Overview: John Lonsdale will discuss and illustrate a wide variety of the many uncommon and beautiful shade and sun-loving “bulbs” which he grows in his zone 6b garden and greenhouses in Exton, PA. In addition to the true bulbs, such as snowdrops, the presentation will feature plants utilizing tubers, corms and rhizomes – anything that allows geophytes to live through periods of adverse weather. John is particularly interested in pushing the hardiness limits of these plants, and his talk will emphasize methods for their successful cultivation and propagation, especially from seed. The presentation will showcase fall and spring-flowering Cyclamen, Galanthus, Crocus, Sternbergia and Colchicum, as well as a variety of spring-flowering treasures such as Erythronium, Arisaema, Corydalis, Trillium and other less well-known genera. In addition to the presentation, John will bring several specimen potted plants, to further illustrate their beauty and versatility, and cultivation techniques. A selection of potted bulbs will be available for purchase in addition to complimentary light refreshments.
Please note, this event will take place on the Rokeby Farm portion of OSGF and will not include a tour of the library, formal garden, or main residence.
Tickets: $30
About Oak Spring Garden Foundation: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF provides workshops, short courses and supports residencies for artists and scholars. Its celebrated Library comprises rare books, manuscripts and works of art relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany and natural history. It is becoming a new center of stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants, gardens and landscapes.
Photo Release Statement
By attending this event, you consent to your likeness and image being used for ongoing promotional and marketing efforts.
Availability: Each lecture will be capped at 50 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Eventbrite until full.
Header Image: Couresty of John Lonsdale
John Lonsdale is the owner of Edgewood Gardens, a rare plant nursery and garden in Exton, PA. Born in England, John has grown a wide variety of alpine and woodland plants and bulbs for more than 40 years and is a recipient of the Alpine Garden Society Gold Merit Medal. He has traveled extensively to study plants in habitat, especially Trillium in the SE USA. John regularly contributes articles to the publications of a number of horticultural societies, lectures widely and maintains a website (www.edgewoodgardens.net) featuring over 20,000 images of plants growing in his Exton, PA garden. He contributed a chapter discussing Cyclamen in North America to the book, “Genus Cyclamen in Science, Cultivation, Art and Culture”, published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. John received his Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1985 and spent more than 35 years working in biomedical research.