Clippings May - August 2019 by Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta | Gainesville | May â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 2019

Aliceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wonderland New conservation center Tour private gardens

summer

SURPRISES

| Atlanta President’s Message Last year I told you about an impactful event in Florida’s Torreya State Park, home to three endangered plant species, including Torreya taxifolia, North America’s most endangered conifer. Almost 100 southeastern botanists joined Garden staff for a two-day immersion into the history of Torreya, known as the Florida Nutmeg, and its decline over the last 50 years. We also celebrated the work that conservationists have done collaboratively to protect one of North America’s rarest tress from extinction. There was good news to share about how the tree is protected in the Garden’s conservation nursery and outplanted in secure sites in other states. In the park, however, the tree continues to decline but is protected and under close observation. I thought that was the “rest of the story” about how conservation is a struggle but also has success through collaboration. Yet last fall Hurricane Michael would change that story dramatically. Its eastern eyewall directly hit the park destroying more than 70 percent of the tree canopy with debris covering the 750 living remaining Torreyas. Our conservation team jumped in to assist Florida partners in a recovery plan for the remaining trees. The team used drones to fly above the debris and locate the Torreyas (all marked with GPS coordinates) and hiked through the tangle of limbs to remove debris from the trees. It’s been an ongoing, extraordinary effort and a testimony to the team’s commitment. In March, I witnessed the destruction when my husband and I visited with the Garden’s Dr. Emily Coffey. A drone was flown across a section of the park to demonstrate how the salvage operation worked. Photographic images showed the team the trees that could be salvaged, and they were able to locate and clear more than 300. Now the hard work begins as we wait to see how the exposed trees survive Florida’s heat and sun without benefit of tree canopy. Will they adapt to these new circumstances or die? Thirty years of work to keep Torreya taxifolia in its only native site will continue but has also morphed into a research study about the effects of dramatic change in an ecosystem. It’s a huge challenge, but worth it to protect our native flora. Our botanists are also busy writing grants for emergency funding to cover the rising costs of the rescue and new research study. Anyone interested in supporting this effort may contact our development team or send a gift earmarked for the Torreya rescue effort. Seeing the destruction firsthand leaves an indelible mark. But that is balanced by the knowledge that the Garden is making a difference for the benefit of southeastern flora. We plan to save the planet – one plant at a time.

A NEW LOOKING GLASS:

IMAGINARY WORLDS

encores with Alice’s Wonderland

Mary Pat Matheson, The Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO

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Atlanta |

Cocktails in the Garden

Guests are sure to think they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole this spring when Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland comes to life in the Skyline Garden The exhibition of giant topiary-like plant sculptures, presented May 11 – October 27 at both the Midtown and Gainesville gardens, is back by popular demand after last summer’s blockbuster show, Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time. Many of last year’s favorite sculptures will make a comeback – some donning coats of different plant palettes. “The focus of the new show clearly is Alice and many in the cast of characters from Lewis Carroll’s classic novel,” Garden President & CEO Mary Pat Matheson said. “But what will no doubt blow visitors away is the sheer size of the sculptures.” A giant White Rabbit, for example, towers at more than 27 feet tall as it floats inside an upside-down umbrella in the Skyline Garden pond. That tops even the Garden’s resident Earth Goddess sculpture, at 22 feet. On the nearby event lawn is an expansive chess board bordered by 10 heart “trees” each more than 12 feet tall, with a giant Cheshire Cat poised nearby. Alice

Explore Imginary Worlds during extended evening hours on Thursdays from May through September when the massive sculptures are dramatically lit for Cocktails in the Garden. Free for Garden members, the event, held from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., offers specialty drinks from full cash bars and deejays. On the third Thursday of each month, check out Science Café featuring presentations by experts.

