Jeff Epping

horticulturalist, madison, wi

Jeff Epping started Epping Design & Consulting in 2009 and just recently retired after 28 years serving as Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin, where he has always practiced and preached environmentally conscious gardening. His designs put plants at the forefront to create gardens that are not only beautiful, but also ecologically sound, providing habitat for insects, birds and all the wild creatures they help support. His garden designs celebrate the region, support nature, enhance the senses and satisfy one’s innate desire to connect with the natural world.

A native of southern Wisconsin and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Epping holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Ornamental Horticulture and lectures and teaches throughout the country on great garden plants and designs for northern gardens.

 Jeff’s garden designs have been featured in the New York Times, Fine Gardening and Southern Living, among others and has been interviewed on many local radio and television programs, as well as numerous podcasts. He just recently received the Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association for his contributions to public horticulture over his career and his home garden was recently featured in American Roots, written by Nick and Allison McCullough and Teressa Woodard.

lecture:

Gravel Gardens – Gardens for Our Changing Climate

In these challenging times of climate change and global warming, environmentally conscious gardeners are looking for better ways to garden to help our planet. Water guzzling, chemically dependent, pollution causing lawns are not sustainable and can be replaced with so many better alternatives. One such alternative is earth-friendly gravel gardens that require little water, no fertilizer or other chemicals, no organic mulches and require less time and money to maintain. This garden system utilizes drought tolerant perennials, most of which are natives that support native fauna. Gravel gardens are not only good for the planet but they are also beautiful - a key element in persuading gardeners to give up their lawns for something better.