Sold-Out Crowd Enjoys the Garden’s 1st Annual Horticulture Lectureship Honoring the Late Ian Robertson

Oct 17, 2017 | the Garden Article

Lecturer C. Colston Burrell

A sold-out crowd enjoyed Botanical Garden of the Piedmont’s 1st  Annual Ian Robertson Legacy: Lectureship on Sept. 30, 2017, with every seat filled for the presentation by C. Colston Burrell, an award-winning author, nationally renowned landscape architect, and lecturer in the University of Virginia’s Landscape Architecture Department.

The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont Board and the Friends of Ian Robertson formally and publicly united to sponsor the annual Lectureship which honors the late Ian Robertson and creates a fundraiser for the future Botanical Garden of the Piedmont in Charlottesville. Through the generosity of sponsors, in-kind gifts from underwriters, and other donations, the event exceeded fundraising goals. (See our Flickr album of photos taken at the Lectureship.)

White Hall Vineyard’s landscape

Hosted at the White Hall Vineyards in Crozet, Virginia, thanks to the generosity of owners Tony, Edie, and Lisa Champ, the attendees enjoyed wine and h’orderves under a perfectly clear blue evening sky. A Pimento Catering provided delicious light fare, displayed beautifully with autumn floral arrangements by Florabella Gardens. Harpist Eve Watters entertained during the outdoor cocktail hour, and a tour was given around the grounds of the Vineyard. The garden of all native plantings, designed by Ian Robertson and installed in 1996, is beautifully mature now after so many years.

Rudy Robertson, wife of the late Ian Robertson, and their sons Robert, James, and Stuart.

Guests gathered inside the Vineyard’s meeting room for opening remarks, updates on the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont’s progress by the Garden Board President Dorothy Tompkins, and a remembrance of Ian Robertson. During his lecture, C. Colston Burrell shared his design inspirations from gardens around the world. After the intermission, Judy Robertson thanked the crowd, our sponsors, and the organizations. She announced that the Garden’s 2nd Annual Ian Robertson Legacy: Lectureship will be held at Morven Farm in Albemarle County on Sept. 29, 2018.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Garden’s 1st  Annual Ian Robertson Legacy: Lectureship and special appreciation to these generous sponsors: Anonymous, Bella Terra Landscapes, Grelen Nursery, Ross and Deborah Grossman, Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, Robertson Landscapes, Better Living Inc., and Blue Ridge Builders Supply and Home Center, Florabella Gardens, Frederick Block Brick and Stone, Instant Shade Tree Nurseries and Landscaping, Jill Trischman-Marks Landscape Architect, J.W.Townsend Landscapes, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Robertson Renovations, Weatherseal Insulation Co., and Wilkinson Wealth Management.

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