Botanical brew Learn more about the new Imaginary Worlds pieces at atlantabg.org/clippings. herself is on hand – just elsewhere in the Garden. Who’s up for the challenge of finding her? Making encore appearances from 2018 are the Dragon, Mammoth, Mermaid, Phoenix, Camels and Pegasus – some sporting all-new plantings. At the Gainesville Garden, look for a return of the friendly Ogre along with Rip van Winkle, Bears and Frogs, all in new settings. The Garden first introduced guests to Imaginary Worlds in 2013 when it presented the United States’ first major exhibition of mosaiculture — the horticultural art of creating giant sculptures using steel forms covered in thousands of living plants. Mosaiculture is the creative genius of International Mosaiculture of Montreal®, a nonprofit group that has staged wildly successful exhibitions of its work around the world. The organization hosted its first major exhibition and competition in Montreal in 2000 to celebrate the Millennium and proved an instant hit with 1 million visitors. Since then, it has extended its reach by participating in major exhibitions in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hamamatsu, Japan. Imaginary Worlds is presented with support from The Home Depot Foundation and the Isdell Family Foundation.

Garden taps collaborative beer

The Garden is debuting its own custom beer this spring in collaboration with Atlanta brewer Wild Heaven. Created by Nick Purdy and Eric Johnson, the brewery’s focus is world-class beers designed to offer something new to the landscape. Named “Garden Beer”, the brew’s ingredients include Makrut lime leaves harvested from the Fuqua Conservatory’s lime trees with hints of hibiscus and lemongrass. The ingredients were developed with the expertise of Longleaf restaurant’s executive chef Jason Paolini; Amanda Bennett, Manager of Display Gardens; and Eric Johnson, Wild Heaven brewmaster. Look for the new beer to be available this spring at Longleaf and at cash bars at Cocktails in the Garden, concerts and other Garden events.

Get a taste of the new Garden Beer at atlantabg.org/clippings. 3

| Atlanta

35 years of blooms

Garden tour celebrates a milestone For 35 years, gardening and landscaping trends have come and gone, yet one source of inspiration and information has remained consistently popular – a tour of some of Atlanta most exquisite private gardens. This year’s annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour – a Mother’s Day weekend tradition set for May 11 - 12 — once again will welcome visitors to peek behind the gates of breathtaking spaces large and small. The nine gardens offer a variety of design styles – some created and maintained by Atlanta’s landscape professionals but others all by the loving hands of the homeowners themselves. “Every one of them is absolutely spectacular,” said Liza O’Hare, co-chair for the event along with Debbie Swann. The gardens, located in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Midtown and Decatur, offer a smorgasbord of ideas and inspiration for landscape design, plant selection, hardscape materials, entertaining, maximizing space and creating privacy. One includes a white garden for demonstrating how outdoor spaces can be enhanced for enjoying during Atlanta’s long summer evenings. One featured site is the garden of the late renowned garden designer Ryan Gainey (right) that is being lovingly restored by William and Teresa Parrish. Gainey was one of the co-founders of the tour, along with Tom Woodham and Mary Wayne Dixon, when it was launched in 1984 as a fundraising event for the botanical garden. “I think the longevity of the tour is just another testament to Ryan’s extraordinary vision for a popular outlet for connecting people with plants and beauty,” Garden President & CEO Mary Pat Matheson said. Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & May 12 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Self-guided tour, held rain or shine. Tickets: $28 advance ($22 for Garden members) and $35 during event (cash or check only) available at atlantabg.org and select retailers 4

