A sure sign that spring is on the way? Local garden centers are scheduling speakers on topics ranging from caladium plantings to proper installation of garden pavers.

Here are the details: Warren’s Southern Gardens, 1675 Northpark Dr., will have a session with John Ross on tree planting at 10 a.m. Feb. 13. Then at Warren’s on Feb. 27, Matt Griffin of Prime Lawn will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about how to install pavers (on my to-do list for this spring).

Kingwood Garden Center has asked local bulb expert Margaret Cherry to speak about caladiums at 10 a.m. Feb. 20. Cherry has more than 30 years experience in the nursery business and told me she’ll be speaking on trusted varieties as well as new introductions.

Unlike the old days, when caladiums were massed in planting beds, they’re now more commonly mixed with flowering plants, Cherry said.

“Colorful foliage plants are much more popular now than they used to be. The combination of colorful foliage with flowering plants is a very eclectic look that can be flat-out stunning,” she said, citing the gorgeous plantings on Kingwood Drive as an example.

KGC is at 1216 Stonehollow Dr.