Who: Sponsored by the Smith County Master Gardeners Association

What:Presentations by two recognized experts will provide useful insight and information about gardening in our area. Topics include gardening with “Texas Tough Plants” that thrive in the often harsh, long summer conditions of East and Central Texas and the selection, planting, and care of heirloom bulbs.

A bulb and plant sale following the conference will offer thousands of bulbs with many varieties not often found in local nurseries. During the exposition local Master Gardeners will provide a help-desk and perform demonstrations of proper bulb planting techniques, division of perennials, and how to plant bare root roses.

When: Saturday, September 8, 2007. Doors open for registration at 7:30 a.m. The conference will be held 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Plant sale and expo follow the conference at 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: The conference location is the Tyler Rose Garden Center at 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, Texas. (Rose Park Drive is located off the 2000 block of West Front Street (Hwy 31 West). The plant sale and expo will be held across from the Rose Center at Harvey Hall and Convention Center.

Programs: Programs and informational handouts will be provided along with the awarding of door prizes. Admission is free. The conference will have two speakers. Biography information follows:

Steven L. Chamblee is the Chief Horticulturist for Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, Texas. He serves as Consulting Editor and Author for Neil Sperry’s GARDENS magazine, writes a monthly e-newsletter column entitled “Native Son,” and is an Adjunct Instructor for Tarrant County College and Texas Christian University’s Extended Education. His program is entitled “Texas Tough Plants” which focuses on heat and drought tolerant plants for our area.

Keith Kridler, is a cultivator and merchant of daffodil varieties. His niche is antique daffodils that are no longer or not commonly produced. Mr. Kridler’s collection includes over 913 named varieties. His work with researchers and test plots has created a multitude of other hybrids that have not yet been given a name. Positions held by Mr. Kridler include Chairman of the Historic Daffodil Committee and on the Board of Directors of the American Daffodil Society. His presentation will include information on the selection, planting and care of heirloom bulbs.

Contact: Texas Cooperative Extension - Phone 903.590.2980 (FAX 903.590.2984)