Clippings - September - December 2023

President’s Message

Since 2016 the Garden has hosted an International Plant Exploration Program primarily focused on southeastern Asia where plant species grow under climate conditions similar those of Atlanta and Georgia. The program’s goals are diverse but focused on the conservation of plant species in that region as well as evaluating species for introduction into southeastern United States landscapes.

As with any program, that focus has broadened in recent years as we invest in our local partners and their ongoing efforts to conserve plants in their natural habitat and in out plantings. We have discovered that the expertise of our Asian partners and the Garden’s horticultural and botanical knowledge are easily shared to the great benefit of all.

As you will read in program manager Scott McMahan’s article (see page 14), these plant collecting trips are rugged, difficult, physically challenging but also energizing. Our staff members are true plant explorers of the modern century following in the considerable footsteps of pioneers like David Fairchild, who collected more than 200,000 edible plant species for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

From my perspective, our plant exploration program is both enriching and nerve wracking as Scott and others trek through the wildlands of Vietnam, China and India in search of threatened species and, in some cases, new species. They camp in places few humans have seen and encounter difficult terrain and the occasional venomous snake. While all efforts are made to assure the safe return of all travelers, I always let out a quiet sigh of relief when the team returns home. And I eagerly wait for the incredible photographs and written descriptions of the plant explorations in these exotic, beautiful places. With all that said, their work is also important to our foreign partners and their efforts to preserve wild places – and the plants that grow there now and in the future.

Plant exploration has changed dramatically since the days of David Fairchild. Early explorers collected specimens of value to bring home for plant introduction or display. Today’s approach primarily is focused on the conservation of plants – in the wild and in ex-situ (off site) collections to assure that germplasm is protected.

Loss of biodiversity is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and botanical gardens have an ever-growing role in saving plant species worldwide. We are amazing collaborators, sharing expertise and knowledge freely with other botanists and gardens. Together, we will continue to explore, collaborate and protect plants that make our world and our gardens thrive.

Mary Pat Matheson

Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO

have a in the Garden

FANTASTIC FALL

Cooler, shorter days and rust-colored foliage can mean only one thing as October suddenly appears on the calendar – the much-anticipated return of Scarecrows in the Garden.

Yet, the competition among hundreds of sculpture entries at both the Midtown and Gainesville gardens is just one of the Garden’s many family-fun activities offered throughout autumn, including the final chance to explore Trolls: Save the Humans by

Thomas Dambo

The 21st annual scarecrows exhibit – set for October 6 - 31 in Atlanta and October 3 - 29 in Gainesville – pits participants competing in the categories of Amateur, Creative Professional and Business. The spooky, wacky, sometimes zany – and always thought-provoking – entries are created by families, artists, businesses, schools and nonprofits. In Atlanta, guests will find them perched along the Promenade extending from the Visitor Center to Longleaf restaurant and into the Children’s Garden. Prizes include Premium Plus tickets to Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, Visa gift cards and family Garden memberships.

TROLLS: SAVE THE HUMANS BY THOMAS DAMBO

Through Sunday, Sept. 17, Atlanta

Don’t miss the final weeks of the exhibition featuring six of artist Thomas Dambo’s enormous folklore-inspired sculptures built from reclaimed materials as it makes its world premiere at the Garden.

FEST-OF-ALE

October Thursdays – Saturdays, 5 – 8 p.m., Atlanta

Explore Scarecrows in the Garden as darkness falls (Bring a flashlight!) while enjoying craft beers and live entertainment.

Vice President, Marketing: Jessica Boatright | Editor: Danny Flanders | Designer: Bo Shell | Membership Manager: Claudia McDavid

GOBLINS IN THE GARDEN

Sunday, Oct. 22; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Atlanta

Show off the little ones’ Halloween costumes on the Goblin Runway and enjoy fun fall-themed activities.

GREAT PUMPKINCARVING FESTIVAL

Thursday, Oct. 26, 5 – 9 p.m., Atlanta

An annual favorite, watch as contestants compete for the most creative pumpkin head designs in the Garden while enjoying Fest-ofAle! Scarecrows winners also will be announced during the event.

Scarecrows in the Garden is presented with support from Audi Atlanta.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Member tickets go on sale September 22!

As if Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ weren’t spectacle enough in its own right, the upcoming iteration, presented November 18 – January 14, features lots of new displays – and in a BIG way! Think life-size deer, gigantic butterflies and one enormous white rabbit for helping kick off the 2023 yuletide season.

