It's June, and by now, you're probably looking for a new summer project for your garden. Maybe a couple new shrubs to add interest and diversity to your landscape? Or a few new hosta plants, that gorgeous, easy-to-grow favorite for under that big shade tree? Perhaps your interests lean more to the miniature-plants or entire gardens in the diminutive? Have you considered a plant container you can make that could hold an entire miniature garden?

Whatever your plans for summer projects, you won't want to miss the Summer Seminar offered by the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County. A full day of classes June 12 at the Elks Club in Cranberry Township will feature subjects that will intrigue and motivate you to get moving on this summer's special garden project.

First on the agenda at 9 a.m. is Linda Kramer, whose talk will be "Updating the Landscape: Small Trees and Shrubs that Add Interest." The past 20 years have seen an avalanche of new varieties of small trees and shrubs suitable for our area. Some introductions are in familiar plant groups like hydrangea and lilac; others are new. Kramer will sort through the available plants to help you determine which ones will provide just the right complement to your existing plants and are best for your planting conditions. Kramer's educational credentials are from Penn State University. She worked as a professional gardener for more than 20 years at a historic Butler estate while teaching classes in horticulture. Currently, she is a partner in the landscape gardening firm GARDENS!

Hosta fans will appreciate Len Lehman's 10:15 a.m. presentation, "You've Come a Long Way Baby: Hosta Now and in the Future." Sponsored by the Hosta Society of Western Pennsylvania, Lehman will present the history and development of hosta and discuss the many types, forms and colors available. He'll also cover controlling pests and diseases that can harm hosta and finish with a discussion of the top 15 hosta of the year and the future of hosta. Lehman is retired from 35 years of teaching biology at both the high school and college levels. He has completed master's level work at the University of Tennessee in entomology and is a certified daylily exhibitor and horticultural judge. On his eight-lot piece of city property, Lehman grows about 125 types of hosta, along with 250 daylilies, iris and many other plants.

Cindy Weiland, a longtime Penn State Master Gardener from Butler County, will demonstrate hypertufa trough-making from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Naturally occurring tufa is a lightweight limestone that develops closely to water containing a high content of dissolved minerals. Since it is light and porous, plants thrive in it. Over the years, gardeners have used it for growing containers and artists have worked it into decorative objects. Hypertufa, as Weiland demonstrates, is a recipe for a lightweight material that can be cast into various sizes and shapes. Completed creations resemble natural tufa and make wonderful additions to your garden. Weiland will reveal how to make hypertufa troughs, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including showing off your miniature plants.

At 1 p.m., Mark Langan, who will speak about creating and caring for miniature gardens, will demonstrate the creation of a landscape in a container featuring slow-growing perennials and how to care for your miniatures, whether in your garden or your home. Langan has a horticulture degree from Washington State University. In 1989, he and his wife started Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, which has evolved from three acres of ornamentals and growing seed for U.S. and German seed companies into a greenhouse operation producing about 100 herb varieties for local markets and many miniature plants. The North American Rock Garden Society, Allegheny Chapter, is sponsoring Langan's presentation.

The Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County is presenting the event in continuing efforts to provide valuable and interesting gardening information to the public. The cost is $30, which includes lunch and all sessions. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. June 12. Plants will be available for sale during the lunch break and after the final presentation at 2:30 p.m.

The Elks Club is on Route 19 in Cranberry Township, 2 miles north of the intersection with Route 228. For additional information, contact Karen Schmidt, seminar organizer, at 724-679-3818 or the Butler County Penn State Extension office at 724-287-4761. You also can print out a registration form at http://butler.extension.psu.edu/MG/gardenworkshops.html. Registration deadline is Friday.

Susan Struthers is a Master Gardener with Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County.