52nd Annual Symposium

Charleston, SC. March 25-28 2012
Registration Ends March 1, 2012

*UPDATE* It has just been announced that Dr. Kelly Ivors will be speaking at the Symposium on Tuesday March 27th on the most current and up-to-date information on Box Blight. Her talk will be taking the place of the "Ask the Experts" at 5:00pm. The Members of the "Ask the Experts" panel will be present for attendees to meet and talk with during the Symposium.

CLICK HERE for a PDF file of the Registration Form
CLICK HERE for a MS Word file of the Registration Form

Click here for information on Sponsorship Opportunities for this year's Symposium

This Year's Event

The ABS was fortunate in being able to plan and book this symposium in March, 2012. March is prime time for the gardens of Charleston: the azaleas will be in full bloom, the weather still comfortably cool, and, of course, the boxwood will be in its spring glory! We have partnered with the Charleston Horticultural Society so you will have the privilege of seeing all those Charleston gardens that hide behind the famous walls with their tantalizing iron gates. And you'll have a Certified Guide leading the way through a city whose history and careful preservation can be savored best by walking. In a word, this will not be your "standard" ABS Symposium!

Some other reasons to come to Charleston March 25-27:

• A full day of exceptional speakers presenting information not only on boxwood, but also on local landscape history, topiary, and more.
• An auction like no other! There will be items unique to Low Country crafts, as well as for the garden enthusiast. And, of course, rare boxwood specimens will tempt!
• The event is open not only to members of the ABS, but ALSO THEIR FRIENDS!
• Attendance may be for the full symposium, or for a single day, making it possible to choose either a day of speakers, or a day of gardens.
• The hotel is guaranteeing Symposium rates for 2 nights prior and 2 nights following Symposium dates to help you fully enjoy your Charleston experience.
• The ABS is providing complimentary transportation into Charleston on Monday evening so attendees can enjoy sightseeing and dinner in the city without the worry of driving and parking!
• AND…the world famous "low country" take on Southern cuisine is NOT TO BE MISSED!


• There is a special OPTIONAL 'add on' day for touring the Plantations – Middleton and Magnolia with your guide being the Horticulture Directors. This not included in the price of the Symposium. It is being orchestrated by the Charleston Horticultural Society.

Agenda – Registration Ends March 1, 2012

Sunday, March 25th - Welcome & Registration

Monday, March 26th – Garden Tour Day!

• Participant Registration Continues – 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM
• Breakfast Buffet in Banquet Room - 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
• Load the Tour Buses at Hotel – 9 AM
• Bus will tour Charleston Perimeter with History of Charleston Interpretation
• Garden Tours Begin – 3 to 4 Private Gardens in small groups with Certified Guides
• Lunch at High Cotton Restaurant (sit down light-plated lunch)
• Surprise Garden Tours of 2 special gardens (these are never open to the public)
• Back to the Hotel between 4 - 4:30
• Charleston is famous for its cuisine, there will be numerous restaurants that can be recommended and reservations made – we want you to enjoy your stay in this wonderful city – so there will be a complimentary Mini-Bus available from 6 – 9:30 PM for transportation back and forth to Charleston (you don't have to drive or find parking)

Tuesday, March 27th – Enrichment and Education Seminars

• Participant Registration Continues 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM
• Breakfast Buffet in Banquet Room 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
• Annual Membership Meeting for American Boxwood Society Members only 8:30 – 9:30
• Speaker Series Begins at 9:45 AM
• Buffet Lunch in Banquet Room 12 – 1 PM
• Speakers Continue 1:30 PM
• Dr. Kelly Ivors Speaking on Box Blight 5 PM
• Cocktail Hour (Cash Bar) 6 - 7 PM
• Banquet Dinner with Keynote Speaker – Pearl Fryar (Renown Topiary Artist) - 7 PM
• Auction Follows Keynote Speaker

Wednesday, March 28th – Plantation Tours

• Buses leave Hotel at 9 AM for Middleton and Magnolia Plantation Guided Tours – with lunch included – return to hotel around 4 – 4:30 (this is planned and orchestrated by our partner, the Charleston Horticultural Society)
• Please be mindful that these plantations are open to the public generally BUT may not be open during this 'prime time' for spring – they must be booked early and if you go individually, you miss the guided tour by the Director of Horticulture. These plantations are located about 45 – 60 minutes outside of Charleston on a long and winding road.

Who are the Seminar Speakers? Click on each speaker to find out more.

• Jim Cothran – Author of 2 books on Charleston's Historic Gardens, Historic Garden Landscape Architect
• Dean Norton – Director of Horticulture, Mt Vernon Gardens, Washington, DC
• Kari Whitley – Scout Horticulture Consulting, South Carolina Horticulturist, Plant Pathologist, and Landscape Designer
• Dr. Kelby Fite, Bartlett Tree – Arboricultural Researcher, Plant Pathologist
• Keynote Speaker – Pearl Fryar, Topiary Artist, Speaker and recognized via film
• "Ask the Experts" – Questions that cross various areas of boxwood delight and challenges
  • Dr. Tomasz Anisko, Curator of Plants, Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia PA
  • Dr. James Simpson, MD – Charleston Boxwood Gardener 'extraordinaire'
  • Lynn Batdorf, International Boxwood Society Registrar, US National Arboretum, Washington, DC
  • Dr. Eugene Johnson, MD - Charleston Gardener and Horticulturist