Timed tickets for the 13th annual crowd-favorite go on sale to members on September 22, one week before the general public, on September 29.

New for this year’s light show are:

• A giant all white skynet suspended near the Flower Walk by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, the artist for 2021’s SUPERnatural exhibit in Storza Woods. The 144-foot-long by 11-foot-wide canopy will be dramatically lit from above.

• The addition of large illuminated metal sculptures of deer and birds positioned in the Anne Cox Chambers Garden. The ethereal sculptures by French artist Cédric Le Borgne include two deer grazing among the grasses and six birds (including four from last year’s show) perched among the hardwoods or taking flight through the treetops.

• The towering White Rabbit from a previous Alice in Wonderland-themed mosaiculture exhibition, covered in multi-colored lights and holding court at the center of the Skyline Garden pond (Psst: The sculpture doubles as a small preview to the Alice-themed exhibition debuting at the Garden in spring 2024!).

• Gigantic lighted butterflies – each 11 feet wide –suspended from the treetops above Camellia Walk.

Garden Lights is presented with support from The Home Depot Foundation, Isdell Family Foundation, Audi Atlanta, Georgia Power and Primrose Schools.

islands Fantasy

Laborious project turns grand vision into tropical reality

Like a mirage in the desert, the Skyline Garden pond this summer sprouted water lilies, lotus, Amazon water platters – and even islands. This tropical paradise, however, was no illusion but the result of a major undertaking by the Garden’s horticulture team.

Since 2017 the pond has provided a reflecting backdrop for some of the most iconic artwork from past exhibitions, including a giant White Rabbit mosaiculture sculpture and a towering Origami flower bouquet. This year, with no sculpture planned to anchor it, the pond presented a blank canvas for showing off aquatics – plants rarely seen en masse at botanical gardens.

With a goal of blocking site lines straight across the pond to create a sense of mystery and the urge to explore, the staff designed three simple islands, stretching and undulating to create the effect of a river traveling among them in interesting ways. Building the islands, however, proved to be mentally and physically challenging. The islands are actually elevated platforms built from Marinegrade wood and cleverly set about one foot below the surface of the water. A series of cinder block pylons holds the islands off the bottom of the pond while a joisted floor creates the base.

Because the center of the pond is 30 feet from its lipped edge, machinery couldn’t be used to haul in soil, so all 22 horticulturists hoisted 30 tons of fill dirt to the center – one bucket at a time. After smoothing and contouring, three islands emerged and were planted with about 450 water-loving marginal pond plants, such as cannas, irises, ruellia, hibiscus, alocasia and colocasia.

Surrounding the islands are about 120 water lilies, lotus and water platters, mostly native to tropical regions. Tropical water lilies in general are bigger, more colorful and more flamboyant than their hardy counterparts. Several lilies in the collection are unusual Australian hybrids, but the belles of the ball are two Amazon lilies, Victoria cruziana, that grace the pond’s center. These thorny lilies naturally occur in South Africa, predominantly in the Brazilian Amazon River, and the pads can grow 5 to 8 feet across.

Jim Smith Senior Outdoor Horticulture Manager

Staff haul in buckets of soil.

Islands are built on elevated platforms.

450 marginal pond plants fill the islands.

DAHLIAS

Perennial favorite offers dramatic blooms, unique foliage color spring through fall

Dahlias, those beloved, summer-blooming perennials, are a must for any garden.

Dahlias are grown from tubers that start emerging from the soil in mid-spring. New or bare-root tubers can be planted any time in the spring or even started indoors a few weeks before the last frost date to give them a head start. Dahlias should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil, as excessive moisture can lead the tubers to rot as well as cause fungal issues.

There are several types of Dahlias, ranging from the low-growing, mounding type to ones that can reach 5 to 10 feet tall. They offer a wide variety of flower forms, including singles, cactus, pompon, ball, anemone and dinner-plate shapes – not to mention every color in the rainbow. Here are a few to consider.

Taylor Polomsky Senior Horticulturist

Dahlia imperialis

Tree Dahlia

Bloom time: October

Characteristics: This plant is pretty atypical compared to your average Dahlia. Tree Dahlia is a perennial plant that has potential to reach tree size and puts on a gorgeous display of flowers in late fall. Emerging from dormancy in the springtime, this plant will quickly grow to heights of 8 to 10 feet, with potential to reach even higher if happy. In late fall the top of the plant puts on an impressive display of light pink flowers that attract tons of pollinators. Where to see in the Garden: Perennial and Skyline gardens

Dahlia ‘Melody Harmony’

Decorative Dahlia

Bloom time: July - frost

Characteristics: A must-have for the garden, this Dahlia has light pink flowers with bits of white mixed in. One of the most attractive features of this cultivar is its dark purple foliage. Planted among other plants with lighter foliage, this Dahlia makes a bold statement. Where to see in the Garden: Rose Garden

Dahlia ‘Jan Van Schaffelaar’

Pompon Dahlia

Bloom time: July – frost

Characteristics: Pompon Dahlias are unique in that their blooms are almost globe like which gives a welcomed difference in texture to garden spaces. Specifically, the blooms on this cultivar are pink, about 2 inches across, globular, and resemble lollipops.

