Oklahomans are in for a treat. Noted naturalist, perennial expert and author C. Colston Burrell is speaking in Tulsa on March 1 and in Oklahoma City on March 2.

In a telephone interview, Burrell said he is looking forward to his first trip to Oklahoma.

“The topic of my talk in Tulsa is adding structure and beauty to your winter garden,” Burrell said. “Winter’s garden starts with the leaves changing colors and seed pods forming on flowering plants. It is a matter of looking, seeing, then finding interest and beauty in the subtle appeal of your garden’s structure.”

Burrell described his Tulsa talk as “an image heavy presentation” that will help gardeners create winter beauty through plant combinations.

Some of the keys to planting for winter interest include: Structure, fragrance, privacy/intimacy, layering plants and repetition to create a unified feeling.

Teaching, writing and landscape architecture have been Burrell’s lifetime work. In addition to writing 12 books, he teaches in the Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia, and lectures around the country on design, native plants, garden writing and ecology.

Burrell’s passion is using ecological solutions in residential and commercial landscaping schemes. He is an expert in designing plant combinations that use native plants.

“I like to give simple but effective ideas for perennial combinations that work for beginners as well as experienced gardeners,” Burrell said.

Burrell’s book, “Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start” is consistently a top 10 seller at Amazon, the online bookseller.

“A new revision of Perennial Combinations is coming out later this month,” Burrell said. “It is updated and has a new 30-page chapter on ‘Bold Garden Accents.’”

Other books to his credit include: “Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials,” “Perennials for Today’s Gardens,” “Landscaping With Perennials,” “Woodland Gardens,” “Perennials,” “The Natural Water Garden,” “Ferns: Wild Things Make a Comeback in the Garden,” “365 Down to Earth Gardening Hints and Tips,” and “Intimate Gardens.” His current writing project is “Butterfly Gardening with Native Plants.”

Both “A Gardener’s Encyclopedia of Wildflowers” and “Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide” won the American Horticultural Society’s Book Award.

Judith Knott Tyler, co-owner of Pine Knott Farms (www.pineknotfarms.com and (434) 252-1990) in Virginia, collaborated with Burrell on writing, “Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide.” Released last year, the 300-page book about Christmas roses and Lenten roses will help homeowners select the right species for their shady garden spots.

While most of the book is how to succeed in growing and propagating Hellebores, a 60-page chapter is dedicated to the history of these winter blooming perennials.

“Intimate Gardens” explains and illustrates how to use space, enclosure (walls, fences and trellises) and plants (hedges or large trees), to create a place for relaxing.