June Reflections in the Garden
Topic: Growing Resilient Landscapes
As Louisiana's climate continues to shift, gardeners and land stewards are being asked to rethink how landscapes are designed, planted, and maintained. In this presentation, Dr. Jeff Kuehny will explore the principles of resilient landscape design and share research-backed strategies for building gardens that can withstand heat, drought, heavy rainfall, and pest pressures unique to the Gulf South. Attendees will learn how thoughtful plant selection, soil health, and adaptive horticultural practices can create landscapes that not only survive but thrive in a changing environment, while continuing to support biodiversity, beauty, and long term sustainability.
Speaker: Dr. Jeff Kuehny, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden
About the Speaker:
Dr. Jeff Kuehny is a Professor of Horticulture in the School of Plant, Environment, and Soil Sciences at the LSU Burden Center and the Director of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. His career has centered on whole plant physiology, with research focused on herbaceous and woody ornamental plant production, landscapes, urban forests, and the water quality of urban watersheds. He has collaborated with scientists at both national and international levels and teaches a wide range of plant science courses, including Introduction to Horticulture, Landscape Management, Urban Landscape Management, Landscape Construction, Herbaceous Plant Materials, Greenhouse Management, Floriculture, and Growth and Development of Agricultural Crops.
Kuehny is a founding member of the Board of Directors of ACCEPtS, the Alliance for Cooperative Course Exchange in the Plant Sciences, established in 2008. The alliance among Louisiana State University, University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, and Oklahoma State University shares online undergraduate and graduate courses in landscape and botany. He holds a PhD in Plant Sciences from Oklahoma State University and an MS from North Carolina State University.
Event Details:
June 1, 2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Reflections in the Garden is a monthly "lunch and learn" series presented by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The lectures are generally held on the first Monday of the month at noon at the Botanic Gardens.
Reflections in the Garden is live-streamed to members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens through Microsoft Teams. In-person attendance is open to both members and nonmembers with registration.
