Plants & Design

In this one-hour session, attendees will be guided through the complete life cycle of the design-build process—from initial client engagement to final construction management. Drawing on more than three and a half decades of experience, this presentation explores how thoughtful collaboration, careful site analysis and programming, inspired concept design, and disciplined execution come together to create truly one-of-a-kind gardens.

Come learn with Jason Bornhorst from WillowVersity in this fun and interactive class exploring Plants to Know: Designing for Today's Client.  Discover the must-know plants for 2026 – from exciting new introductions to classic favorites making a comeback in the landscape. Jason will guide you through the latest trends in plant selection and how to use them effectively in modern designs.

Blending hardscapes and softscapes is about creating harmonious relationships within the landscape. These relationships connect design principles with spatial organization to produce a cohesive composition that enhances both the aesthetic appeal and functional performance of the space.

Let’s explore how the hard and soft elements of a landscape interact to form a balanced and engaging environment.

Great landscapes don’t begin with a shovel—they begin in the mind. In this dynamic 2-part session, award-winning designer Kevin O’Brien draws on 30 years of professional experience to reveal how bold creativity transforms constraints into signature opportunities that set you apart in a crowded marketplace. Through a curated slideshow of projects, Kevin guides you deep into real-world case studies where difficult environments became the catalyst for innovation:  

What constitutes a traditional Japanese Garden? Learn about the core principles and similarities between many of these gardens have created one of the most recognizable garden design styles in the globe.

A thorough review of popular perennials, including new varieties making waves with designers for their beauty, function and performance. With all the interest in the New Perennial Movement and a market shift towards sustainable gardening, a new palette of plants has emerged at the intersection of form and function.

In this engaging lecture for landscape professionals, renowned plantsman and designer Kelly Norris offers a framework for managing living landscapes towards horticultural and ecological goals. As gardens designed to mimic nature grow in popularity, many wonder how to care for these vibrant, biodiverse spaces while also shifting public opinion about their value. How does landscape management change when plants take the lead?

Michigan’s award-winning projects are on display, with the designers on hand to describe the challenges and opportunities that each project presented. 

Presented by MNLA's 2025 Industry Award-winning Firms.

Hone your design skills and focus your energy on time management through a series of guided design scenarios with Dr. Robert Schutzki and Matthew Ross from The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park.  Balancing the client’s needs within the constraints of the existing site conditions is a time-consuming process. 

Learn tricks and techniques in this interactive design charette as we design collaboratively in small groups.  In order to enhance the process and encourage networking, you’ll be encouraged to work with colleagues from other companies during the session.