2023 Garden Symposium

Garden Symposium will be April 21 from 9am-3pm with an admission of $70. 

Please join us for a day devoted to gardening on the grounds of Elsong Gardens. Celebrate our 30th year of welcoming gardening experts to share their vast knowledge and expertise with garden lovers of the region. Set amongst the estate gardens of Joe Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola, guests enjoy a day of gardening know-how, a catered lunch, creative inspiration from floral design experts, and fellowship with other gardeners. Topics are regionally focused. Our 8th annual plant sale will feature Louisiana Herbs, Louisiana Tech Greenhouses, and Mizell's Camellia Hill Nursery.

Guest speakers for our morning sessions will be Jessica Russell and Paige Mizell. 

Paige's family has been in the nursery industry for decades. After a career in education, Paige returned to her roots; she currently serves as Vice President of Mizell's Camellia Hill Nursery. Her lecture, "Camellias- General Information and Care," will look at the rich history of camellias, highlight the most common species, discuss bloom types, and planting and care tips. She will also speak about Louisiana- developed cultivars and other unique camellias, such as the camellia sinensis, the tea plant.

Jessica Russell grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.A. degree in communications. She worked as a brand writer and graphic designer beginning in 2006 and in 2016 became Associate Creative Director of Godwin, an integrated marketing firm. Her passion for writing, art, and nature led her to the Eudora Welty House & Garden in 2019, where she served as Garden Projects Specialist. In July of 2022, Russell became director of the historic site, which is operated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Russell is an incoming board member of the Southern Garden History Society. She has delivered numerous lectures on the Welty garden's history and live plant collections, and her articles have appeared in publications ranging from The Daffodil Journal to the American Writers' Museum blog.

Alan Futch, a local floral designing favorite from Farmerville, will inspire us during his afternoon session on floral arranging. Allen's style lends itself to a natural, free-flowing look that turns common arrangements into the extraordinary.