Clippings - May - August, 2021 by Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta | Gainesville | May – August 2021

Tour four private retreats New gardens set for Storza Woods Plant Closeup: Native azaleas

| Atlanta President’s Message Over the course of my career I have been fortunate to lead efforts to showcase sculpture in the garden. It’s a love of mine, born from a father who painted in his spare time and from watching my sister’s talented hand draw from an early age. Later, my husband inspired a love of sculpture as he designed metal sculptures and later fish from papier mache. They influenced me in so many ways, and I have been dedicated to the integration of sculpture in beautiful gardens for more than 30 years. In 2002, as the Garden’s new executive director, the opportunity to present diverse and imaginative exhibitions went beyond my wildest dreams as a team of board and staff embraced a bold vision for integrating art into the Garden. A big motivator was to expand our audience through innovative exhibitions. Dale Chihuly had just entered the scene at the Garfield Park Conservatory with a remarkable exhibition of his glass sculptures displayed among tropical plants that attracted more than 1 million visitors. In 2004, the Atlanta Botanical Garden hosted the third exhibition of Chihuly’s work and the first in which his glass was integrated into the outdoor gardens. We prepared as best as possible and were stunned by the results – visitation doubled, membership doubled, and the Garden’s reputation in the city changed dramatically as it became the “it” place to be. Chihuly in the Garden changed everything for the Garden. During the six-month exhibition, the Garden demonstrated its importance to the cultural fabric of the city, charmed the community with the beauty of gardens and glass, and prompted the question “What’s next”? That remains the question we live with on a daily basis, always looking for interesting, creative and intriguing art to complement the expanding gardens. Last year, an exhibition of Alice in Wonderland’s topiary-like sculptures proved to be immensely popular and a safe haven during the pandemic. Knowing we could offer an art-and-garden experience like no other, we’ve decided to present two different shows in 2021, one realistic and the other fanciful and abstract. They complement one another by their “SUPERnatural” size, blowing the proportion of plants and space out of scale. The Garden was able to attract these two talented artists because of its many world-class exhibitions over the last 17 years. It’s become a part of the fabric of the Garden, and I hope something that inspires children in Atlanta with the magic that happens between gardens and art. Mary Pat Matheson

Gigantic, flowing aerial art floats through Storza Woods this spring Is it a flock of neon-bright birds? Or maybe a school of multicolored fish? (Well, only when fish fly.) Whatever it is, seeing is believing when it comes to the Garden’s annual sculpture exhibition opening this spring SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion, presented May 15 through September 19, features a massive, custom-created “skynet” sculpture of streamers seemingly floating in the air above Storza Woods. Called “Dream Flora,” the skynet is an experiential aerial installation by Patrick Shearn of Los Angeles-based Poetic Kinetics, known for its large-scale works of public art. “Our guests have come to expect spring exhibitions of extraordinary sculpture, and this installation of contemporary art is going to blow them away,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO. “It’s a super-sized showing of art that Atlanta has never experienced before.” “Dream Flora” is composed of red, orange, purple and yellow nylon streamers attached to webs of nylon fishing net that are suspended by ropes in the trees of the Southern Seasons Garden. The installation then extends to the Canopy Walk, where it flows above, under and beside the suspension bridge, crossing the entry road at two points and gliding through the air like a flock of birds. The 12,500-square-foot skynet ranges in width from five to 25 feet and in height from 12 to 40 feet. The design creates a fanciful, almost lyrical, expression that, with its brilliant colors, explores the all-green tree canopy, leading guests to experience Storza Woods in a fresh, unexpected way. “For this site-specific work in Storza Woods – lush, green, ancient and majestic – I’ve introduced a stunning contrast with floating, ever-changing color, ranging free in the forest,” Shearn said. Shearn designs his signature skynets to evoke the natural phenomenon of flocking, such as schooling fish or swarming insects. Because the sculptures are suspended with transparent netting and rigged inconspicuously, the colorful streamers appear to float on their own while fluttering in the wind. “What really moves me – and I hope, those experiencing my work – is the sense of awe and wonder at the invisible, natural

Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO

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“What really moves me – and I hope, those experiencing my work – is the sense of awe and wonder at the invisible, natural forces at play around us.” – Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics

