August 29, 2003

LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Nebraska's second annual NU Landscape Connections on Sept. 20 will offer instruction, information and advice on how to improve your landscape, "Nebraska Style."

The 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. event, held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus, will help homeowners incorporate native plants and other landscape elements into their own landscapes. It also will celebrate the 50th anniversary of NU Cooperative Extension's perennially popular "Backyard Farmer" program.

"We will have a panel of current and former panelists talking about the program, making timely recommendations and making comparisons to past practices," said extension educator Anne Streich, UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.

The show, which airs on the Nebraska Educational Television Network, is the longest running locally produced television program in the country. It focuses attention on home and community quality of life issues through properly designed, installed and maintained landscapes, Streich said.

"The response to last year's debut event was overwhelming. People enjoyed the opportunity to visit and learn about Maxwell Arboretum and the other plant and landscape attractions on UNL's East Campus. This year our theme is 'Exploring Nebraska Style'," Streich said.

"Nebraska style landscapes combine native and adapted plants that are able to withstand the variable weather and drought conditions in the state, yet look good throughout the year."

Nearly 30 speakers will offer talks on subjects such as perennials and ornamental grasses, planting basics for Nebraska landscapes, Nebraska's native trees and shrubs, how new plants are developed, turfgrass selection and maintenance, attracting and identifying backyard birds, building water gardens and ponds, landscaping with large trees, beneficial insects, plants discovered by Lewis and Clark, and Nebraska's emerging grape and wine industry.

"We want people to come away from this event with a deeper appreciation of our universal connectedness to nature and plants and a better understanding of the connection between good design and beautiful, functional outdoor living environments, and perhaps, most importantly, a greater awareness of Nebraska's landscape heritage and beauty," said Steve Rodie, UNL landscape horticulture specialist.

Children's activities include a nature carnival, water Olympics and other fun and instructional programs.

Guided tours of the horticulture research fields, including nut trees, impatiens and geranium trials and vegetable and cut flower trials will be offered, as will a tour of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Great Plants Trial Garden.

Most sessions are outdoors, though some will be inside the Nebraska East Union. Information available in the union includes student admission information from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, copies of popular Cooperative Extension publications and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources departmental displays.

A variety of commercial vendors and organizations will be selling garden-related products. Food vendors also will be on-site, Streich said.

Information on events, talks, times and maps of event sites are available online at Landscape Connections, or phone the UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, (402) 472-8616.

Free parking is available in designated UNL lots, with shuttle to tour and display areas. Volunteer donations of $5 per family or $2 per person are encouraged to help defray costs. Those attending will receive a no-cost raffle ticket for vendor-donated products.

The Nursery and Landscape Association will auction vendor-donated trees, shrubs and perennials from 8 to 10 a.m. Proceeds benefit UNL horticultural research.

Landscape Connections debuted last year as a combination of the annual Gardener's Gala and Festival of Color, which last was held four years ago.

The program is sponsored by NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Division, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Landscape Services with support of Friends of Maxwell Arboretum and Earl May Nursery and Garden Centers.

8/29/03-SR

Anne Streich
Agronomy and Horticulture
Extension Horticulturalist
(402) 472-1640

Steven N. Rodie
Agronomy and Horticulture
Associate Professor
(402)554-3752

Steve Ress
UNL Water Center - Communications Coordinator
(402) 472-3305

Department: Agronomy & Horticulture