Making the Garden Pivot: From Traditional to Ecological

What You'll Learn in This Class

Learn low-stress methods for transitioning from the formal garden styles of the past to a more natural landscape that attracts birds, butterflies, and other vibrant forms of biodiversity. Conditions are changing, and our gardens must evolve with them, Leslie Needham believes.

The good news, she says: you don’t have to choose between good design and a healthy ecosystem (you can have both). Nor do you need to rip out all your existing plantings and start from scratch. Think of the process as a natural form of evolution. And for goodness’ sake, keep finding the joy along the way: Why else are you gardening?

Leslie will share practical strategies that can guide your garden’s transition, such as determining the hierarchy of your site; establishing key focal points; creating thoughtfully placed paths and seating areas; and criteria for selecting native plantings to be incorporated into your landscape. These and other design techniques can bring legibility to your garden and help you to execute a more graceful pivot.