2025 Southern Garden Symposium

2025 Southern Garden Symposium

October 17-18, 2025

St. Francisville, Louisiana

No event on the Southern gardening calendar attracts a more extensive roster of recognized experts to historic settings quite like the Southern Garden Symposium in St. Francisville, Louisiana. This symposium offers a little something for everyone- from experienced to budding gardeners. Anyone that feels a kinship with the natural beauty of gardens will find those connections deepened through inspiring educational lectures, workshops, and tours of area historic gardens.

Set in beautiful locations throughout the historic Mississippi River town of St. Francisville, attendees are surrounded by natural beauty. The historic gardens of Rosedown State Historic Site, Oakley at Audubon State Historic Site, Afton Villa Gardens, and Havenwood are as inspiring as the lectures.

2025 Speakers

Mary Cox Brown, Marigold Designs- Birmingham, AL

Ryan Cole, Ryan Cole Landscape- New Orleans, LA

Barbara Sullivan, Author- Wilmington, NC

Margaret Zainey Roux, Writer and Stylist- New Orleans, LA

Feliciana Flower Farmers- St. Francisville, LA

Tammany Baumgarten, Baum Gardens- New Orleans, LA

Jess Cole, Sweet Fern Landscapes- St. Francisville, LA

Speakers’ Gala

A highlight of the symposium weekend is the southern hospitality offered to honor participating speakers. This year, attendees are invited to Catalpa Plantation, the beautiful home of Mary Thompson, for sumptuous fare, generous refreshments, and opportunities to engage with speakers and garden enthusiasts in traditional southern style.

Giving Back . . . Community Support

In keeping with its mission, the Southern Garden Symposium has supported many in their pursuits to enhance gardens and educate gardeners. Of particular note:

• Symposium Park, which is a cornerstone of the historic district of St. Francisville, was purchased by the Symposium Steering Committee and donated to the Town of St. Francisville; 
• Support is given to the historic gardens in our community, including those at Rosedown State Historic Site, Audubon State Historic Site, and Afton Villa Gardens; 
• Most recently support was given to the Feliciana Wildflower Project, a group of local flower farmers committed to promoting the community through education and enhancement of public spaces, while celebrating the beauty of nature in the Felicianas;
• University students are assisted through a scholarship at Louisiana State University‘s School of Landscape Architecture established to honor the memory of Dr. Neil Odenwald, a longtime leader of the Southern Garden Symposium.

The Southern Garden Symposium welcomes groups and individuals to experience an enlightened weekend program of education and celebration at the height of fall in historic St. Francisville. We look forward to sharing these two enlivening days with you!