Lecture Series

YOU’RE INVITED TO LADEW'S Fall Lecture Series 2025
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

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 18

10:30 am  |  in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Naughty By Nature: Courtship in the Animal Kingdom
with Mike Weilbacher, Naturalist, Environmental Educator and Author

Birds do it, bees do it, and sentimental fleas. In a fun, science-filled illustrated lecture, Mike presents the extraordinary life stories of animals’ reproductive adaptations. From giraffes “necking,” to male anglerfish hanging around literally forever, from gender-bending clownfish, to overly-endowed banana slugs, and the infamous praying mantis; you’ll be in disbelief at the remarkable antics of sex in the animal kingdom.

Mike Weilbacher is an environmental educator with 40 years of experience teaching through lectures, walks, newspaper essays, theatrical performances, and radio. Mike recently published his first book, Wild Philly, which features 29 nature walks around the Philadelphia region, as well as information about nature and the environment. https://www.mikeweilbacher.com/about

Thursday, September 25
10:30 am  |  in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
The Ladew Landscape: Four Seasons Photographing the Gardens
with Paula Reynolds, Ladew Gardens 2025 Artist-in-Residence

Join Paula Reynolds, 2025 Artist in Residence, as she will recount her preparation and commitment to photographing Ladew Gardens over the past four seasons. Paula will detail how consideration of garden design, architecture, blooming seasons, and the optimal time of the day all contribute to the creation of her stunning photography. Her residency at Ladew has resulted in an archive of compositions to be revisited seasonally, and for years to come. The 2025 Art Show, featuring highlighted work from Paula, will be hanging in the Gallery during the time of her lecture. 

 Paula’s photos have been shown in several East Coast galleries and exhibitions, and are included in public and private collections around the world. Paula has been a fine art photographer for more than 20 years and received a BFA in Printmaking from the Maryland Institute College of Art.   

Thursday, October 2
10:30 am  |  in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Falling for Local Flowers: Seasonal Design with Autumn Flowers and Foliage
With Ellen Frost, Florist

During this session, Ellen Frost will demonstrate a foam free, sustainable floral design that celebrates the richness of fall in the Mid-Atlantic, using locally grown flowers, branches, and foliage that highlight the textures and tones of the season. Ellen will explore designing with the seasons and demonstrate that local flowers are the key to creative designs that feel natural, abundant, and deeply connected to place.

 Ellen is the owner of Local Color Flowers. She started her floral studio in 2008 to provide couples in the Baltimore area with a more sustainable flower option for their celebrations. Over the past 18 years, Ellen has grown Local Color Flowers into a thriving business by adding floral design classes, corporate events, retail, as well as creative social and educational community events – all using 100% locally grown flowers. Ellen has expanded
her community with a free weekly newsletter, YouTube channel and online community called FlowerMore. https://www.ellenfrost.com/

Thursday, October 9
10:30 am  |  in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Beneficial Bats in Your Belfry
with Kerry Wixted, Naturalist

Join us for an engaging and educational talk about some of nature's most misunderstood creatures - bats! Discover the vital roles bats play in ecosystems around the world, from pollination and seed dispersal, to natural pest control. This session will explore the incredible diversity of the bat species globally, with a special focus on the bats found right here in Maryland. Kerry Wixted will explain why bat populations are declining, what threats they face, and, most importantly, how you can help. Whether you're a nature-enthusiast, gardener, or just curious about these fascinating flying mammals, this talk will shine a light on the many ways bats benefit our world and what we can do to protect them.

 Kerry is a naturalist with more than 15 years of experience studying flora and fauna in Maryland. Kerry holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Frostburg State University and a M.S. degree in Biology from West Virginia University.  https://kerrysnature.org/

Thursday, October 23
10:30 am  |  in-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Garden Lover’s Travel
with Colston Burrell, Garden Designer

Join Colston Burrell for a journey through stunning gardens and fascinating landscapes on a travelogue that spans the globe to show how nature and art conspire in the world’s greatest gardens. This session will traipse through America’s scenic wonders, from the Shenandoah to Yellowstone, and explore the secrets of Costa Rica’s rainforests and South Africa’s bush. Inspired by nature’s majesty, Colston’s lecture will visit magnificent gardens, both public and private, with wild nature as the backdrop. Rio’s Jardim Botanico, Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch, England’s Great Dixter and New York’s Long House will be just a few of our destinations.

 Colston Burrell is an acclaimed lecturer, garden designer, award winning author and photographer. He is the principal of Native Landscape Design and Restoration, which specializes in blending nature and culture through artistic design  https://www.ccolstonburrell.com/

THANK YOU TO OUR LECTURE SERIES PARTNER
Muffin & Sam Dell