User Rating
You are not logged in. Please login to review this user.
Lessons Learned Under the Trees
Susan's presentation at our Gardening and All That Jazz Conference on shade gardening was so informative and enjoyable. she had such beautiful pictures and such good advice for shade gardening.
Review of “Lessons Learned Under the Trees”
Susan presented the above program at Gardening and All That Jazz on 4-17-2021 for Master Gardener Society of Oakland County. This was one of the best presentations that I have heard on growing in the shade. She has a lot of knowledge from personal experience.
Excellent
I enjoyed hearing Susan speak at Newfields plant symposium in Indianapolis Winter 2020. She did an excellent job of sparking excitement and joy in creating beautiful gardens. Thank you Susan!
Learned so much
Thank you Susan Martin for a wonderful program on design elements. I learned a lot and I appreciate that you broke it up in bite-size chunks, making it easy to take in.
Shade gardening presentation
I loved Susan's dynamic garden talk! She engaged her audience with passion and humor, and she inspired us all!
Loved Susan’s presentations
Susan Martin's presentations at VA Home Gardener Day were practical and informative with a genuine personal touch. Excellent!
A beautiful presentation, full of inspiration!
Susan’s presentation “A Designer’s Tapestry: Weaving Together Color, Texture and Form in the Garden” at the Great Lakes Regional PPA gave me a new perspective at looking at gardens and what goes into the design. As a plant person who doesn’t consider herself a designer, Susan gave me a new way to look at “weaving” a garden together. She gave great examples of color, texture and structure and insight on how to look at what we like in a landscape design. Than pulling what we like and duplicating it with the plants we are working with. So in my mind I can figure out what I want to accomplish by going with my gut versus said rules. Beautifully done and truly inspirational!
Engaging and Practical
I really enjoyed Susan's presentation at the Great Lakes Regional Symposium of the Perennial Plant Association at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Susan gave excellent landscape tips presented very practically with beautiful photography from landscape designs around the world. I especially appreciated the "what's wrong here" examples at the end.
Top Notch Speaker
I enjoyed Susan's presentations at the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) National Conference in Chicago this past summer and they were superb. Her combination of knowledge, humor, awesome visuals and attendee engagement is excellent.
If You Only Could Pick One-Perennial Gold Standard
Of all the presentations I attended at the Landscape Alberta Green Industry Conference, Susan’s really stood out. She packed in a lot of information for an audience of people in the landscape trades and gave us exactly what we wanted to know. Her beautiful photographs perfectly illustrated the presentation and got me excited to look for her recommended plants. I especially appreciated that Susan took the time to highlight plants that are hardy for Alberta’s climate.
La Porte County Master Gardeners Spring Garden Sho
Great speaker at our La Porte County Master Gardeners SPRING GARDEN SHOW!
Lessons Learned Under the Trees
Susan was a great speaker. Very knowledgeable with all her years of experience. Very helpful & useful information for shade gardening which I will definitely apply in my own shade gardening. Loved her sense of humor, too!
down-to-earth
Susan is one of the best speakers I have heard. With her down-to-earth approach, she imparts her knowledge in an informative and entertaining way. Because the great photos that accompanied her talk came from Susan's own garden, her talk became that much more inspiring. Her handouts will be a great reference for the upcoming gardening season!
Lessons learned under the Trees
Susan is an excellent presenter. Her great sense of humor complimented her knowledge and experience
Great garden speaker!
First rate! I learned! I laughed! I loved every moment listening to Susan’s talk on gardening under the trees. I wish I could get the chance to hear ALL of her presentations!
Rotary Botanical Gardens Spring Symposium
Top notch speaker. Susan really knows her plants, and has an excellent speaking style. The talk was well thought out and very informative. Her visuals were excellent. I would love to see her speak again.
Perennial Gold Standards
Sue is an AWESOME presenter! I liked this presentation so well, I want to hear all of her topics. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I will be recommending her to my Master Gardener Society!!
wonderful presentation
Sue's presentation at iLandscape was incredible - definitely got us thinking about a lot of new things!
