Gardening superstar Ken Druse to share tips on local plants at Springfest

AUGUSTA — Ken Druse, celebrated lecturer, national award-winning garden writer and photographer is scheduled to join the roster of distinguished speakers at the 16th annual Springfest Garden Show at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Sunday, March 18 between 11 a.m. and noon. Druse's extensive knowledge of plants has earned him a reputation as one of America’s foremost gardening authorities, but as a passionate New Jersey gardener, he will treat visitors to Springfest with recipes for perfect plant pairings using diverse species that will thrive in the local climate. Unlike most advice on companion planting (which come from England), this talk introduces heat- and cold-tolerant varieties that will thrive in this part of the world. Organized by theme within topics including: seasons, color, fragrance, foliage, grasses, edible flowers and much more, his lecture, “Natural Companions: Inspiring Combinations of Plants that Grow Together — Culturally and Aesthetically — and Bloom at the Very Same Time” will be accompanied by, as usual, images of favorite plants and new ones to introduce to New Jersey gardens. Special art to go with presentation Along with the garden photos, the presentation features unique botanical images created in collaboration with artist Ellen Hoverkamp using modern digital technology. Cuttings of plants and flowers (often grown in Druse's Sussex County garden) were arranged on an oversized flatbed scanner. The results reveal the vivid characteristics of favorite plants with amazing color, depth and clarity. A prolific author, Ken’s 18th book, "Natural Companions: The Garden Lover’s Guide to Plant Combinations" will be hot off the press just in time for Springfest visitors to purchase. Containing a wealth of horticultural guidance, useful plant recommendations and gardening lore — all written in Druse’s charming, witty style — this book is a must-have for all gardeners and lovers of plants and flowers. Druse will be on hand after the lecture for a book signing. Long relationship Druse has been a dear friend of Springfest Garden Show and an important player in the Show’s 16 years of successfully pursuing its non-profit mission to promote horticulture, environmental stewardship and related education by producing a high quality flower and garden show every March. Some 10,000 visitors attend this show annually held in the sun-drenched Conservatory at the County Fairgrounds. Druse's presentation will be on the last day of the show and is free with paid admission to the show — as are all Springfest lectures this year. Seating is limited.