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Atlanta | Gainesville | September – December 2026

EXPANSION WORK BEGINS • 50 YEARS OF ORCHIDS • BAA-BAA BYE, KUDZU!

| Atlanta President’s Message

One of the questions I am asked most often is “What will the expansion be like when it opens?” While the answer is difficult to capture in a single conversation, I can promise this: When our new Atlanta Beltline entrance and spectacular Water Terraces open in the spring of 2029, the Atlanta Botanical Garden experience will be transformed into something truly unforgettable. Whether you arrive through our beautiful new Visitor Center along the Beltline or enter through the Passage Garden beside Chihuly’s Radiant Yellow Icicle Tower in Storza Woods, your visit will begin with a genuine sense of wonder. From either direction, guests will be greeted by a dramatic landscape that evokes the grandeur and romance of Europe’s great public gardens while remaining unmistakably Atlanta Botanical Garden. The centerpiece of this experience will be the three Water Terraces, which can be enjoyed from both above and below. Cascading waterfalls, blooming waterlilies and lotus, colorful walled gardens and an enchanting grotto will create a series of breathtaking vistas at every turn. Each terrace will feature extraordinary seasonal displays, from vibrant summer annuals to Mediterranean-inspired collections of palms, succulents and other remarkable plants that thrive in our climate. Beyond the terraces, guests will discover the tranquil Edge Gardens, where winding serpentine paths weave through striking architectural stone, sculptural conifers, palms and succulents. Families will delight in a whimsical Wonderland experience inspired by our beloved Alice’s Wonderland mosaiculture exhibition, creating yet another unforgettable destination within the Garden. The journey continues with moments to pause and reflect beside the cascading waterfall in the grotto before gathering for lunch at the new Sarracenia Café, named in honor of the Garden’s internationally renowned collection of North American pitcher plants. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration, relaxation and discovery. When complete, the nearly 8-acre expansion will offer at least 30 percent more to experience than the Garden does today, making return visits more rewarding than ever. Members and guests alike will find something new each time they visit. Perhaps most exciting of all, we will become one Garden with two front doors. Whether you choose to arrive by bicycle along the Beltline or drive and park in the SAGE deck, your journey will begin with beauty, inspiration and discovery. I cannot wait to welcome you in 2029 and share this extraordinary new chapter in the life of Expansion the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I truly believe it construction will become one of the most memorable garden begins this fall. experiences in North America.

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Mary Pat Matheson Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO

Think holidays! Garden Lights tickets go on sale to members Sept. 1

The holidays may seem far away, but for the best chance to enjoy them, think September! That’s when tickets to Garden Lights, Holiday Nights go on sale, starting with ones at discounted rates to Garden members. Be among the first to secure your choice night for taking in the 16th annual show. Set for November 14—January 10, Atlanta’s favorite holiday tradition celebrates the Garden’s 50th anniversary by reprising crowd-favorite displays from years past, including a festive welcome at the start of the show by the rainbow-hued Glowing Grove trees. Guests will then be drawn to giant lighted stars dangling from the storied hardwoods in the Anne Cox Chambers Garden, where a newly redesigned fountain will be dramatically lighted. Towering cone trees will lead the way to the Great Lawn, where the ever-popular Orchestral Orbs will change colors to the beats of holiday tunes, always sure to ignite a few human moves around Howell Fountain. Follow even more beats to the Skyline Garden, where a deejay, roasted s'mores and a giant lighted dragon from past Imaginary Worlds exhibits will be holding court. And, as usual, save the best for last with a stroll through Storza Woods, where “Nature’s Wonders” – the giant curtain of changing light synchronized with music – is sure to dazzle and immerse onlookers along the Canopy Walk. For tickets, visit atlantabg.org. Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco is sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation, Isdell Family Foundation and Publix with support from Georgia Power.

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Fruitful yields Orangerie adds compact, more bountiful citrus

The Fuqua Conservatory Orangerie, home to a rich, diverse collection of tropical plants, has been renovated to broaden the story of how farmers have developed improved varieties of citrus for higher productivity and more efficient cultivation. New plantings focus on a range of favorite Citrus species and varieties, including Key Lime, Citrus × aurantiifolia; Moro Blood Orange, Citrus × sinensis; and Meyer Lemon, Citrus × meyeri; all of which are high-yielding forms grafted onto dwarf rootstock, which produces smaller, yet more productive trees. Unlike the large and unwieldy natural forms planted in past years, these new plants are grafted onto the citrus tree Poncirus trifoliata var. monstruosa 'Flying Dragon'. They will produce trees that are far more compact and manageable while still producing good quantities of fruit. In addition, a range of useful species with high ornamental value have been added to the displays. They include Shampoo Ginger, Zingiber zerumbet, used as a hair and skin cleanser in Southeast Asia; dwarf colored pineapples, Ananas comosus var. microstachy; red

