About
Connie Cottingham created Garden Travel Experiences to inspire people to discover public gardens and open spaces in their travels – and in their hometowns. As a home gardener, landscape designer, Lifelong Master Gardener, a garden writer published over 800 times, and years on staff for both a city parks department and a state botanical garden, she provides insight into each garden’s personality and offers ideas to bring home to your garden. Connie has gardened for two decades in Athens, GA, and returned to her roots in NW Arkansas in Summer 2022.
Qualifications & Awards
- Communicator of the Year, Georgia Green Industry Association, 2010.
- Certificate in Native Plants, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2010.
- Master Gardener, Georgia, 2001, Arkansas 1990.
- Lifetime Master Gardener, 2011.
- Certified Arborist training, 2002.
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Arkansas.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Georgia EMC Magazine, March 2022, More than food: community gardens offer benefits. View here.
Georgia EMC Magazine, June 2022, Summer flowers after hours. View here.
Georgia EMC Magazine, November 2022, It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Georgia’s Public Gardens. View here.
Three Arkansas guest blog posts for travelthesouthbloggers.com.
View here.
Public Speaking
I can speak casually without A/V, with hands-on demonstration (container gardening), or with PowerPoint presentations. Fees are negotiable. Topics include:
- Ten Favorite Plants and Why I Love Them (easily done in a home without A/V)
- Deer-Resistant Plants I Love
- Travelogues: English Gardens, Quebec City, the Côte d’Azur
- Design Characteristics of Native Plants
- Container Gardening (can be done as a talk, demonstration, or hands-on class)
- Design Tips to Lower Maintenance (without A/V)
Interested in hearing a talk on 100 Things to Do in Bentonville and Rogers Before you Die, including a book signing? Click here to find out more about this book, then contact me about speaking to your professional group, book club, etc.
Talks I have given to clubs, organizations or as part of seminars:
- Southern Gardens 101 Tele-Summit
- Clayton County Garden Symposium
- Southern Garden Heritage Conference
- National Conifer Society Annual Meeting
- State Botanical Garden of Georgia Native Plant Symposium
- Historic Houses Museum Workshop
- Garden Club Landscape Design School
- Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Meeting
- and classes within University of Georgia Continuing Education Center and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
I am available to speak to groups and to walk through your garden with you to add insight and advice.
Work With Me
Work With Me Form About Page
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- Carolyn
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