Dan Hinkley, world famous lecturer and former owner of Heronswood Nursery, will present “The Mother of all Gardens: A Visual Tour of SE Asia” in a benefit for Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at the M-Bar-C Ranch in Freeland.

Hinkley’s lifelong interest in plants led him to a fascinating career, traveling the globe to uncover rare and unusual plants. He has ventured into the wilds of China, South and Central America, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Nepal, Vietnam, Taiwan, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tasmania and Canada numerous times a year for the past 16 years. He brought thousands of plants to Heronswood Nursery near Kingston, Washington, which he and his partner Robert L. Jones started in 1987. Much to the delight of the gardeners of the Pacific Northwest, the nursery had nearly 3,000 plant species. He writes regularly for many of the top gardening magazines and appears occasionally as the gardening correspondent on Martha Stewart Living television.

The event also includes a silent auction of specialty plants, container gardens and other garden-related items, as well as heavy appetizers, drinks and desserts. General admission is $50. Space is limited; reservations can be made at www.MeerkerkGardens.org or by calling 360-678-1912 or 360-222-0121.