Dahlia ‘Kevin Floodlight’

Dinner plate Dahlia

Bloom time: July – frost

Characteristics: Dinner plate Dahlias are an informal class of Dahlias that get their name from the enormous size of their blooms which resemble the size of a dinner plate. This cultivar will quickly reach 3 to 4 feet tall and begins blooming in June. Its pale yellow flowers can span 10 to 12 inches wide! Most dinner plate Dahlias tend to get top heavy because of their tall height and large flowers, so staking may be necessary.

Dahlia ‘Dark Side of the Sun’

Decorative Dahlia

Bloom time: July – frost

Characteristics: With stunning dark purple foliage, this Dahlia is an easy to grow cultivar that will surely catch your eye. With the backdrop of its dark foliage, 3-inch yellow flowers brushed with streaks of apricot emerge, making this perennial a cut above the rest. Where to see in the Garden: Conifer Garden

Dahlia coccinea ‘True Wild Form’

Bloom time: June – frost

Characteristics: A true showstopper, this Dahlia grows up to 5 feet tall and wide. This heavy-blooming perennial will elevate any space with bold red flowers starting in June that last through fall. Periodic deadheading is not required but will help extend bloom time and increase the number of flowers. Each season it returns even fuller and vigorous than the last. Where to see in the Garden: Perennial Garden

SHUTTLE ACCESS TO EXISTING GARDEN

STORZA WOODS GLADE GARDEN

EXPANSION UPDATE

Storza connector

New gardens to be accessed via woodland pathway, shuttle service

When the Garden’s planned expansion is complete, the new addition is expected to connect with the existing site via a pathway and trolley service extending from Storza Woods.

Guests will be able to enter the nearly 8-acre expansion in two ways – either from a new second entrance along the Atlanta Beltline or from the existing Garden. For the latter, a new pathway will extend from the Glade Garden in Storza Woods to the highest

point of the new site near the proposed Orangerie. After exploring the new garden, visitors may exit the same way they entered or board a trolley in a drop-off circle off Piedmont Avenue that will take them to the existing Garden via the woodlands as well.

From the Orangerie Terrace, guests will have a breathtaking view of the new site, as the gardens and water features descend below along a 45-foot grade extending to the

Beltline. From that vantage point, they can take in the beauty of a green roof topping the new visitor center and beer garden/café near the entrance.

“We are going to activate the Beltline,” Garden President & CEO Mary Pat Matheson said of the plan, which will make the Garden the city’s first cultural attraction directly accessible from the 22-mile loop. “My mantra is one garden, two entrances,

GARDEN SERVICE ACCESS

Renderings by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects

SHUTTLE PICK-UP

PATHWAY TO STORZA WOODS

and fully sustainable.”

Even though in time the new space is expected to blend with the old, the expansion will be more contemporary in design than the existing Garden, with materials not found in original space.

The project’s design team, Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, has developed a concept that emphasizes water but with sustainability as the overarching goal. The

basins of water features, for example, will be designed to look attractive in times of drought. Many new trees will be planted along the Beltline side, providing shade to pedestrians and cyclists as they enter from the concrete trail.

“We’re investing in green over gray,” Matheson said.

The Garden expects site work for the project, which is still in the early planning

phase, to begin in early 2025 with a targeted completion of late 2027.

Most of the required land has been acquired from commercial parcels along Piedmont Avenue that were purchased over the last several years. Meanwhile, the Garden has launched a comprehensive capital campaign for developing the property.

For updates, visit atlantabg.org.

VISITOR CENTER & GREEN ROOF

BELTLINE

Imperiled beauty

Artist aims to raise awareness of Georgia’s endangered plants

An Atlanta artist and author is hoping her paintings will foster an appreciation of the beauty of plants that not only are native to Georgia but also federally endangered species worth saving.

“Imperiled Beauty” features 19 watercolors by Laura Martin, who has been writing about and illustrating nature for 40 years, in an exhibit in Gardenhouse Gallery through December 3.

