Events

Since 1492 when Columbus arrived in the Caribbean, the American continents have been introducing the world to some of the most incredible, dramatic, fantastic, delicious and beautiful plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs the world has ever known. The European explorers may have come looking for gold and precious gems, but what they discovered was horticultural gold and the gems of the plant kingdom that would forever enrich the lives of every living thing on this planet.

This three part lecture will discuss a few of the indigenous American plants species that have become important in the gardens around the world, three of the most significant American plant developments affecting the lives and gardens of this planet and the little known story of the unique role that American horticulture played in the founding of The United States of America.

Very little research has been done to organize and detail the important contributions America has made to the horticultural splendor of this planet. If you love history and have an interest in or passion for gardening, this is a lecture for you and well worth your time!

Barbara Melera is president of Harvesting History Heirlooms LLC, a horticultural company founded in 2016 to provide its customers with the finest quality horticultural and agricultural products available today. Its horticultural and agricultural products are largely heirloom varieties that can be reliably offered to customers year after year or designs that have proven invaluable to gardeners for many, many generations. Wherever possible, Harvesting History offers products Made in the USA.

For 13 years, Ms. Melera was president and CEO of The D. Landreth Seed Company, the oldest seedhouse in America, established in 1784, and the fourth oldest US corporation.

Ms. Melera has a S.B in Mathematics and Soviet Studies from MIT, as well as an M.Ed. with a Reading Specialist’s Certification from Northeastern University.

Ms. Melera will have plants and products available for sale at the program.

This program is eligible for 1.0 Rutgers Master Gardener CEUs

Questions ?: Please email mennist@arboretumfriends.net or lbencivengo@arboretumfriends.net