Creating Natural Landscapes:
Blending Environmental Science and Fine Garden Design
Sponsored by Louisiana Native Plant Society
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Workshop 8:00am - 3:00pm
ULL's Cade Farm Welcome Center
Program Fee: $70 Per Person (All Inclusive Including Lunch)
Registration Deadline: October 31, 2019, Full Capacity 178
Learn how to create a natural landscape like Hilltop's new meadow!
The Louisiana Native Plant Society will hold a day-long workshop on Creating Natural Landscapes: Blending Environmental Science and Fine Garden Design featuring Dr. Charles Allen and Larry Weaner on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 8:00am – 3:00pm at the ULL Cade Farm Welcome Center. Creating natural landscapes workshop focuses on blending an ecological approach to land management with traditional garden design. This process begins with a general understanding of ecological concepts, natural plant communities and how to manage landscapes using the processes of natural succession. Learn how public perception plays a role in the interpretation, appearance and development of the garden and its artistic style. Dr. Charles Allen is a Botanist and a retired Professor of Biology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and also retired from Colorado State University’s Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands. Larry Weaner founded Larry Weaner Landscape Associates in 1982, combining expertise in horticulture, environmental science, and the traditions of garden design. See speaker bios below.
Project partners include the LSU Hilltop Arboretum, Acadiana Native Plant Project, Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association, The Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society, and Louisiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Workshop Program
8:00-9:00am Registration
9:00am Introduction
9:10am Larry Weaner
Overview of general ecological concepts that can be incorporated into garden design,
understanding plant
communities, and succession.
10:30am Dr. Charles Allen
Overview of our local ecoregions and their plant communities using examples of specific
plants and soil adaptability.
How dominant species in evolving plant communities
drives natural succession.
11:45am Lunch
12:30pm Larry Weaner
The process of blending an ecological approach into traditional garden design. Learn
how using genetic diversity and
local, adaptable ecotypes plays a critical role in
establishing plantings that are built to insure resilience and persistence.
1:45pm Break
2:00pm Larry Weaner
Learn insights into how people perceive natural landscapes and how to make native
gardens more palatable through
the use of artistic style and creativity.
3:00pm Workshop adjourned
Speakers Bios
Dr. Charles Allen
Dr. Charles Allen is a Botanist and a retired Professor of Biology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and also retired from Colorado State University’s Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands. He is a charter member and past President of the Louisiana Native Plant Society (LNPS). His published books include Edible Plants of the Gulf South, Wildflowers of Louisiana, Trees Shrubs and Woody Vines of Louisiana and Grasses of Louisiana, 3rd ed. With Dr. Malcolm Vidrine, he helped to establish the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society and its restoration projects. In recent years, he has offered plant identification classes at home and on the road; taught master naturalists programs, and presented programs on edible plants, wildflowers, native plant landscaping, and butterfly gardening. He and his wife Susan own and operate Allen Acres B&B, a nature oriented paradise in west central Louisiana where he organizes and leads many area field trips. In March of 2019, he was awarded the first Caroline Dorman Outstanding Naturalist Award by the Louisiana Master Naturalist Organization.
Larry Weaner
Larry Weaner founded Larry Weaner Landscape Associates in 1982, combining expertise in horticulture, environmental science, and the traditions of garden design. In 1990, Larry developed New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), a conference and workshop series dedicated to advancing the art and science of natural landscape design. Co-sponsor of NDAL programs include the Atlantic Botanic Garden, Brandywine Conservancy, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Connecticut College Arboretum, Holden Arboretum, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Morton Arboretum, and Tower Hilltop Botanic Garden, among others.
His design and restoration work spans more than ten states and has been profiled in national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Garden Design, American Gardener, Wildflower Magazine, and ASLA’s “The Dirt” blog. Larry has received numerous awards for his work, including the Landscape Design Award from the New England Wildflower Society for use of native plants in “exceptional and distinctive landscape compositions” and the Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award from The Native Plant Center.
Larry recently authored Garden Revolution: How Our Landscape Can be Source of Environmental Change with Tom Christopher (Timber Press, 2016). Their book received a 2017 Book Award from the American Horticulture Society.
Workshop Venue
ULL Cade Farm Welcome Center
1234 W. J. Bernard Road
St. Martinville, Louisiana 70582
The center sits at the opening of the 600-acre complex, which is 15 miles from UL Lafayette’s main campus. It accommodates numerous facilities in an integrated array, including a working dairy, a Crawfish Research Center and an equestrian arena. The complex also includes production acreage for beef, sugar cane and specialty crops.
The landscape includes natural habitat, nature trails, maintained wetlands and housing for student residents. The complex is used for research, education, demonstration and outreach in agriculture and sustainability.
Thank you to our partners! The workshop would not have been possible without their support. Visit their websites by clicking on the logos.
Registration Information
$70 per person
All inclusive with lunch
On-line Registration is closed.
Email Jacalyn Duncan at jacalynduncan@hotmail.com or call or text her at 318-277-4731 for additional registration information.
Questions? Email: