Atlanta | Gainesville | September – December 2022
| News Publication for Members of the Atlanta Botanical Garden | Atlanta | Gainesville Vice President, Marketing: Jessica Boatright | Editor: Danny Flanders | Designer: Bo Shell | Membership Manager: Claudia McDavid Twenty years ago, I began my tenure as the Garden’s Executive Director. During that time, we have includingchangestransformationalmadeandadditions,theSAGE Parking Facility, Hardin Visitor Center, Kendeda Canopy Walk and many beautiful display gardens. I was drawn to the Garden because of the quality and passion of the staff and board, and the incredible location in the heart of Midtown. As a growing metropolis, Atlanta seemed perfectly positioned to support our goal of creating one of the country’s premier botanical gardens. As I reflect on these 20 years, it is clear to me that we exceeded that goal. The Garden is known internationally for its essential plant collections, global plant conservation program, excellence in horticulture and integration of art and horticulture. I recall being asked candidly my first year by the trustees’ Executive Committee how I would rank our outdoor collections and displays. I replied that they needed work and that our goal should be for the gardens to equal the Conservatory and Orchid Center in their excellent displays, collections and design. That motivated all of us and led to multiple capital campaigns to access Storza Woods via a Canopy Walk and to build new gardens that integrated plant collections and art. We hit that mark in 2017 when we opened the Skyline Garden, and now our horticulture team works hard to assure that displays are some of the best in the country. As I think about transformational ideas, exhibitions come to mind. In July 2002, the Garden was under construction; it was messy and hot, and few people were visiting. To kick-start things, I asked the staff to rally around creating our first Scarecrow Festival, which turned out to be a resounding success and launched a fall tradition. We followed that in 2003 with Tremendous Treehouses, a whimsical exhibit from May through October that attracted visitors and members from all over metro Atlanta. But it was in 2004 that we truly kicked the doors wide open with Chihuly in the Garden, a marvelous exhibition that demonstrated the Garden was becoming a major cultural attraction, doubling visitation and membership overnight. It also began an ongoing effort to diversify our visitor base, membership and entire organization. Today, when you walk through the Garden you see people from all parts of our community, reflecting the beautiful diversity of our city. Every exhibition has a unique perspective and complements the Garden in inspiring ways; from Henry Moore’s sublime and sensual bronze sculpture to Niki de Saint Phalle’s wild and whimsical Nanas, we have showcased the creative arts and integrated plants and sculpture in ways that capture the imagination and inspire guests.It’sbeen an incredible two decades, and together we have made the Garden a remarkable place for all to enjoy. I am proud of the teams that have led the Garden to such success – we have a true village of staff, volunteers and trustees working together to assure that Atlanta’s urban oasis is a thriving, dynamic and successful cultural attraction for all. And I remain in awe of the incredible generosity of our community of members, donors, foundations and corporations that have stepped forward the last 20 years to support our grand vision and assure excellence at all levels. Thank you all for making my role as President & CEO so rewarding and fulfilling. It’s been an honor. And there is so much more to come!
President’s Message
Official
Mary Pat Matheson Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO
GARDEN
atlantabg.org|Atlanta
Reflections on two decades
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Mary Pat Matheson and Dale Chihuly at the premiere of Chihuly in the Garden in 2004. Milestones
What began in 2002 as a reason for guests to return in the cool of autumn has grown into one of the Garden’s most popular annual events, with Scarecrows in the Garden typically featuring in recent years about 100 clever and creative entries. Yet 20 years ago, this monthlong October family-fun festival didn’t get off to such a blockbuster start. “That first year we had so few entries from the public that the horticulture team and other staff had to make some of the scarecrows ourselves,” said Amanda Bennett, the Garden’s Vice President, Horticulture & Collections. “That first year we had a fairy hanging from a tree and a fisherman who caught a doll. Another year we made a giant jack-in-thebox that was probably 10 feet tall.”
Photos from past Scarecrows in the Garden are a testament to creative evolution among the submissions and the Garden itself. Below: An early pamphlet from a Scarecrows exhibit. Milestones stuff!
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Scarecrows in the Garden is presented with support from Audi Atlanta. in the Garden turns 20!
GREAT PUMPKIN-CARVING CONTEST Thursday, Oct. 27 in Atlanta, 5 – 8 p.m. An annual favorite, watch as contestants compete for the most creative pumpkin head designs in the Garden.
The scarecrows also take center stage at two other fall-fave events: GOBLINS IN THE GARDEN Sunday, Oct. 23 in Atlanta, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Show off the little ones’ Halloween costumes on the Goblin Runway and enjoy fun fallthemed games and activities.
