Crafts
13th Annual Gardeners’ Conference at High Rock Church
Carol’s program will explore common gardening practices that at the very least need rethinking, if not composted, burned or buried. She will raise eyebrows as she asks gardeners to reject practices once considered standard and consider a healthy skepticism toward product driven “cures”. Mother Nature might laugh at how humans create problems where none exist, except she is more likely crying because she is being injured by the silly things we do. Carol will help us laugh at our ignorance and adopt a gardening philosophy that is kinder to our wallet, our backs, and our planet.
Carol Reese is an Extension Horticulture Specialist based at the University of Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center. Retired 2021. A popular writer and speaker, mixing humor with solid gardening info. Lives on 118 acres of “wildness” not far from Jackson, Tennessee, where she enjoys nature and gardens with her “several” rescue dogs and cats. Her topic will be “Are We Doing it Wrong? – Negative impacts of commonly accepted garden practices in today’s disturbed ecosystems and climate”.
Fragrance is a powerful aspect of gardens and too often overlooked in plant selections. This talk will provide an overview of tried-and-true plants that will liven the senses year-round.
Jon Roethling is the Director of Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem. A graduate of NCSU, his career in horticulture spans 30 years and includes positions at many public gardens as well as being the curator of the gardens at High Point University.
Breakout Speakers for 2026 MG Conference
Breakout Speaker 1
Cultivating Resilience in Our Gardens: Climate,Weather, Change and Hope: Allison Whitaker and Sam Boring
Are you interested in learning about the difference between climate and weather? Have you noticed more droughts, later first frosts in the fall, and more erratic weather every spring? Join Allison Whitaker from the NC State Climate Office and horticulture agent, Sam Boring, to learn about how changing climate and weather patterns are affecting our garden plants and the gardener’s health. The talk will also cover ways to build resilience in our gardens to adapt to these climate changes.
Allison Whitaker is the Extension Associate for the North Carolina State Climate Office, Allison bridges the gap between research and North Carolina residents to equip them with the information they need to navigate our changing world. Allison has a BA in science communications and over a decade of experience. Her most recent work includes developing and delivering extreme heat action plan trainings for local government leaders. She is a native of western North Carolina and lives in Rowan County.
Sam Boring is the Horticulture Extension Agent in Davidson County to provide research-based information on best management practices in the areas of consumer and commercial horticulture. In practice, this means providing educational programs, workshops, and consultations with fruit and vegetable farmers, landscapers, and home gardeners. This includes best practices for turf management, integrated pest management for insects and disease on farms and in home gardens, soil and fertility management, water conservation, and selecting and maintaining ornamental and landscape plantings. His recent interests include planting and spreading information about native fruit trees such as persimmon, serviceberry, and pawpaw.
Breakout Speaker 2
Orchids 101: Lee Currey
Orchids 101 is a basic introduction to keeping orchids in the home or greenhouse. The program includes an introduction to orchids, their care, and tips for success in keeping them healthy and getting them to rebloom. No matter your experience level of growing orchids, you are sure to gain some valuable information in growing these exotic and beautiful plants.
Lee Curry was introduced to orchids and gardening as the son of an accomplished English cottage gardener and florist just outside Portland, Oregon. His parents introduced him to a Dendrobium kingianum, and over time, his orchid collection grew, accelerating dramatically after joining the Oregon Orchid Society, then acting as vice president and president, trained as an Orchid Society judge and became an associate judge shortly before his cross country move just west of Lexington, NC. His 26ft moving truck was packed with 1000 orchids. Lee hopes his 30’x100’ greenhouse will be in operation by the end of 2026. Lee’s orchid collection consists of many orchid species with primary crosses and select hybrids including a particular Dendrobium kingianum that blooms like clockwork every spring.
Breakout Speaker 3
Safe Haven in a Pollinator Garden – Managing Perennial Stems for Overwintering Pollinators: Dr. Hannah K. Levenson
A perennial garden is a great way to support wildlife, from birds to butterflies and bees. The flowers feed beneficial insects, the seeds feed birds, and the plants themselves provide shelter and texture where even more species can find a safe haven. It’s no secret that a garden’s value for wildlife depends not only on what you plant, but also on how you maintain it—hence “leave the leaves” and “save the stems.” But what exactly does it mean to “save the stems”? We worked with Extension agents and Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers, who collected samples from 20 gardens in 10 counties across North Carolina, to answer this question.
Dr. Hannah Levenson is a research scholar in the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at NC State University and head of the Specialty Crops Integrative Pest and Pollinator Management lab. She is a community ecologist researching how to mitigate human impacts in the environment. Her research focuses on making pest management more sustainable and protecting pollinators, especially in agriculture. She is a bee expert with experience working with both honey bees and native bees in both US and international settings.
Breakout Speaker 4
My Greatest Design Secrets: Jay Sifford
Hear my personal discoveries from 20 years of garden design. Learn how to create a magical, immersive and profound space versus “decorating a yard”. I share tips on rhythm, lines, shapes and light; creating theater using scrim; and the power of emotion.
Jay Sifford (www.siffordgardendesign.com) is a garden designer, writer, speaker, and frequent podcast guest, who believes great gardens are built on four cornerstones: art, magic, story, and horticulture. He has a love affair with plants, but also approaches garden design from a psychological, philosophical foot courtyard garden in Davidson, NC, and a mountain escape in the western part of North Carolina where he nurtures a sunny, stylized meadow atop a septic field and a shade garden underneath a canopy o
Vendors
Lexington Farm and Garden: Plants and yard art
Two Alpha Precision: Wood crafts
Elderberry Creek Farm and Nursery: Native plants
Grow and Bloom: Succulent gardens
Muddy Creek Lavender Farms: All about lavender
Odd Flora Plant Shop: Unique plants
J and G Japanese Maples: Japanese Maples and more
Serene Scapes Gardens: Herbs and more
Danny Trogdon: Birdhouses
The Orchid Lady, Linda Thorne: Orchids
The Happy Hosta: Hostas and more
Piedmont Plant Nursery: Native Plants and Heirloom Vegetables
Bashavia Gardens: Native Plants and Ecological Garden Design
