The Master Gardeners of the Ozarks are working hard in preparation for the Annual Spring Garden Workshop to be held in Branson on March 20th.  The event is scheduled from 9:00 am - 3:15 pm and will be held at the United Methodist Church of Branson (West Hwy 76). Master Gardeners are proud to announce that one of our five speakers is a fascinating and renown author and gardener from Springfield .. Peter Longley.  Here is a brief bio of Mr. Longley:

"I was born in Scotland, educated and brought up in England and gained my master’s degree in theology from Cambridge University in the 1960’s.

Professionally, I was the Estate Manager of Tullamaine Castle in Ireland from 1966-1977. This included the management of 20 acres of private gardens and grounds and a 260-acre home farm as well as the management of a large domestic staff. The property was American owned and it was for this reason that when the owners chose to sell the property I came to the United States.

From 1978 to 1998, I was a cruise director, culminating in my position as cruise director of the great ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2. I traveled the whole world making no less than 17 full world cruises.

When not at sea, I lived at Sea Island and on St. Simons Island off the Georgia coast.

In 1979, I redesigned a 10 acre garden in Ladue, St. Louis, a project that lies behind my published novel Love is Where Your Rosemary Grows that won an Editor’s Choice award. "

"From 2005 until 2008 I was on the board of Friends of the Garden at Close Memorial Park and was involved in the effort to create the new Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at Close Memorial and Nathaniel Greene Parks in Springfield. I remain an associate and volunteer with Friends of the Garden."

"I will be sharing with you my experiences in creating two English Gardens in the Ozarks. The first is at Alpha Meadows out from Seymour that was created in 2001, and the second is the English Garden at Close Memorial Park in Springfield that I designed in 2004."

Other interest of Peter Longley has been in landscape painting and travel. He has also authored  numerous horticultural, theological, and political articles.  Further information: www.PeterLongleyBooks.com

Any final thoughts sir??   "I try to weave historical background into my horticultural talks, and will hope that this unusual approach will appeal to those interested in this presentation, English Gardens in the Ozarks. I will also hope that I can inspire Ozarks gardeners into believing that despite our terrible soil conditions, temperature extremes, and the persistence of growing rocks, good design will win out. By adapting, you can create the character of an English garden in the Ozarks."