Chamber of Commerce Rolls Out the Green Carpet for Landscape Camp

Jeff McManus, director of Landscape Services for the University of Mississippi, will be one of the lecturers during the third annual Landscaping Camp. Photo provided by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

With trees and shrubs budding and patches of green popping up all over, it’s time to start planning your color scheme to make your yard pop and perhaps get your neighbors on board to do the same.

However, you may want to make sure to select plants that are well suited for your yard’s growing conditions and fulfill your design criteria to help ensure a successful garden.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber and Economic Development Foundation Retiree Attraction program is hosting the third annual, award-winning Landscaping Camp set for May 24-25.

It will be an ideal time to pick up some great tips and tricks from Jeff McManus, director of Landscape Services for the University of Mississippi, and other professional garden experts, during their hands-on seminars, according to Rosie Vassallo, director of Retiree Attraction.

“Putting the right plant in the right location will result in a better-looking garden that will have fewer problems and require less maintenance,” Vassallo said.

McManus and his team of professionals have brought the University of Mississippi numerous accolades of being named “The Most Beautiful Campus” in the nation by Newsweek, USA Today’s Readers’ Choice competition, as well as in other national publications including the Princeton Review.

McManus will reveal some of his secrets as he shares his philosophy “Work smarter, not harder.” Among other topics will be “Container Gardening,” with Greg Pinion, Oxford Building and Grounds superintendent, who will explain how he’s able to bring a splash of magnificent color throughout Oxford.

Dr. Ed Croom, a retired botanist from the University of Mississippi, and author of “The Land of Rowan Oak, An Exploration of Faulkner’s Natural Word,” will be guiding the campers on an exclusive video presentation of Rowan Oak and sharing some great Faulkner stories.

“Growing Fresh Cut Flowers,“ will be led by entrepreneur Katherine Sharp who grows fields and fields of flowers for regional markets. McManus will conclude the camp teaching one the correct way to prune shrubs and trees.

A tour will also take place aboard Oxford’s double-decker bus showcasing some of Oxford’s historic sites as it heads to the landscaped home of Bo and Jodie Marsalis, also inspired by McManus.

“The campers won’t be roughing it as we roll out the green carpet at the Inn at Ole Miss during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend,” Vassallo said.

Presenting sponsors are the University of Mississippi, Visit Oxford, HottyToddy.com, The Inn at Ole Miss, Grace Realty Group of Oxford, Stages Mississippi Magazine. Hospitality sponsors include Pro Matura, The Dabney Nursery, mtrade.com, B&B Concrete, Mississippi Federal Credit Union, Stouts and Frye|Reeves Attorney at Law.

An Early Bird Registration Special is going on now through the month of March. Cost to register is $250 per person. After March 31 the cost is $300. Deadline to register for the camp is May 18. You can register online for the camp at www.oxfordms.com or call 662-234-4651.

Courtesy of the Retiree Attraction Program