Author Dan Hinkley will give two lectures at High Hand Nursery

LOOMIS, CA June 5, 2009 - A plant expert who has gained nationwide acclaim through his books, articles and television appearances is visiting a local nursery this month.

Horticulturist Dan Hinkley, who has won many awards, written numerous articles for national magazines and appeared on Martha Stewart, Nova and other shows, will be at High Hand Nursery in Loomis June 13 and 14.

Hinkley has gained fame for his worldwide travels in search of exotic plants. He specializes in introducing rare and unusual plants to North American gardeners and, in search of these plants, travels to China, South and Central America, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Nepal, Vietnam, Taiwan, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tasmania and Canada, according to a biography provided by High Hand Nursery.

On Saturday, June 13, at 1:00pm - 2:00pm Hinkley will discuss “Good Plants for the 21st Century.” Sunday’s lecture at 11:00pm - 12 noon is entitled, “Recent Travels — in Search of Good Plants.”

High Hand Nursery will have a dinner for Hinkley Saturday evening from 5:30pm, where he will sign copies of his newest book, ”The Explorer’s Garden; Shrubs and Vines from the Four Corners of the World."

Hinkley has written articles for Pacific Horticulture, The American Gardener, Garden Design, The Gardener, Horticulture Magazine, American Nurseryman, Gardens Illustrated, Martha Stewart Living and Fine Gardening.

His books include “Winter Ornamentals and The Explorers Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials,” which received the 1999 Book of the Year Award from the American Horticultural Society.

During the weekend visit, High Hand Nursery will have samples of some of Hinkley’s plant discoveries for purchase.

Monrovia garden center, which carries Hinkley’s line of plants, will set up a kiosk at High Hand. The plant collection will offer gardeners an early opportunity to buy specimens not set for release until 2010.

Tickets are $5 per person for each of the two lectures. Tickets for the dinner are $65 and include an autographed copy of Hinkley’s new book.

The dinner will be held in High Hand’s Conservatory restaurant, with a menu featuring produce grown in the nursery gardens as well as other locally produced items, with dishes prepared by chef Randy Kelwier.

High Hand Nursery and Conservatory is located on the grounds of the historic High Hand fruit shed site. The Nursery offers a unique shopping experience amongst unusual plants, pottery and inspiring garden art. The Conservatory serves brunch, lunch and dinner derived from the finest flavors Placer County offers, including fresh grown produce from our own garden.