Moro Blood Orange

Jasminium sambac

and yellow yams, Ipomoea batatas; and the double-flowering Jasminium sambac, which is highly fragrant and used in Jasmine Tea. The Orangerie continues to exhibit traditional spices such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Black Pepper as well as potent poisons and medicines including Curare, Derris and Neem, together with the flavorings and perfumes produced from the Allspice and Bay Rum trees. Important species such as Coconut and Dragon Fruit also remain part of the collection. Orangeries have a rich history. Originally constructed in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, the structures were maintained by wealthy families and institutions to

Meyer Lemon

protect citrus trees during winter and to enjoy fresh fruit year round. As explorers and plant collectors returned from distant parts of the world, the plant collections gradually expanded beyond citrus to include plants of botanical, cultural, medicinal and economic importance. The Garden’s Orangerie continues that tradition. While the plants may change from time to time, the purpose remains the same—to celebrate the extraordinary ways they enrich lives through the enduring partnership between people and plants. Paul Blackmore Conservatory & Outdoor Horticulture Manager

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| Atlanta

EXPANSION UPDATE

Greener gateways! Work begins on new gardens, including adding 800-plus new trees

The Garden expects to break ground this fall on its much-anticipated nearly 8-acre expansion that will make it contiguous with the Atlanta Beltline, allowing a second entrance off the 22-mile loop around the city. “The start of construction marks a defining moment in the Garden's history. Our expansion and new Beltline entrance will create an entirely new way for visitors to experience the Garden while expanding our capacity to educate, inspire and connect people with the natural world,” Garden 4

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President & CEO Mary Pat Matheson said. “After more than a decade of perseverance through economic headwinds and unforeseen circumstances, it's incredibly rewarding to see this bold vision becoming a reality." Passersby will first notice quite a transformation along bustling Piedmont Avenue where several commercial buildings have been razed, and crews prepare the site for construction. The work will include removal of about 200 trees, many of which are dead, diseased, invasive species or small-caliper “weed trees”.

To offset the loss of tree canopy, more than 800 new trees will be planted, more Atlanta, GA than half of them native varieties April more 03, 2025 suitable for the Southeastern climate, as the Garden anticipates future impact of climate change. The new plantings will result in a net gain of nearly 400,000 square feet of new canopy. “The goal is to highlight diversity in what we’re planting, including replanting of lots of native hardwoods,” said Scott McMahan, Vice President, Horticulture & Collections.

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PIEDMONT AVENUE FACELIFT

The new streetscape planned for Piedmont Avenue, designed by HGOR, will feature 24 new trees as well as ornamental shrubs, such as: Trees: Carya aquatica, Water Hickory Carya glabra, Pignut Hickory Quercus lyrate, Overcup Oak Quercus michauxii, Swamp Chestnut Oak Quercus pagoda, Cherrybark Oak Shrubs: Abelia x grandiflora 'Radiance' Camellia sasanqua 'October Magic' Hydrangea paniculata 'Groundbreaker Blush' Sarcococca confusa, Sweet Box Spirea thunbergia 'Ogon'

A streetscape design for Piedmont Avenue calls for 24 new oaks and hickories to be planted along new sidewalks. Another idea could include ornamental shrubs, perennials and vines that would help screen fencing. Rendering by HGOR.

Rendering by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects

One component of the plan is to create make the Garden the first major cultural a new streetscape along the site’s western t l A n tA o t attraction A n i c directly A l accessible A r dfrom e nthe Piedmont Avenue border, adding even more Beltline. P I E D M O N T AV E S T R E E T S C A P E V I E W 1 A F T E R greenspace along the busy corridor. New The additional entrance will begin with sidewalk landscaping will add 24 trees such the Beltline Plaza, outside the Garden as oaks and hickories as well as camellias, gates — a dynamic programming space that azaleas, hydrangeas and other ornamental will allow a variety of free, mission-oriented shrubs for screening the property’s fencing. programs and community engagement To fund the expansion project, expected opportunities for people of all ages. The new to be completed in 2029, the Garden has Beltline-facing Visitor Center will feature raised $149 million through a capital an indoor/outdoor café, gift shop, bicycle campaign. Once open, the addition will parking and other amenities.

