Gardeners planning to attend the 13th Annual Herbal Forum at Round Top's Festival Hill must register by March 21. The cost of the all-day March 29 forum, which features nationally known experts, is $75 and includes lunch. This year's theme is "A Celebration of Edible Flowers and Calendula, Herb of the Year."

On March 28-29, in conjunction with the forum, Festival Hill will host a plant sale, gift shop and bookstore that are open to the public.

Also scheduled on March 28 are five $25 workshops -- some with additional materials fees -- at 1 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. Topics are making a custom tea blend; exploring vinegars; using calendula in making oils, salves and ointments; and incense/aromatherapy (making, using, history). A $15 lunch and a $25 dinner are offered on March 28, too.

Space is limited, and reservations are required for the March 28 workshops and meals.

The March 29 forum schedule includes:

• The talk "Roses are Herbs, Too" by Henry Flowers, Festival Hill garden director, at 8:30 a.m.

• "Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate," a 9:30 a.m. lecture by Iowa-based Cathy Wilkinson Barash, a gardener, author and president of the Garden Writers Association of America.

• Actress-speaker Mary Margaret Buss at 11 a.m. will perform "Blossoms of Promise," an exploration of poetry, humor, history and the meaning of flowers.

• Several events combine to make up the "Afternoon of Herbal Delights."

These include the lectures "Tea & Health" by Thia McKann, owner of a Houston tea shop, and "Why Calendula is the 2008 Herb of the Year" by Gayle Engels of the American Botanical Council in Austin.

There will be three afternoon lecture-demonstrations: "Edible Flowers: Try 'Em, You'll Like 'Em" by Barash; "The Future of Water" by conservation expert Wes Davenport and Burton Master Gardener Sue Edmundson; and "Sweetie and Savory: The Creative Herbal Bakery" by Billi Parus of the Lavender House in Virginia and Henry Flowers.

• Activities will conclude with refreshments from the herb garden.

Round Top is located on F.M. 237 between Brenham and La Grange. Reservations can be made at 979-249-3129.

A map and details about events are online at www.festivalhill.org (click on Herbal Forum, left side of screen). Send e-mail inquiries to info@festivalhill.org.

Forum proceeds support the International Festival-Institute at Round Top's gardens and Herb Society of America-Pioneer Unit's educational activities. Both organizations sponsor the forum.

• Mary Vinnedge is features editor of The Eagle. Her e-mail address is mary.vinnedge@theeagle.com.

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