Gardens and Tonic: Spirit of Place – The Making of a New England Garden

How does an individual garden relate to the larger landscape? How does it connect to the natural and cultural environment? Does it evoke a sense of place? In addressing these topics in a slide presentation based on his new book, Spirit of Place, Bill Noble—a lifelong gardener, the former director of preservation for the Garden Conservancy—helps gardeners answer these questions by sharing how they influenced the creation of his garden in Vermont.

Noble reveals that a garden is never created in a vacuum but is rather the outcome of an individual’s personal vision combined with historical and cultural forces of place. He speaks to the guiding principles that have shaped the making of the garden, and will lead us through a tour of colorful perennial borders as well as its quiet nooks of greenery and refuge. His talk will inspire you to create a garden rich in context, personal vision, and spirit. It will be followed with a Q&A session.

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 Bill Noble

For thirty years Bill Noble has worked as a garden designer and professional in garden preservation. As Director of Preservation for the Garden Conservancy, he was instrumental in the preservation and restoration of dozens of gardens throughout the United States. As a garden designer, Bill works with clients to create compelling new gardens or to restore and revitalize existing ones. His hands-on style and knowledge of plants, design, and maintenance contribute to the creation of gardens of lasting quality.

In his newly released book, Spirit of Place: The Making of a New England Garden, he describes the pleasures and challenges—both aesthetic and practical—of creating a garden that feels deeply rooted to its place. He shares insights gained from gardens he has worked with that are reflected in his Norwich, Vermont garden. His garden is included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archive of American Gardens and has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, House & Garden, The New York Times, Washington Post and the Garden Conservancy’s Outstanding American Gardens.