With featured speakers like Mr. J. Dean Norton of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and floral design instructor Ms. Lynette McDougald of Mississippi State University, no other gardening program brings together top quality speakers and historic plantation settings as well as the Southern Garden Symposium in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Known as much for its engaging social events and historic venues as for its outstanding gardening lectures and workshops, the Southern Garden Symposium - now in its 24th year - has become an annual tradition for garden enthusiasts from across the south.

Our 2012 program promises to be one of the most informative and entertaining ever. Friday’s highlights include workshops on floral design, rain gardens, edible landscaping, and more. Lectures will continue on Saturday with programs by noted speakers including Mr. J. Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture for George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Ms. Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms in Houston, TX. To top off each day, two of St. Francisville’s loveliest private homes, Rosebank Plantation and Evergreenzine, will open their doors for the Speakers’ Gala and Saturday Tea respectively. Additional information on all of these events may be found on this website.

As in previous years, we will offer for sale the finest garden books and tools as well as an array of southern plants to satisfy every desire. In addition, Saturday’s silent auction will be full of fantastic wares. Unique plants, garden art, hand-made benches, gourmet dinners, and overnight stays at historic bed and breakfasts are among some of the potential bargains available.

 

Over the years, proceeds from the Southern Garden Symposium have funded numerous projects including scholarships in the School of Landscape Architecture at L.S.U., a revitalization project for historic Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville, sponsorship of the kitchen garden at Audubon State Historic Site (Oakley House), funding for plantings and benches at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, and others. We do hope you will join us for our 24th year and help support these worthy causes.

 

Dr. Neil Odenwald

Master of Proceedings