Winter 2026 Plant Talks
All of our Winter Plant Talks are free, open to the public and held on Zoom. When you click through to the registration page (button below), you can select which Plant Talks you would like to attend. Each session will be recorded, with the link to the recording emailed to all registrants by the end of the day.
Plant Talk: The GreatPlants of 2026
January 15 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
PlantNebraska Horticulture Program Coordinator Bob Henrickson will talk about the GreatPlants 2026 selections: Perennial of the Year, Tree of the Year, Shrub of the Year and Grass of the Year.
Plant Talk: Species Diversity, Selection and Proper Planting Practices for Western Nebraska
January 22 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
Western Nebraska has different soils, annual rainfall amounts and temperature ranges than eastern Nebraska, which means different tree species thrive best there. Amy Seiler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services in Gering, and Lyle Minshull, North Platte Parks and Recreation Director, discuss the importance of species diversity and offer advice and insights for tree selection and planting practices particular to western Nebraska.
Plant Talk: How to Speak for the Trees
February 5 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
You can’t make people care about trees and landscapes, but you can lead them there. PlantNebraska Sustainable Landscape Specialist Sarah Buckley explores practical strategies for convincing your community leaders and neighbors of the benefits of including trees in landscape projects.
Plant Talk: Community Canopy Decline & How We Can Help
February 12 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
Community Landscape and Forest Health Bureau Chief Christina Hoyt explains how and where community tree canopy is declining in Nebraska and suggests ways to help reverse this trend.
Plant Talk: Gardening for Pollinators
February 19 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
Bob Gittins and Stacey Coury from the non-profit organization Nebraska Monarchs offer tips and advice on successful gardening for pollinators. Whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned gardener, there’s always more to learn, so join us for what’s sure to be an informative and interesting presentation.
Special Evening Plant Talk: Poets & Plants
February 26 at 7 p.m. CT on Zoom
Former Nebraska State Poet (2013-2018) Twyla Hansen and current Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate (2025-2026) Victoria Bogatz both share a love of nature and Nebraska landscapes in their writing. In this special Plant Talk, both poets will read a selection of their poems and discuss how nature and Nebraska landscapes have inspired and influenced their work.
Plant Talk: Herbicide Injury to Trees
March 5 at 12 noon CT on Zoom
Widespread herbicide injury to trees has increased significantly in recent years as farmers ramp up efforts to control weeds in crop fields. At the same time, the battle to control weeds in lawns is also contributing to the problem. Tune in to learn more from PlantNebraska and Nebraska Forest Service experts Justin Evertson and Brad Kindler about herbicide injury to trees and non-target landscape plants including symptomology, the extent of the impact and how best to reduce potential harms.
The 2026 Winter Plant Talk series is sponsored by:
