Ethan Kauffman
Director of stoneleigh, a natural garden, villanova, pa
Ethan Kauffman is the first director of Stoneleigh: a natural garden, where he has led the transition from a private estate to a public garden over the last 8 years. He developed his love of the natural world exploring the Susquehanna River hills in southeastern PA. He cultivated his horticultural perspective over two decades of gardening in the Deep South, including as director of Moore Farms Botanical Garden, where he also led the transition from a private pleasure garden to a public botanical garden. Drawing on influences from both regions, he enjoys creating a garden experience at Stoneleigh that inspires others to garden for beauty, biodiversity, and the health of our planet.
lectures:
Lessons From Stoneleigh: Reimagining Traditional Landscapes with Native Plants
With a 150-year history as a private estate, Stoneleigh: a natural garden became one of the newest public gardens in the Philadelphia region in 2018. Informed by the growing understanding of the connectedness of all living things, a vision arose during the transition: to reimagine a historical landscape as an ecologically vibrant wonderland of native plants. Relying on both tried-and-true gardening techniques and intrepid experimentation, the emerging garden is an exuberant exploration of cultivating native plants in the modern landscape. Join Stoneleigh Director Ethan Kauffman as he reveals the unexpected plants, expressive design philosophy, and unconventional practices that are driving Stoneleigh’s exciting transformation.
Climbers and Creepers: Native Vines Unraveled
Perhaps more than any other type of plant, vines make a garden feel complete. Their unique forms and growth habits add complexity and visual interest and are essential elements of a romantic garden. They also provide vital food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for wildlife. Learn how these special plants can become a rich source of aesthetic and ecological beauty in the garden.