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Two decades later, staff need only install the entries created by schools, businesses, families and designers for the exhibition, presented both at the Midtown and Gainesville gardens October 1 – 30. “I’m always thrilled on Scarecrows’ drop-off day because you can really see the love and care people put into creating their entries,” said Emily Saccenti, the Garden’s Exhibits Project Manager. “My favorites are usually those entered by families with kids or by youth groups such as Girl Scouts. There’s always an insane amount of creativity at all levels of ability everyTwoyear.”ofBennett’s all-time favorite entries were an enor mous metal pumpkin-head man tipping his top hat and a giant spider that straddled the Cox Courtyard fountain with legs made from pitchforks. Participants compete for cash prizes in the categories of Amateur, Creative Professional and Business. As a bonus, guests may experience the exhibit during twilight hours at Fest-ofAle, featuring craft beers and live entertain ment daily from 5 – 8 p.m.
Scarecrows
Scary
New for this year’s light show will be an installation of illuminated large metal sculptures of birds in the recently reno vated Anne Cox Chambers Garden. The ethereal sculptures by French artist Cédric Le Borgne include birds perched among the hardwoods, ranging from up to 10 feet wide and 16 feet long and glowing under warm white up-lights. Also look for three of the massive sculp tures from the current exhibition Origami in the Garden to remain for the show, dramatically lit for the holiday season: The giant “Hero’s Horse” near the Great Lawn, the towering floral bouquet “Scents of Gratitude” in the Skyline Garden pond and the “Ghost Deer” in front of Longleaf restaurant.And,as always, plenty of fan-favorites will make an encore, including Storza Woods’ vertical-moving curtain of light “Nature’s Wonders” with an all-new sound track; the Flower Walk’s “Glowing Grove” of trees programmed to change colors; and “Ice Goddess” and the “Orchestral Orbs.”
| Atlanta NIGHTLIGHT
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For ticket information, visit atlantabg.org.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights is made possible with support from the Isdell Family Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation and Georgia Power.
Member tickets go on sale September 23 for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ, the 12th annual yuletide tradition that sets the holiday mood for both Atlantans and tourists alike. Once again, tickets are timed and available only online for ensuring guests have a safe, comfortable walking experience during the November 12 – January 14 event. That means tickets will go fast, so avoid the nightly sell-outs by buying early.
THE Le Borgne’s illuminated birds will create a new display in the Anne Cox Chambers Garden.
Get tickets early for holiday show
WHAT’S GROWING IN LEVY PARTERRE?
Petunia ‘White Wave’ bold-textured flower
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ silver leaf Zinnia ‘Profusion White’ medium-textured flower and leaf
Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol White’ bold-textured leaf and flower
Phlox paniculata ‘David’ medium-textured flower and leaf Stachys ‘Helene Von Stein’ bold-textured silver leaf
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Iris x germanica ‘Immortality’ bold-textured variegated leaf
Cleome ‘Senorita White’ medium-textured flower and leaf.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ bold-textured green leaf, medium-textured flower
Monochromatic design puts focus on plants’ form and texture
Plectranthus argentatus (silver leaf) bold-textured gray leaf
Vinca ‘Cora White’ bold-textured flower Rosa ‘Iceberg’ bold-textured flower
Euphorbia Diamond Frost ® fine-textured flower and leaf
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ fine-textured green leaf
Gomphrena ‘Las Vegas White’ medium-textured flower and leaf Ruellia ‘Mayan White’ bold-textured leaf and flower Angelonia ‘Serena White’ fine-textured flower and leaf. Caladium any white color, cultivars for sun and shade, bold-textured leaf, can be variegated.
White gardens
Alocasia Calidora bold-textured green leaf
What could be a more romantic setting for a summer evening stroll than a billowing garden of pure white? A white garden dances to life at twilight just as the sun starts to fade with its flowers reflecting the last tiny bits of light. Though the summer heat may keep most people indoors during the hottest parts of the day, a white garden provides a beckoning retreat for those twilight hours, thanks to the color’s ability to shine in near darkness. Designing a white garden is in some ways the same as for a multi-colored one. Yet, in other ways a white garden requires paying special attention to form and texture, and an alyzing individual plants to determine if they are the correct shade of white. Is it actually creamy white vs. bright white, or does the flower fade to pink and ruin the feel? When selecting plants for the white garden created this spring in the Garden’s Levy Parterre, the horticulture staff sought: Pure white flowers with little or no other colors on the petals. Leaves of the plants were kept either silver or chartreuse as a highlight or green to blend into the background and simply set the stage for the flowers. Growth habits of the various plants that were a healthy mix from tall shrubby plants to the most demure vining species. Mixing plant forms is important to create depth in the white garden. A space with every plant barely above the ground would be flat and boring. But mixing tall upright plants such as Ruellia ‘Mayan White’ or Cleome ‘Senorita White’ with medium billowy plants like Plectranthus argentatus and Phlox paniculata ‘David’ creates a much more visually appealing composition. Various textures of leaves and flowers. A mix of big, bold texture, medium and fine makes a more visually pleasing display. Layout of the bed is a delicate dance of mixing bold leaf textures with plants such as Alocasia ‘Portodora’, bold-textured flow ers such as white Mandevilla along with finer-textured species such as Euphorbia Diamond Frost®. Michael Sheek and Jim Smith Horticulture Managers