Inside the gates, a series of immersive experiences will be organized along a central Grand Axis, providing a strong linear sightline through the center of the expansion site, with dramatic views between garden rooms. From the Water Terraces near the Arrival Court, through the Walled Garden, and up to the Fountain Garden on the property’s highest point, visitors will delight in exploring Atlanta’s new worldclass greenspace. atlantabg.org

| Atlanta

10,000+ pumpkins! Fall displays allow horticulturists to strut their creative stuff Arranging more than 10,000 pumpkins to form carefully designed fall displays throughout the Garden may seem like a back-breaking task. But for the horticulture team, the assignment is not only a labor of love but also a project in sustainability. 6

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Planning begins in April when staff begin toying with design ideas and place orders with wholesalers to grow certain types or colors of pumpkins the team would like. That timing is especially critical for the Anne Cox Chambers Flower Walk, where a grand finale of the displays culminates in a rich tapestry of color and form best eyed from above. Some bed designs are dictated by existing shrubs and annuals displays, while others evolve from a clean slate, where creativity knows no bounds. “Once we have a design on paper, we

decide on a color scheme,” said Jim Smith, Outdoor Horticulture Senior Manager. “This year will be more pastels – greens, pinks, blues, whites, yellows.” And look for unusual-colored hybrids like Pink Banana and Polar Bear. By mid-September, the pumpkin orders arrive in two tractor-trailers piled from floor to ceiling. “At that point, it’s all hands on deck to get the pumpkins off the trucks and stored in the back parking lot,” Smith said. The displays begins by spray painting

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Far left, top: Multi-colored pumpkins form intricate display patterns. Left: A pumpkin tree greets guests upon arrival. Above middle: Staff unload boxes of pumpkins. Above bottom: A team of 20 passes the pumpkins 'bucket-brigade' style to each other for placement.

patterns on top of a thick layer of mulch added so the pumpkins won’t rest on the damp ground to avoid rot. Forklifts then carry boxes of pumpkins from the lot to each display site. Then, the real fun begins: For three days, about 20 staff members form a firefighting bucket brigade, passing individual pumpkins – one by one – from box to each other and ultimately to the ground. “Each pumpkin is then placed by hand – sometimes with the stem up, sometimes on its side, sometimes bottom up,” Smith said. “We

don’t just dump them out because we want to show their best side, with some upright like a soldier, others placed randomly.” The final touches come when more than 350 chrysanthemums are added to the displays as seasonal accents. Sadly, after Halloween it’s curtains for the pumpkins, and staff and volunteers are encouraged to take home as many as they can haul away for their own displays. Others are donated to area food banks and kitchens. And the rest are composted on site, providing

food for the Garden as a rich layer of top dressing for beds. “We’re feeding our plants, and that’s top of mind because not having to buy compost is huge for us,” Smith said. “So, in the end, nothing is tossed or lost.” And even though a lot of work goes into the short-lived displays, it represents Smith’s favorite time of year. “Yes, it’s only for a month, but it’s a very creative project for all of us,” he said. SEE OCTOBER'S FALL CELEBRATIONS, PAGES 12-13

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Laelia ansceps

Stanhopea

Orchid oasis From a volunteer’s greenhouse to a high-tech complex, tropical species blossom into world-renowned collection

As the Garden celebrates its 50th anniversary, one of its proudest accomplishments is the ongoing development of its internationally acclaimed tropical species orchid collection. Fuqua Orchid Center Manager Becky Brinkman, a 38-year veteran of the Garden, reflects on the highlights and challenges in its growth – and why orchids are such a crowd pleaser. 8

Celebrating 50 Years

Becky Brinkman in the Tropical High Elevation House in the Fuqua Orchid Center

Dottie Fuqua, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter tour the new Orchid Center at its opening.

Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)

When did the Garden first begin to display orchids?

We started as soon as the Conservatory doors opened in March 1989. After the Garden’s first Ecuador expedition in 1990, the collection contained some of its now-signature species including Huntleya wallisii and Paphinia herrerae.

Why orchids as opposed to some other plant?

Orchids are a natural flagship group for conservation and horticulture – exotic yet accessible, highly diverse, highly threatened, endlessly fascinating.

At what point did orchids become the Garden’s “signature collection”?

In 1987, during the initial planning for the Conservatory we developed the Garden’s first Plant Collections Policy, which mandated the creation of specific plant collections, including orchids.

Orchid Display House

The new Orchid Center included additional greenhouse space.

What was it like expanding our Conservatory to include an Orchid Center devoted to this one collection? As the collection grew in size and depth it became clear that it merited its own display and back-up greenhouses. We wanted to show in the most accessible way possible the extraordinary diversity of living plants, which reaches its zenith in the orchid family. We wanted guests to be able to see them up close and not behind a glass wall, to understand that green plants are absolutely fundamental to all life on Earth, that plant diversity is dwindling and worth our efforts to preserve. The public was awestruck by it.

