Educational Programs at the Garden

Let's Chat About Our Gardens

Come and share your plant and garden experiences with your fellow gardeners, and help support Clark Botanic Garden at the same time. Hear with what plants and/or garden ideas others have won or failed. This is an informal “chat session” to give us all an opportunity to talk about the wonderful world of plants. Join us for a fun afternoon when we will share some coffee, tea, and cake, and our gardening “stories.”

Faces of Central Asia

“Fireside Chat” with Doug Going

Doug Going needs no introduction to those of you who have attended his past programs at Clark. This dynamic digital multi-media presentation captures the essence of a storybook land and its current daily life. The countries of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan were former Soviet republics and are now independent nations. Having served as major thoroughfares of the ancient Silk Road, these lands offer a glimpse into a past that changed the world. Brimming with color and life, Central Asia is a melting pot of history, tradition and ways of life. Come along on this journey and experience one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic places to visit.

Hydrangeas

“Fireside Chat” with Jonathan M. Lehrer, Phd

Jonathan Lehrer is an assistant professor of ornamental horticulture at Farmingdale State College, and a native Long Islander. Hydrangeas are some of the most popular shrubs on Long Island, but their proper cultivation can cause confusion for even experienced gardeners. Join Dr. Lehrer as he discusses differences between the various hydrangea species and proper care for each, such as, pruning. He will also explore some of the new innovations which make hydrangeas so exciting in today’s market.

Great Gardens of the World

“Fireside Chat” with Vincent A. Simeone

Vincent Simeone has worked in public horticulture at Planting Fields Arboretum for the past 18 years and is now its Director. He has written various garden articles for magazines and newspapers, and published four gardening books. Since 1998, he has traveled to some of the most breathtaking gardens in Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. His program provides picturesque views of natural and cultivated areas and helpful information on garden design. Come along for a train ride through the Canadian Rockies, a hiking trip into the wild bush of New Zealand, and a whale watching expedition to Cape Town. Don’t miss this unique journey around the globe!

Get to Know Bridge Gardens

“Fireside Chat” with Rick Bogusch

Rick Bogusch is the Garden Manager of Bridge Gardens, a unique public garden located in the heart of Bridgehampton, NY, and one of Peconic Land Trust’s most exciting stewardship projects. Bridge Gardens was founded in 1988 by Harry Neyens and Jim Kilpatric. They designed and installed the gardens for the ensuing 20 years and created a five-acre oasis that includes many specimens of trees, hedgerow, flowers and herbs. Rick worked alongside Neyens and Kilpatric before they left and has been the garden manager since 2008. He has a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University, where he worked for 20 years designing gardens for Cornell Plantations, the University’s arboretum and botanical garden. Learn all about Bridge Gardens in Rick’s program, and look forward to our bus trip there in September.

Waking Up the Garden

“Fireside Chat” with Jim Newman

Jim Newman, our resident horticulturist, will get us started on the new gardening season. He will show us the “hidden jewels” Clark Botanic Garden has to offer, as he walks us around and demonstrates pruning techniques, division of plants, and general garden care. Those of you who have attended this program in the past know how much we learn in this short space of time. The lecture is held outdoors, so please dress accordingly, and bring all of your gardening questions.