Top: Skynet by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. Below left: Reflection Rising, Canal Convergence 2018, Scottsdale Public Art. Right: Visions in Motion, Berlin, 2019

forces at play around us,” said Shearn, whose expertise in animatronics, robotics and visual effects was gleaned over a 30year career in the film industry. Shearn’s team has created public art all over the world, including installations for Burning Man, the Coachella Music Festival, the City of El Paso, Texas and Germany’s 30th anniversary commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Yet, Atlanta’s “Dream Flora” will be unique in that it is Shearn’s first skynet for both a botanical garden and a wooded area, which presents its own share of logistical challenges, including ensuring minimal impact on the pristine nature of the setting. “This is the most challenging installation we have taken on, but I feel totally confident that we can install something magical to complement the inherent beauty of the location,” Shearn said. “I hope that from it visitors will have a deeper appreciation of the forces of nature that flow all around us.” atlantabg.org

| Atlanta Atlanta

Jason Gamrath’s glass sculptures bloom in a big way The Garden will be ablaze with shimmering, larger-than-life glass sculptures of plants this spring when it presents SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom May 15 – October 31, featuring the work of artist Jason Gamrath. The sculpture will be paired with another installation of contemporary art – the aerial kinetic sculpture of Patrick Shearn of Los Angeles-based Poetic Kinetics (page 2) – for an over-the-top exhibition throughout the Garden. The Gamrath exhibition will present dozens of large-scale contemporary glass sculptures reflecting the beauty of nature. The 13 installations of about 150 pieces of brilliantly colorful sculptures will all represent blooming plants. Of those, the Seattle-based artist has created about 30 exclusively for the Garden’s exhibition, his largest ever. Displayed throughout both indoors and out, and containing metal accents, the sculptures will feature orchids, pitcher plants, aloes, lotuses and more. The master glass artist, who has exhibited his work internationally, is known for his colorful take on nature. “The purpose of creating this series on a macro scale is to bring to light the beauty that exists within the micro scale of nature,” said Gamrath, whose career has been inspired by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly, who presented exhibitions at the Garden in 2004 and 2016. “When I scale life forms up to be larger than a person, they can be observed with this perspective from across a room due to the overwhelming physical presence they command.” Guests may also experience the exhibition dramatically lit at night during Cocktails in the Garden, including cash bars and live entertainment, from 5 - 9 p.m. 4

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Atlanta |

art+ flowers

“The purpose of creating this series on a macro scale is to bring to light the beauty that exists within the micro scale of nature.”

How annuals are used to complement sculptures

– Jason Gamrath

Indigo Blue Icicle Tower, Dale Chiuly, 2015

The Garden is known for its intriguing, bright flower beds of annuals that accentuate certain spaces and sometimes even tell a story with color and texture to highlight sculptures. Summer art exhibitions almost always utilize the beds to complement sculptures or to set the stage with a dramatic backdrop. The typical guest may not realize that planning for the beds starts at least one year in advance. It begins with a team of horticulturists working with the artists to determine a vision for the display of their sculpture. Artists often have strong opinions on how they would like their art to be displayed, and the staff strives to deliver that vision as completely as possible. With that goal, the horticulturists then design the beds with a plant palette to accompany the sculptures. The process sometimes goes through several rounds of approvals and tweaks to make sure the design is just right. Sometimes beds are planted in a monochromatic color palette to ensure the art is the star of the show, such as in the upcoming exhibition, SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom. Guests will notice that the beds are highly patterned with different textures although often in all one color. The annual bed becomes the stage for a sculpture and ensures that eyes are drawn to what’s being displayed. Conversely, during the 2018 exhibition, Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time, the horticulture team set out to tell a story with flowers. Guests who looked closely may have imagined the Mosaiculture Phoenix erupting from the flaming red, yellow and orange flower beds that surrounded it. Jim Smith Horticulture Manager

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| Atlanta

PL ANT CLOSEUP:

Native azaleas Nothing welcomes springtime like this blooming shrub, an old southern favorite

