Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group
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2026 March Into Spring
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library 5105 Kennett Pike Winterthur, DE 19735 302-888-4600 View additional information
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
Category: Annual Events & Programs
March into Spring XXIX – A Symposium for Gardeners The venue for 2026 will once again be:
The 2026 March Into Spring Symposium will once again be a Hybrid Event with In-Person and Virtual Options. The Auction will remain online only.
Members and Non-Members Welcome Speakers and Topics
Additional Details below – Schedule for the Day & Presentation Details and Speaker Bios Plus: Fabulous vendors, book signings, HPS/MAG book sale, trolley or walking tour of Winterthur Gardens, Online Auction, and Continuing Education credits. Details to come. Registration Required Early Registration cost through February 28: In-person: $95 members / $115 non-members Virtual: $65 members / $85 non-members Late Registration cost March 1 through March 14: In-person: $115 members / $135 non-members Virtual: $85 members / $105 non-members Registration opens October 17, 2025 Refund Policy: Unless stated otherwise on the registration form, HPS/MAG does not issue refunds unless the event is canceled. If the event is canceled (due to factors such as inclement weather, insufficient registration, or other things beyond its control), HPS/MAG will issue the registrant a refund within 30 days of the planned event. Live a distance away? Arrive on 03-20-26 and get the HPS group rate at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn Hardy Plant Society has obtained a block of hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kennett Square, PA for Friday, March 20. The hotel is 7.2 miles away from Winterthur. Deadline to reserve a hotel room is February 19, 2026. Below is the link to reserve a room. Use Ctrl + Click, or Copy & Paste the entire URL.
Added incentive to come a day early: Free Private Tour of the Conservatory of Longwood Gardens with Karl Gercens We have arranged a tour of the Conservatory of Longwood Gardens with Karl Gercens, Conservatory Manager at Longwood Gardens, on Friday, March 20th. Karl is responsible for many of the changing displays in the grand 4-acre Conservatory at Longwood. For 10 years, Karl has influenced the design, installation and maintenance of some of the finest horticulture displays under glass. Karl’s signature strength of using pallets of colored foliage trees, shrubs and perennials is also the focus of his professional lectures that he gives nationwide and his horticulture classes as part of Longwood Gardens’ Continuing Education Program. Karl’s horticulture passion extends worldwide with frequent visits to public gardens in all 50 states and more than 24 countries. Karl is leading two free tours, one at 1 p.m. and another at 3 p.m. Note: All registrants must pay the necessary entrance fee to Longwood Gardens. Those with Longwood memberships can enter with their membership. Tours are limited to 20 individuals per tour. To sign up for the tour, click on one of the links below: Register here for 1 p.m. Conservatory Tour with Karl Gercens – Friday, March 20th Register here for 3 p.m. Conservatory Tour with Karl Gercens – Friday, March 20th ADDITIONAL SYMPOSIUM DETAILS Schedule for the Day – Saturday, March 21st 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and refreshments (beverages and baked goods) 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Welcome and Logistics 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Yuki Kaneko: Editing the Garden 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Break: vendor shopping, book signing, and garden walks 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Matt and Tim Nichols of MrMaple: Why are people so obsessed with Japanese Maples? 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch in the Café or Garden Terrace, and vendor shopping and book signing 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM Richard G. Hawke: Hardy Grasses and Perennial Companions 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM Break: vendor shopping and book signing 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Brie Gluvna Arthur: Foodscape Harmony: Embracing Natives and Edibles 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM Trolley or walking tour of Winterthur Gardens and vendor shopping.
Presentation Details and Speaker Bios: Yuki Kaneko: Editing the Garden
Speaker Bio: Yuki Kaneko is the Senior Horticulture Manager at the Friends of the High Line where she manages the landscape of the internationally celebrated urban public park in New York City. Yuki earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Tama Art University in Japan where she was born and was awarded the Blanchette H. Rockefeller Fellowship to study art in the United States. She received certificates from the New York Botanical Garden for courses in horticulture and botany, and further trained as a horticulturist through the John Nally Internship at Wave Hill. She joined Friends of the High Line in 2016 to steward its naturalistic gardens designed by Piet Oudolf. With her passion for interpreting designed landscapes in the context of ecological conservation, she manages the High Line’s horticulture operation, plant curation, and programming to provide a biodiverse landscape corridor that connects people with nature. Matt and Tim Nichols of MrMaple:Why are people so obsessed with Japanese Maples?
