Staff are teaming up with the South Carolina Botanical Garden and landowners to help conserve the rare pyramid magnolia endangered by climate extremes and habitat loss.
PALM PLETHORA
The Garden is nationally known for several of its plant collections, and now palms increasingly are joining that list, thanks to their sheer numbers and diversity.
IN THE CLOUDS
Conservationists join researchers at an Ecuador nature preserve started by Atlanta’s Lovett School to determine how climate change is impacting forests.
DEEP INTO AQ UATICS
The aquatic plant collection has grown rapidly, and with the Garden’s planned expansion, this plant group will grow more, meaning more plants demand more care.
On the road again
The journey to save plants around the
world
It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since the Garden launched this annual publication. PlantIntel’s mission remains today what it was in 2019 – to take Garden visitors, supporters and colleagues behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the critical work our staff does day in and day out.
Yet in those seven years, that exposure has grown from the Garden’s greenhouses, nurseries and labs that guests don’t typically see to the hands-on fieldwork done around the globe. This issue highlights the work of our horticulture and conservation teams in several foreign locales, from Southeast Asia to South America to Puerto Rico.
Tag along with Scott McMahan, our intrepid plant explorer, as he makes his 16th trip to Vietnam. There, his International Plant Exploration Program team continues to strengthen the Garden’s collaboration with partners for scouring sometimes dangerous mountain ranges in search of new botanical treasures and conserving the region’s diverse flora.
Soar into the ethereal cloud forests of Ecuador with our conservationists as they join colleagues at a nature preserve in documenting changes in trees to learn how climate change is reshaping forests worldwide.
Even back home, critical plant research involving global efforts is happening in the lab. Who knew that test tubes are being used to clone large numbers of endangered plants from tiny pieces of tissue when seeds from those plants aren’t viable by freezing or drying methods? They include rare oaks and magnolias, from the mainland to Puerto Rico. Come along on an eye-opening journey and witness our global gains!
DANNY FLANDERS, PlantIntel Editor
Plant
An annual publication of the Garden’s Marketing & Public Relations Department
Vice President, Marketing
Anna and
Danny Flanders Bo Shell Editor Designer
Jessica Boatright Mary Pat Matheson
Hays Mershon President & CEO
From the Plant Explorer’s journal:
Long-term collaborations with Vietnam enhance efforts to conserve diverse flora
By SCOTT McMAHAN
Rewarding reunions Nature Preserve
Ta Xua
PuTaLeng Ridge
Last fall I made my 16th trip to Vietnam for the Garden. When I give lectures to groups about the work we do in Asia, I often am asked why we go back to the same countries again and again. Aren’t there other places to see and explore?
Of course, there are, but working in places once or twice then moving on is not the goal of the Garden’s International Plant Exploration Program. Its purpose is to create long-term collaborative partnerships with our colleagues abroad not only to explore, document and study the vastly underexplored mountains that make up the border between places like Vietnam, China and Laos but also to learn from each other and take advantage of opportunities created by our collaboration. Both of these goals were met on this trip.
Happy trails Pu Ta Leng Mountain
We began our trip as we so often do, in the mountain town of Sapa. After spending a day organizing supplies and finalizing permits, we made our way to the northeastern province of Lai Chau for a return trip to the second highest mountain in Indochina, Pu Ta Leng (10,003 feet). We spent five days scouting this mountain in the spring of 2023, so we had a feel for where we wanted to go and what we
And we were not disappointed. Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Arisaemas, Oaks, Begonias, Illiciums and Hydrangeas were just a few of the treasures we found in seed. We spent three nights camping in these mountains, and because of the wonderful weather we were experiencing were able to hike up into the high mountains each day.
After our first successful outing, it was time to move on to our next location that was new to all of us, the Ta Xua Mountain range (9,370 feet) in Son La province. These mountains have been overlooked by previous groups exploring northern Vietnam, but a
Hoya
The team of explorers included, from left, Phil Douglas, George Guenthner, Tim Marchlik and Scott McMahan.
New species of Illicium Magnolia seed
new species of Magnolia just described in 2023 drew us there. The weather continued to cooperate while we spent several days exploring forests where some of the largest trees I’ve ever seen in Vietnam were growing. We had only a short time in Ta Xua as this visit was really meant to be a scouting trip, but we are making plans for return trips in 2025.
