Get ready to add “shock & awe” to your landscape all season long with colorful conifers of all sizes.  Did you know some conifers change colors through the seasons?  Working with all-yearlong foliage color can be challenging.  Martha Smith, Horticulture Educator will show you how to re-think your landscape to bring out the best foliage display!

Attend at your local University of Illinois Extension office, or anywhere you have internet.  Pre-registration is required at:  go.illinois.edu/4seasons_webinars. Recorded videos of these sessions may be viewed after the program go.illinois.edu/fourseasonsrecordings.   Please register in advance with your University of Illinois Extension office by calling 618-524-2270 or emailing crest@illinois.edu.    If you have any questions about the webinars, please contact: Erin Medvecz, Extension Educator, emedvecz@illinois.edu, 618-833-6363

Other upcoming Four Seasons Webinar Topics:

Slow Flowers: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers

April 14th, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. 

We emphasize buying your food locally, why not your flowers as well?  Join University of Illinois State Master Gardner Specialist, Candice Hart, to learn how to grow a variety of cut flowers here in Illinois, the benefits of having cut flowers in the garden and how to condition them to be long lasting.  Hart will discuss her all-time favorite flowers to grow and share tips and tricks for success.

Landscape Design with Natives 101

May 5th, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. 

This program will compare and define Native landscape vs. conventional landscaping and discuss the benefits and impact of using natives, the approach to designing with natives and give examples of popular native plant selections.  Horticulture Educator, Austin Little will also talk about the practical implications of installing native plants in a home/urban landscape.

Illinois Monarch Action Plan

May 26th, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. 

The declining monarch butterfly population has the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluating monarch research before deciding monarch endangered species status.  To assist, Illinois brought in key stakeholders to facility the development of an Illinois Monarch Action Plan.  Join Maria Turner, University of Illinois Extension State IPM Specialist as she discusses the action plan.

Tomato Problems

June 9th at 1:30 p.m. 

Tomatoes are one of the most popular and commonly grown plants in home gardens. Join University of Illinois Extension Educator, Ken Johnson where he will discuss common problems that plague tomatoes as well as ways to address them.  

Living Carpets: Ground Covers

July 14th  at 1:30 p.m. 

If I see another ground cover of daylilies mixed with mulch or grassy junipers, I am going to scream. Unlike daylilies, ground covers should be ornamental year-round, and low maintenance once established. Learn some new options for ground cover, including plants that you may not think of, to create these living carpets. These types of plants will be highlighted throughout the talk with University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup.

Adventures in Edible Landscaping

August 11th at 1:30 p.m. 

This webinar will explore the use of plants that are not only visually attractive, but also edible. Join Horticulture Educator, Austin Little and look at the benefits of introducing edible plants into the landscape and look at the unique challenges of edible plants. In addition, we will look at some great options for different types of edible plants and talk about some design basics when adding edibles to your landscape.

Hardscaping Basics for Patios and Retaining Walls

September 15th at 1:30 p.m. 

Do you have a vision of a retaining wall or patio in your yard, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Hardscape installation can cost thousands of dollars and many homeowners are turning to DIY to save some money. However, there is a lot to know about proper hardscape installation methods. Join University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Chris Enroth, as he talks about the basics of modular patio paver and retaining wall installation. 

Creating a Bottle Terrarium

October 13th at 1:30 p.m. 

Explore the enclosed world of bottle terrariums, self-contained plant environments within glass. Join Horticulture Educator, Bruce J. Black, to explore terrariums, their needs and how to create a bottle version of a terrarium.

History of Forest Pest Outbreaks in North America

 November 17th at 1:30 p.m. 

North America has a history of exotic pests that extirpate individual tree species, with Emerald Ash Borer serving as our modern example. In our current, ever-globalizing society there is significant risk for future outbreaks that may impact our trees from the urban forest to our woodlands. Join University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Ryan Pankau as he examines past outbreaks on our continent to compare what we have learned historically with the current pests threatening our native trees.