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Atlanta |

Join the Garden Associates The first Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour in 1984 would not have been possible had it not been for the formation of an enthusiastic group of supporters. The late Peggy Martin saw the need for such a dedicated group of volunteers to help grow the Garden, and the Garden Associates was developed that year as a service organization that continues to offer leadership, creativity and support for Garden events and fundraisers, such as the tour. This dynamic group offers varied talents and interests, ranging from gardening, conservation and education to fundraising, event planning and personal enrichment. Membership benefits include exclusive insider tours, educational programs, special events, networking and the opportunity to work with others who share a strong commitment to the Garden. To join the Garden Associates, visit atlantabg.org/associates/ or call 404-591-1544. atlantabg.org

| Atlanta

New conservation center opens in June The new Southeastern Center for Conservation, set to open in June, demonstrates the Garden’s commitment to advancing its role as a leader in conservation, research, training and education. The two-story facility adjacent to the Fuqua Orchid Center is both an idea and a place. As an intellectual institute, the name of the conservation center recognizes the Garden’s role in regional, national and international efforts for leading innovative strategies and partnerships to conserve imperiled plants and natural communities. As a facility, the center supports the advancement of field-based conservation efforts preserving species in their native habitats, conservation collections management, interdisciplinary research, restoration of priority habitats and educational outreach. At more than 11,000 square feet, the center houses offices as well as 3,800 square feet of state-of-the-art molecular and tissue culture laboratories, backed with seed banking facilities ranging from cold storage to cryogenic capabilities. The Conservation Seed Bank enhances the ability to safeguard critically rare and regionally important species. The Ron Determann Tissue Culture Lab supports horticultural expertise in propagating these species using proven micropropagation 6

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methods. The Conservation Genetics Lab allows the team to utilize cutting edge molecular tools to provide greater insights into the biology and evolution of imperiled species. In addition, the center enables collaboration with university researchers and students who can use the Garden’s collections for their research into the biodiversity and conservation of plants. Two conference rooms and the completely renovated Georgia Pacific Classroom offer fully functional meeting and teaching spaces, remote conferencing and networkbased collaboration. Visitors are able to view activities through the glass walls fronting the Tissue Culture Lab, while panels and art along a central hallway interpret the Garden’s conservation initiatives. Built to accommodate future growth, the center will aid in the expansion of collaborations with research universities,

the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other partners working to protect imperiled species. The center also features a renovated horticulture staff workspace and a training suite that will serve university students, interns and international guests as the Garden works to educate the next generation of environmental stewards. Emily Coffey, PhD, Vice President, Conservation & Research

Atlanta |

Lifetime Achievement Special award honors Nancy Waterfill Volunteer Nancy Waterfill has been honored with an award rarely presented in the Garden’s 43-year history. The Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for volunteers who provide outstanding service to the Garden and staff, and Waterfill’s been doing just that for 30 years. She started at the Garden in 1989, the year the Fuqua Conservatory opened. She is a two-time Volunteer of the Month, in 1999 and 2002, when the Garden was completing the original Children’s Garden and Fuqua Orchid Center, respectively. Staff cite Waterfill’s patience, friendly disposition and willingness to help among her many endearing qualities. Amazingly consistent, she was a member of the first 1991 Centennial Club and has given more than 100 hours of annual service nearly every year since. Waterfill started in the Garden Gift Shop on Friday afternoons, and 30 years later, that same shift is still hers. The old shop was part of Gardenhouse and included a greenhouse for selling live plants.

Waterfill helped move the shop to a trailer during Gardenhouse renovations, which, luckily for her, included eliminating the plants to make more room for merchandise. She again helped the shop move in 2009 when it relocated to the then-new Hardin Visitor Center, its current home. “Nancy is dedicated, dependable and willing to help out with whatever needs to be done,” said Lisa Price, Assistant Gift

Shop Manager. “She shows enthusiasm for all things having to do with the Garden. We always look forward to hearing all about her latest worldwide travel adventures with her garden club or family vacations. She has a fun spirit with an easy laugh, an engaging personality and even disposition. Of course she is a delight to work with!” Josh Todd Volunteer Manager