Lessons Learned Under the Trees
A thoughtful talk on the challenges of shade gardening. Beautiful images, wonderful information, along with an intimate view of what makes Susan a passionate gardener. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from listening tto Susan speak!
Balm for the soul
Sue, I wanted to tell you that I really connected with Lessons Learned Gardening Under the Trees. I have heard you speak before and always enjoyed it. But this talk was really special. I found myself smiling, laughing and in tears having shared so many of the lessons not only in gardening, but in life. What a beautiful way you wove the story together in both photos and words. And yes, the sun always rises and there is always beauty to be found. My garden has been balm for my soul more times than I can count and the friends that it has brought me are priceless. Thank you so much for sharing your garden and your gift. I consider myself blessed to be a gardener and to do it for a living is icing on the cake. I learned gardening from both of my parents and though they are gone, they live on in what they taught me. Thankyou for your knowledgeable, emotion evoking, professional and enjoyable presentation.
A totally engaging, original speaker
Susan Martin's presentation, "Lessons Learned Under the Trees," was a highly original and informative approach to shade gardening, laced with great humor, incredible photography, and even Life Lessons that she applies to the art and experience of gardening. Her focus on getting out there and fearlessly experimenting, thus learning through failures as much as successes, was very refreshing and inspirational.
Knowledgeable and entertaining
Our U of I Extension master gardeners host a one day gardening workshop. Susan did an outstanding job as our keynote speaker. She brings a wealth of experience to back up her "Gold Standard Perennial" speech and she presents it with great humor. Our keynote is the last session of the day. Susan held the audience's attention, and they gave her high ratings on the evaluation. Susan is highly organized and quite easy to work with. We hope to have her return in the future.
Enthusiastic
Susan is so engaging as a speaker, it is very easy to listen to her. Even at the end of a long day of speakers, her enthusiasm energized the audience and made us want to play in the dirt again! Her knowledge of plants seems limitless and her inside info from the horticulture industry is fun to hear.
Many new insights on shade gardening
This was the best time spent on new gardening insights. Susan was a polished and enthusiastic presenter who clearly understand that gardening is suppose to be fun. Thank you Susan for sharing so many new ideas for dealing with a shape garden.I am not sure I am up to the mulch idea but I think I am going to give it a try next fall!
shade gardens
Useful, practical, realistic information on shade gardens. Great sense of humor; her love of experimenting in the garden is obvious.
Simply delightful!
Wonderfully well informed, took questions during her talk, great slides and hand outs. Can’t wait to hear her again! Her mother would be so proud of her!
Fabulous speaker
Just attended my first presentation by Susan . Her humor and slides made for an informative, fun and helpful lecture on shade gardening
1-19-18
Used her own garden in Holland MI to
present sun/shade gardening. Great
organized speaker, fresh visuals, knows her stuff, presents with
humor , does not drone on.
present sun/shade gardening. Great
organized speaker, fresh visuals, knows her stuff, presents with
humor , does not drone on.
Lessons Learned Under the Trees
Loved the gardening attitude of fun & flexibility: sun/ shade; texture & color hues, native & diversified plant selections. Humor was beautifully placed throughout.
All around escellent delivery
Susan always delivers beyond expectation, I have heard or engaged her to speak a total of 4 times and would recommend her again as I have always learned new garden wisdom from her. She speaks smoothly with insight gained from her experience, with excellent, appropriate graphics. She can answer on the spot and quickly develops a warm rapport with her audience every time.
Excellent Speaker!
Really enjoyed hearing Susan speak at the 2017 TNLA Expo. Her presentation was informative and entertaining! Best of all I left with lots of takeaways and ideas!
If you could only pick one
Susan spoke at Garden Visions in Wausau, WI. Wow! She provided so much info, handouts were great, slides were amazing. I learned so much from her.
Susan Martin is terrific!
Susan Martin was extremely knowledgeable and interesting as she talked on gardening in the shade at the March Garden Day in Grand Haven, MI. Later in the day she spoke again on Plants with Bonus Points and again very engaging and full of good ideas!
