Lecture Series

YOU’RE INVITED TO LADEW'S Fall Lecture Series 2026
Inspiring lectures offered in-person & virtually

Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series will feature distinguished speakers offering insights and inspiration to gardening enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
The presenters will take you on a journey through their explorations of garden design concepts, plant selections, growing techniques, history, photography, floral arranging, and environmental sciences.

Cost per lecture:
In-person: $30 Ladew member | $40 non-member (includes pastries, coffee and tea from the Ladew Café)
Virtual: $15 Ladew member | $20 non-member

Series Discount:
Sign up for all five Fall Lectures and enjoy one free!

In-person: $120 Ladew member | $160 non-member (includes pastries, coffee and tea from the Ladew Café)
Virtual: $60 Ladew member | $80 non-member

"For groups/organizations interested in watching a lecture virtually, please contact Caroline Graf at cgraf@ladewgardens.com"

Register: In-Person Series

Register: Virtual Series

Presentation:
Lectures will be presented in-person and virtually through Zoom. They will be recorded and available for all paid registrants to view later.

For questions, contact Caroline Graf at 410-557-9570, x 261 or cgraf@ladewgardens.com.

Thursday, September 24
10:30 AM | in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 AM for in-person attendees)
The Process and Story Behind the Art
with Jed Smalley, Ladew Garden’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence

Register In-person

Register virtual

Join Jed Smalley, Ladew Gardens 2026 Artist-in-Residence, for an in-depth lecture on his artistic process while surrounded by a collection of his work. Jed's early years were spent demonstrating a complete disregard for the utility of formal education. That said, in the spirit of self-contradiction, he pursued a BFA at Parson's School of Design, an MFA from Yale University, and his MD from State University of New York. The last fourteen years his work has focused on large paintings using landscape as a scaffold for abstract concerns. The paintings are dripped from varied heights onto canvas or wood on the floor. Jed's show will be on display around the lecture and up for sale.

Website: Smalley Gallery

Thursday, October 1
10:30 AM | in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 AM for in-person attendees)
Nature as Medicine: Practices for Resilience, Wellbeing, and Joy
with Heidi Schreiber-Pan, PhD, LCPC

Register In-person

Register virtual

In this inspiring talk Heidi will take us along with her on her journey's from growing up immersed within Germany's natural beauty and hiking the Austrian Alps, to hospice at Stella Maris, consulting with war torn botanical gardens in Ukraine, and developing therapeutic pathways at Ladew Gardens. As the founder of the Center for Nature-Informed Therapy (CNIT), her evidence-informed, interdisciplinary approach integrates psychology, ecology, and public health. We'll explore how nature connection supports nervous system regulation, resilience, well-being, spirituality, and joy!

Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan has over a decade of experience training clinicians, educators, healthcare providers, park professionals, and humanitarian workers locally and internationally. Her work has been featured in The New York Times and Voice of America, and she has partnered with organizations including the FBI, NOAA, and NPS.

‍ ‍https://www.heidischreiberpan.com/

Thursday, October 8
10:30 AM | in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 AM for in-person attendees)
The Essential Guide to Bulbs
with Jenny Rose Carey, Horticulturist

Register In-person

Register virtual

‍Join author, Jenny Rose Carey, as you explore the world of bulbs through her book, The Essential Guide to Bulbs: Grow a Bounty of Beautiful Bulbs in Gardens and Containers. Carey’s book is a gorgeously photographed, comprehensive, and inviting resource that is destined to be a gardening classic. Bulbs have a universal appeal—they are extremely diverse with many varieties to choose from, and they are great in containers. While many gardeners are familiar with daffodils, tulips, or gladiolas, there are so many more to choose from that provide three-season color, drama, and spontaneity in the garden. There will be a book sale and signing after the lecture. ‍‍ ‍

Born in England to a family of botanists and gardeners, Jenny Rose Carey was destined to become a professional horticulturist. Carey holds degrees in Biology, Horticulture, and Education and has been Director of two public gardens: The Ambler Arboretum of Temple University and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Garden at Meadowbrook Farm.

‍ ‍https://jennyrosecarey.com/

Thursday, October 22
10:30 AM | in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 AM for in-person attendees)
Black Flora: Floriculture and the Art of Living
With Teri Speight, Landscape Gardener and Author

Register In-person

Register virtual

‍ ‍Maryland author, Teri Speight will share a deep dive into the book, Black Flora, and what it should mean to the world of Floriculture. Often overlooked or missing out on opportunities to be seen, 25 Black farmers, florists, and creatives heard the call of flowers. As they individually answered the call, each one has gone to bloom in their own way. From expanding their business portfolio to changing their vision, the portraits of these pioneers should show the world they are not a monolith, but a culture proudly coming out of the shadows. Teri will share three special profiles, her experiences, and how she is continuing the conversation about Black Flora. There will be a book sale and signing after the lecture. ‍‍‍ ‍

Teri is currently a garden writer, podcaster, garden experience curator, visionary, and former estate gardener. Teri is the founder of Cottage in the Court, which offers curated garden experiences for small groups, and one-on-one garden coaching, specializing in earth-friendly practices.

‍ ‍https://cottageinthecourt.com/

Thursday, October 29
10:30 AM | in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 AM for in-person attendees)
Growing Gorgeous Cut Flowers in Your Home Garden
with Maya Hillen, owner of Hillen Homestead

Register In-person

Register virtual

‍Growing flowers brings beauty to your garden, supports pollinators, and can provide bouquets to spread joy to others. Join Maya Kosok of Hillen Homestead to learn about her urban flower farm on a half-acre in urban Baltimore City and learn practical lessons for you can grow the maximum number of flowers in your home garden. Maya will highlight variety selection, timing, plant spacing, pest management, harvest practices, and more. A design demo featuring a simple wrapped market bouquet to inspire participants to make their own homegrown bouquets will be featured.

Owner of Hillen Homestead, Maya Kosok is in her 14th season in operation and sells primarily to florists and DIY wedding customers. Maya has spoken at numerous sustainable farming conferences as well as the Maryland Horticultural Society, and the United States Botanic Garden.

‍ ‍https://www.hillenhomestead.com/resources.html

THANK YOU TO OUR LECTURE SERIES PARTNER
Muffin & Sam Dell

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