PLANT fallDiverseASTERSCLOSEUP:perennialofferslate-summer,colorwhenit’sneededmost Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’ One sure sign that summer is fading and autumn is dawning is asters in bloom. Species in the genus Aster have widely diverse characteristics – heights varying from 1 to 6 feet, widths from 1 to 3 feet and various petal colors, to name a few. Asters provide lots of color as summer is fading while also supporting wildlife in the fall garden. Most are happiest in full sun, requiring only minor pruning about halfway through the summer to keep plants stocky and not leggy. Here are a few to discover throughout the Garden. Raleigh Wasser Horticulture Manager
Aromatic Aster Bloom time: September – November Characteristics: This flowering perennial is drought tolerant and forms mounding colonies that spread by rhizome. The flowers are medium bluish purple, and the plant grows to about 3 feet. It needs minimal maintenance and blooms late in the season – perfect for supporting migrating butterflies. This cultivar was named the 2016 Plant of the Year by The Garden Club of America. Companions: Anise-scented goldenrod (Solidago odora), for a pollinator’s paradise Where to see in the Garden: Anne Cox Chambers Garden and Gainesville Garden entrance
Characteristics: This tender perennial spreads by rhizomes and can reach 6 feet. The flower features purple rays and yellow centers. Companions: Oakleaf hydrangea to support the tall blooms of the flowering ‘Jindai’. Both pair excellently as late summer cut flowers. Where to see in the Garden: Perennial Garden
Companions: Ornamental grasses like Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘White Cloud’, which blooms tufts of white, to extend the season of interest in a fall perennial garden. Where to see in the Garden: Perennial Garden and Storza Woods Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’
Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’ Aromatic Aster Bloom time: August – October
Characteristics: This stoloniferous, somewhat aggressive, perennial reaches about 2 feet tall and spreads easily with blue-purple daisies with yellow centers.
Characteristics: Showy flowers about 18 inches tall emerge slightly earlier than ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ and are bluer. An easy-to-grow pollinator magnet, ‘October Skies’ needs to be pinched back to pro duce better branching and more flowers.
Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’ Tatarian Aster Bloom time: September – October
Characteristics: 3-foot-tall flowers of vio let-blue petals surrounding yellow centers lure butterflies. This upright perennial is the perfect addition to a low-maintenance garden that tends to be dry. Companions: Amsonia hubrichtii (Narrowleaf Bluestar), which has beautiful golden fall color and enjoys similar conditions. Where to see in the Garden: Perennial Garden Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’ Snow Flurry Heath Aster Bloom time: September – October Characteristics: This older cultivar comes from native parentage and grows in a shorter, spreading habit. In early autumn, a profusion of tiny, white-petaled daisies draws pollinators to this ground-hugging perennial. This plant is happiest in dry, sunny sites with enough space to spread about 2 to 4 feet per plant. Companions: Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ for a long-lasting display of late summer, fall color Where to see in the Garden: Rock Garden and Gainesville’s Children’s Garden
Aster ageratoides ‘Ezo Murasaki’ Ezo Murasaki Aster Bloom time: October – November
Companions: Chrysanthemums for a show of fall color. Cut back the chrysan themums a couple times throughout the season to delay flowering. Where to see in the Garden: Children’s Garden and Gainesville’s Stream Garden Aster laevis ‘Bluebird’ Smooth Aster Bloom time: September – October
Dean DuBose Smith shows off her limbo skills in 1998. “I had a blast!” said Smith, who chaired the “Saturday Night Fever”-themed event. Making their entrance again with their usual flair, Jerry and Sylvia Attkisson arrive in style at 1989’s prom-themed gala. “I wore that dress to my high school prom when I was a junior,” she recalled.
Chaired by Allen W. Yee, the event honors Dean DuBose Smith and Bronson Smith for their Atlantadedicationlongstandingtotheartsandculture community, their tireless support of the Garden and her role as longtime Ball Advisor. This year’s theme, “Our Story Unfolds,” offers a special opportunity to celebrate the Garden. Since the first ball in 1981 (The event took a one-year pandemic-related hiatus in 2020.) the fundraiser has generated vital revenue for annual operations and mission-driven programming, contributing in countless ways over four decades to the Garden’s success.Starting with cocktails at dusk, the evening will feature dinner and dancing in a tented ballroom on the Great Lawn, with decor by Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes of Parties to Die For. Cox Enterprises returns as Presenting Sponsor, with additional support from Delta Air Lines, PNC, Ameris Bank, Arcus Capital and Edge Capital Partners, as well as a Host Committee that includes past ball chairs and honorees. For more information, call 404 5911730 or visit gardenofedenball.org.
