Biennial Conference
on Restoring Southern Gardens and Landscapes

Returning to Our Roots: Planting & Replanting the Historic Southern Garden

September 24-26, 2009
Old Salem Museum & Gardens
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Click here to download the Conference brochure.

2009 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Conference on Restoring Southern Gardens & Landscapes, first convened at Old Salem in 1979. In celebration of this milestone, the 2009 conference returns to its roots in addressing plants and planting of historic gardens in the South.

Sessions will include practical information on planting and maintaining the historic garden in both private and public contexts, case studies of historic landscape restorations, and resources for heirloom and historic seeds, flowers, bulbs, trees, vegetables and native plants. In honor of the anniversary year, the popular conference plant sale will be expanded and will be available throughout the conference.

The conference will begin with afternoon guided tours of the gardens of Old Salem on Thursday, September 24, followed by an opening reception and keynote address by Peter Hatch, Director of Gardens and Grounds at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Speakers on Friday and Saturday include William Woys Weaver, Scott Kunst, William Patterson, Jim Rodgers, David C. Vernon, Margaret Page Bemiss, Will Rieley, Gayle DeLashmutt, and Sue Burgess. Moderators for the Friday and Saturday sessions will be Peggy Cornett and Davyd Foard Hood.

The conference will also include a visit to Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University and dinner on the grounds at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. Two photographic exhibitions will be on view during the conference: "Early Views of the Salem Landscape" and "Heroes of Horticulture," featuring culturally significant landscapes at risk.

Click here for the Conference Program.