Native Perennials with Bling

Presented by Stephanie Cohen

Less than 30 years ago, our native American plants were looked upon as second class citizens by many American gardeners. The guru of perennials at a PHS talk told an audience “unless the British grew them with their stamp of approval they were not considered garden worthy.” So Old Joe Pye became Sir Joe Pye and he was invited into the garden. Today it is our natives that are being invited into gardens worldwide. They are all special. However, some have attributes that make them super special for all kinds of reasons. Stephanie will be taking a look at old favorites, new favorites (Stephanie does use cultivars), and some that are underused. Stephanie will try to tell it like she sees it and let the mulch chips fall where they may!!! 


Stephanie Cohen has taught herbaceous plants
and perennial design at Temple University for over 20 years. She was the Founder and Director of the Landscape Arboretum at Temple University, Ambler. A recipient of many awards, and a sought after lecturer, she has also published several books including The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer published by Storey Press. It was their best seller for 2005. Stephanie has been on QVC TV as the “Perennial Diva.” In 2017 The American Gardener featured her and called her “the grande dame of gardening”. She continues to lecture and write and calls herself mature and seasoned, but never old! 

(Photo by Rob Cardillo)

$5 for members, $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is encouraged.