Two of the Garden’s earliest supporters, Dottie Fuqua and Peggy Martin, share a ball moment.
The Garden of Eden Ball, the Garden’s largest annual fundraising event set for Saturday, Sept. 24, promises to be a magical evening marking a 40-year milestone for celebrating the past, present and future.
GARDEN Milestones
TOP: Media coverage of the earliest balls. Above: The bar plan for the 1981 event. BELOW: Mary Wayne Dixon, Ryan Gainey and Mary Bray celebrate Provence in 1993.
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– Atlanta Botanical Garden: A Glorified Timeline 1976 – 2015 by Olive Wilson Robinson
• As an additional fundraiser, guests placed bids on donated gifts, including a porcelain dogwood from Boehm Studios, a silver apple from Tiffany & Co., a glass iris from Hans Frabel and a weekend for two at Callaway Gardens.
• That night, it did not rain – it poured. The event netted $600, but the disappointing amount did not matter to organizers. “The most surprising thing to me is the immediate realization from the Atlanta community that we needed a botanical garden and that everyone thought it should be of such quality and scope as to stand with the best gardens,” Board Chair Holcombe Green said.
• Kathy Hendricks chaired the inaugural event; Ryan Gainey helped design the décor and would continue in that role, showcasing often over-the-top themes, for the next 20 years.
The cost: $150 per couple.
• The first Garden of Eden Ball was held on Oct. 10, 1981 to kick off the four-year-old Garden’s first major capital campaign and “build enthusiasm for the Garden’s future.”
• Except for hiring police officers, the first ball was a totalvolunteer effort. With no on-site facility for catering, all of the food was prepared offsite and stored in Ansley Park homes and the Piedmont Driving Club.
• The event was named the Garden of Eden Ball by David Laufer, who also designed the first ball invitation, which featured an apple cutout for the RSVP card.
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Mr. Steven Behm Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Cary, Jr. Dr. Lawrence E. Cooper and Mrs. Carol Cooper Mr. and Mrs. John H. Crawford, IV Christine Curtis and Cody Curtis Mason Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Davis Mr. and Mrs. John Dyer Mr. and Mrs. Martin L. Flanagan Mr. and Mrs. J. Rex Fuqua Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Furniss Mr. and Mrs. S. Taylor Glover Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harrison Laura and Scott Harrison Mr. and Mrs. William F. Henagan Mr. and Mrs. John J. Huntz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bahman Irvani Mrs. Cara Anne Isdell Lee and Mr. Zak Lee Mr. and Mrs. Michael Z. Kay Mr. and Mrs. James C. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. W. David Knight Ms. Linda Lively and Mr. Jim Hugh Linda and Ed McGinn Mr. James B. Miller, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ray D. Moses Sara and Cody Partin Mr. and Mrs. Craig D. Perry Robin and Marc Pollack Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Reiser, Jr. Mr. Aaron Ribner Ms. Ruthie M. Rollins Mr. and Mrs. H. Bronson Smith Mrs. Linda Sward Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Taylor Ms. Carol B. Tomé and Mr. Ramon E. Tomé
The performance is presented with support from Genoa Construction.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Thomas Mobley, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Morgens Ms. Terrie Rooks and Mr. Read Morton Mr. and Mrs. George Nemhauser Mr. and Mrs. Howard Palefsky Mr. and Mrs. David Poroch April Porter Mr. and Mrs. Roby Robinson Cindy and Joseph Ronchetti Mrs. Deen Day Sanders and Mr. James R. Sanders, Jr. Mrs. Laura S. Spearman Mr. and Mrs. James D. Spratt, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. C. Austin Stephens The Honorable Ronit Z. Walker and Mr. Matt M. Bronfman Mrs. Harriet Warren Nancy Allen Waterfill and Joe A. Waterfill Kay Watson and Kendall Moister Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wood Dancy and Charlie Wynne
In recognition of their continuing support, below are members of a distinguished donor community that sustains and enhances the Garden: Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge will perform during a special outdoor concert at the Garden on Friday, Sept. 30.
