In this delightfully messy class, participants will learn basic mixing, molding, and finishing techniques to make a lightweight, porous, weatherproof container from hypertufa—a mixture of Portland cement, perlite, and peat moss that mimics tufa, a naturally porous rock not locally available.
Your finished trough container will support year-round outdoor planting, and can be home to a prized specimen or an entire miniature landscape. Plants requiring sharp drainage such as succulents and cacti will happily inhabit such troughs.
You’ll leave class with a newfound appreciation for the material, as well as a finished container for your plantings!
Location
The Nursery Headhouse at Longwood Gardens
Instructor
Louise Clarke
Louise Clarke is co-principal of Verdant Earth Educators, a green industry consulting and education firm. She is an accredited Green Roof Professional and certified arborist, and currently serves as President of the Delaware Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society. She's been smitten by rock gardens and crevice gardening.
Materials
Step-by-step instruction will be provided, as well as finishing tips for your cured trough. Wear old clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty; an apron may be useful.
