2009
Flower and Garden Festival

Great American Gardeners Plant New Ideas for Guests At 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

TV host Joe Lamp'l Presents April 17-19

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Gardening expert and author Joe Lamp'l, familiar across the nation as the host of PBS's "GardenSMART," is among 11 experts who will be participating in the Great American Gardeners series during the 16th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, at Walt Disney World Resort.

Lamp'l, also known as joe gardener, will appear at Garden Town in Future World East next to Universe of Energy April 17-19. The Great American Gardeners series, which is featured each Friday-Sunday from March 20-May 31, is presented in partnership with the American Horticulture Society.

Some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the country reveal tips and share entertaining stories during the presentations open to all Epcot guests at noon and 3 p.m. with special presentations from a Guerlain perfume expert May 8-10 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Scheduled to appear (presenters and times subject to change without notice):

Jon Carloftis (March 20-22): Author of First a Garden and Beyond the Windowsill, Carloftis offers insightful tips to integrate plants and nature in every aspect of life – from interior spaces to urban scapes.

Shirley Bovshow (March 27-29):Garden designer and TV host Bovshow presents gorgeous edible gardens that not only provide food but offer style and function in the garden.

Susan Belsinger (April 3-5): Culinary herbalist, author and photographer Belsinger informs about the magic of herbs from garden to kitchen in a sensory experience of fragrance and flavor.

Felder Rushing (April 10-12): Renowned horticulturist, NPR host and author of award-winning Passalong Plants, Rushing shares practical tips for all-year beauty using tough shrubs, flowers, herbs and even "designer" vegetables grown in containers and flower beds.

Joe Lamp'l (a.k.a. joe gardener) (April 17-19): National TV host, author and gardening expert Lamp'l talks about some of the best tools and accessories around today that make your gardening life easier.

Jeff Lowenfels (April 24-26): America's longest-running garden columnist and author of Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web, Lowenfels will explain the science behind organic gardening and teach practical applications to eliminate the need for chemicals in yards and gardens.

Joe Washington (May 1-3): Landscaping enthusiast and TV host Washington talks about the new focus in your landscape, water-smart designs and tools for overcoming drought conditions.

Tom MacCubbin (May 8-10): Florida garden writer, media personality and Extension Agent Emeritus with the University of Florida, MacCubbin shares how to make your landscape pay its way by growing foods you can put on the table.

Raymond Western (May 8-10): Guerlain's director of education and perfume expert Western offers insights into the history of fragrances and explores the relationship between plants and perfume.

Melinda Myers (May 15-17): TV host and nationally known gardening expert Myers shares simple, creative ideas for saving time, energy and money while being kind to the environment and growing a beautiful landscape.

Robert Bowden (May 22-24): Gardening expert, author and director of lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Bowden discusses plants with unusual textures, habits and colors for weekend fun with the home landscape.

Rita Randolph (May 29-31):Speaker, plant collector and famous for Randolph's Greenhouses, Randolph demonstrates how to create unusual and eye-opening plant combinations with her canvas of choice – containers.