ARBOR CIRCLE $2,500 annually Ms. Robin Aiken and Mr. Bill Bolen Dr. Firelli Alonso and Mr. Jon Crate Andreane and Mike Anderson Mary and James Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Asher Mr. and Mrs. Jerry B. Attkisson Ms. Marcia Bansley Ms. Kathleen M. Barksdale Melissa and Jose Barra Dr. Tom Bat and Mr. Rod Rusyniak Mrs. Molly Battin and Mr. Ramsay Battin Ms. Jan Beaves Jeannie and Matthew Beckett Mr. and Mrs. Matthew C. Berberich Mr. Arthur M. Blank Ms. Diana Blank Mrs. Stephanie S. Blomeyer Mr. and Mrs. Mose Bond Mr. Merritt S. Bond Mr. and Mrs. Sam Boyte Bridget and Scott Brady Mrs. Lisa Brill and Mr. Ron Brill Carolyn and Max Brown Mr. and Mrs. Norris A. Broyles, Jr. Mr. Cason Bufe and Mrs. Ashley Bufe Drs. Patricia and John Burd Mrs. Dorothy Burns and Dr. Peter Burns Mr. and Mrs. Russell E. Butner Heidi and Paul Cantrell Ms. Candace Carson Jane J. Casavant Mrs. Carolyn Caswell Mr. Daniel J. Chen Ms. Suzanne Christensen and Ms. Jenni Madragona Anne B. Clegg Mrs. Martha Clinkscales and Mr. David Forquer Mrs. Susan Coddon Mrs. Christine Tryba-Cofrin and Mr. David Cofrin Kate and Matt Cook Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Cousins Ann and Jim Curry
An Evening with Melissa Etheridge: One Way Out Tour will be presented on the Great Lawn, one of the city’s favorite outdoor music venues, where guests are invited to relax with an intimate experience under the stars. Discount tickets are available to Garden members.
Maggie Erickson Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Fasy Casey and Kelsey Flanagan Julie and John Fox Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fraundorf Ms. Jennifer Fuqua Mrs. Lauren Fuqua Maronnier and Mr. Arnaud Maronnier Carolyn Gibbs and Rick Nelson Virginia Gossage Mr. and Mrs. Bernard L. Greer, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Luther T. Griffith Mrs. Robert Griffith, Jr. Mazie Lynn Guertin Mr. and Mrs. John Hatfield Stacy and Peter Haubenschild Douglas and Natalie Herndon Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Hertz Allison and Ben Hill Mrs. Kay K. Hodges Dr. Mark J. Holzberg and Mrs. Karen R. Holzberg Angela and William Hoyt Mr. and Mrs. William C. Humphreys, Jr. Mrs. Kay Ivester and Mr. M. Douglas Ivester Cynthia Jeness Mr. Robert A. Jetmundsen Emily Williams Jordan and David Jordan Sarah and Scott Kagan DeAnna and Gene Kansas Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kauffman Emily and Hugh Kendrick Dr. William R. Kenny and Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy Minde and Lewis King Dr. Susan H. Kinsella Ms. Dorothy Y. Kirkley Esther and Christopher Kong Ms. Beth Ackerman Krebs and Mr. Paul Krebs Ms. Liza Kremer and Mr. George Kremer Mr. George B. Kuzo Mr. James H. Landon Dr. Dorothy E. Mitchell-Leef and Mr. Forrest I. Leef Ms. Deborah K. Levey Dr. Deborah Levy and Mr. Bert Russo Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis, Jr. Jeannie and Glenn Lightsey Mrs. Lynn Lowance Mrs. Cindy Mallard Mr. and Mrs. David S. Martin Mr. Albert S. McGhee Mr. and Mrs. Derrick McSwain Mr. and Mrs. T. Randolph Merrill Mr. and Mrs. K. Ward Miller Mrs. Kara Miller and Mr. David D. Miller Carl Mitcheson and Keegan Treadaway Ms. Melissa Monk Mrs. Nancy Montgomery Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Moore Dr. Nancy Newton Carly and Peter Nicolay Ms. Christy O’Neill Lila KhristalOwensand Tolton Pace Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Parker Mrs. Jean Parker Mrs. Tonya C. Paro and Mr. Steve Paro Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Pasquarelli Ms. Kathleen Powell Ms. Heather Prill Ms. Denita Pryor Mrs. Mary Anne Quin Mr. and Mrs. Marbury Rainer Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Ramsey Mr. and Mrs. William C. Rawson Chris and Robert Reddinger Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Rigby Mallory Ring Mr. and Mrs. James W. Robbins Sylvia E. Russell Stacy Sanford Mrs. Lynn Saperstein and Mr. Jan Saperstein Mr. and Mrs. David Schachter Lauren and Andrew Schlossberg Andre Schnabl and Denny Marcus Kellie and Erik Schonberg Mrs. LuAnne Schwarz Mrs. Dawn Severt and Mr. Timothy J. Severt Mr. and Mrs. S. Albert Sherrod Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Shields, Jr. Mrs. Kim Smith and Mr. Alex Smith Lynette E. Smith Mr. Roger J. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Staats, IV Ani and Thomas Steele Mr. and Mrs. Mason W. Stephenson Mae and William Stewart Mrs. Frances Stinson Mrs. Kay Stueve and Mr. James Stueve Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Stuk Sarah and David Sutherland Ms. Margaretta J. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Jason Taylor Kathleen and Jack Thornton Ms. Paula Turner Mrs. William G. Vance Pam Dr.StuartWakefieldL.WardandMrs.Winkler G. Weinberg Deborah Wheeler Mrs. Mary Hart Wilheit and Mr. Philip A. Wilheit Baade L. Wilson and Roger Wilson Mr. and Mrs. George Wolfes Tammy Wood Ms. Lisa Yeager and Mr. Robert Ditty Mr. Allen W. Yee Studie and Zach Young July 8, 2022
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For details, visit concertsinthegarden.org. Etheridge to perform Great Lawn concert atlantabg.org
