Gardens and Tonic: New Zealand through a Gardener’s Eyes

Join Richard Lyon and Claire Sawyers for an exploration of this fascinating part of the world beginning with a geological and cultural evolution of New Zealand as a landmass, then a distinct ecosystem, and finally how Polynesians and Europeans shaped the land to create the Kiwi culture. The program will then introduce us to New Zealand public gardens and then a series of private gardens that are unique reflections of their owners’ tastes, histories, and geographic influences. Claire has run two Scott Arboretum trips to New Zealand with Richard and is familiar with many of these sites and stories.

Gardens and Tonic is a series of virtual webinars with horticulture professionals. Grab your favorite beverage and join Julie Jenney from the Scott Arboretum and a featured horticulture professional for plant-related topics, adventures, and stories – as well as design-focused talks on private and public gardens. Time will be set aside to answer your questions.

Registration is free but required. Participants must have Zoom downloaded on their computer and be comfortable using it. The webinar link will be included in the confirmation email received after registering online.

More about Richard Lyon, RLA ASLA

Richard is a Partner, Principal Landscape Architect for Wallace Landscape Associates out of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. A native of New Zealand, Richard is well known throughout Wilmington, Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania where he has designed and managed the installation of many fine home landscapes. Extensive travel and living abroad allows him to bring a unique perspective and creative approach to long-term landscape solutions. His strength lies in his intense creativity, innovative problem solving, and passion for his work. Richard has received recognition with both national and regional design awards. He specializes in large-scale residential projects, the revitalization of older home landscapes, and designing for new homes. Richard earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticultural Science from Massey University, New Zealand and studied as an international horticulturist at Longwood Gardens. He also won awards at the Royal Horticultural Show in Chelsea, England. Since 1993 Richard and his company Garden Adventures Ltd has been leading garden tours to New Zealand.

Claire Sawyers is the Director of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College and has led many trips abroad for the Scott Associates.