Henderson County Master Gardeners slate conference

Chris Wiesinger, "The Bulb Hunter"

ChrisWiesinger, "The Bulb Hunter" will be keynote speaker for the Henderson County Master Gardeners eighth annual conference at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Cain Center in Athens. Sadler's Catering of Jacksonville will cater the gourmet meal this year.

Mr. Wiesinger is the founder and president of Southern Bulb Company. At the age of 27, he not only set out with a truck and a shovel in search of heirloom bulbs that had survived the heat and humidity of the old south; he started a bulb nursery at a time when virtually all of the bulb breeders in the world are Dutch. "What keeps me going," he says "is the thrill of the hunt."

As with any hunt, the "hunted" changes with the season, but always the focus is on rare and heirloom bulbs. He has stories about how and where he finds these bulbs, his protocol for asking permission of the interesting people he has met along the way. He first spoke at the group's free fall educational workshop and was asked to return for this event.

The evening will start with a plant sale and auction. Many of these special plants have been carefully nurtured and grown throughout the winter by Master Gardeners especially for this event. The gardeners will be on hand to discuss the culture and offer advice on their care and placement in the garden. Drawing for door prizes will be held throughout the evening. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at the Henderson County Extension Office, East Texas Arboretum or from any Henderson County master gardener or intern. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $25.