Georgia Garden is published three times per year by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Friends of the Garden.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a public non-profit educational organization within the Office of Public Service & Outreach at the University of Georgia.
DIRECTOR
Jennifer Cruse-Sanders
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Susana Alvarado
Laurel Clark
Kimberly Futrell
Jessie Penouilh
Adam Stewart
Tina Christie
Jennifer Denson
Chris Humble
Heather Schwartz
Shené Stroud
Sara Zerkel
DEVELOPMENT
Johnathon Barrett
Kathy Adams
EDUCATION
Cora Keber
Audrey Mitchell
Emory Perry
HORTICULTURE
Jason Young
Alex Ankirskiy
Emily James
Katie McCollum
Eli McKinney
Zoë Prince
Ken Duffey
Sheldon Jones
Carol Dyer McKeen
Jim Moneyhun
Brian Santos
Samantha Simmons
SCIENCE & CONSERVATION
Heather Alley
Emily Laske
Emory Moser
Jennifer Ceska
Shanna Lee
Will Rogers
Rachel Smith Stacey Swann
Zachary Wood
VISITOR SERVICES & FACILITIES
Daun Fest
Andrea Fischer
Oliver Hirt
Adam Lowe
Fall/Winter 2025
How many Bulldog Bees can you find? From “Dandelions, Bulldogs and Bees” by Student Art Competition honorable mention, Skye Chandler.
Noel Fortunato
Deirdre Peters
Grace Moorman
From the Director
This fall, we invite you to visit the garden and explore our collections and trails, which have been renamed to help with wayfinding. The garden’s horticulture team and groups of volunteers have put many hours of work into updating and maintaining the trails for our visitors. The garden’s White Trail is now known as the Red Oak Loop, and the Orange Trail has been renamed the Black Gum Loop.
Other trails also changed names and colors, making it easier to distinguish between them. Construction of a new trail, funded by the Vaughn-Jordan Foundation, began this summer. The new trail will connect to an additional parking lot, allowing us to welcome more visitors to the garden to engage in our impactful programs. We anticipate the opening of this trail in the near future.
Many exciting events are coming up this fall, including the final Sunflower Concert of the year, our annual Insectival, a native plant sale and, of course, Winter WonderLights, which will illuminate the garden at night beginning in November.
We have several new faces at the garden, including our Georgia Native Seed Network Technicians, Stacey Swann, Emory Moser and Shanna Lee. These new positions create an exciting opportunity for us to expand our
work in collecting seeds around the state for restoration projects, such as those following a natural disaster. Shanna is stationed on Jekyll Island in partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority, and Stacey is stationed in Dry Branch, Georgia, at the National Seed Laboratory. We are thrilled to have new members on our team representing the garden across the state.
This issue of Georgia Garden looks a little different than previous versions because we will be sending you another publication later this fall. Beginning this year, our Friends of the Garden members will receive a special edition magazine each fall, which serves as a year-in-review of the previous fiscal year. We are excited to introduce this special edition to our yearly publication schedule of Georgia Garden Magazine. Next year, you will receive the winter/spring edition in January, the summer/fall edition in June and the year-in-review edition in October.
Thank you for your continued support of the garden. We could not be the free and accessible resource for our state without the support of our volunteers, Friends of the Garden members, donors and more. Wishing you a safe and happy fall and winter season.
Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director
Employee of the Year
Katie McCollum
Katie is the curator of the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. In her role, she manages the horticultural aspects of the Children’s Garden, including the edible Dig and Grow beds where produce is grown for Campus Kitchen, the student-powered hunger relief program of the UGA Office of Service-Learning.
Katie is a staff mentor for the garden’s Learning by Leading program and assists with leading field trips, tours, summer camp activities, family festivals, the garden’s Sweet Pea Club for ages 3-5 and the Children’s Garden Performance Series. Thank you, Katie, for everything you do for the garden!
New Garden Staff
Joining the Georgia Native Seed Network team as a technician is Shanna Lee, who is stationed on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Originally from Calhoun, Georgia, Shanna attended Berry College, where she received a degree in environmental studies. Her favorite part of the job so far is field work. She also enjoys working in her greenhouse on Jekyll Island and the gratification that comes from seeing plants grow. Outside of work, Shanna enjoys caring for her houseplants, thrifting, sewing, cooking and hiking.
Also joining the Georgia Native Seed Network team as a technician is Emory Moser, who is stationed at the State Botanical Garden in Athens. Emory is from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in environmental and natural resources management. So far, Emory’s favorite part of being a technician is the ability to be outside and see natural functional ecosystems. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, hiking, hanging out with friends, reading and spending time with his cat, Forest.
Jessie Penouilh recently joined the garden’s staff as the Friends Membership Coordinator. Jessie was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Know when you hear her say “go dawgs,” she is saying “geaux dawgs.” Jessie obtained her Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia in May of this year and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Loyola University New Orleans. When not at the garden, you can find Jessie teaching or taking a dance class at Dancefx here in Athens.
