proved a brilliant keynote speaker at the Melbourne 2005 design conference, where he approached his subjects with wonderful landscape perceptions, involving close observations of nature at work and the use of spectacular images. His exposition had delegates spellbound.
He now works as a consultant, blending art, ecology and cultural geography in the creation and conservation of ‘liveable landscapes’. Darke has agreed to return to provide a single paper on the subject of grasses (and their allies) and how they help provide the most liveable of landscapes.
Formerly Curator of Plants at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, Darke travels extensively in both hemispheres (including Australasia) in search of plants and ideas to enrich American gardens. He is now recognised as a world authority on ornamental grasses and recently authored the major publication Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable [sic] Landscapes, which has set a new standard for appreciation of the subject.
Darke has been honoured with numerous awards, including the AHS Scientific Award, for enriching horticulture through outstanding and notable research.
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