Discover practical tips and fresh inspiration for your garden with Get Growing!, an educational gardening series held every other Thursday from June 11-Aug. 13. Each hour-long program features an engaging guest speaker, and many sessions offer hands-on learning. This series is perfect for gardeners of all experience levels.
Discover the fascinating world of hydrangeas with horticulture expert Eric Barrett. This informative session explores five different types of hydrangeas that provide beautiful blooms from spring through fall. Learn how to select the right varieties for your landscape, along with the best practices for planting, care, pruning and maximizing bloom performance. Participants will receive a handy, quick-reference guide to help choose the best hydrangeas at the garden center.
Barrett will continue his education on hydrangeas at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, on a Hydrangea Walk-About. Meet at the Steele Memorial Bandstand and enjoy a stroll to view hydrangeas across Lakeside.
Barrett is a professor and Interim Assistant Dean with the OSU Extension in Canfield, Ohio. Throughout his career, he has worked with growers, educators and volunteers to develop practical solutions that lead to successful gardening outcomes. A recognized hydrangea specialist, Barrett has authored educational fact sheets and delivered presentations across North America.
His passion for hydrangeas spans decades and continues to grow as new cultivars are introduced each year. Barrett maintains extensive hydrangea plantings for observation and evaluation through the OSU Extension and at his family farm in Vincent, Ohio. He also collaborates with researchers at Secrest Arboretum, where an ongoing six-year trial is evaluating hydrangea paniculata cultivars.
