About Us 

How the Woody Plant Conference Began 

In response to the success of the Perennial Plant Conference, the sponsoring institutions recognized a need to educate and promote the use of woody plants. The annual Woody Plant Conference was first held in 1996.

The creation of a woody plant conference was a logical fit, given the outstanding collections and knowledge base of the sponsoring institutions: 

• Longwood Gardens 
• Tyler Arboretum
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
• The Scott Arboretum & Gardens
• Morris Arboretum and Gardens of University of Pennsylvania 
• Chanticleer 

Join Woody Plant Experts and Enthusiasts

The Woody Plant Conference was created to educate, prompt, and stimulate conversation about woody plants in our landscapes among nursery and garden center personnel, landscape designers, horticulturists, and keen gardeners.

The People Behind the Plants

Each year, the conference committee chooses experienced, knowledgeable speakers to share their interest and knowledge of woody plants.

The committee attempts to create a balanced conference by selecting lectures for all members of our audience. The committee members strive to:

• Effectively address commercial/retail issues
• Take an in-depth look at specific genera of woody plants
• Explore how to use woody plants in the landscape and how to handle practical issues, such as pest and disease management

What to Expect

The Woody Plant Conference provides a great opportunity to learn about the latest woody plant trends and meet and share your experiences with other woody plant advocates.

Call for Presentations

The Woody Plant Conference Committee invites expert speakers to present at the 2026 Woody Plant Conference on Friday, July 17, 2026.

We are seeking dynamic, experienced, and diverse speakers to deliver engaging and informative presentations on topics related to woody plants that thrive in the Mid-Atlantic region.