Ayse Pogue
Senior Horticulturist
Phone:
(847) 835-8377
Statement:
  • Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden
  • Evening Island
  • Ellis Goodman Family Foundation Green Roof Garden South
  • Josephine P. & John J. Louis Foundation Green Roof Garden North
  • Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden

Ayse Pogue is the senior horticulturist for the Malott Japanese Garden. She is also responsible for overseeing and coordinating the maintenance of Evening Island, the Ellis Goodman Family Foundation Green Roof Garden South, the Josephine P. & John J. Louis Foundation Green Roof Garden North, and the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden. In addition, Pogue assists with gardening classes, leads tours, and gives demonstrations.

Pogue has worked for the Garden since 2007, when she started out as a seasonal assistant horticulturist in the Farwell Landscape Garden, the Graham Bulb Garden, and the Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America. She also worked as the assistant horticulturist for the William Pullman Plant Evaluation Garden and the Children's Outdoor Classroom. Two years later, she was promoted to horticulturist in the Dwarf Conifer Garden and the Waterfall Garden, and then to her current position.

Inspired by her work at the Garden, Pogue decided to continue her formal education and received a master's degree in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois in December 2013. She takes her passion for plants home by maintaining a large vegetable garden and raising heirloom chickens in a handmade coop in her suburban Chicago backyard.