Joanne Walkovic Memorial Lecture 2023

Thomas Rainer - Functional Planting: Creating Adaptive Plant Systems

The Joanne Walkovic Memorial Lecture is a co-sponsored program by the Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Chapter and the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. This lecture is free and open to the public.

In an era of climate change and species extinction, designed plantings offer a unique potential to address today’s environmental challenges. Yet traditional horticultural approaches are often carbon intensive, resource-dependent, and high maintenance. This talk presents a powerful alternative to traditional horticulture—designed plantings that function like naturally-occurring plant communities.

Join landscape architect Thomas Rainer, a leading voice in ecological landscape design, to learn how to translate wild inspirations into designed systems, and how to layer plants in biodiverse assemblages. Thomas will share recent examples of Phyto Studio’s design projects for public sites and botanical gardens.

Thomas Rainer is a registered landscape architect, teacher, and author living in Arlington, Virginia. Thomas, a leading voice in ecological landscape design, has designed landscapes for the U.S. Capitol grounds, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and The New York Botanical Garden, as well as over 100 gardens from Maine to Florida. He is a celebrated public speaker who has garnered acclaim for his passionate presentations to audiences across the U.S. and in Europe. Thomas serves as a Principal for the landscape architectural and consulting firm Phyto Studio in Washington, D.C.

Registration will be on the Scott Arboretum website. Here's the link to register. https://www.scottarboretum.org/calendar/joanne-walkovic-memorial-lecture-functional-planting-creating-adaptive-plant-systems/

HPS/MAG COVID-19 PRACTICES AND POLICIES: All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall be subject to all COVID-related requirements imposed by any state, local and/or federal agency.  Guests and invitees should apprise themselves of any such requirements prior to attendance.  All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall also be subject to the COVID-related requirements, if any, of the garden host.  All attendees must bring a mask for every In-Person Event, in case it is required. 

Non-vaccinated attendees at events must sign a COVID waiver. Click here for the waiver. Please bring it with you to the event.