Raise the bar for nonstop, colorful flower gardens that welcome pollinators and slash maintenance. This presentation features clever design tips and foliage-dazzling plants with pollinator-friendly flowers for year-round, head-turning gardens in sun or shade. Neighbors will be dumbfounded when they rarely see you maintaining these showcase gardens.
This lecture is best suited for gardeners in hardiness Zones 3-8.
Kerry will show you:
Design techniques featuring gorgeous foliage as the focal point
Gardens with dramatically reduced maintenance and nonstop color
Plants with fascinating foliage: size, shape, texture, or fragrance
Superstars by leaf color: yellow/gold, blue, silver, maroon/red/black, and more
This eye-opening lecture will take the guesswork out of which perennials and flowering shrubs are the best choices, especially for more challenging growing conditions. You simply cannot tell if a plant is a great performer year after year by looking at a pretty picture or attractively maintained inventory at garden centers. For over 30 years I have trialed hundreds of plants. I’m excited to share my results, as well as those of many reliable plant trials across the country. Some of the 'winners' may surprise you! Many natives and nativars will also be spotlighted.
This lecture is best suited for gardeners in hardiness Zones 3-8.
Kerry will show you:
Long-blooming, pollinator-friendly perennials requiring no deadheading, unlike many commonly sold varieties
Outstanding alternatives to favorite perennials that are short-lived; disease-prone; rapid-spreading; aggressive reseeders; or stake-requiring
No prune or rarely pruned glamorous flowering shrubs
Improved stalwarts for dry shade
Replacing exotic plants with natives that have similar-looking flowers
Join Us for the 4th Annual Garden Crossings Signature Garden Event! Saturday, June 13 | 9 AM – 4 PM
Experience an expanded day of inspiration with Heidi and our team! Explore our display gardens at peak color, meet the growers and designers, and enjoy:
Guided Garden Tours – See our ‘living catalog,’ get landscaping ideas, and preview new 2027 annuals.
Informative Speakers – Details coming soon.
Behind-the-Scenes Facility Tours – Greenhouses and shipping area.
Hands-On Planting – Create a combination container with our Garden Center team.
Boxed Lunch & Snacks, Swag Bag & Door Prizes, and Special Garden Center Deals
As a Proven Winners Destination Garden Center, we offer all shrub and perennial lines and 90% of the annuals.
Details:
Limited to 100 guests – register early.
Fee: $225 per person. All sales final.
Dress for weather; rain or shine. Comfortable closed-toe shoes recommended. Most areas not wheelchair accessible.
We can’t wait to spend the day with you! Once your registration is confirmed, we’ll reach out to enhance your experience.
Due to an overwhelming response in the past, we are continuing to offer 2 dates in August with more tickets available for each date! You can join us at the home of Proven Winners Direct on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 or Friday, August 21st, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST. Each day will share the same exciting lineup of events. We can't wait to see you!
Guided tours of our beautiful Signature Gardens
Explore new Proven Winners® plants and products for 2027
Opportunity to purchase plants, supplies, and PWD merchandise
Plant up gorgeous containers at the Soil Bar
Enjoy a morning snack and yummy lunch– with ice cream!
Leave with a goodie bag, prizes, and a full heart
This is a ticketed event. You must pre-purchase to reserve your spot. Photo Release signature required at arrival. Outdoor event- dress appropriately for the weather. Rain or shine- the event will go on!
