The featured speaker at the free plant and accessory sale says your garden shouldn't be a tough row to hoe.
By AMY SCHERZER
Published March 21, 2004
Throw out the rules and enjoy your yard, gardener Tony Avent will tell visitors to GreenFest 2004 next weekend.
"Gardening should be like boating, golfing, going to Disney World. It shouldn't be a chore," Avent said on the telephone from his mail-order business in Raleigh, N.C. Avent's Plant Delights Nursery specializes in rare perennials, hostas and natives.
GreenFest keynote speaker Avent will be joined by dozens of vendors selling plants and garden accessories Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at H.B. Plant Park at the University of Tampa.
Throughout the weekend, local master gardeners will share their expertise. Admission and parking are free, with the exception of artist Carolyn Heller's workshop, "Paint Your Watering Can," on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., which requires a $25 fee.
To inspire gardeners to get past conventional landscaping, Avent calls his 1 p.m. lecture on Saturday: "If You Want to Make a Garden, You Have to Break a Few Rules."
"We've been taught to garden for utilitarian purposes only," he said. "That's boring. It's the reason the English don't bring garden tours to America."
When Avent's not lecturing - giving more than 361 talks in the past decade - he's leading international plant explorations to Mexico, Argentina, China and Korea. In the United States, his expeditions have taken him as far west as Texas.
"Only really keen plant collectors are invited," Avent said. "They tend to be sort of over the top."
Avent also operates the Juniper Level Botanical Gardens, south of Raleigh, which shows 16,000 plants by appointment.
He and his wife, Michelle, have four cats, Diamond, Pearl, Ruby and Zirconia. None are named for flowers.
"I think she was trying to drop a hint," said Avent, who will also speak informally Friday at a $75-per-person patrons party.
Last year's GreenFest guest speaker, garden designer Chip Calloway of Greensboro, N.C., returns to speak at a luncheon Thursday at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. Calloway will share "Trials and Triumphs: Reflections of a Southern Gardener." Tickets are $40 and reservations are required.
Also returning is master gardener Maryon Marsh, who offers a class Sunday on "Funky Container Gardening" on the UT verandah. Marsh owns The Misting Shed.
GreenFest, sponsored by Friends of Plant Park for the seventh year, raises funds for the preservation and maintenance of the Victorian botanical garden on the UT campus.
Plant Park GreenFest 2004, Thursday through Sunday: Plant and garden accessory sale, rain or shine. Free admission unless noted. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Plant Park, University of Tampa, 401 West Kennedy Blvd. 231-1335 or visit www.greenfest.org
Thursday: GreenFest luncheon with Chip Calloway, landscape and garden designer; "Trials and Triumphs, Reflections of a Southern Gardener," 11:30 a.m., Tampa Yacht and Country Club; $40, reservations required, 251-0282. Sponsored by Merrill Lynch.
Friday: Conversations and Cocktails Patrons Party with Tony Avent, 6:30 p.m.; home of Gail and Arnold Levine; $75; 258-8787; sponsored by Northern Trust.
Saturday: 1 p.m., keynote speaker Tony Avent: "If You Want to Make a Garden, You've Got to Break a Few Rules," Plant Hall, free.
2:30 p.m.: Artist Carolyn Heller teaches "Paint Your Water Can," $25, reservations required, 837-0131.
Sunday: GreenFest 2004 continues, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1 p.m.: Master gardener Maryon Marsh, owner of the Misting Shed, teaches "Funky Container Gardening" on the UT verandah.