Native azaleas are one of the most spectacular blooming and fragrant shrubs in Georgia during spring and late summer. Indigenous to the Southeast, they are commonly found along stream banks and in moist woodlands growing in partial shade. This native prefers acidic soil and grows tall and airy rather than low and dense like the more common, evergreen exotic azaleas. Flower colors range from white to several different shades of pink, red, yellow, orange and salmon. The tubular flowers appear on the tips of the branches and typically have stamens that extend beyond the petals. These flowers attract numerous pollinators including butterflies and hummingbirds. Native azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron, which includes evergreen Rhododendron and deciduous and evergreen azaleas. As deciduous shrubs, native azaleas lose their leaves in fall and typically flower before new leaves emerge in spring. They can be planted any time of year, but fall plantings tend to have higher success rates. Opposite are six noteworthy species:

Rhododendron austrinum

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Rhododendron canescens

Compiled by Michael Sheek, Horticulture Manager

Atlanta |

Rhododendron arborescens

Rhododendron prunifolium

Rhododendron canescens

Rhododendron alabamense

Rhododendron colemanii

Rhododendron austrinum

Common name: Sweet azalea or smooth azalea Size: 8 - 12 feet tall and wide Flower color: White to pale pink with dark pink to red stamens extending beyond the petals Bloom time: Early June Cultural info: Likes well drained soil, doesn’t like “wet feet” Notes: Has dark green foliage with whitened undersides

Common name: Alabama azalea Size: 5 - 6 feet tall and wide with a rounded shape Flower color: White with a prominent lemon yellow blotch on the upper petal, has a distinctive lemon fragrance Bloom time: Spring, April Cultural info: Grows in drier woodlands compared to other native azaleas, spreads by underground runners, native to Alabama and Georgia Notes: Possibly the most fragrant native azalea

Common name: Plumleaf azalea Size: 8 - 12 feet tall, 6 - 8 feet wide Flower color: Orange, red, pink or white Bloom time: Late summer Cultural info: Performs well in the South, heat tolerant Notes: Flowers aren’t fragrant, a good cultivar is R. ‘Millenium’

Common name: Red Hills azalea Size: 10 - 12 feet tall, 5 - 6 feet wide Flower color: White, pink and sometimes pale yellow, some with a yellow blotch on upper petal Bloom time: Mid- to late May Cultural info: Native to upper coastal plain of Alabama and western Georgia Notes: Previously confused with R. alabamense, which flowers earlier with consistent white flowers with a yellow blotch

Common name: Mountain azalea, Piedmont azalea Size: 6 -15 feet tall and 6 - 12 feet wide Flower color: Fragrant pale pink flowers (but sometimes white) Bloom time: Early April, one of the earliest bloomers Cultural info: Leaves may scorch in full sun Notes: Naturalizes by root suckers

Common name: Florida azalea or Florida flame azalea Size: 6 - 10 feet tall, 4 - 6 feet wide Flower color: Fragrant flowers are yellow, peach or orange-red Bloom time: Early spring, April Cultural info: It’s drought tolerant once established, native range is Georgia to Florida Notes: A popular cultivar is R. ‘Lisa’s Gold’ and ‘Firecracker’

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| Atlanta

Bright ideas atlantabg.org

Atlanta |

Get inspired during Atlanta’s favorite garden tour Face it: Everyone is beyond ready to get out of the house. Between the cold winter and the languishing pandemic, there’s got to be an elixir for cabin fever. Here’s one cure: The 37th annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, set for Mother’s Day weekend. The event features four private gardens in Atlanta, most designed and maintained by the homeowners themselves. The tour is known for serving up much-needed inspiration as well as loads of plant and design ideas. Look for exquisite iron gates, rotating sculptures, secret gardens, unusual plant varieties, even transplanted European relics and ruins. As with last year’s event, guest capacity

GARDENS FOR CONNOISSEURS TOUR Saturday, May 8 – Sunday, May 9 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine Tickets: $35 ($30 members), available only online. Masks required of all guests, staff and volunteers. will be limited at each garden to ensure social distancing. And because fewer tickets will be available, the self-guided tour, which benefits the Garden, could sell out quickly. For more information, visit atlantabg.org.

| Atlanta

Frog leaps to new Tenth Street home A legacy of the Garden’s mosaiculture exhibitions will leap to a prominent location in Midtown’s business district this spring as part of a new linear park planned between the Tenth Street and Arts Center MARTA stations.

A frog sculpture that originally was featured in the 2013 Imaginary Worlds exhibition will beckon pedestrians from the median at Tenth and West Peachtree streets. The plant sculpture will mark the southernmost entrance to Art Walk, a half-mile, five-block corridor being developed by Midtown Alliance and partners that aims to provide an interactive experience with numerous art installations. “This is the first time we have

displayed a sculpture outside of the Garden, so it’s a really cool partnership,” said Amanda Bennett, the Garden’s Vice President of Horticulture & Collections. The first phase of the project is being developed between Tenth and Eleventh streets along Peachtree Walk. Planted at the Garden, the frog will remain in Midtown through Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, Bennett said. Staff will maintain the sculpture with weekly waterings and sheering.

’22 Flower Show Juried showcase celebrates ‘Metamorphosis’ “Metamorphosis” has been selected as the theme for the 2022 Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show, set for February 25 – 27. The biennial indoor juried event showcases artistry in the competitive divisions of Horticulture, Floral Design, Photography and Landscape Design. Registration for all divisions opens August 16. Next year’s show will honor Mary Wayne Dixon, a lifelong supporter of the Garden and dedicated volunteer. Proceeds from the event benefit the International Plant Exploration Program. For ticket information and an Exhibitor’s Guide, visit abgflowershow.org. 10

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Atlanta |

Edible Garden refresh

Project includes new row orientation, redesigned green wall This summer guests will enjoy the Edible Garden from a new angle as the 11-year-old space gets a refresh, including a newly redesigned green wall. The design of the raised beds changes each season, as do the crops growing within them. Yet the orientation of the rows has remained unchanged since the Edible Garden – the site of the Garden’s original parking lot – opened in May 2010. The horticulture team, along with original designer Tres Fromme, decided it was time for a twist on a favorite element in the garden; the seasonal row crops will now run parallel to the main sidewalk bisecting the space as opposed to running perpendicularly. Visitors will be able to look to either side of the path and feel immersed in the rows, as if they’re walking through a field. Smaller crops, planted closer to the sidewalk, will be followed by medium-sized and then taller crops, allowing guests to be enveloped with growth. Guests will witness a layered effect of several rows of crops in their field of view. This summer’s row crops will feature eggplant, peppers, tomatoes

and onions, punctuated with herbs and edible flowers, and as always, produce harvested will be used in educational programming. The new design also promises more growing space, which could lead to topping last year’s donation of 750 pounds of excess fresh produce to community nonprofits that help feed the hungry. One of the most challenging features of the Edible Garden over the years has been its constantly evolving green wall. The original wall featured herbs and perennials planted in soil-filled crates clipped into a metal structure. Over the years, the north/northwest orientation coupled with weathering and degradation of the metal made growing herbs and switching out plants less feasible. The renovated structure will feature a highly designed kiwi wall. Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) vines will twine around a criss-crossing wire trellis and after just a couple seasons will reliably produce sweet fruits. Raleigh Wasser Horticulture Manager

First an herb and perennial wall (above, right), the newly refurbished green wall in the Edible Garden is now home to hardy kiwi vines.

| Atlanta

Woodland facelift New plantings, water feature aim to make Storza sparkle

Guests who have ventured over the Canopy Walk lately may have noticed quite a bit of commotion going on below, as the new year kicked off a tidal wave of plantings happening throughout the Garden, especially in Storza Woods. Under construction is a new water feature that will add rushing rapids and waterfalls complemented by new plantings. The Glade Garden also is being remodeled, transforming from a meadow-like planting to a more vibrant, organized perennial garden in the woodands. In addition, staff have been busy adding hundreds of unique terrestrial orchids in the Garden’s hardy orchid collection, mostly in Storza Woods. Species include Bletilla, Cypripedium, Calanthe and Spiranthes as well as a variety of hybrids. These specimens will complement the color progression of the bloom times of existing azaleas, adding a new exotic feel to the woodland’s understory. The new water feature and gardens, named the Mary Ellen Imlay Channel Garden, will be completed this fall and is made possible by a generous donation from The Imlay Foundation. The eye-catching water feature will complement and highlight the tranquility and peacefulness of the woodlands. This major project encompasses the coordinated efforts of multiple contractors and tree services to ensure the least amount of impact is done to the fragile ecosystem of the woodland. Before construction crews arrived, the horticulture staff was tasked with the arduous job of digging up and relocating plants that would be impacted