Grand Haven Garden Day
Susan Martin is a dynamic speaker. She had knowledge on shade plants and how to consider a plant by its bonus points. Both topics were valuable and entertaining. I especially enjoyed Moving Beyond Pretty--Plants with Bonus Points, since it highlighted categories not usually given. I went home to assess my garden color and design to favor shade, pollinators, and disease resistance,
WMNLA MARCH GARDEN DAY 2017
Members of the Big Rapids Garden Club thoroughly enjoyed Susan's talks on "Lessons Learned Under The Trees" and "Moving Beyond Pretty: Plants With Bonus Points". We look forward to hearing her speak again.
8c914
8c914
Excellence Personified
Susan Martin's knowledge, experience and simple logic plus poise and listening skills DO appeal to all gardeners. She is super!!!
Great speaker
I saw Susan speak at the recent March Garden Day in Grand Haven. I really enjoyed her presentation. It was informative and entertaining, and Susan seemed very 'at ease' and personable with the audience. I feel she is very knowledgeable, and could speak with authority on a wide variety of subjects in regard to gardening. I would be happy to hear her speak again.
Knowledgeable Speaker
Such a knowledgeable and entertaining speaker. Very engaging and thought provoking. Makes learning new info fun!
Great presentation
Susan is a great garden educator, with her extensive horticulture knowledge and wonderful sense of humor. We truly enjoyed her presentation.
Grand Haven Garden Day
We had the privilege of listening to Susan Martin as a guest speaker at this year's Grand Haven Garden Day. Susan was a very interesting speaker on perennials, especially shade perennials. The time during her talk flew by because she was that interesting. The event always includes a drawing for several beautiful plants. Susan picked up each plant and identified it, telling us how to care for it and the best place to plant it, prior to drawing the winning name. I have attended this event for several years and nobody has ever done that. I highly recommend Susan as a speaker for any group interested in learning about perennials.
Lessons Learned Under the Trees
Susan's presentation at our Gardening and All That Jazz Conference on shade gardening was so informative and enjoyable. she had such beautiful pictures and such good advice for shade gardening.
You’ll Love Susan
Susan was the keynote speaker for Garden Visions, North Central WI MG 's winter conference. She also presented an afternoon breakout session. Susan was excellent. Very knowledgeable, and well prepared, both presentations were enlightening and enjoyable.
Garden Visions Keynote Speaker
Extremely sharp and knowledgeable, interesting and entertaining, accessible and responsive to the audience, great handouts and fantastic presentation with lots of gorgeous photos. I feel very lucky that she came to Central Wisconsin for our garden conference and I look forward to using her as a resource and checking out her social media going forward!
Great lecturer
Outstanding dynamic and erudite speaker with eye candy photos of the plants she was reviewing. Top recommendations.
Moving boyond pretty – plants with bonus points.
Very knowledgeable on topic. Very excited about topic. Spoke clearly, and loud enough for all to hear. Got lots of good ideas.
Moving Beyond Pretty-Plants with Bonus Points
Susan was entertaining with her up-to-date info on plants we will be looking to put into our gardens. She kept our interest, answered every question we had, was generous with giveaways, all the while teaching us a new way to look at plants worthy of our gardens.
Moving Beyond Pretty- Plants with Bonus Points
Susan spoke @ our Master Gardener banquet. She was engaging and knowledgeable. Spoke on a level that kept everyone's attention. Program was great & applicable to any garden style or any gardener's level of expertise.
Moving Beyond Pretty-Plants with Bonus Points
Susan is a great speaker. She is very knowledgeable. This shows in her presentations. Enjoyed er presentation to our Master Gardener group very much
Perennials symposium
Susan gave an excellent talk at the PPA Perennial Symposium. Her talk was full of useful information about value added perennials with great accompanying imagery. I'm definitely handing on to her handout as a resource sheet.
A New Spin on Old Favorites
Enjoyable, interesting and informative. This is the second time I have heard her, and I would happily listen to her speak at every Master Gardener symposium I go to.
