“Cottage Courageous: Adapting a Classic Garden Style to the Northeast” is a very popular program that was the basis for a Horticulture magazine article. It showcases Amy’s own experimental cottage garden, which she built and maintained on a volunteer basis in a public space. She discusses how to adapt the classic cottage garden style inherited from the English gardening tradition to the Northeast’s more challenging climate and environment. She talks about the importance of matching plants to local conditions, using self-sowing plants to attain that “accidental on purpose” look so characteristic of cottage gardens, and also covers many design and upkeep questions.
Amy’s shows are PowerPoint presentations run from a laptop computer she provides. All shows are richly illustrated with dozens of color images. She requests that host facilities provide a digital projector, screen, lectern, and (ideally but optionally) hands-free voice amplification for large rooms. Fees for in-person talks begin at $400 and are based on the time commitment involved, including travel. Lower fees may be negotiated for small, local groups with limited budgets; inquire for details. Zoom presentations are $275.