The Adams County Master Gardeners will host a program on plants made for shade at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1.

The guest speaker is Donna Hamlin Beliech, MSU-Extension Area Horticulturist.

Beliech grew up on a small dairy/soybean farm just outside of Greenville and learned at an early age how much she enjoyed working in the family garden.

Her fascination with plants led to a degree in Forestry and another in Horticulture.

While working at garden centers Beliech learned that she enjoyed talking with people about their gardens and landscapes.

In early 1996, she joined MSU-Extension.

As an area horticulturist she works with horticulture businesses (garden centers, nurseries and growers), presents educational programs to community groups/clubs and finds the answers to people’s plant problems.

Shade gardening is dominated by plants that were designed by nature.

Beliech will explore the balance of light levels and the plants that prosper under varying conditions.

The look of gardens in general are always in flux due to the changing seasons and the amount of sunlight reaching the ground.

It should be a common practice as our landscapes mature to replace a skimpy lawn with shade-tolerant shrubs and perennials.

Come learn what plants are necessary to create a magical, cool refuge during the summer months.

The program is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the extension office, 74A Carthage Point Road. It is free and open to the public.

Karen O’Neal is a member of the Adams County Master Gardeners.