Three more good reasons to attend "Peaks to Prairie" in Cheyenne this June!

Mike Kintgen and Kenton Seth

Two of the keynote speakers at Peaks to Prairie--the North American Rock Garden Society's annual meeting in Cheyenne this June--happen to live in Colorado. I know I am a good person, because these two relatively young (compared to superannuated me) gardeners have gone far ahead of me when it comes to what I treasure most. And I'm not TOO jealous or resentful...(just a tad)...

 Mike Kintgen has been Curator of the Rock Alpine Garden (something I did myself for quite a while): I am humbled by his extraordinary knowledge of all manner of hardy plants--he's eclipsed me by far with North American natives and woodies for instance... And he possesses many other dimensions...too many to touch on! His skills at presentation are incredible--he just spoke last weekend in Germany to the prestigious Perennial symposium at Grünberg--for the SECOND time! He gets around...

Kenton at the NARGS conference in Steamboat Springs

Thanks to the Crevice Garden, which he co-authored with Paul Spriggs (another stellar talent) Kenton is no longer a secret. What most people do not know is that his knowledge and curiosity extend far beyond crevices gardens--he is a pioneer in no-water gardening in a borderline desert region--and has a passion for bulbs, succulents, grasses and all manner of woodies extending far beyond the tiny rock garden realm. His design eye matches his plantsmanship. I have heard him speak a dozen or more times--always fresh and new and full of wisdom far beyond his years. Kenton is one to follow! And one not to miss!

Connor Smith

A Scotsman gardening at a great Dutch Garden, I became aware of Connor through Social Media (the same way I met "Liberto Dario"--one of many reasons I can't be too hard on "Farcebook"). Although I have not met Connor face to face, I've traveled on a tour to Armenia with his partner and fellow gardener, Marloes Adamse--doesn't that count?

Connor's resume includes stints at RBG Edinburgh, The Alpine Garden at Schachen and now Utrecht--all gems.  Like his American counterparts, Connor is an amazing traveler: I have learned much from the posts he shares, and it's obvious he is at the forefront of a new generation of great plantsmen. 

And there are more fantastic speakers in the lineup for this conference! Don't forget, in addition to hearing the latest (and best) of what they're up to, you get to rub shoulders and chat at dinners, on buses at the plant sale and wonderful places we shall tour.

There are no end of issues in our lives. We can fret about politics (lots to despair of should you choose to wallow in the mire). We can agonize over climate change. The world has always been full of problems--greater or lesser--and suffering never solved them.

I believe that empowering and learning from the new vanguard will be key to beginning to get a handle on the only thing in the world that matters. And that's the future!

Hope to see you in Cheyenne! Sign up right here.