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Cushing Ms. Robin Cutshaw and Ms. Donna Godsey Mr. and Mrs. John W. Dark Dr. Teresa Dau and Dr. Amanda McMillan Amelia Davies Mr. and Mrs. Peter T. de Kok Ms. Audra Dial and Mr. Matthew Ford Ms. Ellen Doft and Mr. Alexander Katz Mr. and Mrs. David Dorton Stephanie Dowell and Maney Mazloom Diana Einterz Mr. and Mrs. H. Alan Elsas Erica Endicott and Christopher Heisel Dr. Charles Epstein and Mrs. Terry Epstein
Circles Members
Melissa
MAGNOLIA CIRCLE $5,000 annually Mr. and Mrs. Douglas R. Aldridge Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Allen Ms. Melissa Babb and Mr. Philip H. Babb Mr. Robert A. Bartlett Mrs. Natalie Batchelor and Mr. David Batchelor Mrs. Louise L. Billian Mr. and Mrs. Dameron Black, III Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Blackney Mr. and Mrs. Frank Blake Susan and Michael Brooks Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burke Ms. Suzanne M. Dansby Mr. and Mrs. William W. Dixon Debbie and John Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Gatley Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Glenn, II Laura and Philip Green Ms. Anne E. Hayden Ms. Nicolette Hennings and Mr. Michael Paulk Mr. and Mrs. Howell Hollis, III Mrs. Mary Ellen Imlay Mr. and Mrs. Neville C. Isdell Cheri and Bill Lennie Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Levy Jade A. Logan Mr. and Mrs. James MacGinnitie Rebecca and James Martell Mr. and Mrs. John F. McMullan Mr. and Mrs. John Hays Mershon
ORCHID CIRCLE $10,000 annually
happeningsatlanta Cocktails in the Garden Through Thursday, Sept. 29
Enjoy cocktails from cash bars and live entertainment while exploring Origami in the Garden dramatically lit at night.
Select Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., September – October. Relax during an evening of great food tastings by chefs from favorite restaurants. Enjoy a glass of wine with four different dishes prepared for guests in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen. See enclosed Education brochure or go to foratlantabg.org/freshplatesdetails.
Origami in the Garden Through Sunday, Oct. 16 Explore an exhibition of massive metal sculptures based on origami, the centuries-old Japanese art of folding paper, by Santa Fe artist Kevin Box.
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. Kevin and Jennifer Box, creators of Origami in the Garden, present an Alston Lecture, “Collaboration for the Better: Like Nature, We Work for a Larger Cause,” along with origami artists Te Jui Fu, Beth Johnson, Michael G. LaFosse and Robert J. Lang. Learn how the creators work with origami artists in the process of casting and fabricating the sculptures from paper to metal.
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Garden of Eden Ball Saturday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. The Garden’s largest annual fundraising event celebrates its 40th year. The blacktie gala, presented by Cox Enterprises, honors Dean DuBose Smith and Bronson Smith. For information, visit gardenofedenball.org.
Fresh Plates Series
Alston OrigamiLecture:Creators
Get timed tickets online beginning September 23 for the 12th annual holiday extravaganza featuring millions of bril liantly colored LED lights and displays.
Chocolate-Covered Weekend Saturday, Sept 10 – Sunday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Indulge in a delicious weekend of chocolate and fun family activities. Visit the tree where chocolate begins and learn about the chocolate-making process. Stop by the Outdoor Kitchen where Atlanta pastry chefs conduct cooking demonstrations and share culinary tips for chocolaty treats.
Great Pumpkin-Carving Contest Thursday, Oct. 27, 5 – 8 p.m. An annual favorite, watch as contestants compete for the most creative pumpkin head designs in the Garden while enjoying Fest-of-Ale! Scarecrows winners also will be announced during the event.
Scarecrows in the Garden
Holiday Ride-on Train Saturdays – Sundays, Nov. 12 – Dec. 18; Dec. 24, 31 and Jan. 7 – 8
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Atlanta | Garden Chef Demos Saturday and Sunday, Noon, 1 and 2 p.m., September – October The Edible Garden provides fresh ingredients for Garden Chefs to use in their creative and tasty recipes. Stop by for quick tips on cooking fresh from the garden. Free with Garden admission.
All aboard the Botanical Express for a trip around the Great Lawn. $5 per passenger, $3 for members. Botanical Saint Nick Saturdays, Nov. 26 – Dec 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring your camera and come tell all of your holiday wishes to the big guy clad in green. Carols in the Garden Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17; 10:45 and 11:45 a.m. Enjoy festive holiday music sung by Atlanta’s premier carolers, the Tinseltones.
Melissa Etheridge Concert Friday, Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Experience “An Evening with Melissa Etheridge,” a special concert on the Great Lawn. Member discount tickets available at atlantabg.org.
