2025 GREAT LAKES, GREAT PLANTS SYMPOSIUM

Presented by The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park

September 25–27, 2025 | Traverse City, MI

The Great Lakes, Great Plants Symposium returns this fall with a fresh lineup of lectures, tours, and immersive experiences celebrating horticulture, design, and the natural beauty of Northern Michigan. Designed for professionals and plant lovers alike, this two-day symposium includes inspiring talks, a rare plant auction, guided garden tours, and exclusive bonus experiences.

This year’s programming focuses on Gardening in the Midwest, Wild Designs, and Art in the Landscape, offering practical knowledge, innovative ideas, and plenty of inspiration.

The event is proudly sponsored by the and hosted by , located in the heart of Traverse City.

Early Bird (until August 25):

• $199 – Members (Botanic Garden or MNLA)
• $225 – Non-Members
• $169 – Day 1 Only
• $125 – Dinner & Auction Only

Regular Pricing (after August 25):

• $225 – Members $199 (Botanic Garden or MNLA)
• $249 – Non-Members
• $199 – Day 1 Only

Not a Botanic Garden member yet? Learn more here!

Reserve a VIP Table and enjoy premium perks! Includes:

• 8 full symposium registrations
• A curated trio of plants for each guest
• Recognition in the event program and digital promotions

To sponsor, select the VIP Table option when purchasing tickets on Eventbrite or call The Botanic Garden at (231) 935-4077.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – DAY 1: LECTURES & DINNERJoin us at The Botanic Garden for a full day of expert-led lectures and garden exploration, followed by a celebratory dinner and rare plant auction.

Morning & Afternoon Lectures:

• 9:00 AM – Welcome to the Symposium
• 9:30 AM – Art in the Garden with Adriana Quinones
• 10:45 AM – Growing a Midwest Garden with Ed Lyon
• 1:30 PM – Stars of the Green Screen with Brian Zimmerman & Matthew Ross
• 2:45 PM – Designing a Wild Garden with Katrina Quint

Evening Events:

• 5:30 PM – Silent Auction Opens
• 6:00 PM – Cocktails & Networking
• 6:30 PM – Dinner & Dessert Served
• 7:15 PM – Silent Auction Closes
• 7:30 PM – Live Auction Begins

Silent Auction

As part of the evening's festivities there will be a selection of curated rare, unusual, and underrated plants up for the bidding. Each specimen has a pair and the second plant will go into the permanent collection at The Botanic Garden. The bidding opens at 5:30 PM and runs until 7:15 PM. Winning bids will be announced at the start of the Live Auction.

Live Auction

You won't want to miss your chance to bid on the coolest and most unsual groupings of plants in Northern Michigan. From rare trees to instant meadows, there are a plethora of plants with fun and entertainment too.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – DAY 2: GARDEN & NATURAL AREA TOURSHop aboard the tour bus for a day-long exploration of inspiring gardens and landscapes across Northwest Michigan.

• 8:30 AM – Check-in & Overview
• 9:00 AM – Depart from The Botanic Garden
• 9:00–3:00 PM – Tours of four curated locations with lunch included
• 4:00 PM – Return to The Botanic Garden - approx time

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – POST-CONFERENCE EXPERIENCESOptional add-ons to extend your learning and enjoyment.

9:00–11:00 AM – Field Botany Walk with Matthew RossExplore the region’s natural landscapes in a guided walk designed for early risers. Limited to 40 participants. Transportation not provided. $20 - separate registration required

12:00–2:00 PM – Nursery Open House at Four Season NurseryFree for registered attendees! Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, light refreshments, and expert insights from Brian Zimmerman and team. Free - separate registration required.

6:30–9:00 PM – Sail with the SpeakersSet sail on West Grand Traverse Bay for a magical evening on the water with symposium speakers. Enjoy wine, refreshments, and a champagne toast as you cruise beneath the stars. Limited to 8 participants. $160 – separate registration required

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Call The Botanic Garden at (231) 935-4077 or visit www.thebotanicgarden.org

We can’t wait to welcome you for a vibrant and inspiring few days in the heart of Northern Michigan!