How do you describe the size and scope of today’s collection? It’s one of the major collections of tropical species orchids in North America. continued on page 10

Collection milestones 1987: The first orchids arrive and are grown in longtime supporter and volunteer Peggy Martin’s greenhouse while the Conservatory complex was built. 1993: The first Orchid Daze display is staged in the Conservatory Lobby. 2002: The Fuqua Orchid Center opens. 2017: Botanic Gardens Conservation International cites the collection as one of the world’s most diverse. 2019: American Public Gardens Association accredits the Garden’s Stanhopea and Gongora collections. 2020: The Garden identifies its highest priority plant accessions and begins seed banking and micropropagating them for distribution. Celebrating 50 Years

Garden’s first “I do”

Member recalls inaugural wedding

Dr. Kathryn Spahr believes she was the first person to be married in the Garden 35 years ago. A Vinings area resident, the retired physician and her now-former husband tied the knot in the original Rose Garden after getting special permission from trustees (Today, the Garden averages about 60 weddings annually). Here is her recollection: "I believe I am the first person to get married at the Garden — back on Sunday, June 2, 1991. Before me, weddings were not offered. “As a member and avid gardener, I just loved the Garden and approached a young woman working in the small Events department to ask if I could get married there. She told me that they had never had a wedding. She thought about it for a moment and said she would have to bring it up to the Board of Trustees and get back to me. “A few days later she called to say she would continued from page 9

The Orchid Center is named in honor of supporter Dorothy Fuqua. What was she was like to work with?

She delighted in plants, was thrilled about the project and would drop by for visits all the time. It was always fun to be able to show her some new plant treasure. She was the best imaginable supporter.

What were some of the early challenges of such a high-tech facility? We needed a heated Orchid Center in order to install the plants, and we didn’t get that until two weeks before opening! You can imagine the frantic rush of those two weeks. It was all hands on deck, planting practically around the clock. Also, some of the technology, like the air-washing system, was cutting edge and untested in a greenhouse setting. We didn’t know until we built it and flipped

Celebrating 50 Years

be interested in speaking to me further. We met and brainstormed ideas. I suggested the Rose Garden because of its pergola and setting up guest chairs in the garden’s concentric gravel circles, with a three-piece musical group off to the side. She thought it was a great idea. I borrowed two pedestals from the Garden for floral arrangements, which I later brought over to the food tables. “We discussed cost, and she suggested $200 to $400 for the entire rental, and I agreed. She asked if I would be renting the adjacent hall in case of rain, but I declined as I was in medical

school at the time with no money. I asked if I could use the covered porch for free to set up food, and she said sure. Luckily, it didn’t rain! “There was no specific place for me to get dressed, but we were allowed to use a small conference room. My bridesmaids and I hung our dresses on the overhead projector screen, changed in front of open windows and used the public bathroom in the lobby. “I asked if my 80 to 90 guests could come 30 minutes beforehand to visit the Garden, and she said that was fine. And everyone had a wonderful time!”

the switch for the first time whether it would even work! (Spoiler: It did.)

When did you join the Garden and in what capacity?

I was hired in June 1988 as the Greenhouse Manager/Propagator. When I arrived the Conservatory was a precast concrete frame with an enormous pile of sand in the middle. On my first day, the adjacent city greenhouses were demolished to make way for the 10,000-square-foot Deen Day Smith Backup Greenhouses used today.

When and how did the Garden’s orchid conservation efforts develop?

Our conservation work involving orchids, Sarracenia, Torreya and other Southeastern native plants was initiated by Ron Determann, who headed the Conservatory and was, and continues to be, a passionate advocate for plant conservation. He built our first micropropagation lab, launched many reintroduction

High school summer interns explore displays in the Orchid Center Atrium.

and restoration field projects, and initiated partnerships with conservation organizations. Today, those efforts are led by our Southeastern Center for Conservation, a global leader in the protection of imperiled species.

How big a part of the Garden’s story has orchid conservation become? Conservation and educating the next generation about it are, in my opinion, the most significant things the Garden does.

Ball celebrates anniversary with Jubilee In tribute to the Garden’s 50th anniversary, the 2026 Garden of Eden Ball will feature the theme Jubilee. Set for Saturday, Sept. 26, the Garden’s largest fundraising event honors all current and past Garden trustees and will include cocktails, a tented dinner and dancing. Presented by Cox Enterprises.

