At the end of the 19th Century, at a time when women rarely entered professional design fields, Gertrude Jekyll redefined what was possible—not only for gardens, but for those who dared to imagine them differently. Painter, photographer, craftswoman, and eventually one of the most influential landscape designers of her era, Jekyll was the creative force behind the Arts & Crafts garden movement. On Sunday, June 22 at 10:30 a.m., Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will host a special three-hour workshop exploring her enduring legacy and relevance to South Florida gardens.
Titled “Gertrude Jekyll: Design Principles for Creating a Tropical Cottage Garden,” this immersive indoor/outdoor session is led by acclaimed landscape designer and author Victor Lazzari, whose deep admiration for Jekyll has shaped his life’s work. The lecture invites attendees to step into Jekyll’s design philosophy—and consider how her 19th-century English principles can thrive in 21st-century tropical landscapes.
Reimagining English gardens in a tropical climate
Gertrude Jekyll’s gardens were painterly and intuitive—yet grounded in structure, rhythm, and seasonal variation. Her signature style emphasized drifts of color, informal balance, and a romantic dialogue between house and garden. These design ideas remain surprisingly adaptable to Florida’s climate, where lush vegetation, bold hues, and layered texture echo her aesthetic in new ways.
Through visual examples, design exercises, and real-world application, Lazzari will walk participants through how to create their own Arts & Crafts-inspired tropical cottage gardens—spaces that emphasize not just beauty, but craftsmanship and continuity with nature.
About the instructor
A lifelong gardener originally from rural Maryland, Victor Lazzari holds a BA in Landscape Design from the University of Maryland, an MA in Landscape Architecture from Florida International University, and a Master’s Certificate in Agroecology. His credentials are matched by his practical experience: he served as lead garden designer and rose curator for the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, one of Florida’s most beloved historic properties.
Lazzari is also a garden writer, photographer, and the author of 100 Roses for the South Florida Garden, recently published by the University of Florida. He regularly contributes to Horticulture Magazine and maintains a vibrant online presence as JungleGymFL. His work blends historical reverence with ecological practicality—an ideal pairing for Fairchild’s focus on conservation and education.
What you’ll learn
This workshop offers more than historical insight; it provides real-world design takeaways for gardeners, landscape professionals, and homeowners. Topics include:
- How to interpret Jekyll’s visual principles for subtropical settings
- Creating seasonal “drifts” of tropical and subtropical plants
- Balancing formality and informality in garden layout
- Using focal points, path curves, and garden “rooms” to structure space
- Incorporating heirloom roses and flowering shrubs into South Florida palettes
Fairchild’s lush grounds will serve as the living classroom, helping participants visualize how Jekyll’s principles come to life in a tropical context. The outdoor portion will allow guests to observe plant combinations and layering techniques in situ, guided by Lazzari’s expertise.
Event Details
- Date & Time: Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Location: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156
- Format: Three-hour indoor/outdoor lecture
- Tickets: $35 for members | $45 for non-members
- What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, notepad, and garden questions
Why it matters
This event is more than a design lecture—it’s an invitation to join a lineage of gardeners who see the act of planting as both an art and an ethic. Gertrude Jekyll’s genius wasn’t simply in her flower choices or path layouts; it was in her conviction that gardens should reflect their place, their people, and their purpose.
At a time when South Florida faces the dual pressures of climate change and rapid development, the principles of intentional, adaptive, and locally responsive garden design have never been more timely. Jekyll’s work shows how tradition can evolve—and how beauty, when paired with thoughtfulness, can become resilience.
Join Victor Lazzari at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on June 22 and leave not only with a notebook of ideas, but with a renewed sense of what a garden can mean.