Garden of Eden Ball peers ‘through the looking glass’ The Garden of Eden Ball, set for Saturday, Sept. 28 on the Great Lawn, will feature the theme “Through the Looking Glass.” Chaired by Zak Lee and Cara Isdell Lee (left), the event will honor Pamela and Neville Isdell for their many contributions to the Garden. Dean DuBose Smith will serve as adviser for the gala, the Garden’s largest annual fundraising event, with décor by Parties to Die For. The Isdell Family Foundation is a Legacy Sponsor for the event, and Cox Enterprises Inc. returns as a presenting sponsor. For more information, call 404-591-1730 or visit gardenofedenball.org atlantabg.org

Hydrangea quercifolia COMMON NAMES: Oakleaf hydrangea, oak-leaved hydrangea CHARACTERISTICS: Cone-shaped flower clusters and leaves similar to oak tree leaves. Flowers emerge pale green, then turn white and finally pink/ mauve in fall. Native to southeastern United States. Full sun – part shade. BLOOM TIME: Early summer (May - June) WHEN TO PRUNE: After flowering and before end of summer. Blooms on old wood.

Heavenly

HYDRANGEAS

Few flowering shrubs symbolize the South better than the hydrangea – just one reason it’s so prominent in the Southern Seasons Garden. With its billowing blooms, the deciduous shrub also is one of the most misunderstood. Many consider it strictly a shade plant, failing to realize that many types of hydrangeas need at least a little morning sun to bloom. And even more confusing is when to prune the shrub, which varies based on the type. The rule of thumb is if the plant blooms on old wood the buds were set the previous summer so prune it just after it finishes flowering to avoid removing new buds. Conversely, if the plant blooms on new wood, prune it in late winter before new buds form. Explore the four main types of hydrangeas:

Hydrangea arborescens COMMON NAMES: Smooth hydrangea, wild hydrangea, seven bark. CHARACTERISTICS: White or pink flowers with a lacy appearance. Native to eastern United States. Part sun – shade. BLOOM TIME: Late spring/early to mid-summer (May - June) WHEN TO PRUNE: Late winter or early spring. Blooms on new wood.

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Hydrangea paniculata COMMON NAMES: Panicle hydrangea, Peegee hydrangea CHARACTERISTICS: Large conical panicles of creamy white or pink fertile flowers. Florets may open pale green. Full sun – part shade. BLOOM TIME: Mid- to late summer (July - August) WHEN TO PRUNE: Late winter or early spring. Blooms on new wood.

Changing seasons Facelift makes entry garden all the more welcoming

Hydrangea macrophylla COMMON NAMES: Bigleaf hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea, mophead hydrangea CHARACTERISTICS: Large or long leaves and flower clusters that can be blue, pink, light purple or dark purple depending on the soil ph. Some also bloom in white or shades of red. Part shade – shade. BLOOM TIME: Late spring/early summer (May - June) WHEN TO PRUNE: After flowering and before end of summer. Blooms on old wood.

The Anne Cox Chambers Southern Seasons Garden has undergone a facelift and is welcoming spring with a new look. In January the Garden began a large-scale renovation of this garden that guests first experience after passing through the Hardin Visitor Center. Southern Seasons, which opened in 2009, was designed to demonstrate how Atlantans can garden year round by selecting plants that perform in each of the four seasons. But after 10 years, the garden needed an update. Thanks to a generous gift from the James M. Cox Foundation, the Garden was able to collaborate with Alex Smith Garden Design to launch a two-phase project, the first of which focused on the area in front of Fern Dell Fountain and was completed in April. The second phase, to launch this winter, will concentrate on the area between the fountain and Longleaf restaurant. The goal was to create a landscape textured with drifts of plants for impactful seasonality, beautiful hand-selected stones and specimen trees while maintaining over-story trees and a wide array of ferns, perennials and shrubs. The latter includes a prized collection of hydrangeas, in part originally planted in memory of Penny McHenry, an Atlantan who founded the American Hydrangea Society. Some existing plants were lifted and saved while avoiding impact on tree roots; other plants were maintained in place. Grading and irrigation also had to be corrected because of significant moisture challenges in the “bowl” area of the sloped garden. The addition of hand-selected stones and driftwood created niches and accents throughout the space. Rearranging existing plantings for a stronger design coupled with the addition of a substantial number of new plants have resulted in a truly spectacular welcome to the Garden. Throughout the year, hellebores blooming in late winter give way to fern fiddleheads and foliage in spring, and billowing smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) and Astilbe ‘Vision in Pink’ and ‘Vision in White’ in early summer while two stunning Japanese maples and a beech tree will shine in fall and winter. Accented by sweeps of other plants and groundcovers, this garden truly sings through the seasons. Amanda Bennett, Display Gardens Manager Michael Sheek, Senior Horticulturist

