 | 1pm
Connecticut Gardens Presentation and Book Signing with Caryn B. Davis
Caryn B. Davis is an award-winning photographer and best-selling author specializing in architectural, garden, and travel photography. She discusses her recently published Connecticut Gardens, which takes readers on a visual tour of 44 of the state’s breathtaking historic, public, and private gardens. Click here for tickets.
Sunday, May 5 | 1pm
Designer’s Challenge & Meet the Designer