I got an e-mail this morning from Maidee Gregory, president of Watson's Greenhouse and Nursery in Puyallup, to tell me about a really neat sounding clematis lecture at the nursery April 4.

Have you been by the nursery lately? I drive by Watson's every morning and I swear, there have been cars waiting to get through the iron gate almost daily when I roll by at 9 a.m. .... on my way to my swank cubicle at the TNT. Spring is soooo here. But I digress... It sounds like it's a must-attend event if you are interested in clematis, as a newcomer or a seasoned grower. Check out Gregory's release here:

Watson’s Greenhouse and Nursery has the good fortune to have internationally renowned clematis breeder Raymond Evison speaking at our garden center on Friday, April 4 at 1 p.m. He will be talking about his latest book, Clematis for Small Spaces and how it celebrates a new generation of clematis that will appeal to both established enthusiasts and beginners. Visiting all the way from Guernsey, Channel Islands, he will recommend varieties now available for mixed borders, containers, patios, and hanging baskets. He will also talk about their hardiness and disease resistance as well.

Mr. Evison has spent four decades researching, breeding, introducing and cultivating over 100 of the best clematis varieties to gardeners worldwide. He has won numerous awards, including many RHS Gold Medals and the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour (2004). He serves as a Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society, and his business, The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd., is the world’s leading producer of young clematis plants.

We will have his book, Clematis for Small Spaces, available for purchase and Mr. Evison will be available after the seminar for book signing.