Gold Standard Perennials
Excellent. Very knowledgeable. Great presentation. I learned a great deal from her presentation.
very enjoyable
Heard Susan speak recently on perennials. She was very informative and engaging. Would attend a future event where she's speaking.
St Clair Co Master Gardeners
VERY impressed. I have heard 100+ garden speakers. I rate her in my top 5. A great group to be in because it includes Mark Zillis and Tony Advent. Going to try to talk our Eastern MI Hosta Society into having Susan speak at a meeting next year.
St. Clair Co. Symposium
Susan did a great job at our Spring Symposium. Very informational, I loved hearing how plants are tested before going to market.
Perennial Gold Standards
Loved Susan's talk on Perennial Gold Standards and will be carrying my list with me when I go plant shopping. Very knowledgeable and lots of good information.
Ten Star Talk! Could NOT have been better
agree w other reviewer on "more than 5 stars"- this talk was A New spin on Old Favorites and it was EXACTLY what I was looking for! ANYONE interested in great perennials will enjoy this lecture! Compared the older cherished perennials with new cultivars recently released (ie Salvia 'May Night' with newbie Salvia 'Violet Riot' for example)- colorful slides of the plants side by side then info slides & a FAB handout with ALL details were given comparing the new, the old and how the new plant might be better or at least equal. She is an easy speaker, fluid with words, fun style, and enthusiastic- AND she knows her material SO well! I am an "AVID, rabid" master gardener and was thrilled with it all!...now to find these puppies & try them out!! :-0
Better than 5 stars
I loved her great enthusiasm and sense of humor. Her selections for perennial gold standards were excellent. Something for all seasons in Michigan, soil types and sun exposures. Her plant knowledge was fantastic. This was my second time hearing her speak and once again there was no disappointment. Excellent job!!
Great information
I thought she was a very good speaker. She had a hard slot to speak in at the end of the day. Kept everyones attention, straight to the point info. provided a handout which she encourage everyone to take shopping with them. She was humorous and engaging. I will look for her at future seminars.
High energy, funny, informative
I enjoyed Susan's presentation at Growing Great Gardens. She had the last slot of the day when people tend to get a little fidgety, but she was more than up to the task! She held everyone's attention, was very funny and exrtremely knowledgeable. She held my attention throughout the task. I loved her slides and she actually got me excited about a few new cultivars, which to be honest, it is not a topic I am normally interested in -- so that says a lot. Definitely recommend her!
Excellent speaker
When Sue Martin is in the area, I always try to attend her session. I have heard her speak on various topics but always like when she compares the perennials in "old" vs. "new". This information helps me make decisions for my own garden with better plant choices. She always has a comprehensive slide presentation, a great handout, and engages the audience.
Excellent Shade Plant Information!!
For inexperienced gardeners who are tired of wasting money on plants that won't grow in a suburban Michigan neighborhood filled with trees, this is the speaker to see. A wealth of information and clear, simple tips.
The Gold Standard
Enjoyed hearing Sue today in Southgate MI speaking about if you could only choose one plant for your garden in a variety of categories She was upbeat, easy to listen to and gave great information and I love the handout.
Crowd Pleaser
Susan Martin's Perennial Gold Standard presentation was top drawer all the way and a savvy Hardy Plant Society was blown away by her knowledge, style, slides and the best handout ever to take home. A meeting that won't soon be forgotten. We highly recommend Susan for your meeting or symposium.
Perennial Gold Standards
I'm so glad that Susan was able to speak to our group. Great handout with detailed plant information. I especially liked her photos of plants in masses. If Susan is speaking at a group near you, be sure to attend.
Great presentation
Susan gave a great presentation on perennial gold standard plants. Very informative with some insider tips for growing great plants.
Great lecture!
Enjoyed the presentation in Bloomfield Hills last night! Very informative for even a novice like me!
Absolutely the Best
I just love listening to her presentations. This was the second time I heard her present at the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) and loved every bit of it. Her talks are full of great information, practical tips and some light-hearted humor sprinkled through out the presentation. Just love her. She is one of the best speakers I've heard when it comes to perennials. Can't wait to attend more of her talks again in the future.
