Columbia, S.C. – Historic Columbia Foundation will host its annual two-day gardening symposium on March 6 – 7 featuring keynote speaker Felder Rushing and presentations on intriguing perspectives of heritage landscapes and gardening in Columbia, S.C. The symposium will be held at the Clarion Town House Hotel, 1615 Gervais Street, and the historic Robert Mills House and Gardens, 1616 Blanding Street. The program will feature lectures, tours, and hands-on gardening workshops from leading experts in gardening, landscape architecture, and horticulture as they educate attendees about the important role gardens and landscape design had on the overall history and culture of South Carolina as well as the formation of the Robert Mills Historic District. A highlight of the 2009 symposium is keynote speaker Felder Rushing, well-known author and 10th generation gardener. Other featured guests include: Robin Salmon, Vice President and Curator of Sculpture at Brookgreen Gardens; Jim Cothran of Atlanta’s Robert and Company; Dr. Jim Kibler, author of Our Father’s Fields; Jenks Farmer, Curator of Moore Farms; John Sherrer, Director of Collections and Interpretation at Historic Columbia Foundation; Everett Jones of Aiken’s Shady Characters, and Pat Henry of Lauren’s Roses Unlimited. An interest to gardeners, historic property owners, and historians, the symposium will present various aspects of gardening. Friday, March 6, will feature lectures, a garden party and book signing with Felder Rushing. On Saturday, March 7, guests can enjoy hands-on gardening workshops and walking tours of elegantly landscaped gardens and historic sites. The day also will feature shopping, tours of Historic Columbia Foundation’s historic house museums, and a children’s gardening workshop. Guests will also have the option to enjoy a tour of Wavering Place, , an historic property with a restored 19th-century mansion and a formal garden in Lower Richland County. Advance registration for the two-day symposium is $75 for members $55 for members, and $35 for students. Advance single day registration is $50 for non-members $30 for members and $25 for students. The Children’s Workshop is $25/$15 for additional children. The Tour of Wavering Place is $25. The deadline for early registration is March 1. To register, please call 803.252.7742 ext. 29. For more information, please call 803.252.7742 ext. 33.