Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, Michigan welcomes Denver Botanic Gardens’ rock garden expert, Panayoti Kelaidis, on Saturday, January 4, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. He will present “The Gardener’s Year: Journey of a Rock Garden Plantsman.”

Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens, was the designer of its Rock Alpine Garden, one of the best collections of alpine plants in North America. Past president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Rock Garden Society, he received the Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs, the most prestigious award given by the organization. He also received the 2000 Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal from Swarthmore College, one of the highest honors in American horticulture.

Kelaidis will present a lively lecture chronicling his love of rock garden plants and how the journey of gardeners is personal, but often can lead to much more. He speaks about his own interest in plants at a young age, which led to a career in gardening, world travel, and plant exploration.

This special program is $25, and Fernwood members are admitted free. Please register by Friday, January 3. For more information, please visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org.