CENTS Show 2016, Perennial Gold Stds
Susan was very likeable and interesting. Her information was relevant and concise. I really enjoyed her program.
2016 CENTS show – Columbus
Great job with Perennial Gold Standards! I've been wanting this knowledge for years. Thanks for all your knowledge!
Warm, inclusive learning
Susan's ' Beauty by Design' presentation was delivered with a playful air on rock solid design guidelines for the home gardener.
Thoughtful and humorous, with a fine power point, she welcomed everyone to her approach to design and to make ourselves at home. A memorable speaker, with the program outline for all of us to take home. Thank you Susan!
Thoughtful and humorous, with a fine power point, she welcomed everyone to her approach to design and to make ourselves at home. A memorable speaker, with the program outline for all of us to take home. Thank you Susan!
OSU Perennial Flower School Speaker
Susan Martin spoke for two sessions at the OSU Perennial Flower School on March 5, 2015. She was inspiring and gave great information. I would be happy to attend ANY event in which Susan is speaking. She is very knowledgable and presents her information in a creative and upbeat manner.
Very Educational Speaker
Susan's presentation was very entertaining and educational to gardeners of all degrees of expertise. Would schedule her again.
A new spin on old favorites
excellent presentation! Knowledgeable, used humor, informative, gave useful information without preaching. Would enjoy hearing her again, easy to listen to
perenniala
Great speaker at the Springfield MG perennial program- very interesting and kept your attention during the entire program
Authority on Perennials
What a great and inspiring speaker on Perennial plants. Attended her presentation for the PPA symposium 2015 @ the Morton Arboretum in Lisle (Chicago) and was very impressed with her knowledge of perennials and her presentation style. She made it very fun and interesting talk. I'd love to hear her again at some other seminars.
Lots of great information
Susan puts a lot of great information in to one hour. Not too fast, and never boring, obviously knows about what she speaks about. One of those speakers that is actually saying something in each sentence. Highly recommend.
rating great
My husband loved Susan Martin. We heard her this weekend at the Proven Winners outdoor living extravaganza in Grand Rapids and look forward to hearing her again at another Proven Winners event. Enjoyed her so much.
PPA
Susan was very entertaining and knowledgable. I very much enjoyed her perennial plant comparison of old cultivars and new.
Rotary Gardens Nov 2
I heard you speak today and thought it was great. You have a passion for plants and it shows. Great to listen to.
Super Speaker
Exciting, knowledgeable, fun, and entertaining speaker whose presentations challenge the audience to try new things in the garden. By sifting through all the options, she gave us a list of the "Best" plants thereby making the decision making process a dream instead of a nightmare. I give her five stars only because 10 aren't available.
Great, Great, Great!
Susan was a great speaker! Gave so much wonderful information. Very fun!!!!!!!
Perennial expert!
I attended her lecture at Meijer gardens in Grand Rapids MI and was delighted. She is extremely knowledgeable, funny, and provides additional resources for plant selection.
An Absolute Joy!
I had the wonderful opportunity of booking Susan to speak at our 14th annual Art of Gardening Conference. She was wonderful cooperative to book and very easy to work with. Having reviewed the Seminar Evaluation forms and it was certainly no surprise to me that our guests rated her presentation as Excellent! As a matter of fact, 96% of the 126 completed evaluations rated her as Excellent!! I think that may be a new record! In addition to that, 71 guests listed Susan in the “What did you like most about this seminar” question!
A few of the comments our guests made included “Great Speaker!”, “Animated and Engaging”, “Informative and Entertaining”, and “Great Handout Materials”. My only hesitation in recommending her is that I am afraid she'll get too well known and enjoyed for me to get her booked again. 🙂
A few of the comments our guests made included “Great Speaker!”, “Animated and Engaging”, “Informative and Entertaining”, and “Great Handout Materials”. My only hesitation in recommending her is that I am afraid she'll get too well known and enjoyed for me to get her booked again. 🙂