Our final days of the trip were spent working alongside our colleagues at the Vietnam Academy of Science Biodiversity Station just north of Hanoi. We were thrilled to see their progress made with seed germination and the further develop ment of the nursery where future collections will be housed. Thanks to generous donations made to the International Plant Exploration Program, we also were able to buy much needed supplies for the station, such as fertilizer, pots, perlite, peat, sphagnum moss and a cement mixer to be used for mixing propagation and growing media for the nursery.
Because of the commitment the Garden has been able to make, our colleagues are now do ing more than ever to proactively conserve the incredibly diverse flora of Vietnam.
Team members pack their gear before departing camp in the Pu Ta Leng mountains.
seedcleaning
The Garden’s International Plant Exploration Program was established in 2016 to collaborate with international gardens and institutions to help preserve plant species and evaluate new ones for use in southeastern U.S. landscapes.
Plants from southeast Asia have long been reliable components of southeastern gardens because of the comparable climates. The program’s key components have been to develop a plant evaluation nursery at the Gainesville Garden, make formal seed-collecting trips to southeast Asia and sponsor an
Schimatree
WHY IT MATTERS
Collaboration with plant researchers in other parts of the world is a critical key to the conservation of plants everywhere.
FOUL!
Garden’s African Corpse Flower produces four rare, stench-producing blooms
By DEREK PINSON
Horticulturists who work in the Garden’s glass houses are familiar with foul-smelling botanical specimens so weren’t immediately curious last summer when they detected a stench in the Fuqua Conservatory.
The Garden’s plant collections contain a number of carrion flowers, or blossoms that are less “perfumed” to human sense of smell but certainly are to that of insects searching for sustenance in the form of a decomposing animal. Still, it was a tremendous surprise when staff discovered the large and alien flowers of the African Corpse Flower, Aristolochia goldieana, nearly underfoot while doing routine pruning in some of the Rotunda’s densest growth. Soon enough, the Garden’s new guests sent visitors – and the greater Atlanta community -- into a frenzy of botanical excitement.
The flower is special not only because of its unusual appearance, scent and pollination mechanisms but also the sheer rarity of such a bloom event worldwide. A. goldieana is believed to have flowered fewer than 10 times
in cultivation at any botanical garden in history, including last August’s event and the Garden’s first occurrence of a single bloom in 2020. The most recent occurrence produced four sequentially developing blooms, extending the limited window for witnessing – and whiffing – such an oddity by at least a week.
A member of the botanical family Aristolochiaceae, commonly known as birthworts, A. goldieana is a tropical African relative of Georgia natives like The Dutchman's Pipevine, Aristolochia macrophylla, and Wild Ginger, Asarum and Hexastylis species. It is botanically unrelated to the other, more famous Corpse Flower, Amorphophallus titanum, though they share the talent of attracting flies for pollination.
While it was exciting for staff to witness an unassuming housefly emerge from one of the flowers, natural pollination in an artificial environment was always unlikely. Accordingly, horticulturists and conservation staff worked together to attempt hand-pollination of the flowers as they developed while also freezing pollen samples at various stages for possible future use. Pollination eventually proved unsuccessful, perhaps because of specific environmental conditions or the need for a genetically-unique partner.
WHY IT MATTERS
Maintaining plant collections for display, education and enjoyment is a key component of the Garden’s overall mission in connecting people with plants.
Much is still unknown about this species. Ultimately, though, the experience alone of witnessing – and smelling – such a singularly special botanical peculiarity was one not to be forgotten.
Horticulturists attempt to hand-pollinate the flowers for future use.
DEREK PINSON is a Fuqua Conservatory Horticulturist
MAGNOLIA RESCUE
Garden teams with others to save elusive pyramid species
By JEAN LINSKY
Magnolias are iconic in Southeastern gardens, but many may be unaware that the region is also home to eight native species.
While most early spring-flowering magnolias are non-native imports, native species like the stately southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, light up landscapes with their stunning blooms from mid-spring through summer. Among these native treasures is the pyramid magnolia, Magnolia pyramidata, a rare and often-overlooked gem clinging to fragmented habitats from Texas to South Carolina. With threats such as extreme weather and habitat loss endangering its survival, conservationists have raised the alarm—and the Garden is answering the call.
Clockwise from top: The dried fruit of pyramid magnolia; researchers press specimens; the team tags the locations of magnolias.
WHY IT MATTERS Collaboration through public and private partnerships helps advance the conservation of endangered plant species.
