Join Berkshire Botanical Garden in welcoming Karl Gercens III, Section Gardener at Londwood Gardens, to present his approach to gardening using colors as an organizing aesthetic at our 2026 Winter Lecture to be held at the Lenox Middle High School in Lenox, MA on Sat., Feb. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. Karl Gercens’ passion for horticulture started at an early age while growing up on a 10,000-acre cotton plantation in Mississippi. The warm Mississippi climate and long growing season allowed him to experiment with different plant types and growing methods, which lead him to obtain his Bachelor of Science Degree in Ornamental Horticulture at Mississippi State University. Today, Karl is responsible for many of the changing displays in the grand 4-acre Conservatory. Prior to joining Longwood, he completed academic internships at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and the Filoli Estate in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Karl’s signature strength is using pallets of colored foliage trees, shrubs and perennials. Karl’s horticulture passion extends worldwide with frequent visits to public gardens in all 50 states and more than 24 countries. 

The lecture will be followed by the famous BBG cookie reception, including coffee and tea, in the Lenox Middle High School cafeteria following the program.