The New York Times called him “the guru of natural gardening,” and Publisher Weekly named him “a gardening superstar.” The American Horticultural Society listed one of his 18 books among the best books of all time, and Ann Raver of the New York Times called them “bibles for serious gardeners.” Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens will welcome gardening legend Ken Druse on Tuesday, August 7, for an illustrated presentation that begins at 2 p.m. and concludes with a reception.

Druse’s program, “Natural Companions: Inspiring Combinations of Plants,” is the 2012 Ina and Lewis Heafitz Lecture. Admission to this event in the Bosarge Family Education Center is free for members and $20 for non-members, and registration is requested. 

In this entertaining and inspiring presentation, Druse will focus on plants that grow together – culturally and aesthetically – and bloom at the very same time. He will present recipes for perfect plant pairings using diverse species. He’ll introduce his audience to heat- and cold-tolerant varieties that will thrive in our part of the world, organized by themes including, but not limited to, seasons, color, fragrance, foliage, grasses, wetlands and ponds, edible flowers. 

The program will feature unique and stunning botanical images created in collaboration with artist Ellen Hoverkamp. Using modern digital technology, she arranged cuttings of plants and flowers, many of which were grown in Druse’s Sussex County, N.J., garden, on an oversized flatbed scanner. The results reveal the vivid characteristics of favorite plants with amazing color, depth and clarity. 

The reception with iced tea and lemonade will be an opportunity to purchase Druse’s book, “Natural Companions,” which he will be glad to sign. For reservations to this fascinating program by renowned speaker and award-winning author Ken Druse, visit www.MaineGardens.org, call 207-633-4333, ext. 101, or stop by the Gardens, located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay.