Upcoming presentations:
Fri-Sat June 7-8, the SUCCULENT CELEBRATION near San Diego coincides with the release of Debra's new book, Succulents Simplified. Also: South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes, CA, June 22; San Diego Hort Society July 8; Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, July 27; Heather Farm/Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA Sept. 25; Bay Area Succulent Extravaganza in Castroville Sept. 27-28; and Laguna Beach (CA) Garden Club, Oct. 11.
Have Debra address your group
Garden photojournalist, consultant and author Debra Lee
Baldwin shows how to use sculptural succulents to add beauty,
sophistication and whimsy to gardens and outdoor living spaces.
Presentations are one hour (50 minutes plus Q&A).
Before and after, Debra meets attendees and signs books.
Topics (customized for each group and updated frequently)
Designing with Succulents. Digital slide presentation. As Debra explains how to cultivate succulents ranging from ground covers to tall trees, you'll discover how these waterwise plants offer colors, textures and forms certain to inspire your creativity. She also shows low-maintenance, easy-care container arrangements perfect for patios, entryways and decks.
Fresh Ideas with Succulents. Digital slide presentation. Debra shows what's new and exciting with these architectural, geometric and stylish "plants that drink responsibly." You'll view gorgeous new cultivars and learn how garden and floral designers are using succulents in bouquets, bonsais, topiaries, terrariums---even wearable art.
NEW ~ Companion Plants for Succulents. Digital slide presentation. Expand your plant palette while keeping your water usage to a minimum. Showing each in design applications, Debra shares 30 of her favorite low-water nonsucculent plants for gardens large and small. Ideal for garden clubs and horticultural venues in Southern and coastal California.
NEW ~ How to Refurbish an Overgrown Succulent Garden. Digital slide presentation. Plants are living things, and as such grow and change over time. Debra shows step-by-step how to cut back overgrown succulents, take cuttings, prepare the soil, and replant containers and gardens.
Add a workshop: During a second hour, Debra helps attendees redo overgrown succulent container gardens brought from home.
NEW ~ Succulents Simplified. Slide presentation. Emphasizing readily available and easy-care varieties, Debra demystifies the vast succulent plant palette. Brown-thumb gardeners will find her how-to information reassuring and green-thumbers will enjoy an entertaining and visually appealing refresher course. Included are ideas for gardens large and small, container arrangements, and suggestions for great-looking projects anyone can do.
Plant Show-and-Tell. Debra introduces various types of succulents, discusses their care, and describes what makes each interesting and unique. May be piggybacked onto a digital slide presentation and/or followed by a potting demo. Ideal for nurseries.
Potting Demo. Debra demonstrates how to create a succulent container garden and/or bouquet. May be combined with a digital slide presentation and/or plant show-and-tell. Ideal for nurseries.
Venue requirements
A slide show requires a digital projector, screen, microphone and darkened room, plus a table for the book signing.
A plant show-and-tell or potting demo can be done outdoors, and requires a work table, a
clip-on microphone, separate table for the book signing, and
supplies (nursery plants, pots, soil, water, etc.).
Speaker bio
Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens, both bestsellers. Her new book is Succulents Simplified (May, 2013). Debra is a regular contributor to Sunset and other publications, and her own half-acre garden near San Diego has been in Better Homes & Gardens among other publications. Debra specializes in showing how to use architectural, waterwise and easy-care succulents in a variety of appealing and creative applications.
Comments from event organizers and attendees
"You received many accolades at our board meeting for your presentation. There were over 400 people there, an all-time record. It will go down as one of the most memorable evenings. What you are doing is magic." ~ Judy Bradley, events chairperson, San Diego Horticultural Society
"Presentation was superb...Very articulate, interesting, humorous and enthusiastic...Great speaker--best of the day--I never wanted succulents before but I now have a list to incorporate into my garden...Lively and dynamic speaker. Beautiful photos, relevant subject...Great slideshow--didn't want it to end...Loved it--we need more classes like this...Bring her back!" ~ Attendees at the UCCE Master Gardeners spring symposium
"More than any other person, Debra Lee Baldwin is responsible for the ever-growing interest in succulents. She and her books have lit up the gardening world." ~ Ron Vanderhoff, nursery manager, Roger's Gardens, Orange County, CA
Radio
Debra is a popular guest on garden radio shows from coast to coast.
John Bagnasco, co-host of Garden Life, a national garden talk radio show, says, "Debra is the expert who has made cactus and succulents exciting. Whenever I'm asked about them I mention her and her books."
Debra Lee Baldwin's recent speaking engagements include:
Iowa Arboretum
Honolulu Garden Club
Garden Club of America National Hort Conference
Philadelphia International Flower Show
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
Huntington Botanical Gardens
Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle
Yard, Garden & Patio Show, Portland
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Denver Botanical Garden
San Diego Botanic Garden
Los Angeles Arboretum
Water Conservation Garden, El Cajon, CA
Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek, CA
Master Gardener Seminars, San Diego and Orange counties
University of California, Davis
University of California, Berkeley
Charleston, S.C. Horticultural Society
Roger's Gardens nursery, Corona del Mar, CA
Sherman Gardens, Corona del Mar, CA
Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge, CA
Spring Garden Show, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, CA
San Diego County Fair
San Diego Horticultural Society
Spring Home/Garden Show, San Diego
Cal State Flower & Garden Show, Cal Expo, Sacramento
Junior League of Pasadena
Cactus & Succulent Society of America (CSSA) biennial convention
CSSA affiliates in California, Arizona and Texas
Public libraries, various locations
Garden clubs, various locations
Bookstores, various locations
Nurseries, wholesale and retail, various locations
Debra being interviewed by a Bay Area film crew. Photo by Rebecca Sweet.
Contact Debra to schedule a workshop, speaking engagement, media interview, etc.