Upcoming Lectures

Bold in the Northeast: Designing with Tropical and Tropical-like Plants on the North Fork

w/ Dennis Schrader, Author and Co-owner of Landcraft Environments

Saturday, July 8, 11 am – 12 pm

$40 Non-member // $30 Member

Buy Now

DESCRIPTION: Tour the Gardens at Landcraft Garden Foundation with designer Dennis Schrader- an expert on designing with and growing tropical plants in temperate zones. The co-author of Hot Plants for Cool Climates and Extraordinary Leaves will highlight exceptional plants in the garden that lend themselves to transporting the viewer to much warmer climates but thrive in the humid summers of our region. As he writes, “the aim is to create a riotous exuberance of growth and brilliant color in the context of restrained abandon. Here more is better because it’s an exotic, wild look that is the hallmark of tropical-style gardens.” Be whisked away to paradise where you’d least expect it – and without booking a flight. Learn how the inclusion of just a few choice plants could transform your garden to something extraordinary and exotic. Dennis will offer tips and tricks for the care of rare plants and overwintering tender tropical plants outdoors and indoors.

Dennis Schrader is co-owner of Landcraft Environments, a leading wholesale greenhouse growing operation, located in Mattituck, NY and Ridgley, Maryland. The business currently has over 6 acres of greenhouse growing space, and additional acreage of outdoor growing structures, producing hundreds of thousands of plants each year. Landcraft ships their plants to garden centers, public gardens and garden designers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. In addition to Landcraft Environments, Dennis’ garden design accomplishments range from penthouse gardens in Manhattan to large-scale commercial and estate landscapes on Long Island and throughout the Northeast to tropical gardens in Florida, Hawaii, California and Costa Rica.
Dennis has participated in lecture tours across the country appearing at botanical gardens and horticultural societies. He graduated from SUNY Cobleskill NY where his majors were Environmental Design and Horticulture. He is an advisor to the NYBG School of Horticulture and a member of various garden committees. Dennis has written numerous articles on gardening for national and international magazines and two books: Hot Plants for Cool Climates and Extraordinary Leaves with the photographer Stephen Green-Armitage. In 2020, Dennis and husband Bill Smith founded the Landcraft Garden Foundation, a not-for profit organization. The Foundation comprises 4 ½ acres of intensely designed gardens with an additional 10 acres of wild area. The foundation is dedicated to inspiring, educating and promoting excellence in horticulture. Read more about Landcraft Garden Foundation’s mission and history here.

The mission of The Garden Conservancy is to preserve, share, and celebrate America’s gardens and diverse gardening traditions for the education and inspiration of the public. Read more about The Garden Conservancy’s mission and history here.

AGE: For Adult Audiences

WEATHER: Rain or Shine

SPECIAL NOTES: In the case of rain, please bring umbrellas and/or other appropriate rain gear. Please dress appropriately for events and workshops held outdoors: comfortable shoes and socks, wide brimmed hats, sunscreen, insect repellant and water are recommended. To be a source of healthy insects for our birds and other insect-feeding wildlife, we do not spray the gardens to manage tick populations. Please take appropriate caution.

REGISTRATION: Required. Buy Now.

REFUND POLICY:  Refunds must be requested at least 7 days before event by e-mailing info@landcraftgardenfoundation.org . Landcraft Garden Foundation Credit will be given for the full ticket price, minus $10 Eventbrite processing fee. Credit must be used within 1 year of event, and can be applied to future workshops, events, garden admission or gift shop purchases.

Stepping Up the Display: How to Assemble and Showcase Plant Collections

w/ Dennis Schrader, LGF Co-founder, designer and author

Saturday, July 22, 10 am -12 noon

FREE, registration required

DESCRIPTION: The collections at Landcraft include a large number of rare and unusual containerized specimen plants pleasingly assembled around the garden but most prominently up the steps of the house’s back terrace. Join LGF co-founder Dennis Schrader as he reviews this extraordinary collection of plants. He will discuss their nativity, how they came to Landcraft, how to care for them and how best to display them for maximum effect. This review is for the professional designer, landscaper, retailer and grower but open to all.

Dennis Schrader is co-owner of Landcraft Environments, a leading wholesale greenhouse growing operation, located in Mattituck, NY and Ridgley, Maryland. The business currently has over 6 acres of greenhouse growing space, and additional acreage of outdoor growing structures, producing hundreds of thousands of plants each year. Landcraft ships their plants to garden centers, public gardens and garden designers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. In addition to Landcraft Environments, Dennis’ garden design accomplishments range from penthouse gardens in Manhattan to large-scale commercial and estate landscapes on Long Island and throughout the Northeast to tropical gardens in Florida, Hawaii, California and Costa Rica. Dennis has written numerous articles on gardening for national and international magazines and two books: Hot Plants for Cool Climates and Extraordinary Leaves with the photographer Stephen Green-Armitage. In 2020, Dennis and husband Bill Smith founded the Landcraft Garden Foundation, a not-for profit organization. The Foundation comprises 4 ½ acres of intensely designed gardens with an additional 10 acres of wild area. The foundation is dedicated to inspiring, educating and promoting excellence in horticulture. Read more about Landcraft Garden Foundation’s mission and history here

This FREE program is made possible by the Long Island Landscape and Nursery Association (LINLA). LINLA represents over one-hundred-member companies and many more professionals currently working in the horticultural industry including growers, nurseries (both wholesale and retail), landscape design-build firms, designers, and other industry suppliers representing the full breadth of the horticultural supply chain. Since its creation in 1931, the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association has worked hard to promote the interests of its members and the professionalism and growth of the green industry through advocacy, education, and scholarship.

AGE: For Adult Audiences

WEATHER: Rain or Shine.

SPECIAL NOTES: Please dress appropriately for events and workshops held outdoors: comfortable shoes and socks, wide brimmed hats, sunscreen, insect repellant and water are recommended. To be a source of healthy insects for our birds and other insect-feeding wildlife, we do not spray the gardens to manage ticks. Please take appropriate caution.

REGISTRATION: Required. To sign up, please contact us at info@landcraftgardenfoundation.org with the names of all attendees. Limited availability.