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WHAT IS
GARDENOPUS®?
GardenOpus®, the book, is a
work-in-progress compiling the essays, photography, and artwork of
Robert F. Gabella.
On this site, you'll not only find updates regarding the book's completion and
publication, but also current information on availability of merchandise such as
high quality
posters,
photography and reprints of previously
published works; as well as specialized services
for
commercial clients
and
home gardeners; timely
garden tips
and Q&A; and updates on
new plant
breeding and introduction.
But Who Is Robert F. Gabella?
I'm an accomplished gardener (or like to
think so), and live in DuPage County, just west of Chicago IL. Though I've
killed a few plants along the way that is part of the journey for us all, and I have managed to
take local, regional, and national awards for exhibition at Standard Flower and
Vegetable shows, as well as at shows sanctioned by the
American Iris Society and the
American
Hemerocallis Society. I have long been at work on
GardenOpus®
, a collection of new essays along with updates of previously
published work, with original photography and artwork. I breed and select
Echinacea, reblooming Iris, Hemerocallis (Daylilies), Passiflora
(Passion Flowers), and
the beginnings of new programs with Roses and hardy Lycoris. For several years
I produced and sold container-grown perennials from my home.
My selection of Echinacea purpurea,
TWIST OF FATE™, is under continued development
and testing. Other selections of Echinacea, Hosta and a very
prolific crop of Hemerocallis and reblooming Iris seedlings are
also under evaluation and selection. I have dabbled in breeding of
additional genera as well.
Involved in various segments of
the commercial Horticulture industry since 1983, I received an AAS in
Ornamental Horticulture in 1988, and a BA in Business Management,
with a Minor in English Writing, in 1998. An
Illinois Certified Nursery Professional, I am also a member of
the
Garden
Writers Association (GWA). My articles
have been published in the
Species
Iris Group of North America
quarterly bulletin, and
Growing Trends,
the magazine of the
Illinois
Nurserymen's Association. Along with featured covers and photography in
Growing Trends, my photographs have appeared in the bulletin of the
Siberian Iris
Society. I was also a staff writer and photographer for
In
The Mix, a local music and entertainment magazine.
In October 2007, I ended a 6-year employment with
Horticultural software developer and solutions integrator The Corymb Group (formerly known as Plantware),
and am now concentrating more fully on Garden Opus,
OpusEmpowered!
and a broad
scope of services for both home gardeners and commercial enterprises. I am
currently earning my MLD - Master of Leadership Studies - from North Central
College.
Photos: Left ©2006 by Christopher P. Brown
and Right ©2009 by Christopher P. Brown
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