WILLIAMSBURG — Registration is now open for Colonial Williamsburg (CW)’s 75th annual Garden Symposium.
The event, which is scheduled for April 28 – May 1 and offered both in-person and online, will feature horticulturists, historians, and designers sharing methods and techniques for creating gardens that benefit all living creatures.
Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s quote, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow,” this year’s theme explores “Responsible Gardening: Sowing Seeds for a Bright Future.”
Horticulturist, author, and television personality P. Allen Smith will be at the event to give a lecture on sustainability in gardening practices.
“We have the opportunity to study and enjoy historic landscapes because our predecessors practiced responsible gardening techniques,” CW Director of Landscape Joanne Chapman said. “What better way to celebrate 75 years of the Garden Symposium than by using it to learn what we can do today to ensure that our modern gardening practices allow us to enjoy gorgeous landscapes for generations to come.”
Symposium highlights include a presentation on the Governor’s Palace gardens by author and Shurcliff biographer, Elizabeth Hope Cushing, followed by a visit to the CW Lights.
Rebecca Lindenmeyr, landscape and biophilic interior designer, will also give insight into biodiversity and designing regenerative landscapes.
Professional gardeners Brie Arthur and Matthew Benson will discuss foodscaping and share advice on the art of sustainable organic gardening.
Garden designer Renny Reynolds will give an overview of how English gardens influenced his creation of the 60-acre garden of Hortulus Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Chapman and the former Director of Landscape Laura Viancour will lead a discussion on the past, present and future initiatives in CW’s Gardens.
Registration for in-person attendance is $325 and includes in-person and online access to all lectures; coffee and snack breaks; two evening receptions; one ticket to CW Lights; and one seven-day ticket voucher to CW to be redeemed by Dec. 31, 2022.
Those attending an Educational Conference in-person are required to submit proof of full vaccination.
Registration for online-only admission is $150 and includes access to all lectures that will be streamed online, and a seven-day ticket voucher to CW to be redeemed by Dec. 31, 2022. Conference guest tickets are available for a seven-day ticket voucher to CW’s Art Museums and Historic Area ($22), Thursday and Saturday receptions ($60 each) and CW Lights ($19).
There is also a limited number of student scholarships available with an application deadline of March 18.
To register by the April 1 deadline, visit here or email educationalconferences@cwf.org, or call (1) 800-603-0948 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, visit here.