Teaming up with the South Carolina Botanical Garden and local landowners, with support from the American Public Gardens Association, the Garden has launched a collaborative effort to conserve the elusive pyramid magnolia. Particularly rare in South Carolina and Georgia, this species is found in just a few fragmented populations in the Coastal Plain, many of which have not been monitored in recent years.
In 2022, a report published by the Garden as leader of the Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia revealed a troubling issue: The
Coastal Plain populations of pyramid magnolia were not only rare in the wild but absent in conservation collections at botanical gardens.
To address this, the team confirmed five known populations in Georgia and South Carolina, and collected seeds from them to germinate and grow in the Garden’s conservation nursery. The seedlings will be shared
with South Carolina Botanical Garden and other botanic gardens to safeguard the species for generations to come.
The Garden plans to continue monitoring pyramid magnolia populations across its range, locate previously unknown trees and secure the species through conservation collections. Building a conservation community of gardens and private landowners for this rare tree will not only help to save a unique part of the region’s natural heritage but also offer valuable insights into strategies for conserving magnolia species worldwide.
JEAN LINSKY is Coordinator of the Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia.
Coastal Plain populations of pyramid magnolia are rare in Georgia.
PALM plethora
Tropical
collection grows –in numbers and diversity
By PAUL BLACKMORE
WHY IT MATTERS
Educating visitors about plant diversity helps foster an appreciation for the environment’s future.
The vast majority of the Garden’s palm collection is grown inside the Fuqua Conservatory Rotunda.
The Garden is nationally known for several of its plant collections –orchids, maples, magnolias and pitcher plants – and now palms increasingly are joining that list, thanks to their sheer numbers and diversity.
A recent inventory found the Atlanta garden is home to nearly 500 palms representing nearly 200 species from around the world. What’s even more impressive is that the vast majority are tropical so must be grown inside the Fuqua Conservatory’s Rotunda because of Atlanta’s cold winters. Of the 2,600 known species, only 40 are believed to be hardy outside the Georgia Piedmont, the region that lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Upper Coastal Plain.
Garden guests are impressed by the richness and diversity of its tropical palm collection, which – because the plants are highly ornamental in shape, form and color – adds an exotic richness to the landscape, both indoors and out.
A frequent question from visitors is how many palms are grown in the Rotunda. A 2023 inventory showed 465 individuals composed of 185 species.
Then there is the question of how the staff chooses which species to plant. The Garden maintains a well-established living collections policy that lays out the criteria to determine the choice of a species selected, the most important of which are the ecological requirements for it to thrive within the wet tropical environment. Some palms are tropical but require bright, dry cvonditions and would not survive in the Rotunda. Height and spread at maturity also are important. Other factors to consider are how endangered the species is, its economic and ornamental value, and region of origin.
The Garden’s oldest palms were planted in 1989 when the Conservatory opened, but unfortunately only a handful of them remains today. As with all gardens, staff must continually plan for the loss and replacement of plants. In preparation, the Garden has developed a palm succession plan that ensures a constant supply of new, young specimens and a yearly planting program. Over the past five years, an average of 30 to 40 palms have been planted per year.
Among the ornamental and botanical superstars of note are the highly attractive and rare Pelagodoxa henryana (Marquesas Islands), the umbrella palm, Kerriodoxa elegans (Thailand), the lipstick palm Cyrtostachys renda (Indonesia) and the snakeskin fishtail palm, Caryota ophiopellis (Vanuatu).
PAUL BLACKMORE is Manager of the Fuqua Conservatory and the Conservation Display Garden.
Johannastomania magnifica
Kerriodoxa elegans
trees Test tube
Scientists pioneer cloning techniques to save plants whose seeds can’t be saved
By QIANSHENG LI
Research scientist Qiansheng Li examines plant tissue in the lab.
Imagine if the future of a forest could fit in a test tube.
Seed banks are a botanical lifeline, storing millions of seeds to prevent plant extinctions. But not all seeds can be frozen or dried — oaks and magnolias, for example, don’t survive traditional storage methods. Enter in vitro conservation, a cutting-edge solution that the Garden is using to save plants with seeds that defy traditional seed banking.
In vitro technology allows conservationists to clone large numbers of plants from tiny pieces of plant tissue, all within test tubes or flasks. These new plants can bolster the Garden’s collections, be shared with other botanic gardens or be reintroduced into the wild. Though more costly than other means, this method is vital for plants that produce few seeds or are difficult to propagate using traditional gardening techniques.
