AHS Live: Naturalistic Gardening in the American South
While the American South houses incredible plant diversity, its gardens rarely reflect that richness. Join Dr. Jared Barnes as he shares his approach to naturalistic plantings that are both ecologically grounded and beautiful. In this spirited presentation, we’ll cover ecological principles and planting strategies for crafting sustainable gardens that are suited to the Southern landscape and some of his favorite heat tolerant plants.
Cultivating plants and cultivating minds, Dr. Jared Barnes is an award-winning associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University where he stewards the Plantery, SFASU’s student botanic garden. He is the author of The New York Times–featured newsletter plant•ed and host of The Plantastic Podcast. His passion has been recognized by peers in numerous interviews, including NY Times, Horticulture, People, Organic Gardening, Greenhouse Grower, AmericanHort Connect, Ken Druse’s Real Dirt, and Nursery Management, and his articles have appeared in Horticulture, The American Gardener, and Fine Gardening. Dr. Barnes holds his Ph.D. in horticultural science from North Carolina State and is the recipient of several awards, including awards from the Perennial Plant Association. His family garden was featured in the 2025 book Gardens of Texas by Pam Penick.