Speaker Bio: MrMaple is family owned and operated. Norman Nichols started the nursery out of his interest in Japanese maples. With his wife, Evelyn, they began to propagate seedlings and eventually a few cultivars. They started out selling in local tailgate markets, offering only a small selection of maples. The nursery has grown and now propagates over 1000 cultivars with distribution all over the United States. Norman Nichols has been propagating Japanese maples for over 35 years and has passed that expertise to his sons Matt and Tim. As a result, the nursery expanded to include a multitude of new ideas and rare trees. Together, the Nichols family strives to provide the best high quality Japanese maples to the Carolinas and beyond. Matt & Tim Nichols are constantly working to expand their knowledge of acers. As active members of the Maple Society and International Plant Propagator Society they are continually exploring new plant possibilities. They also travel to nurseries, arboretums and private collections to observe maples growing in different locations around the United States, giving them a better understanding of different growing conditions, knowledge that helps them better serve their customers. As propagators, MrMaple is at the forefront of new growing methods, propagation techniques and making new and exciting cultivars readily available to the general public. To help ensure that each tree is healthy and disease resistant they not only graft their Japanese maples, but also grow their own root stocks. Only micro-nutrients and natural fertilizers that promote natural healthy root growth are used. Richard G. Hawke: Hardy Grasses and Perennial Companions
Speaker Bio: Richard Hawke is the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he oversees the plant evaluation, plant breeding, and plant introduction (Chicagoland Grows®) programs. He has managed the plant evaluation program since 1986. Richard has a horticulture degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an author and contributing editor for Fine Gardening magazine andis currently past president of the Perennial Plant Association. In 2023, Richard received the Scott Medal and Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding national contributions to the science and art of gardening.
Brie Gluvna Arthur: Foodscape Harmony: Embracing Natives and Edibles
Speaker Bio: Brie Arthur is widely recognized as one of the charismatic young leaders who are helping shape the future of the green industry and home gardening. Brie is an acclaimed international speaker and author. Her bestselling first book, The Foodscape Revolution (2017, St. Lynn’s Press), laid the groundwork for realizing the full potential that every landscape offers, by growing fruits and veggies alongside traditional plantings and doing it with pizzazz and purpose. Gardening with Grains is her latest passion project, born from an “aha” realization that we have been missing a dynamic piece of the burgeoning foodscape movement: grains – those ancient and beautiful grasses that practically gave us civilization. Grains can be planted as ornamental-edible additions to residential and commercial landscapes. Not just as field crops anymore but offering a way for us to come closer to these vital food sources, grown on a small scale and without the chemical interventions that are part of conventional farming practices. Brie’s core belief is that all horticultural things are the way to create a healthier future for the world. Brie studied Landscape Design and Horticulture at Purdue University and has worked as a propagator and grower at leading nurseries. In 2017 she was awarded the first “Emerging Professional” distinction by the American Horticultural Society for her efforts in connecting a new generation to the art of growing. She was named in the class of 2016’s “40 Under 40” by Greenhouse Product News and is the founder of Emergent: A Group for Growing Professionals. Brie a past president of the International Plant Propagators Society, Southern Region and currently serves as an international delegate for IPPS. She has appeared as a correspondent on the PBS television show “Growing a Greener World” and shares real-life gardening advice through her YouTube channel, Brie The Plant Lady. Questions? Contact: Nora Sirbaugh, [email protected]
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Drawing from 15 years’ experience in public horticulture, Yuki will focus her presentation on how we preserve the design intent while managing the ever-changing plant dynamics in the naturalistic garden, stewarding it in urban environments.
The beauty, diversity, and seasonal interest of Japanese Maples make them a beloved choice for gardeners everywhere. With their captivating colors and forms, they serve as a testament to nature's artistry, offering constant inspiration and joy. Whether you're a seasoned horticulturalist or a casual plant lover, introducing a Japanese Maple or two into your garden can elevate your landscape and create a lasting legacy of beauty.
This is a “plant pairing” talk, not a design talk. Not quite sure how to incorporate hardy grasses with your perennials? Richard will discuss combinations that enrich and expand your plant palate using hardy grasses.
In a world where climate concerns, water quality, and invasive species are paramount, thoughtful landscaping takes center stage. Join author and horticulturist Brie Arthur as she explains the art of creating a foodscape that merges native plants with your beloved seasonal food crops. The best organic practices are explained, and earth-friendly maintenance strategies take center stage. Delve into the realm of native edible plants, unlocking their secrets and the pollinators they beckon for the vital task of ecological restoration. This presentation isn't just about gardening; it's about transforming landscapes into powerful solutions. Embrace a future where every corner of your property becomes a purposeful space that champions sustainable practices.
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