3 minute read
Meet Roger Gettig
Our new director of horticulture plans to introduce new plants, new ideas and try new things
By Veronica Sliva
When I arrived at the TBG early on the afternoon of our interview, Roger was in the courtyard at the entrance surrounded by a group of visitors. All eyes and ears were on him. The group was riveted by what he was saying. He was animated and fully engaged with his audience as they were with him. A couple of hours later as I wandered the grounds I saw Roger escorting another visitor along the path of the entrance garden, again deep in discussion, pointing and explaining.
At the appointed time, Roger and I sat down to chat. I asked him how the first couple of weeks in his new job were going. With a big smile, he chuckled and said, “I haven’t talked so much in a long time.” I nodded knowingly.
Roger brings a solid background to the TBG. He comes to us from the Holden Forests and Gardens, (it includes the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens https://holdenfg.org) in Kirtland, Ohio where he was the Director of Horticulture and Conservation. With 25 years of experience in various positions, he played a key role in planning the gardens and in conducting public outreach in horticulture. Roger has a Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (Ecological Restoration) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR THE GARDEN
Roger referred to the need to stay true to the TBG’s mission “to connect people to plants, inspiring us to live in harmony with nature”, and the goal of being renowned for its display of nature’s beauty and as a dynamic hub for plant-centred learning, conservation, and research.
A botanical garden, says Roger, is a living museum. "'Living' means we must have healthy and beautiful plant collections. ‘Museum’ means we document and verify all the information about the plants, map their locations and curate them over time. As conditions change and plants mature, we need to consider removing, replacing, or rejuvenating plants or even entire gardens. I want TBG’s horticulture to be considered best in class.”
One of the ways Roger plans to manage the plant collections is through the use of the new plant database collections management system recently acquired by the TBG. IrisBG is a modern and efficient professional software and database solution for botanical collections. It is used by botanical gardens, arboreta, and large estates around the world. Once the database is up and running at the TBG, it can be used to track the data associated with plant collections, share information with the public, and create tours, among other things.
One of the first tasks Roger wants to tackle is to evaluate current trees and gardens, edit out areas that are overgrown, and remove poor performers. He plans “to introduce new plants, new varieties with new ideas for displays and learning.”
PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCES FOR THE PUBLIC
Roger is looking forward to working with the Education Department to implement new and innovative ideas, and to offer more programs and information to the public in different ways both digitally (online) and in-person.
He wants to entice visitors to the garden to come and learn something valuable to take home that they can implement in their own gardens.
Roger is hoping to use changes in the garden as educational opportunities for the public. For example, a hedge that is ornamental but invasive needs to change. He sees the process of renovating or changing the hedge as an opportunity to educate the public, perhaps through videos or other means of education.
With a strong background in ecological restoration, Roger aims to make the most sustainable choice in each situation. He says, “The climate is changing and native plant ranges are shifting. We can ‘push’ the limits.”
Roger is quick to point out that he is enjoying working with the TBG’s seasonal gardeners, Dean, Beni and Megan. “They are smart and hardworking and I am looking forward to maximizing their potential.”
Of the volunteer gardeners, he says some are already extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. “The goal is for volunteers to increase their knowledge by learning from the professional gardeners–to maximize the potential of the people volunteering.”
It became obvious as we chatted that our new Director of Horticulture is already immersed in the garden.
