Claudia West, co-author of “Planting in a Post-Wild World,” says gardens must be more than simply beautiful.
“Planting of the future has to be functional and ecologically valuable in addition to being beautiful,” she said in an email interview. “Gardens are essential for our own health and the health of the planet. The profession of horticulture is working on solutions on how to fit inspiring green spaces into the built landscape, and how to reconnect people with plants.”
Ms. West will be a keynote speaker along with co-author Thomas Rainer at the Garden & Landscape Symposium of Western Pennsylvania from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday. The annual symposium at Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel is presented by the Penn State Extension.
Ms. West became interested in plants at an early age at her parents’ nursery in Saxony, Germany.
“I was surrounded by plants, especially American plants that we Europeans love so much. When I turned 18, I felt the urge to explore where all of these stunningly beautiful plants came from,” she said.
Wolfgang Oehme, her friend and mentor, helped her land an internship at Bluemount Nurseries in Monkton, Md., “where I fell in love with America and its fascinating flora.”
Ms. West, who now works as the ecological sales manager at North Creek Nurseries in Landenberg, Pa., says that many tropical plants “have great ecological value and are stunningly beautiful.” But she espouses the use of native flora.
“I’ve only tried a fraction of [native] plants in my designs. I probably won’t even be tempted to use exotic plants until I run out of native beauties — and that might take a while!” she wrote.
Next Saturday, her lecture on “Successful Rain Gardens Inspired by Native Plants” will explore the methods she and Mr. Rainer describe in their book.
“Dense plant cover with functional plants is essential for cleaning water and transpiring it back into the atmosphere,” she said. “Our method of vertically layering compatible species is ideal for creating dense biomass for optimal water treatment and less weeds.”
Mr. Rainer will lecture on “Creative Approaches to Site Preparation, Installation and Maintenance.” Other speakers include Laura Deeter, who will discuss ”Continual Color Without Continual Hassle,” and Kelly Norris talking about “Plants With Style.”
The symposium cost is $120, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. To register, go to http://extension.psu.edu/garden-landscape-symposium or call 412-482-3465.
Post-Gazette garden editor Susan Banks: sbanks@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1516.
First Published: April 15, 2016, 2:35 p.m.