Perennial Plant Conference
The Perennial Plant Conference was started in 1983 to bring locally, nationally, and internationally recognized experts on perennials together in a day long conference with an educational focus.
The sponsoring institutions, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Longwood Gardens, the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, and Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Chapter, aim to keep the conference reasonably priced for young professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. In 2003, Chanticleer also became a sponsoring institution.
The committee attempts to create a balanced conference by selecting lectures for all members of our audience. They strive to effectively address commercial/retail issues, take an in-depth look at specific genera of perennial plants, explore how to use perennial plants in the landscape, as well as practical issues like pest and disease management. The Perennial Plant Conference provides a great opportunity to learn about the latest trends and concerns about perennial plants.
In the conference’s 20-plus-year history it has frequently attracted a “sold-out” audience of 600 people, making it also a great opportunity to meet other perennial plant advocates and share experiences. The conference is held on the Swarthmore College campus, the Scott Arboretum, “the most beautiful campus in America.” This allows participants ample opportunity to observe perennials in a wide variety of gardens and landscapes.