Kelly Norris joins 2016 Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo

Kelly Norris from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden will speak on Thursday, November 10th. Norris will give two presentations at the conference and expo in Boxborough, Mass.

1:30-2:20 p.m. Plants with Style: A Plantsman's Choices for a Vibrant, 21st-Century Garden: Gardeners need chic, sustainable, thriving plants for modern lifestyles. Join 20-something plantsman Kelly Norris for a spirited provocative call for a garden revolution: out with boring plants and in with stylish alternatives that captivate and enthrall. For every environment, structure and season, he shines a spotlight on A-list plants - plants that will thrive, not merely survive.

3:30-4:20 p.m. Gardening with a Y: With all the discussion around the issue of Generation X and Y gardeners, some might wonder what the future holds for horticulture. Confounding the issue is a general lack of demographic data and inaccurate perceptions of young or beginning gardeners. Why not talk to a Gen Y horticulturist about the needs, wants and interests of new gardeners under 40?

Kelly Norris is a 20-something, award-winning author and plantsman from Iowa and the first director of horticulture at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, a newly revitalized public garden in Des Moines, Iowa. Throughout his career, his work has been featured in The New York Times, Organic Gardening, Martha Stewart Living, Country Gardens, Garden Design and in numerous local and regional media appearances.

At the Botanical Garden, Kelly directs and manages a team of horticultural professionals in all aspects of design, curation, programming, and garden management, after serving as the principal horticulture consultant to the $18 million renovation project completed in 2014. He is also the editorial director for the organization’s award-winning member magazine Bloom and is the artistic director of the popular Spring Garden Festival, a four-day pop-up retail plant sale and garden show.

The Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo is sponsored by the Extension programs of the six New England State Universities and New York State, and the New England Floriculture, Inc.

For more information on the Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo, visit the website, www.negreenhouse.org