Botanic garden welcomes new horticulture director

Rancho SantaAna Botanic Garden's has hired Scott LeFleur as its new horticulture director. Mr. LeFleur succeeds Susan Jett, who accepted the position of associate director of horticulture for nursery operations last fall.

Before coming to the garden, Mr. LeFleur was on the staff at the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) for 6 years, most recently as the director of horticulture. NEWFS, a non-profit dedicated to native plants of New England, is the oldest plant conservation organization in the United States.

As NEWFS' director of horticulture, Mr. LeFleur was responsible for the operations for the society's public botanic garden and native plant nursery. He modernized and advanced awareness for the botanic garden by designing a new public entrance, emphasizing the society's connection to conservation through the landscaped living collection, designing a demonstration garden to help homeowners appreciate the beauty of native plants and creating a native edible garden.

Mr. LeFleur also reorganized the nursery operations for the society, which resulted in a rapidly growing native plant nursery, which produces more than 75,000 plants each year for homeowners, landscape professionals, restoration projects and towns.A1994 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he worked in private landscape design and installation before joining the NEWFS team.

"I am really excited to have Scott LeFleur join our leadership team. He brings a great experience from the world of public horticulture and conservation," said Patrick Larkin, RSABG's executive director. "Scott's enthusiasm for engaging people with native plants will
be valuable asset as RSABG increases its engagement with the greater southern California community about the importance of natives."