“Some of these plants grow only in Georgia and nowhere else,” Martin said. “They are an irreplaceable part of the natural heritage of our state, so my goal is to raise awareness about them and be sure that they are saved for future generations.”

Martin said she was inspired to paint the plants through her volunteer work in the Garden’s Conservation Greenhouse. Her hope is that the exhibit of watercolors, which are not for sale, will travel to other venues to further spread her message.

Clippings recently spoke with the artist and author of 26 books about the project:

What inspired you to paint these watercolors of endangered plants?

Volunteering at the Garden has allowed me to work with many rare and threatened plants. It’s made me realize that not only were these plants precious because of their vulnerability, but many of them also are just absolutely beautiful.

Why do you think this exhibit is such a good fit for the Garden?

The Garden has been a leader in plant conservation for many years and is highly respected throughout the world. The Garden also has always exhibited a balance of scientific inquiry with gorgeous floral displays. My exhibit mimics that combination of art and science.

What do you hope guests get out of the exhibit?

I hope to give these endangered species a voice and a personality so that guests will experience a connection with the plants. I hope they leave with an appreciation of the beauty of these plants, a greater understanding of why they are threatened and a sense of purpose for taking action to save them.

Martin’s paintings include (clockwise) Fringed Campion, Pondberry, Whorled Sunflower, Relict Trillium and Green Pitcher Plant.

Ball celebrates ‘By the Light of the Harvest Moon’

Celebrate the new season at the 2023 Garden of Eden Ball, the Garden’s largest annual fundraising event, set for Saturday, Sept. 30. With the theme “By the Light of the Harvest Moon,” the evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails in the Garden, followed by a sumptuous dinner in a tented ballroom with live entertainment and dancing. Sponsored by Cox Enterprises Inc., the event honors the Peachtree and Cherokee garden clubs. For information, visit gardenofedenball.org.

Circles Members

In recognition of their continuing support, below are members of a distinguished donor community that sustains and enhances the Garden:

ORCHID CIRCLE $12,000 annually

Natalie and David Batchelor

Steven Behm

Liz and Bill Cary

Lynn and Terry Chastain

Carol and Larry Cooper

Lizzie and John Crawford

Christine Curtis and Cody Curtis Mason

Larry Davis

Joy and John Dyer

Jennifer and Marty Flanagan

Duvall and Rex Fuqua

Gail and Pete Furniss

Shearon and Taylor Glover

Nancy and Charles Harrison

Laura and Scott Harrison

Babette and Bill Henagan

Mary and John Huntz

Roya and Bahman Irvani

Cara Isdell Lee and Zak Lee

Ann Kay

Sarah and Jim Kennedy

Jeni and David Knight

Linda Lively and Jim Hugh

Barbara and Jim MacGinnitie

Linda and Ed McGinn

Jim Miller

Terrie and Read Morton

Bett and Ray Moses

Cat and Parrish Owens

Vicki and Howard Palefsky

Sara and Cody Partin

Sandra and Craig Perry

Robin and Marc Pollack

Margaret and Bob Reiser

Aaron Ribner

Nancy and Charlie Rigby

Dean DuBose Smith and Bronson Smith

Linda Sward

Greer and Alex Taylor

Carol and Ramon Tomé

Janeen and Mark Traylor

MAGNOLIA CIRCLE $6,000 annually

Mopsy and Doug Aldridge

Elizabeth Allen

Melissa and Philip Babb

Cathleen and Robert Bartlett

Jane and Dameron Black

Tina and Paul Blackney

Liz and Frank Blake

Arthur Blank

Susan and Mike Brooks

Kate and Matt Cook

Suzanne M. Dansby

Mary Wayne and Bill Dixon

Ellen Doft and Alexander Katz

Debbie and John Edwards

Jane and Don Gatley

Lou and Tom Glenn

Laura and Philip Green

Anne E. Hayden

Nicolette Hennings and Michael Paulk

May B. and Howell Hollis

Mary Ellen Imlay

Pamela and Neville Isdell

Sarah and Scott Kagan

Cheri and Bill Lennie

Barby and Bert Levy

Jade Logan

Rebecca and James Martell

Marilyn and John McMullan

Anna and Hays Mershon

Flossie and Tom Mobley

Melissa Monk

Sally and Jim Morgens

Ellen and George Nemhauser

Carly and Peter Nicolay

Douglas and Craig Perry

Jennifer and David Poroch

April Porter

Olive and Roby Robinson

Ruth Magness Rollins

Cindy and Joseph Ronchetti

Tom Bat and Rod Rusyniak

Deen Day Sanders and James R. Sanders

Janet Schoff and Richard Nailling

Laura S. Spearman

Susan and Jim Spratt

Stephanie Soltau and Daniel Noyd

Ronit Walker and Matt Bronfman

Harriet Warren

Nancy and Joe Waterfill

Kay Watson and Kendall Moister

Carla and Leonard Wood

Dancy and Charlie Wynne

ARBOR CIRCLE $3,000 annually

Robin Aiken and Bill Bolen

Firelli Alonso and Jon Crate

Mary and James Anderson

Yum and Ross Arnold

Spring Asher

Sylvia Attkisson

Jade and Michael Auzenne

Kathleen Barksdale

Melissa and Jose Barra

Molly and Ramsay Battin

Jan Beaves

Jeannie and Matthew Beckett

Elizabeth Benator

Marilyn and Matthew Berberich

Diana Blank

Stephanie S. Blomeyer

Teri and Mose Bond

Merritt Bond

Linda and Sam Boyte

Bridget and Scott Brady

Lisa and Ron Brill

Carolyn and Max Brown

Norris Broyles

Sara Jean and Fred Burke

Dorothy and Peter Burns

Lisa and Russ Butner

Candace Carson

Jane Casavant

Carolyn Caswell

Daniel J. Chen

Sidney and Don Childress

Anne Clegg

Martha Clinkscales and David Forquer

Susan Coddon

Ann and Tom Cousins

Ann and Jim Curry

Debbie and Paul Cushing

Robin Cutshaw and Donna Godsey

Jessica and John Dark

Teresa Dau and Amanda McMillan

Amelia Davies

Lewis Davis

Vivian and Peter de Kok

Audra Dial and Matthew Ford

Ginger Dixon

Joseph Dominguez

Karen and David Dorton

Stephanie Dowell and Maney Mazloom

Allison and Billy Dukes

Diana Einterz

Katharine and Alan Elsas

Terry and Charles Epstein

Margaret Erickson

Yoon and Benjamin Ettinger

Cheri and Nick Faust

Julie and John Fox

Mary Ann and Sam Fraundorf

Jennifer Fuqua

Lauren Fuqua Maronnier and Arnaud Maronnier

Kathleen Gaffney

Carolyn Gibbs and Rick Nelson

Lynda and Ben Greer

Claire and Luther Griffith

Nena Griffith

Mazie Lynn Guertin

Tammie and Mickey Harp

Mary and Philip Wilheit

Jean and John Hatfield

Stacy and Peter Haubenschild

Natalie and Douglas Herndon

Lila and Doug Hertz

Christi Hildebrandt and Danielle McCarthy

Kay Hodges

Christina Holland

Karen and Mark Holzberg

Angela and William Hoyt

Dona and Bill Humphreys

Kay and Doug Ivester

Cynthia Jeness

Bobbo Jetmundsen

Emily and David Jordan

DeAnna and Gene Kansas

Rosthema Kastin

Andrea and Mark Kauffman

Emily and Hugh Kendrick

Minde and Lewis King

Susan Kinsella

Beth and Paul Krebs

George Kuzo

Jim Landon

Deborah Levey

Jeannie and Glenn Lightsey

Lynn Lowance

Cindy Mallard

Tracie Maloney

Kim and Michael Mansfield

Elizabeth and David Martin

Kari and Joseph Martinez

Ashley and David Mast

Jane and Randy Merrill

Kara and David Miller

Kathryn and Ward Miller

Dorothy E. Mitchell-Leef and Forrest Leef

Nancy Montgomery

Ellen and Melvin Moore

Nancy Newton

Christy O’Neill

Lila Owens

Khristal and Tolton Pace

Karen and Richard Parker

Tonya and Steve Paro

Jana and Samuel Pasquarelli

Susan and Richard Patton

Kathy Powell

Ali and Clay Prickett

Heather Prill

Denita Pryor

Eliza Quigley

Mary Anne Quin

Kathy and Marbury Rainer

Linda and Gordon Ramsey

Catherine and Butch Rawson

Chris and Robert Reddinger

Mallory Ring

Blair and James Robbins

Wanda Rodwell

Sylvia Russell

Stacy Sanford

Lynn and Jan Saperstein

Sharon and David Schachter

Lauren and Andrew Schlossberg

Andre Schnabl and Denny Marcus

Kellie and Erik Schonberg