Since 2023, the Garden has been developing
in vitro techniques for several rare tree species. In partnership with the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak, the Garden has successfully grown five at-risk native oak species. The Georgia oak, Quercus georgiana, and Oglethorpe oak, Q. oglethorpensis, are unique to Georgia, while the maple-leaf oak, Q. acerifolia, Arkansana oak, Q. arkansana, and Boynton sand post oak, Q. boyntonii, are Southeast natives. The Garden has even expanded its efforts to conserve the Hinckley oak, Q. hinckleyi, of Texas and the island live oak, Q. tomentella, of California.
As the lead institution for the Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia, the Garden also is focusing on rare southeastern native magnolias, such as Ashe’s Magnolia, Magnolia ashei, and the endangered Pyramid Magnolia, M. pyramidata, thanks to funding from Magnolia Society International and the American Public Gardens Association (See article page 10).
The Garden’s efforts also extend beyond the mainland to Puerto Rico, where its researchers are developing in vitro methods for the
WHY IT MATTERS
Safeguarding critical material from imperiled plants is crucial for conserving species throughout the world.
QIANSHENG
is a Research Scientist, In Vitro
laurel magnolia, M. splendens, the Puerto Rico magnolia, M. portoricensis, and the cobana negra, Stahlia monosperma. Through innovation, the Garden hopes to safeguard the future of plants, creating new pathways for conservation in the face of environmental challenges – one test tube at a time.
LI, PhD,
Magnolia ashei
Magnolia pyramidata
Magnolia splendens
stewardsfuture
Family activities foster kids' curiosity about nature
By ALLISON PRATT
Cute art projects and fun singalongs with kids in the Garden may not look educational but are part of a consciously curated experience that nurtures age-appropriate fine motor and social skills while also fostering a love of nature.
Much thought goes into creating the Garden’s family programming so that the activities appeal to various age groups while also promoting a comfort level in a garden and a curiosity about plants. A driving philosophy is emphasizing process over product. Is the activity fun to do? Could families do it multiple times and still find enjoyment? The education staff wants families to enjoy engaging in the Garden’s activities and not feel pressure to create a certain outcome.
Additionally, in line with the Garden’s mission to engage visitors in its plant collections, kids are encouraged to investigate natural materials in their own way. The staff sets out flowers to dissect, paint with natural objects and create plant-based sensory bins so children
are touching and exploring nature. In a worm sensory bin, they dig their hands in dirt to look for worms and if desired, gently touch a worm. Volunteers offer fun facts about the benefits of worms and are available to answer questions, but they allow children to decide how they want to engage with the dirt and the worms. Not everyone wants to get their hands dirty, but there are many families that love a chance to get messy and see a garden critter up close. This simple activity engages multiple senses and motor skills, and creates memorable connections with nature and the Garden.
The Garden also offers nature-themed Storybook Times and a musical program called Garden Grooves in which kids can experience first hand how books and music about plants and nature inspire them to think about garden topics. Eating vegetables can seem daunting to some young children, but a book about growing vegetables paired with the experience of planting a seed to take home or helping harvest a vegetable from the fruit
WHY IT MATTERS Connecting children with plants inspires the next generation to care for the environment’s future.
ALLISON PRATT is
Family Programs Coordinator.
and vegetable garden in the Children’s Garden can make vegetables much more exciting.
Children walk away from these experiences full of curiosity in the natural world and with feelings of joy and happiness while playing outdoors. For staff and volunteers, there’s a feeling of accomplishment in knowing they have helped nurture future environmental stewards – one art project, song or worm at a time.
“ Taking part in the family programming at the Garden offers more than just cherished family moments – it inspires your child’s curiosity and cultivates an appreciation for nature,” said parent Katie Armsby. “ The diverse programs offer both our older and younger children the opportunity to engage with and explore the beautiful gardens.”
the Garden’s
Staff and volunteers engage children in a variety of activities aimed at fueling a curiosity about the natural world.
in the
Ecuador
mountains may hold clues to how climate change is reshaping forests
By YANNY VAZQUEZ JACINTO and LOY XINGWEN
clouds
Cloud forests are a world of cool misty air, mossy branches and blooming orchids – 10,000 feet above sea level. Hummingbirds hover amid curtains of lianas, while montane frogs add their chorus to the scene.
