Kent Russell, the garden guru!

Susan Magary of Litchfield Garden Club introduces gardening expert Kent Russell before his presentation on spring planting. John McKenna Republican-American

As reported by John McKenna of the Republican-American. A lively presentation on spring planting ushered in the new season for the Litchfield Garden Club on March 21, 2024.

The club’s guest presenter was celebrity gardener Kent Russell, who is known nationally as the Garden Guru and as making his second appearance in Litchfield. Russell drew a large crowd to the Litchfield Community Center than included not only the members of the Litchfield Garden Club but also representatives of several other garden clubs in the area.

After an introduction by Litchfield Garden Club President Sara Gault, the energetic and quick-witted Russell dove into ideas for spring container planting using early spring perennials he brought with him and sold after the presentation.

The garden club is gearing up for its next event that is open to the public, an April 18 presentation on the importance and benefits of native plants by horticulturist Trevor Smith. It will be held at the community center at 2 p.m. 

Smith is a landscape designer who focuses on gardening in New England using ecologically-sound practices.