Dennis Groh is one of our era's ultimate
enthusiasts of garden conifers,
Japanese maples, rhododendrons, azaleas and fall color. Working
with his wife and fellow enthusiast Carole Groh, he's built a world
class collection during the past 30 years in their 1-acre garden,
and traveled the world to study those plants and talk with those
most knowledgeable about growing them. Thus his contacts in the
horticultural world have grown right along with the plants.
His garden has become a destination for horticultural luminaries
including Professor Emeritus (University of Wisconsin) Ed
Hasselkus, the late great conifer man of the ages Chub Harper and
one of England's premier gardeners, Adrian Bloom.
Dennis is past President of the American Conifer Society (ACS),
current co-chair of one of the ACS' most exciting conferences to
date (learn more!), instructor from 2003 - 2008 at
the Michigan School of Gardening, and lecturer on conifers, fall
color, Rhododendrons and azaleas, woody plants and
Japanese gardens... What more need be said? We are pleased to have
his help moderating our Forum.
Right: Dennis with Bonsai master Saburo Kato in Omiya Bonsai
Village, Japan.
(Photo © Carole Groh)
Below, left: With J.R.P. Van Hoey Smith at
Trompenburg Arboretum, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Below, right: At Callaway Gardens (Photos © Carole Groh)
Right: In his own garden one fall, with Chamaecyparis
pisifera 'Golden Mop' and Acer japonicum f. aconitifolium
(a.k.a. Fern Leaf maple or Mai kujaku, which means dancing
peacock). (Photo © Carole Groh)
Right: Ed Hasselkus (Professor Emeritus, Ornamental
Horticulture, University of Wisconsin and Curator of the
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens) at the Groh Garden in August
2006. Photo ©2006 Carole Groh
Dennis does all he can to advance knowledge in the
horticultural field. A scientist by profession, he brings an
incisive perspective to his gardening, asking "why" and demanding
explanations for "how" that are supported by fact. He has played a
lead role in developing the upcoming American Conifer Society
international conference and a Conifer College program to precede
it. His dedication to comprehensive, fact-based gardening is
evident throughout.
Dennis says: Be sure to visit the American Conifer Society site!
Use our Recommended Speakers List to contact Dennis to
arrange for a talk or workshop.