Lu Anne Schwarz

Dawn and Timothy Severt

Nancy and Al Sherrod

Charlotte and Tom Shields

Kim and Alex Smith

Roger Smith

Lynette Smith

Kirsten Spraggins

Maggie and Henry Staats

Ani and Thomas Steele

Linda and Mason Stephenson

Mae and William Stewart

Frances Stinson

Melinda and Stephen Stuk

Sarah and David Sutherland

Kristen and Jason Taylor

Margaretta Taylor

Keegan Treadaway and Carl Mitcheson

Christine Tryba-Cofrin and David Cofrin

Paula Turner

Lucy Vance

Pam Wakefield

Stuart Ward

Wink and Lynn Weinberg

Deborah Wheeler

Baade and Roger Wilson

Tricky and George Wolfes

Tammy Wood

Lisa Yeager and Robert Ditty

Allen Yee

Studie and Zach Young

Updated July 3, 2023

Trolls: Save the Humans by Thomas Dambo

Through Sunday, Sept. 17

Experience an exhibition featuring six of artist Thomas Dambo’s enormous folklore-inspired sculptures built from reclaimed materials as it makes its world premiere at the Garden.

Well-Seasoned Chef Series

Select Tuesdays through October, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

SOLD OUT. Relax during an evening of great food tastings by chefs from favorite restaurants. Enjoy a glass of wine with four different dishes prepared for guests in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen.

Fresh Plates Series

Select Wednesdays through October, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

SOLD OUT. Enjoy a fun evening dining, sipping and learning as favorite neighborhood chefs prepare a four-part small plate menu. Learn new recipes and taste freshly prepared courses and wine. Visit atlantabg.org/freshplates.

Garden Chef Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays through October, Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m.

Garden Chefs showcase fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs in tasty recipes in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen.

atlantabg.org

Cocktails in the Garden

Thursdays - Saturdays through Sept. 30, 5 – 9 p.m.

Enjoy cocktails from cash bars and live entertainment while exploring the summer exhibition Trolls: Save the Humans by Thomas Dambo dramatically lit at night.

Fall for Orchids Show

Friday, Sept. 1, Noon – 4 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 2: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 3, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The annual Atlanta Orchid Society show and sale features exhibits of flowering orchids at their best, including many unusual and rarely seen species and hybrids. Details at atlantaorchidsociety.org.

Science Café

Thursdays, Sept. 21; Oct. 19; 6 p.m. Hear expert presentations on conservation topics. See atlantabg.org/ sciencecafe.

Alston Lecture: Jason Reeves

Monday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m.

Jason Reeves, research horticulturist and curator for the University of Tennessee Gardens, explores how plants with winter interest can make gray days more bearable by adding a spark of color and life to an otherwise dormant landscape.

There are so many underutilized plants on the market today that not only flower but have interesting bark, great winter leaf color and tantalizing textures. The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture Series is made possible by generous support from the estate of Elkin Goddard Alston.

Garden of Eden Ball

Saturday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy the Garden’s largest annual fundraising event with cocktails, dinner and dancing as it honors the Cherokee and Peachtree garden clubs. The event is presented by Cox Enterprises Inc. For information, visit gardenofedenball.org.

Scarecrows in the Garden

Friday, Oct. 6 – Tuesday, Oct. 31

Check out dozens of creations by local schools, artists, businesses and families perched in the Promenade and Children’s Garden.

Fest-of-Ale

October Thursdays – Saturdays, 5 – 8 p.m. Explore Scarecrows in the Garden as darkness falls (Bring a flashlight!) while enjoying craft beers and live entertainment.

Fall Family Fun

Saturdays - Sundays, Oct. 7 – 29, 10 a.m. – Noon

Fall themed activities will delight youngsters of all ages!

Fuqua Lecture: Margaret Renkl

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.

Author and New York Times columnist Margaret Renkl is joined by Teresa Weaver, former book editor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Atlanta Magazine, to discuss Renkl’s new book, The Comfort of Crows, and how gardens can be used to create wildlife habitats to fight back against biodiversity loss and even climate change.

The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of the families of Edwina and Tom Johnson, and Duvall and Rex Fuqua.

Goblins in the Garden

Sunday, Oct. 22; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Show off the kids’ Halloween costumes on the Goblin’s Runway, participate in fall family activities and enjoy pony and train rides all while exploring Scarecrows in the Garden!

Great Pumpkin-Carving Festival

Thursday, Oct. 26, 5 – 9 p.m. An annual favorite, watch as contestants compete for the most creative pumpkin head designs in the Garden while enjoying a supersized Fest-of-Ale! Scarecrows winners also will be announced during the event.

