The Perennial Plant Association’s (PPA) annual Symposium offers more than just a fabulous speaker line-up and terrific plant tours. The best part is, as John Valleau of Valleybrook Gardens say, the opportunity for “fellowship with other perennial plant geeks and nerds.”

The PPA Symposium moves to a new location each summer. This year, growers, designers and retailers gathered at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Montreal from July 16-22, to celebrate the variety and versatility of perennials.

Pre-show conferences offered specialized sessions on digital garden photography, as well as day-long tracks devoted to retail marketing, design and growing.

The official proceedings opened on Tuesday morning with remarks by PPA’s current president, Janet Anderson, of Janet Anderson Distinct Perennials, followed by an explanation of how horticulture came to Quebec by Alexander Reford, of Jardins de Metis (Reford Gardens), which set the tone for the symposium.

A trade show, held in the centre of Complex Desjardins (the shopping mall adjacent to the host hotel), was eagerly attended by delegates anxious to see the latest and greatest new perennials. As always, controversy reined over new plant introductions. Nearly all 700 attendees admitted anticipating what’s new each year, but also expressed frustration about the rapidity of release and the similarities between varieties.

The garden and retail tours are highlights of the PPA Symposium, and the Montreal area did not disappoint, with eight different tours to local retailers, private gardens as well as the Montreal Botanic Gardens and the stunning gardens of Flora Montreal, an international garden exhibit held in the Old Port of the city. At the end of the symposium, delegates had the option to go on extended tours to the Ottawa area or Quebec City.

Next year, the PPA Annual Symposium will be held in Columbus, Ohio, August 5-12. Visit www.perennialplant.org for information.