Yet, beneath this dreamlike beauty, the fragile ecosystem faces real threats from climate change. Garden scientists are studying the cloud forests of a nature preserve in Ecuador to uncover how climate shifts may be shaping forests worldwide.
The 1,245-acre Siempre Verde lies in the foothills of Ecuador’s Cotacachi Volcano, recognized by the Ecuadorian government as a Bosque Protector, the country’s highest class of private protected forest.
Siempre Verde (“always green” in Spanish) was created in 1992 by a local family and The Lovett School in Atlanta after science teachers Bob and Connie Braddy visited Ecuador to study the Andean cloud forests. They later raised funds to help rebuild a local school in disrepair, creating a lasting bond with the community.
Top: Team members trek along mountain trails to relocate forest plots set up more than a decade ago. Above: Local artisans demonstrate the harvest of Furcraea leaf fibers, which are dyed, spun and woven into functional creations.
Above: Flowers of the parasitic plant Langsdorffia hypogaea
Right: Clusia sp.
Since then, Siempre Verde has grown into a hub for conservation and education. Students and staff alike dive into local community projects and sustainable practices. The Garden – a longtime partner of The Lovett School and Siempre Verde – contributes to ongoing scientific efforts there.
One of the newest projects there is being led by Emory University Master’s student Yanny Vazquez Jacinto, advised by Garden scientists Emily Coffey and Loy Xingwen, and Álvaro Javier Pérez Castañeda of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Last summer, the team trekked to forest plots established in 2014, measuring trees to see how their size, species and abundance have shifted over the past decade. Despite the grueling work, the team’s dedication to studying and protecting cloud forests never wavered.
The next phase of the project will focus on analyzing the data, which researchers hope will reveal crucial insights that will shape local conservation strategies and deepen an understanding of how climate change impacts mountain forests.
Through partnerships, Siempre Verde continues to be an inspiration for how education, research and conservation can work together to keep Ecuador’s cloud forests resilient for generations to come.
WHY IT MATTERS
Collaboration with plant researchers in other parts of the world is one key to the conservation of plants everywhere.
YANNY VAZQUEZ JACINTO is an Emory University Master’s student.
LOY XINGWEN, PhD, is a Research Scientist, Ecology.
Top: Siempre Verde is located on the slopes of the dormant Cotacachi volcano. Middle: Last-minute checks are made of camping gear at the research station. Bottom: An orchid, Epidendrum porphyreum, yields stunning
aquatics Deep into
Growing collection of water plants balloons even more with Garden expansion
By TAYLOR POLOMSKY and JIM SMITH
Water lily: Nymphaea ‘Ultra Violet’
At first glance, visitors admiring the Garden’s ponds see sturdy lily pads and gorgeous flowers seemingly floating effortlessly on top of the water. Yet, below the surface lies much more than meets the eye.
Aquatic plants have long called the Garden home, but in the past few years the collection has grown exponentially. And with the Garden’s plans to expand by nearly 8 acres next year, this popular group of plants will grow even more – meaning with more plants comes more care.
Each water lily is planted in a breathable fabric pot containing soil that mimics its native habitat. The horticulture team begins fertilizing the plants in May when the lilies start actively pushing out new growth. The more moderately growing hardy water lilies receive a smaller dose of fertilizer, while the more vigorous plants like the tropical Victoria cruziana receive two to three times as much. It’s also important for staff to get into the ponds to prune any fading pads and check the plants for signs of stress, such as pest infestation.
Nymphaea ‘Peppermint Splash’
WHY IT MATTERS
Developing and maintaining plant collections for display, education and enjoyment helps connect people with plants.
In winter, all of the hardy water lilies like ‘Perry’s Baby Red’ remain in the ponds while going into a dormancy period. By spring, if they have become too root bound in their pots the plants are propagated and divided for a fresh start. Meanwhile, the tropical water lilies, which have been moved during winter into holding tanks in a heated greenhouse, are placed back outside.
In addition to water lilies, the Garden grows “marginal” aquatic plants, or ones that naturally occur in shallow water similar to a river bank or a small pond, such as Equisetum hyemale 'Sheldon Shorties' and Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Ripple’. They are planted in the same type of soil as the water lilies and typically fertilized on the same schedule. The biggest difference
is that marginal plants are grown very close to the water surface to mimic how they occur in nature, whereas water lily pots are usually submerged about 6 inches into the water.