Circles Members ORCHID CIRCLE $12,000 annually Natalie and David Batchelor Steven Behm and Javier Garcia Sara Jean and Fred Burke Liz and Bill Cary Amanda and Michael Chanin Scott Cockerham Lynn and Terry Chastain Carol and Larry Cooper Lizzie and John Crawford Larry Davis Joy and John Dyer Jennifer and Marty Flanagan Duvall and Rex Fuqua Gail and Pete Furniss Alison and Aaron Glenn Shearon and Taylor Glover Babette and Bill Henagan Mary and John Huntz Roya and Bahman Irvani Martha Johnson Sarah and Jim Kennedy Jeni and David Knight Cara Isdell Lee and Zak Lee Linda Lively and Jim Hugh Barbara and Jim MacGinnitie Linda and Ed McGinn Anna and Hays Mershon Jim Miller Lee and Marilyn Morris Terrie and Read Morton Sara and Cody Partin Sandra and Craig Perry Robin and Marc Pollack Margaret and Bob Reiser Nancy and Charlie Rigby Dean and Bronnie Smith Linda Sward Greer and Alex Taylor Kristen and Jason Taylor Carol and Ramon Tomé MAGNOLIA CIRCLE $6,000 annually Mopsy Aldridge Elizabeth Allen Cathleen and Robert Bartlett Molly and Ramsay Battin Tom Bat and Rod Rusyniak Tina and Paul Blackney Arthur M. Blank Susan and Mike Brooks Lynn and Terry Chastain Jackie and Michael Cobb Kate and Matt Cook Molly Cummings Ann and Jim Curry Jessica and John Dark Ellen Doft and Alexander Katz Lou and Tom Glenn Anne E. Hayden Nicolette Hennings May B. and Howell Hollis Mary Ellen Imlay Neville C. Isdell Sarah and Scott Kagan Tori and Jon Kaplan Mickey Katz and Karina Cordisco Barby and Bert Levy Tuba and Doug Malinowski Flossie and Tom Mobley Melissa Monk

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

Dana and Nick Nicolay Carly and Peter Nicolay Jennifer and David Poroch April and Kyle Porter Ruth Magness Rollins Deen Day Sanders Lauren and Andrew Schlossberg Janet Schoff and Richard Nailling Alayne and George Sertl Christine Sigety Lynette Smith Laura S. Spearman Susan and Jim Spratt Beverly and Peter Thomas Julia and Kam Tse Paula Turner and Mimi McCain Harriet Warren Ronit Walker and Matt Bronfman Nancy A. Waterfill and Joe H. Waterfill Carla and Leonard Wood Dancy and Charlie Wynne ARBOR CIRCLE $3,000 annually Kathy and Walter Adams Firelli Alonso and Jon Crate Meg and Wyatt Anderson Carolyn Arakaki and Peter Drotman Yum and Ross Arnold Beth and Dean Athanassiades Sylvia Attkisson Jade and Mike Auzenne Melissa and Philip Babb Kathleen Barksdale Gaylen and Jeffrey Baxter Jan Beaves Elizabeth Benator Aiko Bethea and Robbin Hudson Stephanie and Xavier Bignon Liz and Frank Blake Diana Blank Stephanie S. Blomeyer Bill Bolen Merritt Bond Teri and Mose Bond Melinda Borrero and Mike Rundle Linda and Sam Boyte Ginny and Charles Brewer Lisa and Ron Brill Katie Brown Kristy Brown Carolyn and Max Brown Norris Broyles Laurel and Gordon Buchmiller Becky Burgess Robert Burkholder Dorothy and Peter Burns Lucy and Henry Bush Lisa and Russ Butner Candace Carson Nancy and Jason Chambers Pamela H. Chawkin Daniel J. Chen Sidney and Don Childress Anne Barge Clegg Martha Clinkscales and David Forquer Natalie and Gregg Codelli Lynn and John Cogan Ta’Shengrem and Brandon Cook Amy and Aaron Cosgrove Christine Curtis and Cody Curtis Mason Debbie and Paul Cushing

Robin Cutshaw and Donna Godsey Teresa Dau and Amanda McMillan Amelia Davies Lewis Davis Audra Dial and Matthew Ford Ginger Dixon Linda Doherty Karen and David Dorton Allison and Billy Dukes Debbie and John Edwards Diana Einterz Florida and Douglas Ellis Katharine and Alan Elsas Terry and Charles Epstein Maggie Erickson Virginia and Mitch Ermentrout Gail H. Evans Julie and John Fox Ellen Frauenthal and Laura Richardson Mary Ann and Sam Fraundorf Jennifer Fuqua Heidi and David Geller Doris and Matthew Geller Carolyn Gibbs and Rick Nelson Lynda and Ben Greer Claire and Luther Grifith Nena Griffith Mazie Lynn Guertin Tana B. Harlan Tammie and Mickey Harp Mary Hart Wilheit and Philip A. Wilheit Jean and John Hatfield Natalie and Douglas Herndon Lila and Doug Hertz Christi Hildebrandt and Sharon Hildebrandt Jo and Kevin Hodges Karen and Mark Holzberg Ann Howington and Martha Gangemi Renhe Huang and Richard Parker Dona and Bill Humphreys Jane and Clay Jackson Dale Jacoby Courtney Jenkins Bobbo Jetmundsen Edwina and Tom Johnson Owen Jones Emily Williams Jordan and David Jordan DeAnna and Gene Kansas Andrea and Mark Kauffman Minde King Sue Kinsella Sandy and Loren Koch Daniel Lagerman and Aleeza Lew Jim Landon Marianne and E.G. Lassiter Millie and Bob Lathan Deborah Levey Jeannie and Glenn Lightsey Lauren and James Linville Lynn Lowance Cindy Mallard Mary Maltbie Martin Becky and James Martell Lauren Fuqua Maronnier and Arnaud Maronnier Elizabeth and David Martin Kari and Joseph Martinez Stephanie Dowell and Maney Mazloom Karen McCarthy and Lindsay Walton Mary Jo and Alfred Means Erika Meinhardt

