Sylvia Duax Title: Garden Review Board Member Education: Tennessee Technological University Location: Alexandria, VA Expertise: U.S. native plants and native plant communities, wildlife and pollinator gardening, sustainable garden management, small space, urban and container gardening, garden display and design Sylvia Duax has 15+ years’ experience in public garden installation and management, which includes both informal public interaction and scheduled outreach programs. Her knowledge of Southeastern and mid-Atlantic plant species is extensive, and she has a deep interest in native plant communities, ecosystems, and ethnobotany. Sylvia believes in lifelong learning and has a strong commitment to helping diverse audiences develop, maintain and enhance the gardens that they love.Highlights Garden Club of American/Royal Horticultural Society, Interchange FellowSoutheastern U.S. and Mid-Atlantic regional gardening expert Member of American Public Gardens Association and Perennial Plant Association Experience As a small child, Sylvia began digging in the dirt with her father in east Tennessee where she was “chief worm hunter.” Upon graduating with a B.S. in Agriculture, with a concentration in Horticulture, she began working as a horticulturist at the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, a prairie style garden set in an urban public park and later Chicago Botanic Garden, working with tropical and desert plant collections housed within display greenhouses. Wanting to enrich her knowledge and experience, she applied for and was awarded the Garden Clubs of America/ Royal Horticultural Society’s Interchange fellowship to work and study at some of the most iconic and highly regarded public gardens in the UK. After returning to the U.S., she began managing the 25-acre estate headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, where her work focused on sustainable garden management, utilizing native plantings as well as low-maintenance and water-wise garden design.Currently, she designs and maintains garden spaces in the mid-Atlantic region focusing on wildlife gardens, native plant communities, and small-space and urban gardening challenges. She considers herself very fortunate to have followed her passion and made it into a rewarding career where she continues to get to dig in the dirt. Education Pursuing her lifelong love of gardening, Sylvia Duax earned her Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture with a concentration in Horticulture from Tennessee Technological University. She was awarded the Garden Clubs of America/ Royal Horticultural Society’s Interchange fellowship to work and study at: the Royal Horticultural Society, Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew, Edinburgh and Wales locations), the Eden Project, University of Sheffield, Tresco Abbey Gardens, and the Chelsea Flower Show. About Better Homes & Gardens Better Homes & Gardens, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is the only iconic home brand with a 100+ year history of providing trustworthy and achievable ideas for all doers and home-enthusiasts. We are the go-to resource for fresh takes on home, food, and gardening—inspiring people to bring their dreams to life at home on special occasions and every day. BHG reaches 45 million readers each month. Learn more about us and our editorial process.