The most prolific aquatic plants the Garden grows are Lotus. Unlike water lilies, their leaves and flowers stand proud above the surface of the
Lotus: Nelumbo ‘Princess Kennedy of Ten Mile Creek’ Nymphaea ‘Peach Twist’
Volunteer Raenell Solle prunes fading pads from water lilies in the Conservatory Pond.
Nymphaea ‘Shirley Bryne’
water, sometimes up to 3 feet tall depending on the cultivar. Because these plants are so much larger, they are planted in a much bigger pot and fertilized more heavily to obtain their highly sought after floral display. Maintenance includes removing unsightly leaves and spent flowers to ensure a longer bloom period into late summer. In winter, the plants are cut back
to the water surface and remain in the ponds where they’ll lie dormant until late spring, when they emerge again.
This rapidly developing collection will grow with the Garden’s expansion. As guests enter the new gardens from an open-air visitor center off the Atlanta Beltline they will be greeted by
a pond of aquatic plant species. The moderndesign pond will feature a shelf around its perimeter for growing shallow water plants, while its deep center will hold larger plants such as Victoria water-platters, which grow in both soil and water. Additionally, the pond may be heated, which would enable the Garden to grow tropical species larger and more quickly.
Nelumbo ‘Shootfire’
JIM SMITH is Senior Outdoor Garden Manager.
Visitors don’t usually get to see much of the Garden’s work because it happens behind the scenes. Yet even those in the right place at the right time would have trouble spotting the newest residents in the frog lab.
WHY IT MATTERS
To the untrained eye, they resemble tiny see-through squiggles, but amphibian enthusiasts know them as Sun Glass Frogs, Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum. And the Garden recently became only the third institution in the world to successfully breed the species in captivity.
Like all amphibians, frogs are central to a healthy and resilient ecosystem, and critical to maintaining biodiversity throughout the world.
The Garden received the species last year from Wikiri, an organization that legally breeds and sells special Ecuadorian frogs to fund its Ecuadorian conservation research and discourage poaching. They arrived as babies, the size of a pencil eraser, and grew to about the size of a human thumbnail.
It took some experimentation to get conditions just right, but the frogs reproduced, and staff are now caring for many tadpoles as well as 25 froglets just large enough to munch on fruit flies.
The frogs are among animals that the Garden breeds in two biosecure labs not seen by visitors. Some animals will go into exhibits or be shown during children’s educational programs. Others will be released into the wild to help populations recover, while some difficult-to-breed species will be distributed to zoos or provide DNA samples for researchers. And then there are some so rare in captivity that there’s a lot to be learned just from observing them.
The glass frogs made their educational debut during last spring’s Atlanta Science Festival, where students could marvel at their various stages of development, including seeing the adult frogs’ heartbeat and internal organs through the transparent body that gives them their name.
The frogs are a gentle reminder of the intricate relationships between animals and plants, making the Garden the perfect setting for experimenting with live-planted aquariums and terrariums to mimic natural conditions.
CHELSEA THOMAS is the Garden's Amphibian Program Coordinator.
Opposite page: The transparency of an adult female Sun Glass Frog reveals its organs and eggs. Top: A male frog guards the eggs. Above: A tadpole floats in the corner of a tank.
fern frenzy
Collaboration with DeKalb public garden yields growing, diverse collection
By ANGELA COLLINS
The Garden’s collection of ferns has mushroomed in both number and diversity over more than a decade, thanks to a long-time, ongoing partnership with a popular public garden in neighboring DeKalb County.
Originally known as the Dekalb Native Plant Garden, the Georgia State University Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden was established in 1990 by former botany professor George Sanko, who transformed four acres into one of Georgia’s largest native plant gardens. In the 2000s Sanko began voraciously collecting ferns, and the garden soon expanded to include the Ferns of the World Garden, which grew to become one of North America’s most extensive fern collections with more than 400 distinct populations.
After Sanko’s sudden death in 2008, a mutual acquaintance reached out to Garden horticulturists for help. Though many have worked to maintain the space, the Decatur garden’s future faced uncertainty. But through persistent efforts over the following years, the Garden collaborated with the native plant garden’s staff and volunteers to develop a plan for dividing duplicate recorded plant samples and collect plant material for propagation with the goal of creating a backup collection for safekeeping.