Compiled by Michael Sheek

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| Atlanta

Plant.

Eat. . t a e p e R Garden reaches out to communities for nurturing sustainable food As interest in urban agriculture rises nationwide, the Garden is helping to open the gates in metro Atlanta communities to nurturing sustainable food. In partnership with the Food Well Alliance, a network of local leaders working to build thriving farms and gardens for enhancing communities, and the City of Atlanta’s urban agriculture program, the Garden is offering a series of hands-on gardening 10

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workshops in communities called Plant. Eat. Repeat. The goal is to build a strong connection among residents to their food and where it comes from. “The Garden has long been an advocate of local food -- since 1995 when hosting Georgia Organic Growers Association meetings and more recently with donating portions of its harvests from its Edible Garden to the Atlanta Community Food Bank,” said Fred

Conrad, the Food Well Alliance’s Community Gardens Manager. Plant. Eat. Repeat. aims to develop and build interest in access to nutritious food, connecting community residents and integrating high-quality food production in neighborhooods. Since March, the pilot program has extended the Garden’s reach with weekend workshops in community gardens spanning metro Atlanta, from

Atlanta |

WORKSHOP TIPS

A core element of the workshops is fostering fellowship among community gardeners by providing networking opportunities for learning about gardening. Here are a few tips the staff offers to get them in the gardening spirit:

Let a calendar be your best friend. It can even be digital, such as the easy-to-use web platform My Plants Map, which includes a notes tab, a buildable photo gallery and even custom plant tags.

Extend the growing season by starting seeds in a well-lit area of your home, such as the living room or kitchen. Plant the seeds in a carton of empty eggshells containing potting soil and provide humidity. This activity can jump start the growing season by about three weeks for many popular plants such as tomatoes and okra.

Always check for healthy roots when shopping for transplants. Roots should be white or tan, numerous and long enough to hold the soil in the shape of the pot. Venetian Hills to Peachtree Hills to Carver Hills and as far as the Decatur neighborhood of Mason Mill. Host gardens vary in size from a new garden with a few raised beds to sites with chickens and community composting resources. All share the common goal of promoting and building the support of community gardens as a resource for addressing resiliency, vitality and healthier communities. Shannon Ring, Community Garden Coordinator for Parkview Community Garden, welcomes the support. “Our garden has room for improvement and memberships so it would be great to have some interaction with workshops

and open houses,” she said. “We are super excited about it.” The program also is an effective means for sharing the Garden’s expertise. “Plant. Eat. Repeat. provides a great opportunity to introduce urban gardens and growers in diverse communities to the Garden’s tremendous horticultural talent,” Conrad said. During the workshops, seasoned gardeners take a deep dive into topics such as soil testing and analyzing, creating a planting calendar and growing edible perennials. Newbie and would-be gardeners learn about common garden pests and what to do about them, harvesting, post-harvest

Get fresh tips from the Garden’s Community Outreach manager at atlantabg.org/clippings. management and seed saving. Plant. Eat. Repeat., which kicked off in spring with a garden party hosted by the Food Well Alliance and Park Pride, will offer additional workshops and parties in June and September. For information, call 404-585-2034. Moe Hemmings Community Outreach Manager

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atlanta happenings

| Atlanta

Concerts in the Garden

Soak up the sounds of great musical acts in this favorite outdoor series. In Atlanta, performances include: May 24: June 2: June 14: June 28: July 10: July 26: Aug. 16: Aug. 17:

Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland

In Gainesville, Marc Broussard/The Mavericks take the stage on Aug. 25. Look for updates on the series along with ticket information at atlantabg.org

May 11 – October 27 Explore a world of giant topiary-like sculptures throughout the Atlanta and Gainesville gardens.

