Garden Design Speaker
*I’m excited to announce that I’m now the official Garden Speaker for Garden Design.com!
Along with designing and writing about gardens, I’m passionate about sharing the plant and design knowledge I’ve gathered over a lifetime of gardening through my garden talks.
My presentations inspire, entertain, and educate gardeners of all levels – from those just beginning their gardening journey to those who have been tending gardens for decades.
Because gardeners are naturally visual people, my talks are rich with photographs and compelling before-and-after examples that bring design concepts to life, sparking those transformative “a-ha” moments.
I know a talk has been successful when audience members tell me they can’t wait to get home and start trying some of the ideas we’ve discussed in their own gardens.
So, whether you’re a new or experienced gardener (or somewhere in between). contact me here and let’s discuss how I can help with your next event
My Presentation Topics
All presentations are available in-person or in a Zoom format. Each talk is approximately 45-minutes in length, followed by Q&A for as long as needed. For more information, contact me here.
(NEW!) From Plan to Planting: Designing a SIX Season Garden
What makes some gardens look beautiful in every season, while others fade after spring? The secret lies in thinking about your garden in terms of SIX distinct seasons.
Topics covered include the importance of creating a strong structural framework with layered plantings of evergreens, deciduous plants, and perennials; succession planting; and the importance of season-extending plants to keep your garden vibrant throughout the year.
You’ll come away with a fresh perspective and a toolkit of ideas to help you reimagine your garden from the ground up.
(Updated!) Refresh Your Garden Design - Simple Strategies to Wake a Weary Garden
Don’t Snub the Shrub!
It’s time to embrace the ‘shrub phase’ of your gardening journey!
While perennials often take center stage, shrubs are the true workhorses of effective garden design, providing the essential framework and long-lasting appeal that gardens need. When selected thoughtfully, shrubs not only enhance a garden’s visual beauty but also offer structure, continuity, and harmony – making gardens feel cohesive throughout the year.
In this inspiring talk, garden designer Rebecca Sweet shares her “7 F’s of Shrub Selection,” a practical approach to choosing shrubs that combine form, foliage, flowers, and function. Discover both timeless favorites and exciting newer varieties that bring effortless elegance and long-lasting structure to any garden.
The 7 Sins of Garden Design (and how to easily fix them)
After decades of meeting with frustrated gardeners, garden designer Rebecca Sweet has identified the primary causes of gardening headaches and categorized them into seven main groups.
Common mistakes—such as “Tiny Gardens, Tiny Plants,” “Clashing Color Combinations,” and “One-of-each-itis ” (to name just a few)—can often derail even the best intentions.
Using photos and solutions that are inspiring, informative, and easy to put into practice, you’ll soon be on your way to a glorious garden.
When and How to Break the Rules of Garden Design
A well-designed garden is so much more than following a prescribed set of garden ‘rules.’ Instead, a truly memorable garden contains counterintuitive concepts resulting in “Wow – I’ve never thought of that!” moments. To achieve this, sometimes you just need to be a rebel and break a few rules.
Let landscape designer, Rebecca Sweet, walk you through when and how to break the rules to achieve true garden glory!
Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces
Vertical gardening is the latest, most talked about garden trend. Whether you’re interested in edibles, ornamentals or a little of both, taking advantage of vertical spaces (some of which you never knew you had!) is an easy way to take your garden to new heights.
Based off her national best-seller, Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces, Rebecca will highlight a range of vertical gardening ideas.
From innovative living walls planted with grasses, natives or succulents to creative layering techniques for the skinniest of spaces to creative ways to use repurposed materials to further personalize your garden.
Savvy Side Yard Solutions
Often called the ‘Cinderellas of the landscape’ side yards are some of the most challenging areas of the garden.
Let landscape designer Rebecca Sweet inspire you with six stunning side yards, each with a distinctive style and purpose using before and after photos as well as detailed information as to what makes the particular side yard a success.
No matter your style, you’re sure to leave excited to transform this final frontier of your garden.
(NEW!) Create with Confidence—Mastering the Elements & Principles of Garden Design
A truly exceptional garden doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of thoughtful design that creates a lasting impression.
So often, gardeners don’t just want to know “What should I plant here?”—they want to understand why their garden isn’t coming together the way they envisioned, despite all their effort. That’s where the real transformation begins.
In this inspiring and practical presentation, Rebecca will explain and guide you through key design elements—like color, texture, form, and contrast—as well as foundational principles such as balance, rhythm, proportion, and focal points. You’ll learn how to bring these concepts together to transform your outdoor space into something both beautiful and deeply personal.
Whether you’re a home gardener, landscape professional, or simply a design enthusiast, you’ll walk away with practical tools and fresh insight to elevate any garden.
