Local horticulturalist offers Plant Nite events
Horticulturalist Denise Bradshaw recently stood in front of a group of aspiring gardeners at Bethany Blues in Lewes and delivered the pledge for the night’s activity. With a glass of wine in hand, she led the class in saying, “I promise to relax and have a plantastic evening; not to say, ‘Mine is too big, mine is too small, mine is too moist’; to water my plants and not my pants; to keep my plants out of my drink; and to not throw dirt. Cheers!”
With that, the group began Plant Nite, a night out that’s sprouting up all over Delmarva: an event of creating, eating, drinking, socializing, and in the end, creating a custom piece of art.
Plant Nite is for anyone who has a love of gardening and/or socializing. Bradshaw, who spent all of her professional career in and around plants, is offering sessions in southern Delaware and Maryland. She started hosting plant nites last August, and they have really taken root. She started doing three a month but now she’s doing eight. Group size ranges from 12 to more than 50. Bradshaw holds her events at several venues on Delmarva: Bethany Blues in Lewes and Bethany Beach; Irish Eyes in Milton; 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown; the Greene Turtle in Dover; Slate in Smyrna; and J.D. Shuckers in Long Neck. Bradshaw said people come for all different reasons: girls’ night out, birthdays, fundraisers, even date nights.
“Me and my girlfriend came out as a date,” said Peter Briccotto. “She’s really into plants. We could have gone to the movies, but she wanted to give this a try. It’s a fun night out and you create a piece of art.” One night, the piece of art was a display using colored sand and air plants. But Bradshaw mixes her repertoire to include cacti gardens, bonsai, and succulents.
The lifelong horticulturist said she’s seeing repeat customers, and they usually bring a friend or two. Megan Michael came alone the first time after reading Facebook posts about how much fun it was. Another night, she brought a friend. “I came last month by myself and it was a lot of fun,” said Michael, who is not a gardener at home. “Tonight, we‘re working with ingredients that should be easy to keep alive! I love `beachy’ and it’s a great night out. Good instruction, food and a couple of drinks.”
Bobbi Lingo of Milton is a gardener who grows perennials, annuals and vegetables at home. The Bethany Blues event was a return visit for her, also. “This is such a great atmosphere,” she said. “It’s very artistic, great people and very social. Then you bring home something pretty.”
Bradshaw has loved plants her whole life. “My mom and grandmother were gardeners,” she said. “So it’s in my blood. I love to share my love of gardening with others.” Bradshaw got her degree in horticulture from Ohio State University, and after graduation, worked in interior landscapes, production greenhouses and landscaping.
“I think the reason plant nites are so popular is because people of all ages, men and women, like to go out, eat great food, have a couple of drinks, share their love of gardening and create their own home décor,” she said.
To contact Bradshaw or see when her next event is scheduled, go to www.plantnite.com, email Denise.Bradshaw@plantnite.com or find Plant Nite Dover on Facebook.
