The Early Bird deadline of June 17th is fast approaching as the Perennial Plant Association prepares to have the city of Asheville, North Carolina host the 2024 National Symposium! PPA is thrilled to be heading to the mountains for a week designed to highlight the wonders of perennial plants. PPA will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary as an association at the National Symposium with special highlights throughout the week. From tours of public and private gardens to education crafted for diverse industry interests, this is THE event for perennial plant people.
The National Symposium will be hosted at the Embassy Suites and DoubleTree Downtown Asheville hotels from July 29 – August 1 with tours exploring into the surrounding areas. This year, PPA has partnered with Speaking of Gardening to add an additional day of education on August 2.
Set amongst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the symposium is carefully curated to deliver an unforgettable horticultural experience. You'll have the chance to explore stunning botanical gardens, see the incredible work that leading companies are undertaking, and learn from top experts in the field, including Tom Ranney, Kelly Elsworth, Rashid Poulson, and Bobby Mottern.
Plus, with add-on tours on Monday, as well as three tour options to choose from on Wednesday, you can customize your experience and explore even more. On Wednesday evening PPA will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary and reflecting on and recognizing those who helped build the organization and impact the perennial industry.
Monday's tours are a highlight of the Asheville area for those who would like a PPA-influenced tourist experience. These options include two tours of cultivated local attractions, another exploring the stunning Biltmore Estate gardens, and another hiking through the mountains and scenic waterfalls of the area led by a local ecotour guide.
Choose an excursion focused on the surrounding regions of Asheville on Wednesday, with all three tours culminating at Highland Brewing Event Center for a special barbeque dinner and party to celebrate PPA's 40th Anniversary. You'll find a mix of options including nurseries, botanical and private home gardens, retail, and a unique horticultural emphasis at a nationally renowned brewery.
Source: perennialplant.org