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by the construction zone’s footprint. In addition to the project, the Glade area surrounding the giant Chihuly Neon Tower was due for a facelift. The garden originally had been designed as a loose interpretation of a meadow or grassland garden. But poor drainage led to fungal issues, creating an uphill battle for keeping plants alive and looking fresh. The new design will not only solve the issue but also create a more

Calanthe ‘Eco Rose’

cohesive feel throughout the woodlands, providing spectacular pops of color throughout the seasons. Maxwell Mackenzie Senior Horticulturist

Atlanta | Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour

SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion Saturday, May 15 – Sunday, Sept. 19 Experience a gigantic custom-created “skynet” sculpture of streamers seemingly floating in the air above the Garden’s Storza Woods. Called “Dream Flora,” the multi-colored skynet is an experiential aerial installation by Patrick Shearn of Los Angeles-based Poetic Kinetics, known for its large-scale works of public art.

Cocktails in the Garden Tuesdays - Sundays, May through September, 5 – 9 p.m.

SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom

Enjoy cocktails from cash bars and live entertainment while exploring the summer exhibition of artist Jason Gamrath’s glass sculptures dramatically lit at night.

Saturday, May 15 – Sunday, Oct. 31 Explore dozens of large-scale contemporary glass sculptures reflecting the beauty of nature. Seattle-based artist Jason Gamrath will present 13 installations of about 150 pieces of brilliantly colorful sculptures representing blooming plants, including about 30 created exclusively for the Garden’s exhibition.

Refugee Recipe Celebration Sunday, June 26 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Special guests from Friends of Refugees will serve tastes of food highlighting traditional recipes from several countries. Since 2017, they have joined Garden staff and volunteers to cook together and share cultural connections through food.

atlanta happenings

Saturday, May 8 – Sunday, May 9 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tour four private home gardens in metro Atlanta for inspiration and design ideas. Capacity is limited to ensure a safe experience. Tickets available only at atlantabg.org.

Garden of Eden Ball Saturday, Sept. 25 7 p.m. The gala returns to the Great Lawn as the Garden’s largest annual fundraising event, generating vital revenue for Garden operations. For more information, visit gardenofedenball.org or email apearson@atlantabg.org.

Hot off the presses! Go behind the scenes at the Garden with PlantIntel, the annual publication dedicated to sharing the staff ’s stories of “science in action.” Read it online at issuu.com/ atlantabotanicalgarden Please note: Photos are from previous years; masks are now required in the Garden.

| Gainesville

A Note from the Director As we move into the warmer months of late spring we continue to see many new visitors in the Gainesville Garden as well as the return of many of our members and volunteers. Like them, you won’t want to miss Wings of Wonder: Towering Works of Nature, our sculpture exhibition created by The Myth Makers, artists Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. A pair of cardinals and Flannery the Peacock speak to the magic of birds and imagining what flight would be like. The March installation included art students from Brenau University and was a great opportunity for them to get hands-on experience with a large-scale sculpture installation. Peals of laughter continue to resonate down the hill from the Ada Mae Pass Ivester Children’s Garden as kids and grandkids alike run, laugh and learn – whether it’s during Story Time, Garden Grooves or at a Discovery Cart. And we look forward to bringing back more programs in the Children’s Garden as the pandemic moves into our rear-view mirror and the plantings mature. New plantings in the parking lot and on the Event Lawn feature a new collection of Baptisia (Wild Indigo) cultivars from Walters Gardens. The company’s breeding efforts lead the nation in introducing new varieties – from pale yellow (‘Lemon Meringue’) to pink (‘Pink Truffles’) to dark wine (‘Burgundy Blast’) – that add punctuations of color in the late spring garden. And don’t miss our reformatted and renamed Cocktails in the Garden on Saturday evenings. The Garden is open until 8 p.m., and it’s the perfect time to enjoy it with a favorite beverage while also pre-ordering food options from Harvest Kitchen. So come outside, enjoy the fresh air and the Garden, still safely and socially distanced. Hope to see you in the Garden soon! Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director

