A Gardener's Guide to Botany with Scott Zona, Ph.D.

Enter the fascinating world of botany...for gardeners!

Darien Library welcomes botanist, Scott Zona, Ph.D. to talk about his new book, A Gardener's Guide to Botany.

Register for A Gardener's Guide to Botany

That beautiful, tranquil backyard garden of yours?  Guess what: it is a battlefield in which plants wage war against predators and struggle to outcompete one another for light, water, and nutrients! Join Dr. Zona for a fascinating illustrated adventure you won't want to miss. He will discuss just what makes plants tick and talk about the chlorophyll-infused science behind the plants you know and love, whether you grow them indoors or out. Come take a look at how plants grow—not how to grow plants. After hearing Dr. Zona speak, you’ll see plants in a new light and with new respect!

This book is a 2023 American Horticultural Society Award Winner!

About Scott Zona, Ph.D.

Dr. Scott Zona is a botanist, researcher, and educator with a focus on tropical plants. For 9 years he served as the curator of the Wertheim Conservatory and Greenhouses at Florida International University in Miami, where he directed the restoration of the conservatory and maintained their research plant collections. Dr. Zona has collaborated with scientists worldwide on plant ecology research and has taught graduate- and undergraduate-level courses on tropical plant taxonomy. He guides garden tours and workshops for students, garden clubs, and the general public. In addition, he was a palm biologist with the Center for Tropical Plant Conservation at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Florida. He also educates houseplant enthusiasts through his online course, The Botany of Houseplants.