23 March 2011 – Joanne Viera We have enjoyed the talks that Joanne has given to us in the past and asked for a return engagement. Tonight she will discuss Wildflowers and Companions –“North America has been graced with an extraordinary array of native plants that are adapted to a wide range of growing conditions. This presentation will look at some of the natives that are best suited to garden cultivation in New England. We will consider effective combinations with non-native garden plants, cultural requirements, and cultivar selections – all without getting into the politics of exotics versus natives!” And just as a reminder of her credentials after a brief career in computer programming she studied Environmental Design, with a concentration in Horticulture, in the Landscape Architecture Department at UMASS/Amherst. Joanne obtained an internship at Tower Hill Botanic Garden upon my gradation, and has been there ever since (some 19 years). As the Director of Horticulture for that past 18 years she has had the opportunity to be involved in all phases of the garden’s development - particularly the design and plant selection. Tower Hill is truly a garden for all seasons and much emphasis has been placed on plants that are workhorses through the winter months.