C. Cole Burrell

BS Botany and Horticulture, Virginia Tech;
MS Horticulture, University of Maryland;
MLA, University of Minnesota

Lecturer

C. Colston (Cole) Burrell is a designer, award winning author, photographer, naturalist and educator. Mr. Burrell has devoted a lifetime to studying native plants in the wild and in gardens, which lead to undergraduate degrees in Botany and Horticulture. He has an M.S. in Horticulture and a MLA from the University of Minnesota. His academic interests focus on the origins of vernacular design traditions and avenues for ecological innovation within urban and suburban neighborhoods. He believes that good design emerges from a strong sense of place, and as a result, evokes powerful emotions. He also feels that through meaningful design, plants have the power to alter people?s lives.

Mr. Burrell teaches Natural Systems and Plant Ecology as well as Planted Systems and Urban Ecology as a Lecturer, a position he has held for 6 years. He has taught University and Continuing Education courses for over 25 years. He taught Planted Form and first year studio Ecological Informants of Design at University of Minnesota, and began teaching Landscape Plants as an undergraduate. He is principal of Native Landscape Design and Restoration, which specializes in blending nature and culture through artistic design. Projects include prairie and wetland restorations in parks and on corporate campuses, as well as numerous residential gardens of all sizes

Mr. Burrell contributes to the monthly Plant Page feature for Landscape Architecture, and serves as contributing editor to Horticulture. His articles and photographs appear regularly in Fine Gardening and American Gardener. Mr. Burrell is author of twelve books devoted to plants and ecologically-based home landscape design. Published works include Intimate Gardens, Perennial Combinations and A Gardener?s Encyclopedia of Wildflowers, which won the 1997 AHS Book Award. Mr. Burrell lectures internationally on topics of design, ecology and plants. When not gardening, Mr. Burrell travels in search of great gardens and sublime landscapes. In 2008, he was presented with The Award of Distinction from The Association of Professional Landscape designers.