The Friends of the Des Moines Botanical Center have rounded up some of the area's most highly regarded plant and growing experts for this year's Learn on Saturdays Garden Talks. The program begins with a session Saturday and continues through March 27.

Each week a visiting expert will tackle a different topic. More than 1200 gardeners sat in on the learning sessions in 2009, the center's Elvin McDonald said. Most sessions feature two topics, each by a different presenter.

The sessions are free with the center's regular entry fee of $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. Center members, volunteers and badge-wearing master gardeners do not have to pay. For more information go to  call (515) 323-6290. Underused Plants of Merit for Zones 4 and 5 presented by Kelly Norris, 10 a.m., Jan. 9; 11 a.m., the fruitful landscape by Ronald Eckoff, champion fruit grower from Cumming.

• Down Cornwall Garden Paths by artist Marylin Towndrow, 10 a.m., Jan. 16; 11 a.m. highlights from Famous English Gardens by Keith Thornton. Going Green in the Garden, 10-11:30 a.m., Jan. 23, Denny Schrock from Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Andy Joseph (apiarist), Jennifer Welch (urban conservationist), Nathan Brockman (butterfly wing curator, Reiman Gardens) and Paul Miller (district conservationist).

• Garden Photography Basics by Deb Wiley, Iowa writer and editor, 10 a.m., Jan. 30; 11 a.m. No-Fuss Houseplants by James Baggett, editor of Country Gardens magazine.

• My Grandmothers' Gardens by Wanda Lunn, 10 a.m., Feb. 6; 11 a.m., Succulents and a Visit to the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley by Melissa Holst.

• Landscaping with Trees by Luke Miller, editor of Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living magazine, 10 a.m., Feb. 13; 11 a.m. Bob Oliver will talk briefly about the tour he is leading for Virginia Garden Week, followed by The Art and Practice of Gardening by Elvin McDonald.

• Shrubs for all Reasons by Ryan Bates of Ted Lare Design Build/Ted's Garden,10 a.m., Feb. 20; 11 a.m., My Dad and the Buck Rose Legacy by Mary Buck.

• Streptocarpus and Other Gesneriads by Elvin McDonald, 10 a.m., Feb. 27; 11 a.m., Tea Plants and a Tea Tasting by Patricia K. Peterson. Growing Food Plants in Containers, Herbs, salads, tomatoes - and more, 10 a.m., March 6; 11 a.m. ,Community and Youth Gardens in Des Moines by Teva Dawson, Des Moines Parks and Recreation.

Growing Garlic and Salad Greens by Larry Cleverley, 10 a.m., March 13; 11 a.m., All Kinds of Clematis for Iowa Gardens by Rita Minard. Plant a Perfect Perennial and the New Fleming Hardy Hibiscus by Marcia Leeper, 10 a.m., March 20; 11 a.m., Dahlias and Other Summer Bulbs by Els Teunissen and Elvin McDonald.