HOLIDAYS IN THE GARDEN

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Saturday, Nov. 18 – Sunday, Jan. 14 Get timed tickets online beginning September 22 for the annual holiday extravaganza featuring millions of brilliantly colored LED lights and displays.

Holiday Model Trains

Saturdays – Sundays, Nov. 18 – Jan. 14 Join kids and the kids at heart for this holiday favorite display.

Holiday Ride-on Train

Saturdays – Sundays, Nov. 18 – Jan. 7; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

All aboard the Botanical Express for a trip around the Great Lawn. $5 per passenger, $3 members.

Botanical Saint Nick

Saturdays, Nov. 25 – Dec. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Bring your camera and tell all of your holiday wishes to the big guy clad in green.

Carols in the Garden

Saturdays, Dec. 2 - 16; 10:45 and 11:45 a.m.

Enjoy festive holiday music sung by Atlanta’s premier carolers, the Tinseltones.

A Note from the Director

The Gainesville location is fortunate to have much-needed space for conducting many important, mission-driven activities of the Garden – developing woody plant collections, conducting native plant conservation safeguarding and evaluating new plants in the Garden’s International Plant Exploration Program field nursery. Many of these activities occur behind the scenes, so it is exciting to share some of those activities.

The greenhouse is used to grow woody plants for both the Atlanta and Gainesville gardens as we continually seek to diversify and expand our collections, grow plants for the twice-yearly plant sales and propagate unusual plants from other public gardens and plant specialists. The greenhouse is also a site for germinating seed collected on IPEP trips to southeast Asia and getting those plants off to a good growing start before they are moved to the IPEP field evaluation nursery.

We were excited to welcome IPEP visiting scholars from Vietnam in August and have them in residence at the Smithgall homeplace (see article, pages 14 - 15). It was such a great opportunity for knowledge exchange – to share the nuts and bolts of setting up and continuing these vital, mission-driven projects at a public garden with our Vietnamese scholars.

Our educational programming also is expanding, and as part of that we occasionally offer behind-the-scenes tours of the greenhouse and the IPEP nursery – so keep your eyes open for announcements of those great opportunities. And we are planning many enticing classes this fall – from gardening to microscopic botany to wreaths and wine!

Come enjoy the cooler days of fall. Hope to see you in the Garden soon!

Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director

Made in heaven

A partnership more than 15 years in the making between Garden staff and scientists in Vietnam is netting plant research opportunities that otherwise would not be possible for each group working alone.

Garden horticulturists first traveled to Vietnam in 2007 to learn more about the flora of the mountainous north and whether its plants would be suitable for the Southeast climate back home. Staff worked informally with researchers and field guides from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), but it was not until 2016 that the Garden and VAST formalized the collaborative relationship that had begun to develop. It was also that year that the Garden created its International Plant Exploration Program, whose main goals are plant exploration, plant evaluation and a visiting scholars component. Those objectives aligned perfectly with the work that needed to be done in Vietnam.

By this time, a relationship with VAST had solidified that allowed the two institutions to work together in an even

greater capacity. The field team in Vietnam was made up basically as the same guides accompanying Garden staff on every visit, the guides becoming more and more astute at their job. It was obvious what the Vietnam colleagues were doing for the Garden, but what could be done for them in exchange?

In 2018, a formal agreement was developed that allows the Garden to work in full collaboration with the Vietnamese government to study, document and collect germplasm for the purposes of conservation and ornamental horticultural introductions. As an example of the work yet to be done in Vietnam, on the Garden’s latest expedition to the Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces in

Garden, Vietnamese plant researchers perfect match for pursuing mutual goals

Top: Garden staff and their guide show a few finds from the field. Above: Rhododendron sp.

April the team discovered three new species and four new records (never before seen in country but not a new species) for Vietnam within just two weeks’ time. These plants were found and documented as a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the two groups.

In return, not only does the Garden fund the expenses for three to five researchers from

VAST to accompany all of the Garden’s field expeditions, but their Georgia partners also hosted two VAST colleagues as participants in a visiting scholar program in August. The Vietnamese researchers were based at the Gainesville Garden, where they became the first to stay in the newly renovated Smithgall homeplace, located at the rear of the Garden. They worked with

gainesville happenings

Cocktails in the Garden

First Saturday of month, September – October, 5 – 8 p.m. Sip a signature cocktail or other beverage while listening to live music, playing lawn games and strolling the Garden.