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour Saturday, May 11 – Sunday, May 12 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tour nine private home gardens featuring a variety of design styles throughout metro Atlanta during a Mother’s Day weekend tradition benefiting the Garden. For tickets, visit atlantabg.org

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Old Crow Medicine Show Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder/ I’m With Her The Mighty O.A.R. w/ American Authors Mandolin Orange The Wood Brothers John Butler Trio w/Trevor Hall Toad the Wet Sprocket with Big Head Todd & The Monsters Melissa Etheridge

Atlanta Rose Show Saturday, May 11, 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Presented by the Greater Atlanta Rose Society, the annual cut-flower show in Day Hall features roses of every variety and color. Consulting rosarians will be on hand to answer questions.

Atlanta | Endangered Species Day

Saturday, May 18 10:30 a.m. Join a Garden docent and a certified American Sign Language interpreter for a free tour of the Garden and the Imaginary Worlds exhibition.

Saturday, June 1 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Celebrate rare plants and animals in honor of Endangered Species Day! Get up close with exceptional creatures and learn about conservation efforts happening throughout Georgia.

Garden Chef Cooking Demos Saturdays - Sundays May - October Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Stop by the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen on weekends when Garden Chefs share fresh cooking tips and recipes based on seasonal vegetables, fruits and herbs in tasty mouth-watering recipes.

Alston Lecture: Scott Stewart Tuesday, June 4, 7 p.m. Designed Plant Communities: A Fresh Approach to Designing and Managing Gardens: Scott Stewart, Executive Director of Chicago’s Millennium Park, is deeply passionate about the value and role of public space. His goal: Create free, open and equitable cultural experiences for people in public spaces of design, artistic and architectural significance – utilizing a style more informed by nature than rules.

Alston Lecture: Paige Embry Wednesday, June 26, 7 p.m. Masons, Miners and Thieves—The Real Lives of America’s Bees: Follow a

gardener’s adventures into the field with bee scientists and farmers to explore the lives of bees with author Paige Embry – based on the book Our Native Bees: North America’s Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them. A booksigning follows. The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture series is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Loridans Foundation.

atlanta happenings

ASL Drop-In Tour

Refugee Recipe Celebration Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Garden Chefs and members of Friends of Refugees will mix up the weekend cooking demos in honor of World Refugee Day. Refugee cooks from several countries will serve up tastes of food highlighting international recipes.

Cocktails in the Garden Thursdays, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Enjoy specialty drinks from full cash bars, deejays and the summer exhibition Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland.

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| Gainesville

A Note from the Director While the opening of the Children’s Garden will be a major event for us this year, there are other exciting new happenings that you won’t want to miss! In addition to our Wine in the Woodlands series the last Thursday of the month from April – October, we are adding some additional evening events. Evening is one of the best times to relax, have some fun and enjoy the Garden in a new light. Watch your e-mails for details and dates for Flamingle, Family Game Night, Cocktails in the Garden, and Shake and Sketch Cocktails Night (an art event). Beyond events, our International Plant Exploration Program continues to expand, with the first installation of plants in the Evaluation Nursery. Trees, shrubs and perennials grown from seed collected in China and Vietnam will be tested for heat and cold hardiness as well as potential risk for invasiveness. Also, members will notice a new planting adjacent to the Event Terrace at the Visitor Center. We lost a large oak tree in the bed and took the opportunity to reshape the bed and add fragrant shrubs (native azaleas, Viburnum) and multi-season perennials to create a garden with yearround interest. Hope to see you in the Garden soon! Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director

