Dessert Lectures

For more than fifty years, Longwood Gardens has hosted a veritable who’s-who of leading authorities and experts, well-known and soon-to-be-well-known garden writers, innovative plant scientists, cutting-edge garden designers, botanical and floral artists, as well as entertainers and story-tellers; all covering everything and anything you might ever want to know about gardening, horticulture, or design. Since the first evening lecture in Longwood’s Ballroom in 1957, over 200 speakers have visited Longwood to share their knowledge, and each year Longwood’s Continuing Education and Horticulture Department staff work together to plan and host another group of world-class speakers. Our audiences through the years will attest to the fact that these presentations will not only enhance your gardening abilities, but also invigorate your entire spirit as you absorb your knowledge amidst the background of the world’s foremost horticultural display. An evening stroll through Longwood’s Conservatory, a presentation in the beautifully renovated Ballroom, followed by a scrumptious dessert makes for an unforgettable evening. Don’t miss out on the information, the fun, the beauty, and the experience.

COURSES:

East Meets West –
A Contrast of Floral Styles

with Midori Tanimune & Jane Godshalk

DATE:  Tuesday, May 13   7:00 PM  
FEE:  $15  includes dessert reception 
WHERE:  Ballroom 
CODE:  081SLFDE    

Floral Design Lecture
Join us for an evening of yin and yang and see creative designs from both eastern and western cultures showcased by two of our area’s top floral designers. Midori Tanimune, an Ikebana artist ranked at the Sornu level by the Sogetsu School, and Jane Godshalk, an award winning floral designer trained in the European tradition, will contrast the art and drama of flowers across the globe. You will be inspired by the natural structure and discipline of Ikebana and the elegance and cutting edge techniques from the European influence. This will truly be a give and take evening as the floral designers offer a grand performance, and you will take away great ideas to enhance your own homes.

How to Pick a Peach

with Russ Parsons

DATE:  Monday, Sept 22   7:00 PM
FEE:  $15  includes dessert reception 
WHERE:  Ballroom
CODE:  082SLPPE

When we picked up a copy of Russ Parsons’ new book How to Pick a Peach: The Search for Flavor from Farm to Table we were immediately intrigued. He addresses questions all of us have about the food we eat. Now that we have more ingredients to choose from than ever before, why is much of it not worth buying? Why is the grocery store produce section full of an expanding variety of poor quality fruits about which we know less and less? How, when, and why should we buy that fresh, juicy peach we so want to taste? Russ will offer insights on these dilemmas and more as he discusses the development of the modern grocery store, why we should be careful even at the farmer's market, the breeder’s eternal quest for the better fruit or vegetable, and how to select better ingredients for tomorrow’s meal. He’ll even talk about mushrooms and Kennett Square! You’ll know more about farming, food, and cooking after this night, and take home a recipe or two.

Musing on Pumpkins, Giant Pumpkins, and What They Have To Do With Halloween

with Roger Swain

DATE:  Thursday, Oct 20    7:00 PM
FEE:  $15 includes dessert reception 
WHERE:  Ballroom
CODE:  082SLMPE

Roger Swain returns to Longwood for another unique evening of horticultural information, humankind insight, and uproarious laughter. Roger will begin with observations about the world’s largest fruit - the pumpkin. Where it goes from there is anyone’s guess. But on the way, Swain will straighten out the pumpkin’s taxonomy, extol the impact of recent breeding programs, and explain why the best pumpkin pie is made from squash. You’ll learn what a pumpkin is and what it is not, and why that is a matter of concern. This will be an evening of the good, the bad, and the really ugly about pumpkins and their curious cousins. Will Rogers and Mark Twain aren’t around anymore, but Roger Swain is still telling stories as fast as he can think them up.