Incorporating Succulents into Everyday Gardens
Have you been bitten by the ‘succulent bug’ but don’t know how to begin incorporating them into your existing garden?
Are you afraid succulents won’t blend with your garden’s style?
Not sure which succulents are tough enough to survive year-round?
More than just a passing trend, succulents are here to stay – and for good reason. Learn how to look at succulents as problem solvers in the garden: they’re as hard-working as they are beautiful, helping you to control weeds, define garden beds, reduce your water bill and provide year-round interest.
Quick Fixes with Color
Does your garden feel small and cramped? Is it uninviting? Is it proof that you suffer from a serious case of ‘one-of-each-itis’?
Learn how one of the most powerful elements in your garden – color – is often the answer to many common garden problems.
So much more than ‘a pretty shade of pink’, color is one of the most powerful tools in the garden design toolbox.
This presentation appeals to gardeners of all levels and overflows with inspirational photographs that highlight/ reinforce both the easy-to-grasp planting strategies and before and after examples. See for yourself just how easy it is to fix a wide range of garden problems with the clever use of color.
Upcoming Presentations
March 26, 2026
ZOOM Presentation
Topic: The Power of Shrubs – the secret to cohesive garden design
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon
March 12, 2027
In-Person Presentation
Topic: The 7 Sins of Garden Design
Laguna Beach Garden Club Laguna Beach, California
Past Speaking Engagements Include:
Davidson Horticultural Symposium, North Carolina
Rutland Garden Club, Vermont
North Shore Garden Club, Massachusetts
Sunset Magazine’s ‘Sunset Celebration’, Menlo Park
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle
Boca Grande Garden Club, Florida
San Diego Horticultural Society
The DOW Gardens, MI
Birds & Blooms, NC
Bellevue Botanical Garden, WA
Ann Arbor Garden Club, MI
Junior League of Boston, MA
Woodinville Garden Club,WA
The Oregon Garden, Oregon
Succulent Celebration, near San Diego
Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club, Carmel
Succulent Extravaganza,
near San Francisco
APLD & Pacific Horticulture Society, Walnut Creek
Master Gardener Seminars, San Diego
Modesto Garden Club
Marin Master Gardener’s Continuing Education
Piedmont Garden Club
Woodside/Atherton Garden Club
Blackhawk Bloomers
Merced Garden Club
Moraga Garden
Diablo Garden Club
San Francisco Garden Club
Annie’s Annuals Nursery
Alden Lane Nursery
Cottage Garden Nursery
“Rebecca Sweet was a GREAT speaker. Her slide presentation included before and after slides of gardens that had been transformed using her method of analyzing what was wrong and why – color, form, shape of leaf, etc. She is a lovely person who has been passionate about gardening since childhood and has a wealth of knowledge about plants, design and people. She is modest, engaging and poised and confident. She was universally loved by our group of 60 members and guests, ranging in age from 40 to 90 and skill level from little to master gardener.”
— Chris Johnson with Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club
“Rebecca presented at the Master Gardener Spring Seminar in May in San Diego, and received top marks. As chair of this event, I received many compliments for getting such an informative and charming speaker. Her class evaluations were over the top. Her slides and presentation were fabulous, and I highly recommend Rebecca as a speaker!”
–Devonna H., Master Gardener Spring Seminar Chair from La Jolla, CA
“Rebecca just gave our garden club an excellent presentation via Zoom on ‘How to Refresh Your Garden.’ She delivers some really helpful advice on how to look at your current garden with a discerning eye, and ways to implement change through the use of form, foliage, and color. Rebecca is extremely knowledgeable, and very engaging, and makes excellent use of photos to illustrate her points. I can safely say that we all enjoyed her presentation immensely, and would highly recommend her as a speaker for any garden related function.”
–Lindsay Smith, Conestoga Garden Club, PA
“I went to your talk yesterday at the SF Garden Show. I had hoped to thank you in person but you were absolutely surrounded by admirers. I’ve been doing residential design for 8 years, attended numerous industry seminars, and I can honestly say that I learned more today than I have at any past event. You were very generous with your information and examples, and for that alone I am appreciative.”
–Karen Hunt, San Carlos
“Rebecca was our speaker for our first ever Zoom Garden Club meeting and I have had comments that this is one of the best presentations we’ve ever had. We chose the topic ‘Refresh Your Garden Design’ but Rebecca was also able to answer questions on all aspects of gardens – from irrigation, soils, and climate. Rebecca is an extremely talented designer and her passion for all things related to gardening shines through bright and clear. She was very easy to work with and very comfortable with the Zoom format. Will definitely be considering her for future talks.”
–B. Stott, Dublin
“Maybe the best speaker we’ve enjoyed through our garden club. Personality, presentation and topic were exemplary”
— Sue M. with the Los Altos Garden Club