News
Meetings & Events: ACS 2010 National Meeting
June 17-19, 2010
The Southeastern Region cordially invites members to join us in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 17-19, as we host the 2010 National Meeting. Charlotte is known as the "Queen City," and members will enjoy the royal treatment as they tour Charlotte's lovely gardens, take in a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity, and receive a good dose of Southern hospitality.
Download 2010 National Meeting Flyer.
After a hearty breakfast Friday morning, members are off to tour some remarkable gardens. First stop is the garden of Brandon and Melissa Sleigh. With more than 700 species and cultivars, a fantastic array of conifers plays an integral part in this beautiful garden. With one look, it is obvious to see the passion the Sleighs have put into their garden. Subscribing to Sir Peter Smithers' axiom "I consider every plant hardy until I've killed it myself," there is an incredible collection of plants living in perfect harmony with surprises around every corner.
Next comes is the garden of Thomas Nunnenkamp and Lib Jones. Located not far from the hustle and bustle of busy streets, this peaceful woodland garden is an oasis of fantastic horticultural treasures. As members take a stroll down the shaded paths, an incredible diversity of horticultural gems awaits. Rare exotics mix with wonderful natives to make the garden gorgeous in all seasons. With so much to see, it will be hard for members to leave.
Leave we must, though, for a fantastic lunch at Freedom Park, one of Charlotte's loveliest parks. Members can dine by the lake and amphitheater and get a little rest before boarding the buses for one of the south's finest public gardens, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Named as one of the nation's 20 Great Gardens by HGTV, DSBG's 110 acres boast stunning water features, lush gardens, and the new Orchid Conservatory. The striking beauty of DSBG will melt even the most jaded gardener's heart within moments of arrival. Go to www.dsbg.org for more on this exquisite garden.
After our first day of touring, members are back at the hotel for the night's banquet, award presentations, and full-contact bidding in the ever popular plant auctions. Often an event unto itself, the auctions promise an evening of wild entertainment.
Saturday guarantees an unforgettable experience as members visit the arboretum at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory. As outlined in the last Conifer Quarterly (Fall 2009), this truly is a remarkable arboretum that seems to be a secret, even here in the South, but now the secret is out. After touring this incredible arboretum, members will be treated to an education session that should not be missed.
Taking full advantage of the experts at Bartlett, the nation's leading scientific tree and shrub care company, members will learn the latest in pruning techniques. Instead of learning from a diagram or small container plant, members will learn on actual specimens in the arboretum. The Bartlett experts will also teach members the basics of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how they can be used by the home gardener.
But wait, there's more! Connie Cottingham, Publicity and Special Event Coordinator for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, will present Conifer Communication: Writing Tips and Techniques for Aspiring Garden Writers. Todd Lasseigne, PhD, executive director of the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden will present Musings and Thoughts on Rootstocks for Conifers: What We Can Learn from Observations of Nativity and Plant Performance in Cultivation.
After filling minds with so much knowledge, members will be able to rest and relax and enjoy dinner under the big top. A tented dinner will cap off a meeting you will not want to miss. Make plans to come to Charlotte this June and receive the royal treatment in the Queen City!