Green Thumb Theater

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just discovering the joy of growing, the Green Thumb Theater offers practical inspiration for every level of gardener. Join us throughout the weekend for engaging presentations from two of Central Virginia’s most respected horticultural experts.

Come ready to learn, ask questions, and discover new ways to make your garden flourish.

Listen as Sean Proietti shares the beauty and inspiration of Maymont Gardens through expert insights on landscape design, historic gardening practices, and sustainable growing. Sheryl Smith teaches how timeless design principles, thoughtful plant selections, and Virginia native plants can help create beautiful, thriving gardens—from expansive landscapes to small backyard spaces.

Maymont’s Senior Manager of Horticulture and Grounds, Sean Proietti, handles the care and preservation of all 100 acres of historic property alongside Maymont’s diverse and talented team of staff and volunteers. He has been with Maymont for nine years and has 19 years of experience in the green industry, having previously worked in garden installation and maintenance.

Sean received degrees in Economics and English from Virginia Commonwealth University but was unable to trade the outdoors for an office. He is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist, ISA Certified Arborist, and a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (Level 1) with a wide and unique range of experience that he loves using to serve the community through public, accessible, and educational green space.

Sean’s presentation topics

1. Maymont Gardens
   1. English landscape design philosophies from the 1800s and how they’re different from the way we think of landscaping today. How to use the concept of designing based on sight lines in a home garden to create depth to your space
   2. How we analyze the historical record of what was planted at Maymont, and how the process creates interesting discoveries that could lead homeowners to interesting plant choices
   3. How integrated pest management concepts can be used in the home garden
   4. The importance of recordkeeping
2. How homeowners can use landscape design concepts on any budget”.

Times

• Saturday, September 12^th Noon “Maymont Gardens”
• Saturday, September 12th 2:00p “How homeowners can use landscape design concepts on any budget”.
• Sunday, September 13^th 1:00p “Maymont Gardens”

Sheryl Smith had been an organic gardener for many years. In 2016, she read Doug Tallamy’s book ‘Bringing Nature Home’, got hooked on native plants, and became a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer. She is also a member of Wild Ones, and a member of the Virginia Native Plant Society. She organizes the Richmond area Native Plant Garden Open House, and a fall native plant share. Last fall, at the fourth annual plant share, over 200 people attended and over 1400 native plants found new homes! Also in 2026, Sheryl was one of five people nominated for Virginia state Master Naturalist volunteer of the year.

Sheryl’s Topics

1. Virginia Native Plants: how to make gardening easier, more rewarding, and beneficial for wildlife
2. Virginia Native Plants for a Small Garden

Times

• Saturday, September 12, 11:00am “Virginia Native Plants: how to make gardening easier, more rewarding, and beneficial for wildlife”
• Saturday, September 12, 1:00pm “Virginia Native Plants for a Small Garden”
• Sunday, September 13, Noon “Virginia Native Plants: how to make gardening easier, more rewarding, and beneficial for wildlife”
• Sunday, September 13, 2:00pm “Virginia Native Plants for a Small Garden”