SFA Gardens to Host Lecture on Louisiana Horticulture

Renowned expert Allen Owings Ph.D. will discuss plant trends past and present.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:24pm

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A boldly colored silkscreen-style grid of a single potted plant or flower, rendered in a high-contrast, pop art aesthetic that transforms an everyday garden item into a modern conceptual artwork.A vibrant celebration of the evolving world of horticulture, as an expert lecturer shares insights on the plants of yesterday and today.Hammond Today

SFA Gardens in Nacogdoches, Texas will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series on May 14, featuring a presentation by Allen Owings Ph.D., a senior horticulturist and professor emeritus from Louisiana. Owings will share insights on the evolution of plants and horticulture practices over the years.

Why it matters

The lecture series provides the local community with access to expert knowledge and perspectives on gardening, landscaping, and plant science. Owings' decades of experience and research make him well-positioned to offer valuable insights on the changing landscape of horticulture.

The details

Owings will deliver his lecture titled 'Through the Years – Plants We Had Then, Plants We Have Now' at 7pm in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. He will draw from his 26-year career as a horticulture professor and extension specialist with the LSU AgCenter to discuss how plant varieties and cultivation methods have evolved over time.

  • The lecture will take place on May 14, 2026 at 7pm.
  • Owings retired from the LSU AgCenter in June 2017 after 26 years of service.

The players

Allen Owings

A senior horticulturist at Bracy's Nursery in Amite, Louisiana and horticulturist at Clegg's Nursery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also a Professor Emeritus of Horticulture with the LSU AgCenter, where he served for 26 years before retiring in 2017.

SFA Gardens

A botanical garden operated by Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas that hosts the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series.

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What they’re saying

“Through the Years – Plants We Had Then, Plants We Have Now”

— Allen Owings, Lecturer

What’s next

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to network with Owings and other horticulture enthusiasts.

The takeaway

The SFA Gardens lecture series provides the local community with access to expert knowledge on the evolving world of horticulture, helping gardeners and landscapers stay up-to-date on the latest plant varieties and cultivation techniques.