The Green County Master Gardeners Association (GCMGA) is excited to present their 9th Annual Gardening Symposium. “Garden Inspirations for All Seasons –Tasteful Gardening for Style and Fun” will be held on Saturday, March 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Peppercorn Banquets at the Ludlow Mansion, 1421 Mansion Drive, Monroe. Both experienced and novice gardeners are encouraged to attend this public seminar. Participants will receive lunch, refreshments and resource materials with their paid registration.

Join the Green County Master Gardener’s Association as we present “Tasteful Gardening for Style and Fun”… When planning your dream outdoor garden space, learn how to create a refuge to provide a fun, colorful retreat to just relax and absorb the sights and smells around you—attend this symposium to see how this can be accomplished.

Speakers and topics for the symposium include:

Alison Phillips, of the Garden Spot in Monroe, will be speaking on “Transforming Your Landscape Through Design.” Alison has a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and is currently employed as a freelance landscape designer.

“Flowering Shrubs for Season Long Interest-Highlights from the U.W. Arboretum’s Collection” will be presented by David Stevens, curator from the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, Madison. While often associated with spring, flowering shrubs can add color and interest throughout the growing season. David will highlight some of his favorite flowering shrubs from the U.W. Arboretum’s extensive collection

Interested in stone landscape features? Be sure to join John Gishnock III to explore the exciting world of stonework in his discussion “Gardens of Stone-Expressions of Our Local Environment.” This talk will help you learn the secrets of an experienced landscape designer and stone enthusiast. Through the multitude of pictures and explanatory slides, you will discover how simple material and layout choices can help your natural stone landscape features go beyond function to truly express the essence of the landscape. This discussion, which will focus on the use of local landscape materials, promises to cover aspects of natural stone work including different functional, aesthetic, and emotional uses.

Nancy Nedveck, of The Flower Factory, will present “New and Unique Perennials,” which will include photos of their new varieties for 2016 and plants that are out of the ordinary. See what new trends are for color and growth habit for perennials old and new.

Our final segment, “Fresh from the Garden Herbal Treats,” will be presented by Kriss Marion, of Circle M Farm. We will talk about herbs, how they grow, what they do, and what we can use them in. We will make either herbal dips and butters and eat some herbal shortbreads—maybe an herbal ice cream!

Participants from the general UW-Extension Master Gardening training classes and certified members today live in all areas of the Green County area. Part of their mission is to support gardeners and communities with information and resources. UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are also available to assist homeowners with their horticulture questions through the Green County Extension Office.

Early registration for the Annual Gardening Symposium is $35.00 and closes on March 1st, 2016. After March 1st, the price goes up to $40.00 for late registration and walk-ins. More information for this day of inspiration is available through the UW Extension Green County by calling (608) 328-9440 or check the website at: http://green.uwex.edu