Saturday, Oct. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 30 Check out dozens of creations by local schools, artists, businesses and families perched around the Anne Cox Chambers and Children’s gardens. Fest-of-Ale Saturday, Oct. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 30, 5 – 8 p.m. Explore Scarecrows in the Garden during a favorite annual beer fest featuring a variety of specialty ales from cash bars along with live entertainment. Fall Family Fun Saturdays - Sundays, October 1 – 30, 10 a.m. – noon Fall-themed activities will delight youngsters of all ages!
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights Saturday, Nov. 12 – Saturday, Jan. 14
Goblins in the Garden Sunday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Show off the kids’ Halloween costumes on the Goblin Runway, participate in fall family activities and enjoy train rides all while exploring Scarecrows in the Garden!
HOLIDAYS IN THE GARDEN
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Holiday Model Trains Saturdays – Sundays, Nov. 12 – Jan. 14 Join kids and the kids at heart for this holiday favorite display.
The popular Virtual Plant Sale offered by the Gainesville Garden will be expanded this fall to offer an on-site component of special offerings as well. The format for the online sale will still include pre-sale access for Garden members. But new this year will be an onsite sale featuring choice plants that cannot be offered online because they are available only in small numbers. Examples include plants that make great accents in winter containers, such as Heuchera or Euphorbia with interesting foliage, and even some small evergreen shrubs. These plants will not be among those listed online for the sale, so members and guests are encouraged to visit the Garden to see what fun plants are for Thesale.online sale will be offered as a benefit to members only September 20 – 23 before the sale opens to the general public September 24 – 26. The pickup date for purchases is Friday, Oct. 7, when members may also shop the onsite sale. The onsite sale also will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. – noon. Plant sales are one of the ways the Garden can provide unusual or hard-to-find plants for interested members and visitors. The sales are made possible because of the Garden’s 5,000-square-foot greenhouse and 4-acre nursery where plants are grown for both the Gainesville and Atlanta gardens.
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Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director A Note from the Director Online event to include onsite limited plants, too!
Many of this fall’s offerings will feature pollinator plants, which provide the nectar and pollen essential for a flourishing pollinator population, such as hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. These plants include Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Weed; Eryngium yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master; Hypericum ‘Sunburst’, St. John’s Wort; and Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’, Summersweet. Mildred Fockele Gainesville Garden Director
Fall is always a great time to visit the mums,bringsOctoberGarden!scarecrows,pumpkins and gourds arranged throughout the main garden to create a festive, fun atmosphere. And the gardens are filled with late-flowering perennials and shrubs beginning to turn various shades of orange, yellow and red. Our final Family Fun Day of the year will be Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. with “Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure”. And that evening will be the last Cocktails in the Garden, featuring a fall-themed specialty cocktail.Early November brings a rush of late-season fall color, combined with some fall-flowering bulbs. December ushers in brisk days, brilliant blue skies and the flowers of Lenten Rose, camellias and even a witch hazel or two. (And if you need to get family or guests out of the house during the holidays, the Garden is the perfect place to get outside and have a great time!) As we move into the cooler days of fall, I have to recognize our incredible horticulture team! This summer brought early record heat, coupled with dry weeks followed by downpours from heavy thunder storms. Yet the garden never looked more beautiful – from creative annual displays to early-summer hydrangeas to late-season perennials. And the greenhouse/nursery continues to produce unusual plants for both the Atlanta and Gainesville locations (including for the latter’s new parking lot), as well as for the fall plant sale. This fall and winter the horticulture team will be tackling renovations to the perennial borders around the Event and Cascade lawns, the Stream Garden and the Entry Road as well. Hope to see you in the Garden soon!
The sale’s perennials and woody plants are grown from seed, plugs of small plants from wholesale growers or cuttings taken from the Garden, other botanical gardens, specialty nurseries or plant enthusiasts.
atlantabg.org|Gainesville
Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’, Summersweet
Fall Plant Sale
Collecting and storing seed is an important practice for a public garden in maintaining its plant collections. But it also can easily be done at home, using various methods of seed sowing and storage, depending on the type of seed beingFirst,collected.it’simportant to research the plant from which the seed will be harvested in order to have the best rate of success. It’s best to harvest the seeds when the seed pod or fruit is fully formed and starting to ripen or turn brown. This ensures the seeds are mature and have fully formed. Conversely, premature harvesting can result in low germinationTypically,rates.horticulturists aim to collect seed from plants with desirable traits or characteristics (growth habit, flower color, hardiness etc.) or if the plant is rare and the goal is to propagate more with genetic diversity. After harvesting, the next step is to clean and dry the seeds. With some plants this is as easy as breaking apart a seed pod and picking out the seeds. Other plants require soaking the seeds to remove pulp from around the woody seed and then storing them in a moist environment. (Magnolia, Viburnum, etc.). Dry seed typically are stored in paper envelopes or bags through winter and sown in late winter/early spring. For seeds that had fleshy pulp, it can be best to sow them immediately after cleaning and planted outside in a protected bed. Some seed will be placed in the Garden’s propagation house, which is most often hot and humid, in case it germinates immediately. Other seed will require a period of cold or warm, known as stratification, and can take multiple seasons to germinate.