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Meet the

Myth Makers Artists find inspiration in magical, yet familiar, nature of birds

A small flock of birds is calling the Gainesville garden home until fall. The monumental sculptures, created from natural materials out of the artists’ love of the wild, include a pair of cardinals, each 15 feet tall, and a peacock with a 15-foot-long tail. The trio are the work of Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein, a husband-and-wife team known as The Myth Makers. The Massachusetts artists recently chatted with Clippings about their exhibition, Wings of Wonder: Towering Works of Nature, which continues through October 31: How did you choose to focus your largescale work on birds? Birds are magical. They inspire humans to imagine what it might be like to fly. Birds are also familiar. Almost everyone has a bird story. We enjoy the challenge of researching a local bird and using its symbolism to tell a story about a local hero or heroine that resonates with the communities where we build our work. Where do you get your materials from to make the pieces? We harvest the bamboo domestically, and we use found objects, recycled materials and repurposed industrial materials to decorate and add whimsy to our sculptures.

Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein

Do you have a “shared vision” for The Myth Makers, as you each have your own art that you are also working on? We often say our work is a combination of Donna’s signature animal- headed mythological figures and Andy’s sapling construction techniques, but after 10 years of working as a team, it has become much more than that. Our Myth Makers career has taken on a life of its own. We do community engagement, science communication and social practice. How did you decide to create the peacock for the Gainesville garden and to make it immersive? We wanted to celebrate Georgia native Flannery O’Connor, the iconic author of southern fiction. She loved peacocks and enjoyed their company on her estate. O’Connor and peacocks seemed a perfect match for your garden. As we searched for the location of the new commissioned work, we selected a large area that inspired us to design an interactive installation. We love the challenge of creating monumental sculptures with architectural spaces. The Flannery peacock is designed to inhabit this magical garden space.

Gainesville |

Through October 31

Massachusetts–based artists Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein will inspire visitors with their monumental sculptures featuring a pair of 15-foot-tall cardinals and a giant peacock, all made from natural materials such as bamboo, tree saplings and found objects.

Cocktails in the Garden Saturdays, 3 - 8 p.m., May - October Enjoy drinks from cash bars while strolling the Garden in the cool of the evening. Pre-ordered delivery meal options from Harvest Kitchen available for dining al fresco on the Event Lawn or in the Ivester Amphitheatre.

Hardy aquatics Mix up the garden with water-loving plants Aquatic gardening can be a fresh and exciting way to mix things up in the landscape, and fortunately there are plenty of outstanding plants for the Southeast that will return year after year. A pond is not even needed to have fun with these water-loving plants. As long as there is plenty of sun, many of them can be grown in large tubs filled with soil and water. Interestingly, some plants are content to live in either total standing water or simply consistently wet soils, including even common garden favorites such as Canna Lilies (Canna spp.), Elephant Ears (Colocasia spp.) and Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos). Another great aquatic plant is Powdery Thalia (Thalia dealbata), a native perennial featuring tall, elegant, blue-green foliage and unusual purple flowers in summer. For spring blooms, consider vibrant Japanese Irises (Iris ensata) or fragrant Spider Lilies (Hymenocallis liriosme). Keep the interest going through the colder months when all else is dormant with colorful water-loving grasses such as Golden Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’) and Blue Arrows Rush (Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Arrows’). For any type of deep standing water,

Family-Led Fun May – August Pick up a fun self-guided family activity or a seasonal scavenger hunt in the Visitor Center while exploring the Garden.

gainesville happenings

Wings of Wonder: Towering Works of Nature

Story Time & Smile / Grab ‘N Go Craft

whether it’s a pond or a container, there are many varieties of waterlilies (Nymphaea) and lotus (Nelumbo) that are perfectly cold hardy and available in a wide range of flower color, forms and sizes. It’s recommended that these be planted in individual containers and then submerged to prevent them from spreading too much. The ponds at the Gainesville garden will be replanted this year with new waterlilies, lotuses and plenty of other interesting aquatic plants. Check them out for ideas to try at home. Michael Del Valle Senior Horticulturist

10 a.m. Wednesdays, May – October Join other families in a sociallydistanced environment for an interactive storybook time with nature-inspired fairytales and seasonal themes. The reader will utilize props and microphones, and create a fun and interactive time for all. Afterwards, families can take home an art activity to complete.

