Living in the Presence of Plants

Wednesday January 15, 2025 

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

We all have visions of the gardens we’d like to create—native gardens, rain gardens, nature-inspired spaces, herb gardens, pollinator havens, cut-flower beds, or ecological sanctuaries. These labels sound inviting, but have you ever paused to consider the practices behind them? How deeply do we understand what these garden names truly mean? Too often, these titles are vague or even shaped by marketing trends.

I will share my story of how I have lived in the presence of plants being conscious of their resonance and relationality.  Being patient and always curious, I’ve come to understand and develop clear thoughts and ideas about who they are and how they live and that defines my story as a grower.    Then as I understood the plants better, and collaborated with plant driven people, I began designing gardens.   Slowly placing plants in social relationships and then becoming the cultural gardener.  A gardener interacting with plantings with care, intention, and love.   And the best part, after 46 years, is to share what I’ve experienced and know I’m still an intern -  with so much yet to understand!

CEU Credits: 

Roy Diblik

Co-Owner
Northwind Perennial Farm
Burlington, WI

Roy Diblik is a recognized perennial plant expert, grower, designer, speaker and author. Combining his 35 years of knowledge growing traditional and Midwest native perennials, he specializes in highly aesthetic, sustainable plant communities for all seasons, while reducing maintenance through design. He believes that gardens should be thoughtful, ecologically directed, emotionally outreaching and yet very personal.