Tim Marchlik Horticulturist 15Gainesvilleatlantabg.org|
Adult and Child Education Classes
September – December Adult topics include vegetable gardening, floral design, needle felting and more. Kids sessions feature Tinkergarten trail classes and natural dye fabric workshops. Family Fun Day First Saturday of month, September – October, 11 a.m. Enjoy free performances by special guests and other activities with little ones. Cocktails in the Garden First Saturday of month, September –October, 5 – 8 p.m. Sip on a signature cocktail or other cool beverage while listening to live music, playing lawn games and strolling the Garden in fall bloom. Fall Plant Sale September 20 – 23 The online sale will be offered as a benefit to members only before the sale opens to the general public September 24 – 26. The pickup date for purchases is Friday, Oct. 7, when members may also shop an onsite sale. Scarecrows in the Garden October 1 – 30 The woodlands are stuffed with creations by local artists, families, youth groups and more for this year’s theme, “GNOMEward Bound”. Register through September 17 at gainesvillegarden.org. Holiday Tree Trail November 29 – January 1 See 6-foot Fraser Firs decorated in themes of nature by local businesses, families and organizations. Registration is October 25 –November 11. Details at gainesvillegarden.org
successSowing How to properly collect, store seed for growing new plants
gainesville happenings
FROM LEFT: Dried seed pods, wet seed mixed with moist sphagnum moss, envelope of dried seed.
2021 Volunteer of the Year: Janet Cantrelle
at issuu.com/atlantabotanicalgarden
Member Day in Gainesville Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Join the fun in the Gainesville amphitheater with face painting, family activities, surprise entertainment and complimentary lemon ade. RSVP at atlantabg.org/memberevents.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Member Premiere Thursday, Nov. 10, 5 – 10 p.m. Be among the first to experience the 12th an nual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights before the show opens to the public during this ticketed preview (Members receive a discount). Learn more at atlantabg.org/memberevents 404-888-GROW planthotline@atlantabg.org Call 404-591-1539 or email membership@atlantabg.org
Gainesville: Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Atlanta: Monday, Oct. 24, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Contributing-level members and above are invited to enjoy light bites and exciting presentations by staff experts, covering the topics “Stories of the Gulf Coast – The Rare Plants of the Apalachicola” in Gainesville and “Global Conservation – Saving Plants Around the World” in Atlanta. Look for an email with RSVP information. Upgrade to Contributing: 404-591-1544.
Clippings is available online
Cantrelle began volunteering in 2016 as a Discovery Volunteer and two years later joined the Docents. “In each of these roles, she energetically engages guests to enhance their experience during visits and tours,” said Josh Todd, Volunteer Manager. She also completed the Garden Essential Maintenance training and has regularly volunteered in the woodlands the past six years. In addition, she assists in the Orchid Center, helps with classes and volunteers for events such as Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, member evenings and other programming. “We can always count on Janet to commit to her weekly shifts and help whenever and wherever there is a need,” Todd said. Cantrelle was the June 2017 and September 2021 Volunteer of the Month and has been named a Root of the Garden (top hours) for the past five years, during which she has donated more than 2,000 hours of service.
Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30309 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. PermitPAIDPostageNo.1162Atlanta,GA
When should I bring my houseplants indoors? Most houseplants, especially tropicals, should be moved inside when evening temperatures fall below 50 degrees. Before bringing them inside, gradually acclimate them to the indoors. Move them to a screened-in porch or an area on the deck where there is less intense sunlight. Be sure to remove bugs that may have sought refuge while the plant was outside. If needed, this also is a good time to repot plants into larger containers. Tip: To propagate plants for next spring, take cuttings of annuals and root them in water or sand. The cuttings also will make attractive houseplants.
Light Bites & Garden Insights
Member Fall Evening in Atlanta Monday, Oct. 3, 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy festive fall activities at night, includ ing glow-in-the-dark crafts, shadow pup pets, live music, Scarecrows in the Garden and more. Be sure to bring a flashlight!
QUESTIONS?
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Janet Cantrelle has been selected as the Garden’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year for her dedicated service.
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Member Appreciation Month September is Member Appreciation Month, when the Garden extends a special thanks to members with exciting perks, discounts and prizes. Visit often to enjoy a 10 percent discount at Longleaf, the Quick Café, and the Snack Bar; a 20 percent discount in the Gift Shop; special discounts at participating garden centers; and the chance to win great prizes such as a weekend stay at the Four Seasons Hotel and Garden Lights, Holiday Nights tickets!
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