October Reflections in the Garden
Topic: China and the Four Seasons of Camellias
Camellias have long been treasured for their winter blooms, but recent horticultural breakthroughs are redefining what is possible. In this presentation, Mark Crawford shares insights from his November 2023 journey to China, where he explored the origins of the Four Season Camellias and witnessed firsthand the scale of their development and commercialization. Through visits to research centers, nurseries, and growing regions, he gained a rare look at how these summer-blooming camellias were bred, cultivated, and brought to market. This talk highlights the innovation behind Four Season Camellias and their growing global significance, connecting traditional plant culture with modern horticultural advancement.
Speaker: Mark Crawford, Owner of Loch Laurel Nursery
About the Speaker:
Mark Crawford is the owner of Loch Laurel Nursery, a specialty camellia nursery based in Valdosta, Georgia. He grew up in rural western New York State and earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from the University of Arkansas.
Mark began his career as a Research Associate at Auburn University, where he spent eight years conducting fungicide evaluations on peanuts, soybeans, and turfgrass. He later served for 16 years as Manager of Biological Services for the crop protection company Griffin Corporation in Valdosta, Georgia.
Currently, Mark is self-employed through NIPAN LLC, which developed and markets a nickel-based fertilizer for pecan production and nursery crops. In addition to operating NIPAN, he owns and manages Loch Laurel Nursery, where he specializes in camellias and cold-hardy citrus.
Mark has been a member of the American Camellia Society since 1999 and previously served as Chair of the ACS Research Committee from 2004 to 2006. He currently serves as a Director-at-Large on the ACS Board and as Chair of the Horticulture Committee, where he is primarily involved in the importation of the Four Season Camellias from China.
His interest in camellias began in the 1990s through a close friendship with Hulyn Smith, a world-renowned camellia grower and hybridizer. With extensive expertise in plant science and crop protection, Mark continues to explore innovative methods to grow and protect camellias, including current work with plant growth regulators to improve growth and disease resistance in container culture.
Event Details:
October 5, 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.