Jane and Randy Merrill Kara and David Miller Kathryn and Ward Miller Dorothy E. Mitchell-Leef and Forrest I. Leef Carl Mitcheson and Keegan Treadaway Ellen and Melvin Moore Sally and Jim Morgens Bett and Ray D. Moses Michelle Murdock and Susan Cagle Gail and Michael Murray Kim and Johnny Nagy Lynne Nelson Ellen and George Nemhauser Nancy Newton Karen and Richard Parker Tonya and Steve Paro Jannquell C. Peters Margaret Peterson and Jill Adams Arlene Porter Katherine and John Porter Eleanor Post and Bradley Ferguson Ali and Clay Prickett Heather Prill Denita Pryor Eliza Quigley Kathy and Marbury Rainer Chris and Robert Reddinger Olive and Roby Robinson JaKathryn Ross Kristine and David Rudolph Sylvia Russell Sharon and David Schachter Andre Schnabl and Denny Marcus Lu Anne Schwarz Marsha and Albert Scott Dawn and Timothy Severt Nancy and Al Sherrod Charlotte and Tom Shields Lorraine and Tom Simons Lisa Skittone and Joseph Moran Roger Smith Kim and Alex Smith Stephanie Soltau and Dan Noyd Kirsten Spraggins Maggie and Henry Staats Linda and Mason Stephenson Frances Stinson David W. Strickler Melinda and Stephen Stuk Margaretta Taylor Christine Tryba-Cofrin and David Cofrin Lucy Vance Mary Walker Lynn and Wink Weinberg Suzy Wilner Tricky and George Wolfes Tammy Wood Lisa Yeager and Bob Ditty Allen Yee Studie and Zach Young

Updated June 23, 2026

Celebrating 50 Years

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| Atlanta

Niki in the Garden Cocktails in the Garden

Thursdays, through Sept. 24, 5–8 p.m. Enjoy the Garden during the cool of the evening with cash bars, food, music and art.

Outdoor Kitchen Programs

Fuqua Lecture: Katharine Wilkinson

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m. Author Katharine Wilkinson offers a compassionate and empowering guide for navigating through ache to action, doubt to possibility in dealing with the climate crisis. 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.

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Select dates through October Local chefs showcase recipes to savor the season during Garden Chef Demonstrations, small culinary classes and dinner experiences, including the Fresh Plates, Georgia Grown and Well-Seasoned Chef series. Get fresh inspiration and tips for home cooking while learning and sampling dishes featuring herbs and vegetables from steps away in the Edible Garden. See a full listing of plant-to-plate programs in the Outdoor Kitchen at atlantabg.org/outdoorkitchen.

Garden of Eden Ball

Saturday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate the Garden’s 50th anniversary at its largest annual fundraising event. Presented by Cox Enterprises, the Jubilee-themed ball honors all past Garden trustees.

Through Sunday, Sept. 6 Celebrate an encore exhibition of the joyful sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle with 40 of the late artist’s works displayed throughout the Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden

Thursday, Oct. 1–Sunday, Nov. 1 Check out dozens of scarecrows created by schools, businesses and families perched around the Garden, including a few oversized ones on the Great Lawn.

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October Thursdays, 5–8 p.m. Explore Scarecrows in the Garden while enjoying craft beers and live entertainment.

Fall Family Fun

Saturdays – Sundays, Oct. 3 – Nov. 1, 10 a.m. – Noon Fall-themed activities will delight youngsters of all ages!

Alston Lecture: Felicia Feaster

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. Join Felicia Feaster, author of The Goth Garden: The Mystery, Beauty, and Lore of Dark Gardening, as she hearkens to the Victorian age, when nature was both feared and revered, delving into plants both commonplace and rare like Angel’s Trumpet, Ghost Pipe and others. The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture Series is made possible by generous support from the estate of Elkin Goddard Alston.

Goblins in the Garden

Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Show off your child’s Halloween costume on the Goblin’s Runway, participate in fall family activities and enjoy train rides, all while exploring Scarecrows in the Garden!

HOLIDAYS IN THE GARDEN

Great Pumpkin-Carving Festival

Thursday, Oct. 22, 5–8:30 p.m. Enjoy exciting entertainment, festive ales, clever crafts and delicious food as teams of amateur carvers compete for prizes during this ticketed event.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Saturday, Nov. 14–Sunday, Jan. 10 Tickets are on sale for this holiday favorite featuring millions of brilliantly colored lights, a Poinsettia Tree, s’mores and more! Presented by Invesco.