Adult Education Classes

September – December

Topics include wreath making, floral arrangement, microgreens and more.

Family Fun Day

First Saturday of month, September – October, 11 a.m. Enjoy special guests and performances with little ones at the beginning of each month.

Fall Plant Sale

Friday, Oct. 13 - Saturday, Oct. 14

Members may take advantage of a pre-order sale in September before this public sale (Watch for an email with details). Preordered plants may be picked up during the public sale, when small quantities of additional plants will be available for purchase as well.

the horticulture and conservation teams in both Gainesville and Atlanta to learn such things as propagation protocol for cuttings and seed, long-term storage of seed, hand pollination techniques, soil recipes and growing techniques for difficult-to-cultivate plants and basics of micropropagation. They also were introduced to some of the horticultural gurus of the Southeast.

To further strengthen the knowledge exchange between the two institutions, plans call for continuing to send staff from the horticulture team with the International Plant Exploration Program staff on trips to Vietnam to help fill in gaps at the newly constructed VAST Biodiversity Station, located just outside Hanoi. Long term, international collaborations such as these provide opportunities for all participants that just aren’t possible when working alone.

Girl Scout Badge Day

Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Compete with other troops during fun, garden-inspired activities that help reach badge requirements! Register August 1September 1.

Scarecrows in the Garden

Tuesday, Oct. 3 - Sunday, Oct. 29

The Garden is stuffed with creations by local artists, members, crafters, youth groups and more.

Holiday Tree Trail

Tuesday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Dec. 31

See 6-foot Fraser Firs decorated by members, local businesses, families and organizations.

Scott McMahan Manager, International Plant Exploration

Above: A guide inspects a plant in the field while another team member documents the find. Right: Horticulturist Tim Marchlik was part of the recent trip.

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Member Appreciation Month

September is Member Appreciation Month with exciting perks, discounts and prizes! Enjoy a take-home treat at Longleaf restaurant, a 10 percent discount at the Snack Bar (alcoholic beverages excluded), a 20 percent discount in the Gift Shop, special discounts at participating garden centers and the chance to win great prizes such as a weekend stay at the Four Seasons Hotel and tickets to Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.

Family Fun Day Member

Exclusive

Gainesville: Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join the monthly festivities including family games and activities, surprise entertainment and an exclusive member activity area. Look for an email with details.

Member Fall Evening

Monday, Oct. 9, 5 – 8 p.m.

Experience festive harvest activities, featuring hundreds of pumpkins, colorful fall leaves and Scarecrows in the Garden! Enjoy live music, crafts and more.

Learn

QUESTIONS? Call 404-591-1539 or email membership@atlantabg.org

commonground

SUPPORT THE GARDEN AS A VOLUNTEER!

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Volunteer Orientation

Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

.DONOR-LEVEL MEMBERS

Donor Picnic

Monday, Oct. 23, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mix and mingle at this exclusive event for Donor-level members in the Skyline Garden while enjoying the cooler fall weather, tasty hors d’oeuvres and live music. Upgrade to Donor level: 404-591-1544.

CONTRIBUTING & ABOVE MEMBERS

Light Bites & Garden Insights

Gainesville: Thursday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Contributing-level members and above are invited to enjoy light bites and a hands-on presentation by staff experts. Upgrade to Contributing: 404-591-1544.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Member Premiere

Thursday, Nov. 16, 5 – 10 p.m.

Be among the first to experience the 13th annual light show filled with many new features. Members receive a special discount, and Premiere is the lowest price of the season!

Spread holiday cheer this season during Garden Lights, Holidays Nights! This training covers a general orientation along with information needed to volunteer greet and direct visitors through the exhibition. Volunteers must attend the session and commit to five shifts during the event. Volunteers are invited to a preview event and receive a free hot chocolate or apple cider during their shifts. For details, contact Volunteer Manager Josh Todd at 404-591-1548 or jtodd@atlantabg.org.

What are some beneficial uses for my fall leaves? Fallen leaves put nutrients back into your lawn and soil. Here are a few ways: 1) Leave them on the ground and let them naturally decay. 2) Collect and pile the leaves in a specified area in your yard or place in large bags or containers and allow them to naturally break down and start decaying; this will make great fertilizing mulch in several months. 3) Using the lawnmower, cut the leaves into shreds and collect them in the mower bag. You can also leave them where they fall. Pile the collected leaves around the base of the parent tree. Wet them down and let them decay, feeding the parent tree essential nutrients.

404-888-GROW

planthotline@atlantabg.org