Garden Adventures Classes & Workshops
From where we stand, 2010 looks to be a great year for gardening. We have put together a schedule of classes that will help all gardeners with one aspect or another. If you find joy in vegetable gardening or want to attract butterflies, we have you covered. If you are wild about container gardening or just want to keep up with the latest trends in flowering shrubs, we have a class for you too. On this year’s schedule you will find 15 classes and we have 9 guest speakers from 5 different states coming to the nursery. As always, our classes are open to the public and free of charge. There is no need to register, just show up and join us as we celebrate life in our GARDEN ADVENTURES.
Classes are held at Garden Adventures Nursery in Nixa, MO. Need directions? 
Garden Adventures is located 2.8 miles west of Highway 160 on Highway 14.
2010 Upcoming Classes & Events
February 19-21: Lawn and Garden Show at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-PLEX
Catch a sneak peak of some of the artist’s talents that will be coming to Art in the Garden in April. We will be displaying pieces from several local artists as well as showcasing some of the new plant material that will be available at the nursery when spring arrives.
March 13: Vegetable Gardening
Class Time: 10 am
Regardless of whether you are a seasoned veteran or new to gardening, you are sure to gain valuable information on this subject. Jim Kohler of Springfield Seed Co./ Hummert International has nearly 30 years experience in the horticulture industry and has been an avid gardener for many years. He will share with us his vast experience and answer any questions you have concerning your garden.
March 27: Edibles in the Landscape
Class Time: 10 am
Utilizing plants with dual purpose is a trend that we see growing in popularity. Find out how to incorporate many types of fruiting and berry producing plants into your landscape that will give you not only edibles, but showy flowers and/or fall color as well.
April 10: Bee Keeping
Class Time: 10 am
James Zitting from Bee Landing will be here to discuss the art of bee keeping. Everything you need to know to maintain hives of the winged friends.
April 24 And 25: Azalea Festival/ Art In The Garden/ Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate life on Earth with us as we officially kick off spring, while ceremoniously honoring the ‘ROYALTY OF THE GARDEN’, Azaleas. No other plant we know of evokes the kind of passion that Azaleas create. We have over 40 varieties planted in the stroll garden to enjoy. Classes on Azaleas will be held on April 24th at 10 am and 1 pm.
We are bringing back ART IN THE GARDEN this year. Local artists will be displaying their talents in several categories, photographer, painter, wood worker, potter, metal smith, weaver, etc.
On Sunday afternoon we will join in the ‘Global Day of Celebration’, celebrating the 40th anniversary of EARTH DAY. At 1 pm Seth Entwisle will be here to talk about organics, the environment, and how to do your part to ensure a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Local conservation groups will be here as well.
We will also have live music performed by local artists, Saturday afternoon from 2pm thru 7pm and Sunday afternoon from 2pm thru 5pm. Emily Higgins will highlight the event, and be organizing other local artists. Check her out at www.emilyhigginsmusic.com or catch her at ‘The Mulberry Tree’, weekends on KSMU 91.1 Springfield MO.
May 8: Container gardening
Class Time: 10 am
For some people container gardening means a splash of annuals that can be traded out as the seasons progress. For others it may be hardy perennials or even broad leaf or needle leaf evergreens, or flowering shrubs with annuals mixed in for color. Maybe your thing is herbs or small vegetables for the back porch. Regardless of where your interests lie, our professionals will teach you how to be successful.
May 22: Informal Garden Design
Class Time: 10 am
“Only through a clear appreciation of that design which takes into account the laws of rock distribution and occurrence, as well as habits and uses of plants, can nature’s unity, simplicity, and ultimate beauty be truly reproduced in the garden.” Henry Skinner, former director, National Arboretum.
Grant Williams of Sticks and Stones will be sharing his wealth of knowledge on making your outdoor space gently blend with the natural landscape. He will be discussing the use of plants, stone and/or water to make your garden intermingle with nature.
June 5: Little Known and Underused Perennials
Class Time: 10 am
It is always a treat to have Lee Coates from Peggy’s Flowers here to discuss what he is so passionate about, perennials. We know of no one else with more knowledge on the subject. With over 17 years of experience, Lee and his wife Peggy grow more than 450 cultivars of approximately 75 species of perennials. Today he discusses some maybe you haven’t heard of, but might like to try.
June 19: Proven Winners Color Choice
Class Time: 10 am
For many years now Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs have set the standard for excellence in ornamental garden plants. The Proven Winner people, Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI, have introduced many incredible shrubs, Lo and Behold Butterfly Bush, Soft Serve Chamaecyparis, Pinky Winky Hydrangea, and Wine and Roses Weigela, just to name a few. A representative of Spring Meadow will be on hand to discuss both the old tried and true varieties as well as the brand new introductions like Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea, Bloomerang Lilac, and Lil’ Miss Sunshine Caryopteris. www.springmeadownursery.com
July 17: Butterflies and Hummers
Class Time: 10 am
If you want to attract more of these lovely creatures to your garden, join us on this day as we discuss the types of plants that will naturally draw these to you. Host and nectar/food plants for the butterfly species and the best flowers for the hummingbirds will be the hot topic of the day.
July 31: New Perennial Varieties
Class Time: 10 am
With all the new varieties on the market, and dozens more being added each year, it is nearly impossible to keep up. Tim DeVries of Garden World in St. Paul MN. will be here to help sort out all of these fresh cultivars, and give you all the information you need to be successful with them.
August 14: Garden Debut
Class Time: 10 am
Greenleaf Nursery in Tahlequah, OK is widely recognized as an innovator on the topic of new plant varieties suitable for the mid-west. A representative from Greenleaf will discuss their new “brand” of perennials, shrubs and trees called GARDEN DEBUT. These cutting-edge new varieties will undoubtedly leave their mark in the plant world. Their new line of 24/7 Daylilies are an incredible mix of colors and textures of re-bloomers. Crown Jewel Gardenia has proven hardy in our zone 6 garden here at Garden Adventures and is sure to be a best seller for years to come. Burgundy Hearts Redbud is a new red leafed selection that holds its color throughout the season. These are just a few of the many exciting new varieties that will be discussed.
September 4: Hostas
Class Time: 10 am
Back by popular demand, Lee Coates will once again showcase both the old and new varieties. From the dwarfs like Blue Mouse Ear to the giants like Blue Angel, Lee will discuss them all.
September 25: Gardening for Fall Color
Class Time: 10 am
It is fall again, and soon the landscape of the Ozarks will be a kaleidoscope of colors. On this day we will discuss some of the many plant varieties that really “show off” this time of year. Some we grow for leaf color, some for berries ( sometimes both), and even some for flowers in the fall.
October 23: Viburnums
Class Time: 10 am
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Gary Ladman, one of the foremost authorities on Viburnums, has agreed to speak about this very diverse plant genus. Gary and his wife Susan own and operate Classic Viburnums in Upland, NE. At more than 200 cultivars, their collection of Viburnums is the most extensive we have seen. Whether you grow plants for fragrant flowers, berries or fall color, there is a Viburnum to fit you specs. Flower colors include pink and white. Fruit colors include red, orange, yellow, blue, coral and pink. Fall leaf colors range through the reds and yellows. Join us as Gary tells us all we need to know to grow these wonderful plants.