Holiday Model Trains

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Fest-of-Ale

Saturday, Nov. 14–Sunday, Jan. 10 Bring the kids and be one again at this holiday favorite display. Presented by Norfolk Southern.

Holiday Ride-on Train Saturdays–Sundays, Nov. 14–Jan. 3 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Hop on the Botanical Express for a ride around the Great Lawn. Member fare: $4 per passenger.

Botanical Santa

Saturdays, Nov. 28–Dec. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring your camera and tell Santa all your holiday wishes.

UPCOMING CLASS LISTINGS NOW ONLINE

KNOWLEDGE BLOOMS! ATLANTA Healthy Soil: Reimagining Compost Learn the fundamentals of composting, explore the difference between diverse systems and gain hands-on experience making natural biofertilizers such as compost tea, ferments and more! .

GAINESVILLE Natural Perfume Blending Explore the history of perfume making and its connection to the aromatic compounds found in plants. Blend up to three fragrance notes inspired by botanics into a one-of-a-kind scent.

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ART, GARDENING AND CHEF CLASSES! atlantabg.org

| Gainesville

A Note from the Director Fall brings welcomed cooler temperatures and renewed activities to the Garden. Kudos to all of our stalwart volunteers who set record monthly volunteering numbers in spite of the summer heat and stormy weather! I hope you've had the chance to see our adopted herd of sheep that we are using to begin kudzu control on the 4 acres adjacent to the parking lot and Edible Garden. They have been very effective in removing the kudzu and leaving an area that will be much more easily managed for invasive control. Our new Horticultural Educator, Leanne Garrett, has developed some new internship programs for college and high school students, and has helped to expand our program offerings. Watch the website for information about weekend pop-ups featuring “small tastings” from our Edible Garden. Don’t miss FallFest on Saturday, Oct. 3. Our festivals just get better each season. Educational booths, the Curiosity Cart, vendors, plant giveaways, music and special family performers will again activate the Garden for all ages! And that will also be the first weekend to see our annual Scarecrows in the Garden with clever figures created by members, volunteers and local businesses. Gainesville Glows: Lanterns & Lights, our holiday light show, was incredibly successful in its first year, and we have made improvements for an even better immersive display in 2026! We hope to see you in November and December as we create Gainesville’s favorite holiday tradition. Whether it’s enjoying Scarecrows, autumn color along the trails, FallFest or Gainesville Glows, we look forward to sharing the Garden with everyone!

Gainesville Glows Expanded holiday light show returns for second round of fun!

Discounted member tickets go on sale September 1 for the second annual Gainesville Glows: Lanterns & Lights, featuring expanded holiday displays bound to dazzle the entire family. The show, open on select nights Nov. 19— January 3 from 5—10 p.m., will transform the enchanted woodland garden into a winter wonderland for a family tradition filled with sparkling displays, festive music and unforgettable fun! Look for even more luminarias than in last year’s inaugural show to line pathways and form masses on the Event Lawn. There, pulsing, rainbow-colored Sasha Trees will cast a festive glow, while on the patio, 6- to 12-foot interactive candy canes will allow curious kids to press the lighted stripes on and off. Towering above it all will be colorfully uplighted hardwoods, surrounded by other trees wrapped in white lights to outline their beautiful shapes. And blue and white paper lanterns will create a tunnel effect in the

gainesville happenings Education Classes

September – December Topics include gardening, art and more.

Homeschool Workshops

Thursdays, Sept. 17; Oct. 1, Oct. 15 Sessions offer families a guided classroom experience investigating the connections found among nature, science and art. Each focuses on Next Generation Science Standards as well as crosscutting concepts led by a certified Georgia science educator.

FallFest

Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.—3 p.m. Celebrate fall with live entertainment, a mini-market and more. Enter the pumpkincarving contest for a chance to win prizes!

Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director

atlantabg.org

Overlook Garden. New this year will a model train display in the Glade Garden sure to delight kids and kids at heart. For ticket information on the show, sponsored by the Melvin and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation with support from Cook Law Group, visit gainesvillegarden.org.

Details at gainesvillegarden.org

Scarecrows in the Garden

Saturday, Oct. 3—Sunday, Nov. 1 The woodland garden is stuffed with creations by local artists, families, crafters, youth groups and more.

Boo-tanical Seed Exchange

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2–4 p.m. Bring seeds you've saved from your garden or a packet purchased from the store to participate in the swap.

Gainesville Glows: Lanterns and Lights

Select nights, November 19 – January 3, 5—10 p.m. The annual holiday light show transforms the woodland into a winter wonderland for an unforgettable tradition filled with festive music, and family-friendly fun!

