Knowing and Growing Ferns of the Southeastern United States with Dr. Patrick McMillan

HFF/BPS Winter Webinar Series (members only)

Make sure to join Dr. Patrick McMillan for our last BPS/HFF Webinar of the Winter: Knowing and Growing Ferns of the Southeastern United States. Don’t be disheartened; we’ll be back next year for another round of wonderful talks, we’re ending with this year with a fantastic speaker, and it means spring is well on its way!

A synopsis from our speaker:

“The Southeastern United States is home to over 260 native taxa of ferns and fern allies many of which are capable of being grown in gardens in USDA hardiness zones 8b or colder. The range of form and function in the garden are varied, as are the growing conditions under which each will thrive. Join me for a survey of the most garden-worthy forms, their uses, and their adaptability to various climatic conditions. We will delve into the recent taxonomic changes that have greatly rearranged these species – don’t be scared away by this, these recent changes are advantageous to understanding and assigning more appropriate labels to the many widespread groups that have unique forms that are often now interpreted as species found in North America. It’s just a more precise way to communicate across the pond.”

Patrick has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with knowing and growing ferns. He received his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his PhD from Clemson University. He has worked as a professional naturalist, ecologist and horticulturalist for over 30 years. He was previously employed for 20 years at Clemson University where he was the Hilliard Professor of Environmental Sustainability, the director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, and the host, writer, and producer of the Emmy-award winning television program “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan,” distributed by American Public Television. He moved to Kingston, WA to direct the world-renowned Heronswood Garden in 2020 but returned to North Carolina in 2022 to work at the Juniper Level Botanic Garden as the Director of Horticulture and Gardens.