Book your event

The Gainesville Garden offers a variety of options for private rentals. Contact the Special Events team for more information or to schedule a visit: 404-888-4762 or mrichards2@atlantabg.org. 14

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Magnolia ‘Melissa Parris’

New Magnolias on the block During the last few years there have been some exciting new developments in Magnolia breeding that have really tested what is known about the trees. Two new hybrids that come to mind are Magnolia ‘Oyama Rose’ and Magnolia ‘Melissa Parris’. Both of these plants were created from crosses previously thought not possible using a pink-flowered evergreen species and different deciduous species. Both have been tested and propagated at the Gainesville greenhouses and will be offered in the Garden’s spring and fall plant sales. Magnolia ‘Oyama Rose’ is a selection made by world renowned magnolia expert Dick Figlar. It creates a beautifully rounded large shrub up to 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide that is covered with bright pink blooms from late April through early June. The blooms also have a lovely fragrance and can be either nodding or upright. This plant shows great potential in the landscape because of

Magnolia ‘Oyama Rose’ its shrubby habit, smaller size and earlysummer floral display. Magnolia ‘Melissa Parris’ is a selection made by Kevin Parris in Spartanburg, S.C. This hybrid actually came about from pollen sent from South Carolina to a magnolia breeder in Wisconsin. Once seed was formed it was then sent back to South Carolina where some of the seedlings were grown, and M. ‘Melissa Parris’ was selected. This magnolia has large 6- to 7-inch pink blooms that appear from early May through early June. It has a strong pyramidal habit and makes a great exclamation point in the garden.

Ethan Guthrie Horticulture Manager

Gainesville Atlanta |

Anticipation is building for the opening of the new Gainesville Children’s Garden. Winter rains slowed construction, which delayed this summer’s planned opening, but come fall lots of little feet, laughter and fun will add a new dynamic to the botanical garden. Because the Children’s Garden is sited on the highest point of the property, kids will have sweeping views of the surrounding forest – and make them feel like they are “king/queen of the hill.” Brightly colored annuals in the forefront of the sparkling balance beam dragon will set the tone for a garden adventure surrounded by exciting plants. Yellow, orange and red at the dragon will give way to the calming cooling blues of the Whimsical Water and adjacent pond. Dwarf, weeping, contorted and creeping plants will fill the Train Garden

and surround enchanting fairy villages. Colorful shrubs in white, pink and blue will provide fragrance and movement (and attract pollinators) around the Rock Climb, Build-a-Fort and Chase Maze during the warm seasons. But the Children’s Garden is not just about plants; programming is an important component as well. Children can explore the world of carnivorous plants in the bog bowls, listen to a story by the pond, discover fun facts about nature at a Discovery Station or make a craft to take home. The Build-a-Fort will provide an opportunity for budding architects and engineers to create the building of their dreams. And the Lawn Labyrinth, Treehouse and Rock Climb will provide for free play and exercise in a vibrant, beautiful setting. Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director

Soak up the sounds of great musical acts in this favorite outdoor series, including Marc Broussard/The Mavericks on August 25. For updates on the lineup, visit concertsinthegarden.org

Imaginary Worlds May 11 – October 27 A cast of giant plant sculptures call the Garden home this spring, including Rip Van Winkle, a friendly Ogre, Pandas and Frogs.

Brunch with Mom Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Treat Mom to a delicious brunch in the Garden during Mother’s Day weekend. Reservations required for one of two seating times offered.

Wine in the Woodlands Last Thursdays, May – October, 6 - 9 p.m. Sip a glass of wine from cash bars and enjoy light bites with live musical entertainment while enjoying the majestic Garden during the cool of the evening.

gainesville happenings

Fall brings new Children’s Garden

Concerts in the Garden

Children’s Performances Last Saturdays, May - September, 11 a.m. Bring the kids and enjoy some delightful children’s performers. Enjoy fun and interactive shows that engage the family.