Coniogramme japonica ‘Variegata’
George Sanko’s passion for collecting ferns grew into what was considered North America’s most extensive fern collection at what is now Georgia State University Perimeter College.
Three years ago, that relationship was further cemented when the Garden’s horticulturists and International Plant Exploration Program team joined forces to aid in the preservation of DeKalb’s beloved and celebrated fern collection. In doing so, their efforts contributed to the expansion of the Garden’s own fern collection while preserving Sanko’s legacy.
Their work included identifying the plant material and transcribing the inventory, last recorded in 2014. A number of evergreen fern selections were divided at the garden, and various spores were collected from other species and cultivars. The group repeated their work a year later, and ferns were propagated and nurtured until ready to be planted at both the Atlanta and Gainesville locations.
Last year, 20 new unique types of ferns from the DeKalb garden were added to the Garden’s outdoor collection, increasing its diversity by 17 percent. Notable additions include Microlepia strigosa f. crispa ‘Shishi’ and Pteris wallichiana ‘Hualien Giant.’ Much of the collection may be found in the Anne Cox Chambers Garden as well as throughout the perennial and display gardens.
WHY IT MATTERS
Collaboration through public and private partnerships is critical in maintaining and expanding plant collections for education, research and enjoyment.
Dryopteris cystolepidota
Arachniodes standishii
ANGELA COLLINS is a Senior Horticulturist
Decade of dedication
Gainesville team supplies plants for both gardens, safeguards engandered species
By ETHAN GUTHRIE
Beyond the magic of the Gainesville Garden’s woodlands and the beauty of its plant displays are a greenhouse and nursery that few guests ever see.
Yet, the multi-faceted operation benefits both Garden locations – and conservation efforts worldwide – by growing and safeguarding rare and hard-to-find plants.
This year, as the garden celebrates its 10th anniversary, those efforts are more critical than ever as climate change leads the threats to the future of plants around the globe.
The idea for the Atlanta Botanical Garden to birth a second location was born when Gainesville residents Charles and Lessie Smithgall donated 185 acres of family land to the Garden for preserving as greenspace, specifically as a public garden.
But long before the Gainesville Garden was opened in 2015, much work was happening behind the scenes. A greenhouse and nursery facility were built in 2004 for growing plants for both gardens. Today, the 3-acre facility
includes a 5,000-square-foot main greenhouse along with four hoop houses and plentiful outdoor growing space, where everything is grown in containers including trees, shrubs, perennials and specialty annuals.
In 2009, the Atlanta location was expanded to include a new parking deck, visitor center, Canopy Walk and themed gardens, presenting the first opportunity for the new nursery to contribute plants to a new project. Many were newly propagated, including new Acer, or Maple, species for the Garden’s internationally recognized plant collection.
Eventually, the Gainesville nursery supplied plants like Pawpaw for the Edible Garden, Acer monspessulanum (Montpellier maple) outside the Conservatory, many Magnolias and
hybrid Mahonias near Longleaf restaurant, wild collected Rhododendron prunifolium (Plumleaf azalea) and many trees for Storza Woods. These efforts continue today, especially with the work of the International Plant Exploration Program, which networks with botanical institutions in Southeast Asia
Anticipating a hard freeze, staff cover young shrubs. Below: The 5,000-square-foot greenhouse was built for growing trees and shrubs, such as magnolias.
for seed-collecting trips and evaluates new species found there for use in the southeastern United States (see article page 3).
Another aspect of Gainesville’s plant propagation is the opportunity to participate in growing rare, hard to grow or endangered plants. Two species of Magnolia, M. fraseri and M. macrophylla v. ashei, are native to the eastern United States with north Georgia being the southernmost range of M. fraseri Both species can be challenging to grow as well as difficult to find seed sources. Over the years the Gainesville Garden has been able to
grow and distribute many specimens to other gardens propagated from legally sourced wild populations. This helps to add to the genetic diversity within the species grown in gardens. Meanwhile, the Garden is leading international efforts to conserve Magnolia species, more than 50 percent of which are threatened with extinction, through the Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia.
Finally, the garden also is home to the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery, where plants from endangered collections such as Florida torreya are grown.
WHY IT MATTERS
Successfully maintaining plant collections for education and enjoyment requires careful planning and management.
ETHAN GUTHRIE is Horticulture Manager at the Garden’s Gainesville location.