Gainesville |

Herding kudzu Garden employs sheep to help control invasives

Horticulturists have rounded up a big assist in battling a B-A-A-d problem of kudzu invading the Gainesville Garden—sheep! Expanding the Garden’s parking facilities several years ago exposed a large valley of the persistent vine and other invasive plants directly adjacent to the new addition. As any Georgian knows, kudzu can consume an area quickly, and there have been few environmentally friendly options for fighting it—until recently. Using sheep and goats for “prescribed grazing” has become a highly effective way to help control invasive plants, greatly reducing the need for herbicides while protecting the land. The Garden has begun its own fight by employing 36 sheep from City Sheep and

Goat in Athens, a northeast Georgia service that rids invasive habitats without using toxic chemicals or heavy equipment that can harm trees and soil. Most of the sheep will graze for about a month to accomplish the initial knockdown of the invasives. After that, a smaller group remains to munch on whatever the first group missed and what pops up after the clearing. The sheep are kept in their designated area by a simple, solar-powered electric net fencing, and staff check on them daily to ensure they are well and accounted for. It’s become a much-coveted job to rattle a jug of corn and hear all the high-pitched bleating heading your way! Other benefits of using sheep are that

they are gentler on trees and cause less damage to soil than goats, tend to eat kudzu and other broadleaf invasives over the native grasses and provide manure to the soil. Sheep manure is very low odor and offers a great balance of nutrients that does not burn plants. It can also help break up dense clay by introducing beneficial microbes. The ongoing project can take many years to properly remediate an overgrown kudzu area. The goal is to deplete root systems to the point that they die or can be easily spot treated to kill individual plants. Ethan Guthrie

Horticulture Manager

atlantabg.org

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

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

membersonly

Learn more at atlantabg.org/memberevents

Member Appreciation Month

a demonstration by D.J., the detector dog, as he sniffs out rare, endangered plants. To upgrade to Contributing level or above, call 404-591-1544.

SUPPORT THE GARDEN AS A VOLUNTEER!

DONOR-LEVEL MEMBERS

Discovery Volunteer Training

Throughout September enjoy extra member perks, including discounts at Longleaf restaurant, Quick Café, Magnolia Bistro, the Gift Shop and participating garden centers; and the chance to win prizes including Garden Lights tickets. And check out the Member Rewards program on the PassPlay digital card app for opportunities to earn points!

Member Day

Gainesville: Monday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Enjoy a morning of family-friendly activities, Scarecrows in the Garden, a special membersonly area and a complimentary treat.

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

Skyline Picnic

Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mix and mingle at this exclusive event for Donor-level members in the Skyline Garden while enjoying a casual fall evening of tasty food and live music. Invitations will be emailed. To upgrade to the Donor level, call 404-591-1544.

Member Fall Evening

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights Member Premiere

Garden Lights Volunteer Training

Docent Tour Guide Training

Fridays, Jan. 29—March 12, 9 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Learn to lead school groups on guided tours. Volunteers must commit to leading two 90-minute tours a month and be available on weekday mornings and afternoons.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 5– 10 p.m. Be among the first to explore the annual show at the lowest ticket price of the season! CONTRIBUTING AND ABOVE MEMBERS

Light Bites & Garden Insights

Atlanta: Thursday, Oct. 1, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Contributing-level members and above are treated to refreshments and a short presentation by Conservation staff, including

Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. — Noon Teach Garden guests about plant collections, conservation work and current exhibitions with materials provided to enhance the guest experience. Shift days and times are flexible, with two shifts required per month. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 — 8:30 p.m. Training covers the information needed to greet and direct visitors at Garden Lights. Volunteers must attend the introductory orientation session and commit to five shifts. They also are invited to a preview event.

Monday, Oct. 26, 5 – 8 p.m. Experience festive harvest activities featuring hundreds of pumpkins, colorful fall foliage, Scarecrows in the Garden, live music and more!

Gainesville: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10:30 a.m. – Noon Contributing-level members and above are invited to enjoy refreshments and a staff-led, behind-the-scenes tour of the Gainesville Garden’s Conservation Safeguarding Nursery. To upgrade to Contributing level or above, call 404-591-1544.

commonground

For more information, contact Josh Todd at jtodd@atlantabg.org.

404-888-GROW planthotline@atlantabg.org Small bugs are flying around my houseplants. What non-toxic method can I use to control them? What you are seeing are fungus gnats, which thrive in moist soil and are usually caused by standing water in the drain dishes of your pots or by overly watered plants. Allowing the pot’s top 2 inches of soil to completely dry before watering will help eliminate the preferred conditions for gnats and their larvae. There are also sticky yellow bug traps, especially for use with houseplants, that you can purchase that will trap the bugs. To prevent the gnats from laying eggs, add a layer of diatomaceous earth to the topsoil.

16 Clippings is available online at issuu.com/atlantabotanicalgarden