A tranquil rock garden can be designed with trailing succulents, natives and other drought tolerant plants.
Unique planting forms can be made using large, wooden stakes wrapped in burlap and filled with potting media to create a visual focus in the garden.
Add an artistic twist by hanging dried flowers from the ceiling with copper wires.
Vertical gardens, or living walls, can be created from scrap materials and used to create small herb gardens.
A tranquil rock garden can be designed with trailing succulents, natives and other drought tolerant plants.
Unique planting forms can be made using large, wooden stakes wrapped in burlap and filled with potting media to create a visual focus in the garden.
Add an artistic twist by hanging dried flowers from the ceiling with copper wires.
Vertical gardens, or living walls, can be created from scrap materials and used to create small herb gardens.
I have the great fortune in my profession to get to visit many gardens.
Some are associated with land-grant universities and some are large-scale nursery producers, with many having trial gardens to evaluate new plant cultivars. In addition, I get to visit public gardens, including botanical gardens, arboretums and conservatories.
At each of these places, I find inspiration and new ideas for the garden and for future research. My job affords me a front-row seat to learn about new and upcoming varieties and new ways to design and plan landscapes. I also have the opportunity to meet people — from garden staff and volunteers to fellow garden viewers — and learn more about their gardening successes and challenges.
Recently, I attended the American Society for Horticultural Sciences' annual conference. Our conference included seminars and workshops on the most recent scientific research in horticultural crops. Universities and industry personnel from across the nation presented research on ornamentals, fruits and nuts, vegetables and turfgrass. The industry is large, and much work goes on across the nation to provide new information to consumers.
Naturally, during our conference, we visited many gardens and nursery plant producers. This year, our tours took us to the Ball Trial Gardens. The gardens at Ball have been used to evaluate and test new horticultural introductions and improvements for more than 80 years. It began as a row trial garden for seed varieties in 1933 and has grown to more than 9 acres of display beds for annuals, perennials, cut flowers and vegetables, including the newest plants from leading breeders.
Visiting trial and public gardens helps me set new goals for my work and my own landscape. New plant cultivars that look great inspire us gardeners to get our hands on those unique, upcoming plants and use new techniques.
So, here are a few highlights and some of my favorite things from my recent tours:
You too can visit public gardens and demonstration or trial gardens for inspiration. Maybe while you are there, you can get some exercise, connect with nature and find inspiration for your home garden.
Email questions to gardennews@agcenter.lsu.edu.
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