The Gainesville Garden’s greenhouse and nursery grow plants for both garden locations as well as rare and hard-to-find ones, some of which are endangered species.
Conservation Safeguarding Nursery
International Plant Exploration test bed Hydrangea testing area
Making connections Conference tackles critical conservation needs
By CARRIE RADCLIFFE and SARAH NORRIS
What happens when more than 230 plant conservationists, scientists and advocates gather in one place? They tackle the future of plant conservation head-on – sharing groundbreaking research, newly described species and cutting-edge technology.
Last fall, the Garden hosted the Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation (SePPCon) conference, organized by the Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance (SE PCA). Participants from 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Costa Rica convened to celebrate successes and address critical needs in preventing extinction of imperiled plants and habitats.
As coordinator of the SE PCA, the Garden welcomed attendees, setting the tone for addressing global conservation needs through expanding partnerships and perspectives. Keynote addresses from renowned conservationists like Reed Noss, Kayri Havens and Jared Margulies set the stage for big-picture thinking and actionable solutions.
From conservation strategies to advocacy and planning, more than 70 speakers covered a wide range of critical topics. Sessions included
groundbreaking research, newly described species, culturally significant plant conservation (like rivercane) and cutting-edge technologies. Tribal Nation representatives offered presentations on how cultural practices can offer sustainable conservation solutions, while workshops provided skill-building opportunities.
SePPCon provides unique opportunities for in-person interactions among diverse conservation partners — gardens, universities, government agencies, indigenous communities, experts and students — fostering a connected community for better conservation outcomes across the region and nation.
The first two SePPCon events led to the development of the SE PCA and has supported collective action to protect imperiled plants in the face of climate change and other threats. State programs highlighted how SePPCon and the SE PCA have inspired the integration of plants into local wildlife action plans. With the 2024 conference attracting record attendance, organizers expect future events to continue to grow.
SePPCon presentations are available through the national Center for Plant Conservation Rare Plant Academy at saveplants.org.
CARRIE RADCLIFFE is Director of Conservation Partnerships.
SARAH NORRIS is Conservation Partnerships Coordinator.
PLANT CLOSEUP
ORIGINS, CLASSIFICATION: Aroids, plants of the Araceae family, are a remarkably diverse and exciting group of plants that are well represented in the Garden’s collection. One significant genus is Anthurium, a large group that ranges from Mexico and Central America throughout most of South America. With nearly 1.000 species described and more being discovered even today, it is one of the most popular genera of Aroids in cultivation.
HABITAT: Anthuriums occur primarily in warm, humid rainforests and cooler cloud forests. While there are some exceptions, the majority of Anthuriums are epiphytes.
MORPHOLOGY: All aroids possess the same flowering structure. The spadix is a long, fleshy inflorescence containing many miniscule flowers, and the spathe is a modified leaf that often encompasses the spadix Many anthuriums feature lobed heart- or arrow- shaped foliage. Some epiphytic species have bird’s nest type foliage or long, pendant leaves that hang down throughout trees. One species, Anthurium wendlingeri, has a curiously spiraled corkscrew-shaped spadix alongside its long pendant foliage. Some of the largest species contain leaves more than four feet long. One of the smaller species, Anthurium amnicola, is a hand-sized riparian dweller with waxy purple blooms.
USES: Some Anthuriums make excellent houseplants given the proper conditions. The velvety foliage of some are especially mesmerizing. Others, especially hybrids derived from A. andreanum, are popular cut flowers and houseplants in the florist trade.
By DAVID RULAND, Greenhouse Manager
New species named for Greenhouse Manager
Anthurium rulandii was originally collected in the 1990s by Garden staff in the Lita-San Lorenzo region of Ecuador and was deemed to be a new undescribed species. For many years, Garden Greenhouse Manager David Ruland provided Tom Croat, a botanist at Missouri Botanical Garden, with measurements; leaf, stem and floral samples; photographs; and observations to assist in the publication of this species in 2024, when it was officially named Anthurium rulandii. “It is truly an honor to have a plant named after oneself, and I am humbled to share that space and privilege with other wonderful individuals I know and have known in the Aroid world,” Ruland said. The species can be seen growing in the Fuqua Orchid Center’s Tropical High Elevation House.
Anthurium rulandii
The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment.
Stanhopea blooms in the Fuqua Orchid Center. The Garden’s collection is nationally accredited by the American Public Gardens Association.