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Session: Art in the Garden – Designing for Meaning and Beauty

Adriana Quiñones, Executive Director, Arboretum San Antonio

Public gardens are more than collections of plants—they're living canvases that tell stories, spark emotion, and shape how people connect with nature. In this inspiring session, Adriana Quiñones explores how gardens can be designed with artistic intention to create powerful experiences that go beyond beauty alone.

With decades of experience leading public gardens across the country—including the Columbus Botanical Garden, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and now the Arboretum San Antonio—Adriana brings a unique perspective on how design can deepen the impact of green spaces. Her work has focused not only on visual aesthetics, but also on community engagement, education, and accessibility.

As the first Hispanic woman to serve on the board of the American Public Garden Association and a former co-chair of its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility committee, Adriana believes that gardens should be places of belonging for everyone. You’ll leave this session with fresh ideas on how to design landscapes that are not only beautiful, but meaningful and inclusive, rooted in a deep understanding of both place and people.

Session: Growing a Midwest Garden

Ed Lyon, Author & Former Director, Reiman Gardens

The Midwest is a region of contrasts—where wild meadows meet muscle cars, and tradition blends with bold experimentation. In this lively and informative session, Ed Lyon shares practical strategies for creating lush, sustainable gardens that reflect the unique character of the region.

With an eye for design and a deep understanding of place, Ed offers tips for incorporating annuals, tropicals, and edible ornamentals into plantings that balance both native and non-native species. His approach invites gardeners to push boundaries while staying true to the Midwest’s natural charm.

Ed Lyon is a lifelong gardener and retired public garden professional with 25 years of experience, most recently serving as Director of Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University. He’s the author of Growing the Midwest Garden and a contributor to Fine Gardening and Garden Gate magazines. Known for his engaging talks and practical advice, Ed now resides in Philadelphia and continues to educate and inspire through his writing and speaking.

Session: Designing a Wild Garden

Katrina Quint, Director of Horticulture, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

While most zoo visitors come for the animals, the landscapes can be just as captivating—and just as wild. At Lincoln Park Zoo, bold plantings compete with charismatic megafauna for attention, turning heads and transforming expectations.

In this session, Katrina Quint shares how her team uses scale, texture, and color to create dynamic garden spaces that surprise and delight guests. From towering grasses to unexpected color combos, their approach to landscape design not only complements the zoo experience—it becomes an experience of its own.

Whether you're working with a suburban backyard or a public park, you'll leave inspired to bring boldness and biodiversity into your own designs.

Katrina is the Director of Horticulture at Lincoln Park Zoo, where she oversees more than 1,000 plant species, including special collections of hardy hibiscus, native hydrangeas, and ninebark. Under her leadership, the zoo’s landscapes—both within and beyond the animal exhibits—were recognized with arboretum accreditation in 2019. Prior to her role at the zoo, Katrina spent nine years at The Morton Arboretum managing seasonal displays and plant trials. She currently co-chairs Perennials in Focus, a regional plant trialing group, and brings decades of horticultural expertise rooted in her early experiences with her family’s landscaping business in small-town Iowa.

Session: Stars of the Green Screen

Matthew Ross, Horticulturist and Executive Director of The Botanic Garden

Brian Zimmerman, Owner, Four Season Nursery

Every great movie has a standout star—but it's the supporting cast that brings the story to life. The same is true in landscape design. While specimen plants steal the spotlight, it's the foundational and filler plants that create harmony, structure, and a lasting impression.

In this dynamic session, Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, Matthew Ross, and lifelong nurseryman and designer Brian Zimmerman of Four Season Nursery, team up to showcase some of the best plant combinations for the Great Lakes region. You’ll leave inspired to rethink your plant palette—whether you’re designing a backyard bed or a public park.

Together, they’ll highlight key players and unsung heroes in the landscape, helping you build plant pairings that offer balance, beauty, and year-round interest.

Matthew Ross is a trained horticulturist and Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. He has a background in public garden leadership, landscape design, and has contributed to several award-winning exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Brian Zimmerman is a third-generation nursery owner of Four Season Nursery in Traverse City. With a deep knowledge of soil biology and native plants, Brian is passionate about reconnecting landscapes with nature through thoughtful design and ecological awareness.

Host or Publisher The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park