Camden Garden Club will hold its 58th Winter Horticulture Series, kicking off a diverse series of talks on “Re-visioning Your Gardens: Talks about Landscape Design.” Presentations are in-person at the Camden Public Library, starting with hospitality at 10 a.m., followed by the featured speaker at 10:30 a.m. The talks are also simultaneously available via Zoom. 

Registration is required for in-person or Zoom attendance. For additional information and to remain informed about upcoming events through Camden Garden Club, visit the Club’s website at camdengardenclub.org.

"Together with the Camden Public Library, Camden Garden Club is delighted to announce its highly anticipated 2026 Winter Horticulture Series, a collection of educational talks about how to design show-stopping gardens," said the Garden Club, in a news release.

Camden Garden Club provides the following information:

This series will feature five horticultural experts who are leaders and innovators in their fields. Todd Richardson, David Culp, Irene Barber, Sharon Turner, and Emma Kelly will share their experiences and expertise as they walk participants through the steps for creating distinctive gardens. Topics will include landscape design, choosing plants for seasons of interest, and how to address landscaping problems. No matter how big or small their garden space, all participants will come away with ideas about how to re-vision their landscape so that it has greater seasonal interest and impact.

Meet the Speakers:

January 27 at 10:30 AM

Todd Richardson –Elements of Landscape Design

Todd Richardson has led the award-winning firm Richardson & Associates for over 30 years. His expertise includes site development and open space planning. A dedicated educator, he’s received a teaching excellence award from Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute and has taught at Harvard, RISD, and Bowdoin. Todd will kick off this series by walking participants through the fundamentals of landscape planning and design.

            February 3 (Zoom only-Will take place at the French Room in the Town Hall)

David Culp – The Layered Garden

As a nationally recognized garden designer and author, David is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Cavano's Perennials. He has written two books, The Layered Garden and A Year at Brandywine Cottage: Six Seasons of Beauty, Bounty and Blooms. He will teach us how to design a layered garden whose beauty will change and persist throughout the growing seasons. To illustrate how layering works, David will take us on a virtual tour through each part of his celebrated two-acre garden at Brandywine Cottage and will give us ideas for designing our own.

             February 10 at 10:30 AM

 Emma Kelly–Using Hardscape

Practicing primarily in Maine and focusing on residential landscapes, Emma believes deeply in the power of place-making: our ability to shape the spaces around us into crucibles for future meaning and memories. Emma will talk about how to use hardscape to complement and enhance the natural beauty of our yards. 

            February 17 at 10:30 AM

Sharon Turner–Choosing the Right Plants

A landscape designer and advocate for green infrastructure, Sharon will share her insights on designing gardens that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible. Sharon will show participants how to select plants that are best suited for the gardens they are designing. 

            February 24 at 10:30 AM

Irene Barber– Embracing the Organic Process of Design

Irene is the principal of Greenscapes Design, LLC, and designs gardens that create vibrant, landscaped ecosystems that actively support clean water and air, biodiversity, and healthy soils. Irene will give participants tips and strategies about what to do if and when things don’t go as planned in the process of re-visioning their gardens.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a distinguished group of speakers to our Winter Horticulture Series,” said Camden Garden Club Education Co-Chair, Allison Matlack.  “Each of our speakers brings their own expertise, and together they’ll provide a comprehensive approach to landscape design from planning to planting. It’s the perfect way to stay inspired through the winter months!”

Event Details:

• Time: Refreshments 10 AM, Presentation 10:30

• Location: Picker Room, Camden Public Library 

• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged as space is limited. Register at librarycamden.org/WHS

• Donations:  Will support the Camden Garden Club’s ongoing mission to promote gardening education, community beautification, and environmental stewardship throughout  Camden.

• NB. The David Culp Presentation on Zoom will take place in the French Room at the Town Hall not at the Camden Public Library

About The Winter Horticulture Series:
Since 1969, the Camden Garden Club has provided the Winter Horticulture Series of public talks to Camden area residents as a community service during Maine’s coldest months.

About Camden Garden Club:

The Camden Garden Club is the oldest in Maine. The Club was founded in 1915 by a group of like-minded women with the mission to develop and preserve the beauty in and around Camden, Maine. Almost a century later, our efforts have expanded to include promoting civic improvement, providing educational opportunities, and promoting the conservation of our natural resources. 

For additional information and to remain informed about upcoming events through Camden Garden Club, visit the Club’s website at camdengardenclub.org.