Garden Grooves 10 a.m. Thursdays, May – October Get ready to sing and dance and wiggle and warble! Join the Garden for music and stories inspired by nature and seasonal themes, and dance the morning away! Social distancing will be maintained.

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Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30309

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membersonly Member Premiere Evenings Contributing and above Monday, May 17, 6 – 9 p.m.* Individual – Family Plus Tuesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 20, 6 - 9 p.m.* Circles (invitation only) Wednesday, May 19, 6 – 9 p.m. NOTE: Entry based on timed tickets, reserved online. Experience SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion, Glass Art in Bloom at the Atlanta garden, featuring live music, imaginative entertainment, interactive activities and discovery stations – fun for the entire family! Check atlantabg.org for details. SUPPORTING-LEVEL & ABOVE

Strings in the Garden Monday, June 7, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Gainesville Monday, Sept. 13, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Atlanta Supporting-level and above members are

QUESTIONS? Call 404-591-1539 or email membership@atlantabg.org invited to enjoy this popular musical evening in the Garden with a live strings performance, hors d’oeuvres and libations. (To upgrade to the Supporting level or above, please call 404-591-1544). CONTRIBUTING & ABOVE

Light Bites & Garden Insights Monday, June 28, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Atlanta Contributing-level and above members may enjoy refreshments and a behind-the-scenes presentation by a Garden horticulturist. Look for an email with details before the event. (To upgrade to the Contributing level or above, call 404-591-1544).

Member Summer Evening Monday, July 26, 5 - 9 p.m., Atlanta Explore SUPERnatural, listen to live music and enjoy surprise entertainment and kids’ activities. Food for purchase at the Quick Café and Longleaf restaurant.

Gift of Membership Looking for the perfect gift? A Garden membership is a gift for any occasion. Recipients enjoy 12 months of free admission during regular hours at two locations, plus other valuable benefits. For details, visit atlantabg.org/giftmembership.

planthotline

404-888-GROW

Why should I consider the plant hardiness zone of new plants for my garden?

Georgia (mountains), most of Georgia falls into Zone 8A. Selecting plants labeled for that zone will increase the likelihood that they will survive the long hot and humid summers and winters with a low temperature between 10 and 20 degrees. The mountain areas fall within the zone 7A, indicating that the lowest temperatures can fall below 0 in winter.

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is divided into 13 zones. Each zone is based on average weather conditions, especially winter. A plant’s hardiness zone classification is based on the plant’s ability to survive that zone’s average weather conditions. Other than extreme North

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2020 Volunteer of the Year:

Sally Crowe

Early days: When Sally Crowe started volunteering in 2010 as a children’s tour docent, the retired teacher immediately became a hit sharing the natural world with her infectiously delightful stories and charm. Soon after, she began leading adult groups on tours and then became a Discovery Volunteer. Current roles: Crowe is also a Visitor Center greeter. Over the years she has also helped with a number of Garden events, including the Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, Goblins in the Garden, camps, school outreach, Garden Lights and the Garden of Eden Ball, and served on several docent committees. Hours and awards: Crowe has volunteered for 12 years, and during that time has been a steadfast Centennial Volunteer, a member of the 200+ hour club and a two-time Volunteer of the Month, with a lifetime total of more than 2,500 hours. Hobbies: Always keeping busy, she also works in her own home garden in Morningside and participates in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, knitting scarves for the homeless. Her supervisor, Volunteer Manager Josh Todd says: “Sally is the most positive and cheerful volunteer, always smiling and bringing sunshine wherever she goes. I cannot think of a better fit than to name her our 2020 Volunteer of the Year and bring that positivity to a difficult year. Josh Todd, Volunteer Manager