Storytime & Budding Artist Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - Noon Young children share a tale read by a seasoned storyteller and create a seasonal work of art to take home.

Discovery Stations Saturdays - Sundays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Stop by one of the Discovery Stations designed to engage adults and children about nature, plants and the world around them. Seasonal craft included.

Terrific Trains 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Train Garden runs year round and captivates the imagination of visitors young and old. Boxes of wooden train toys available for children’s play.

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

membersonly ATLANTA Member Premiere Evenings Contributing and above, May 6, 6 – 9 p.m. Individual – Family Plus, May 7, 6 - 9 p.m. Circles, May 8, 7 p.m. All Members/Cocktails in the Garden, May 9, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Preview Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland featuring live music, imaginative entertainment, interactive activities, and discovery stations – fun for the entire family! Enjoy a fantasy-filled evening exploring the larger-than-life mosaiculture sculptures.

Light Bites & Garden Insights Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Contributing-level and above members are invited to enjoy light bites and a behind-the-scenes presentation by Andrew Bunting, the Garden’s Vice President, Horticulture and Collections, on the intersection of plant collections and conservation (To upgrade to Contributing level or above, call 404-591-1544).

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1162 Atlanta, GA

Gift of Membership

A Garden membership is a gift for any occasion. Recipients enjoy 12 months of free admission and other valuable benefits. For details, atlantabg.org/join.

Member Summer Evening Tuesday, July 9, 6-9 p.m. All members are invited to enjoy a special summer evening touring Imaginary Worlds, listening to live music and shopping an artisan market. Kid’s activities provided. Food available for purchase. Details: atlantabg.org/memberevents.

ATLANTA & GAINESVILLE Summer Strings Monday, June 3, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Gainesville Monday, August 26, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Atlanta Supporting-level and above members are invited to enjoy an evening under the treetops listening to a live string performance, while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and libations. (To upgrade to Supporting level or above, please call 404-591-1544). For membership questions, visit atlantabg.org/membership.

planthotline Why is my hydrangea not blooming? There are several possiblities: The plant may have been pruned at the wrong time. Some hydrangeas (mopheads, lacecaps and oakleafs) bloom on old wood and should be pruned after blooming in the spring. Others (paniculata and arborescens) bloom on new wood and should be pruned in early spring just before blooming. Determine which plant you have for the correct time to prune. Also, because many hydrangeas come

easily out of dormancy during early warm spring-like weather, a late hard freeze can kill off the blooms. Finally, your plant may not be receiving enough sun. Even the most shade-loving plant requires some sun, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade, which oakleafs and paniculatas love.

404-888-GROW planthotline@atlantabg.org

Clippings is available online at issuu.com/atlantabotanicalgarden

2018 Volunteer of the Year:

Charlotte Miller

Roles: Charlotte Miller began volunteering at the Garden in 2013 in the Discovery and Garden Maintenance programs, later becoming a docent, office assistant for the Advancement team and helping with the Amphibian Program. Activities: Miller also assists with events and festivals, and can be placed at any station and know exactly what to do. Her tours are a most enjoyable experience for adults and children as she shares her philosophy of lifelong learning. The horticulture staff appreciates, in addition to her hours of weeding and harvesting in the Edible Garden, when she brings in her red velvet cakes to share. She even bakes holiday cookies for the staff’s children. Volunteer hours: Miller was the Volunteer of the Month for both August 2015 and May 2018, and also a fourtime Root Award Recipient for top hours in the Volunteer Program, including contributing 650 hours in 2018. Her supervisor, Amphibian Program Coordinator Chelsea Thomas, says: “She is amazing both behind the scenes and with visitors, and I know that any task I assign will be completed with a little extra care. Charlotte really is integral to the Garden, not only in the number of hours she works but also in the refreshing energy she gathers and spreads to so many people and departments.” Josh Todd, Volunteer Manager