For the second consecutive summer, Cornell Plantations offers a series of Wednesday evening guided strolls with plant-related topics during the month of July. Free and open to the public, the strolls start at 7 p.m. in front of the Plantations gift shop, off Plantations Road. The gift shop is open until 7 p.m. each Wednesday evening in July.

July 1 The Hillside Bank: A Garden in Transition Rick Bogusch, landscape designer, will discuss the educational objectives, design and site considerations, plant choices, and future developments of this new garden at Cornell Plantations.

July 8 Sensational Plants for Midsummer: Zucker Shrub Collection John Morse, gardener and plant-records keeper, will highlight shrubs of particular interest and special merit while visiting the extensive shrub collection in the F. R. Newman Arboretum.

July 15 Plants of the Native Americans Pam Shade, gardener, will discuss plants used for medicine, fiber, ritual and in other ways by indigenous peoples, especially of the central New York area.

July 22 Perennials on Parade: Interesting Introductions Mary Hirshfeld, gardens curator, will present a variety of plants newly introduced from the trade and review their merits and contribution in extending the growing season.

July 29 A Voyage Through Vegetable History Glen Bucien, gardener, will review the history of vegetable growing in the Northeast, with special attention to the history of corn in the Americas, as he shares information for the home gardener and non-gardener alike in the unique Pounder Heritage Vegetable Garden.

Cornell Plantations' grounds are open to the public, free of charge, from dawn to dark each day. For more information, contact Cornell Plantations, 1 Plantations Road, Ithaca, New York 14850; (607) 255-2400. Or visit the Cornell Plantations web site at http://www.plantations.cornell.edu to learn "What's Blooming at Plantations" or to get the online guide to the Plantations Path and schedules of Plantations classes and special events.