The Madoo Conservancy presents two illuminating talks at Madoo highlighting new plant introductions for 2026. The speakers both run successful nurseries that have been bringing new plants to market for years, developing their own varieties or introducing varieties from elsewhere.
On Sunday, March 22, there will be a talk with David Culp, the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Aside from the Galanthus Gala, which he hosts every winter, Culp is a world-renowned hellebore expert and has developed the Brandywine Hybrids hellebore variety, which originated in his garden. He is the author of “A Year At Brandywine Cottage: Six Seasons of Beauty, Bounty and Blooms,” and is an instructor at Longwood Gardens.
On Sunday, March 29, Madoo presents Carl Hesselein, president of Pleasant Run Nursery. Carl is a fifth-generation nurseryman who took over from his parents in 2023. In 2022, Carl was named NJNLA Young Professional of the Year. New plant introductions and unusual containerized woody ornamentals, vines, perennials, grasses, and ferns are featured at Pleasant Run Nursery. Their focus is on native plants and hard-to-find solutions to site problems such as deer, shade, and moist or dry sites.
The lectures are held at noon and followed by a reception in the red living room. This program is supported by Susan and David Rockefeller and Regina Scully for the Artemis Rising Foundation. The cost is $35 per lecture.