The Landcraft Garden on the precipice of spring sports the best of both seasons, that of the waning winter landscape and the burgeoning spring landscape; all while the Landcraft Conservatory maintains its lush verdancy year-round (with a few exceptions). The juxtaposition of the garden and the conservatory at this moment, between dormancy and awakening, is a rare treat, not to be missed.

It is at this seasonal edge that Landcraft Garden Foundation is pleased to welcome back Vincent A. Simeone, horticulturist, lecturer and garden writer, who will lead guests down the garden path (literally and figuratively) of selecting and designing with trees, shrubs and perennials of outstanding seasonal merit represented at Landcraft and from his 38 years in horticulture. This will be a hybrid lecture indoors and walk in the garden outdoors. After which, Landcraft’s own Dennis Schrader will survey the best of Landcraft’s plant collection in the warmth of the Conservatory. Participants will receive a signed copy of Simeone’s book, “Wonders of the Winter Landscape.” Light refreshments to be served.

VINCENT SIMEONE has worked in public horticulture for 38 years at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in New York where he is currently the Director. He received an AAS degree in ornamental horticulture from SUNY Farmingdale, a BS in ornamental horticulture from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree in public administration from CW Post. Vincent studied under well-known professors Dr. Michael Dirr and Dr. Allan Armitage. Over the last 15 years, Vincent has assisted Armitage with garden tours through Southern England, Northern France, Southern Germany, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden. Vincent specializes in woody plant id, culture, use and selection of superior varieties and is an experienced lecturer, instructor, and horticultural consultant. He has spoken to many groups nationwide and has appeared on several garden shows including Martha Stewart Living and HGTV.

DENNIS SCHRADER is co-owner of Landcraft Environments, a leading wholesale greenhouse operation located in Mattituck, NY. The business currently has over 6 acres of greenhouse space producing hundreds of thousands of plants for garden centers and public gardens along the East Coast. A graduate from SUNY Cobleskill NY where his majors were Environmental Design and Horticulture, Dennis’ garden design accomplishments range from penthouse gardens in Manhattan to large-scale commercial and estate landscapes on Long Island and throughout the Northeast to tropical gardens in Florida, Hawaii, California and Costa Rica. Dennis is also an accomplished writer. He has written numerous articles on gardening for national and international magazines and two books: Hot Plants for Cool Climates and Extraordinary Leaves with the photographer Stephen Green-Armitage. In 2020, Dennis and husband Bill Smith founded the Landcraft Garden Foundation, a not-for-profit organization preserving the Landcraft Garden.

AGE: Adult Audiences

WEATHER: Rain or Shine

SPECIAL NOTES: Please dress for being outside: comfortable shoes and socks, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water are recommended. To be a source of healthy insects for our birds and other insect-feeding wildlife, Landcraft does not spray the garden to manage ticks. Please take appropriate precautions.