Mini-Symposium & Silent Auction

The Barbara Allen Mini-Symposium

and Silent Auction

When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, 1 pm to 5 pm

Where:  St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 4393 Garmon Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

Georgia Perennial presents two of the best garden speakers around, Dan Benarcik, Chanticleer Garden and Dr. Allan Armitage. UGA Professor, Emeritus, to address garden design and garden practicalities. Sandwiched between our speakers, we will hold a Silent Auction featuring great plants and garden related merchandise.

Snacks and two tickets for wine are included with a registration fee of $10 for Members (registration is waived for volunteers who commit to help before March 22, 2023). Nonmember registration is $25. Nonmembers can apply this fee to a full membership after the program (Individual $35; Dual $50). 

Registrants are encouraged to come at 1 pm to preview the Silent Auction merchandise, begin bidding, socialize and walk St. Dunstan's lovely grounds. At 2 pm, Dan Benarcik will speak on “Foliage First: Boom without the Bloom."  

After Q&A with Dan, participants can have a nosh and and beverage, then get to bidding in earnest. Silent Auction bidding will end around 4:00 when Dr. Armitage will speak on "Gardening for Those Who Think They Know Everything."  At the conclusion of his talk and Q&A, checkout will open. This is also a great time to buy autographed books from Dr. Armitage and collect sponsor and donor catalogs and cards to take home for future use.  

See below for more details and registration options. Members interested in volunteering, email Chuck Young or Daria Jones.

Dan Benarcik, "Foliage First: Boom without the Bloom"

This is a look at an often overlooked but vitally important part of the garden and landscape. If something should compromise the floral aspect of your garden, you should have a strong foliar background to carry the garden through the season.

About Dan Benarcik

 Dan Benarcik has worked at Chanticleer for almost thirty years and currently oversees their Courtyard Gardens featuring tropical, subtropical, and tender perennials for seasonal display. He judges for the Philadelphia Flower Show and has worked on extended assignment at Lotusland, Long Vue House, and Ayerlies Garden. A former Regional Director of the Garden Writers Association, he has written for many publications including Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and Martha Stewart Living.

Dr. Allan Armitage, "Gardening for Those Who Think They Know Everything"

Dr. A has seen it all come and go in the gardening industry from trendy plants to trendy garden styles. As one of the foremost authorities on perennials and gardening, Dr. A has a lot to say about how we simplify and succeed in our gardening, always emphasizing that gardening should be first and foremost, enjoyable. You can expect to hear fascinating stories, get great advice founded in plant science, and learn every time Dr. A speaks.

 About Dr. Armitage

 Dr. Armitage is a well known writer, speaker, and horticulturist. Born and raised in Quebec and Ontario, he later lived in East Lansing, MI and now resides in Athens, GA. He has worked with landscape plants and greenhouse crops in the North and South, and travels the world speaking and sharing his passion for plants. Armitage holds his B.Sc from McGill University in Montreal, his M.Sc. from University of Guelph, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Allan has written 17 books, countless academic papers and hundreds of articles for both professional and weekend gardeners alike; including a monthly column in the national greenhouse publication, Greenhouse Grower for over 30 years.

Event Schedule (approximate):  

1 pm Silent Auction preview, initial bidding and social time including walking gardens   

2 pm Dan Benarcik, Chanticleer Garden, "Boom without the Bloom"

3 pm Silent Auction final bidding, snacks, wine, social

4:00 Dr. Alan Armitage, UGA Prof. Emeritus, Gardening for Those Who Think They Know Everything"

5:00 Check out purchases, Autographed Book Sale by Dr. Armitage