Join Jeff Epping for an inspiring and practical exploration of gravel gardening, an approach that blends natural beauty, ecological resilience, and dramatically reduced maintenance. Drawing from his extensive hands-on experience, along with insights from his recent book co-authored with Teresa Woodard, Jeff will show how these dynamic plant communities can transform the way we garden.

Gravel gardens are often misunderstood as sparse or barren, but this webinar will showcase how they can be lush, colorful, and full of life. In his article Digging Deeper into Gravel Gardens (Fine Gardening, Winter 2017), Jeff wrote, “The gravel garden concept is not new, and most keen gardeners might associate it with one of the greatest gardeners of our time: Beth Chatto. Beth converted a gravel parking lot into a beautiful, drought-tolerant garden more than 25 years ago. Her gardens in Essex County, England, thrive despite a meager 20 inches of rainfall each year.”

Inspired by Chatto’s work and informed by real-world examples – including his own garden in Madison, Wisconsin – Jeff will share insights from his practice and from other leading naturalistic designers. He’ll also cover practical techniques for a range of settings, from intimate home landscapes to larger public and commercial spaces, showing how thoughtfully chosen plants can thrive together with minimal inputs and reliance on natural rainfall.

Throughout the webinar, Jeff will highlight gardens from across the U.S. and Europe featured in his new book, including stunning photographs by Bob Stefko, while offering both inspiration and actionable guidance for gardeners at any scale.

In this webinar, you’ll explore:

• What truly defines a gravel garden and how it differs from traditional rock or perennial gardens
• How to design naturalistic plantings that feel full, layered, and vibrant
• The environmental benefits of gravel gardens, including water conservation and pollinator support
• Planting strategies and plant selections suited to gravel-based systems
• Step-by-step guidance for installing and establishing your own gravel garden
• How gravel gardening can scale from small home landscapes to larger projects

If you’re looking to create more beauty with less work, support wildlife, and garden in a way that’s more in tune with the environment, this webinar will open the door to the possibilities of gravel gardening

Jeff’s new book, published by Timber Press, entitled The Gravel Garden: Visionary, Drought-Defying, Naturalistic Designs, will be released June 2, 2026, and is available now for preorder on Amazon.

Friday, April 24th, 9am EDT

Biography
Jeff’s passion for plants and gardening is reflected in his 35-year career as an award-winning horticulturist and garden designer. During his 28 years as Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, he transformed a lawn-laden landscape into a nationally acclaimed public garden, known for its artistic and innovative, plant-driven designs and ecologically sound gardening techniques.

Alongside that role, he also ran his own design and consulting business for 25 years and continues to do so today. Epping Design & Consulting specializes in eco-conscious gardening guidance and designs for projects ranging from small private gardens to large public landscapes and expansive business
campuses. Jeff shares his expertise through classes, workshops, tours, and lectures. His insightful writing has been featured in leading gardening publications like Fine Gardening, Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Gardens, and his work has been recognized by The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others. Beyond print, he’s also contributed to radio, television, online videos, and podcasts. He has received prestigious awards from both the American Public Gardens Association and the Perennial Plant Association, honoring his significant contributions to horticulture.

Jeff’s new book, published by Timber Press, entitled The Gravel Garden: Visionary, Drought-Defying, Naturalistic Designswill be released June 2, 2026, and is available now for preorder on Amazon.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

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Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone’s hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers “the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens.

Niteangel Natural Wooden Insect Hotel, Garden Insect House for Ladybugs, lacewings, Butterfly, Bee, Bug

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The insect nest box provide a safe environment where garden creatures can shelter, hibernate and lay their eggs, the insect house can also keep insects from entering your warm room. The insect hotel makes it easy to find and observe fascinating creatures. the butterfly, bees and ladybugs can use this product as habitat. Dry wood and Bamboo can be home to many insects such as ladybirds and lacewings which eat aphids and help keep your plants pest-free. the insect hotel improve the growth of plants in your yard by attracting beneficial insects. The iron design on the top can keep the insect house from rainwater. Let the insect house have a longer useful life and make the insects more comfortable. If you only have a balcony or yard, the hanging garden shelter is ideal as it provides a choice of suitable habitats in a small area.