Stacey Swann recently joined the Georgia Native Seed Network team as a technician stationed at the National Seed Lab in Dry Branch, Georgia. Originally from Sterling, Virginia, Stacey attended James Madison University, where she earned a degree in studio art. Stacey said she loves working with seeds every day and that her role contributes to native plant conservation efforts. In her spare time, Stacey enjoys drawing, focusing on pet portraits, but she also enjoys creating other representational art. She also likes to volunteer, work on home projects and spend time with her two dogs.
Joining the State Botanical Garden of Georgia staff is Sara Zerkel, who is serving as the director’s assistant. Originally from Illinois, Sara has lived in Athens for 25 years, and most recently worked at the University of North Georgia’s Athens Campus for 16 years. Her favorite part of working at the garden is the people and learning lots of new and interesting things. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children and dog, as well as enjoying movies, music and sports.
Shanna Lee
Jessie Penouilh
Emory Moser
Stacey Swann
Sara Zerkel
Students compete in UGA State Botanical Garden’s annual art competition
By: Laurel Clark, communications manager
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia recently announced the winners of its 2025 Student Art Competition.
The competition, funded by The J.A. and H.G. Woodruff Jr. Charitable Trust and the Friends of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, is open to students in 9th grade and above, including college students attending school full- or part-time in Georgia.
This competition is sponsored to select original artwork that may be used to create signature items for sale at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia gift shop, such as note cards, T-shirts, scarves and mugs. Winning artwork may also be used on the garden website, brochures and promotional materials.
This year’s winners are:
1st place – Maanas Kudrimoti, Chamblee High School
Maanas Kudrimoti’s work is entitled “A New Day at the Garden.” The piece represents Kudrimoti’s childhood memories of visiting the botanical garden. It includes one of Kudrimoti’s favorite flowers, the black-eyed Susan, and hallmarks of Georgia, including the state butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and state flower, the Cherokee Rose.
The piece was made with ink after Kudrimoti sketched the design in pencil.
“The idea is that the butterfly is flying into a new day at the botanical garden, ready for a fresh new adventure every day,” said Kudrimoti.
2nd place – Aise Arpinar, Oconee County High School
Aise Arpinar’s work, “Children’s Joy,” was also inspired by visiting the botanical garden as a child. The artwork was created using colored pencils, India ink and acrylic paint pens.
“This wooden tunnel represents the entry into that playground area, and my cherished memories of having fun with my family,” said Arpinar.
3rd place – Valeria Francia, Tucker High School
“Flourishing in the Sunlight” by Valeria Francia is inspired by flowers that grow and thrive to become beautiful.
The work was created based on photos Francia took, translated through acrylic paints. “The sunlight reflecting and the light rays beaming through the petals, creating vast amounts of colors and tones all around me,” Francia said.
Honorable mentions for this year’s competition include:
Skye Chandler, University of Georgia, “Dandelions, Bulldogs and Bees” Georgia Cross, Lassiter High School, “A Light for the Endangered”
“I am always so impressed by the art competition submissions we receive, and this year is no different,” said the garden’s director, Jenny Cruse-Sanders. “We are thrilled that we can share these students’ artwork with our visitors, and I thank everyone who submitted their work in the competition.”
Celebrating Our Wonderful Volunteers!
Chris Leach
Bill & Anne Walker
Mark Allen
Joyce Moss
Melissa Giardini
Becca & Jim Weck
Cheri & Jack Crowley
Karen Radde, Merry Anderson, Barbara Turner
Certificate in Native Plants
REQUIREMENTS
Four core courses (8 hours each) 32 hours
Six electives (4+ hours each) 24 hours
Two field trips (4+ hours each) 8 hours
Volunteer service 16 hours
Total 80 hours
The Certificate in Native Plants offers committed individuals a comprehensive series of short courses in the identification, cultivation, propagation, ecology and conservation of native Georgia plants. With an emphasis on participatory learning, the short courses are designed to provide a supportive and challenging learning atmosphere. Participants will gain a greater appreciation and understanding of native plants in a broad context. For a complete course listing, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
CORE CLASSES
Basic Botany: Fundamentals of Plant Biology
• Online course content available Oct. 15
• Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.–noon or 1–3 p.m. lab session (limited to 15 each)
• Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6–7 p.m. Zoom Q & A
• Sabrina Sewell, botanist
• Virtual program, see our website for more information
• https://t.uga.edu/6lB
Explore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution and development. This course presents fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the Certificate in Native Plants program will build, particularly Plant Taxonomy. With an emphasis on relating form to function, it surveys the origins of plants along with their basic forms and life processes. Students will become familiar with plant tissues and structures, as well as their roles in the life of plants.
• Brief history and fundamentals of the science of botany
• Plant structures (internal and external) - their forms, functions and development
• Plant life cycles and reproduction
• Introduction to basic plant genetics
• Evolutionary adaptations of plants
Fall Wildflowers of the Georgia Piedmont
• Saturday, Sept. 13
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Linda Chafin, botanist
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/79Z
Plants We Love to Hate: Identifying and Controlling Non-Native Invasive Pest Plants
• Saturday, Sept. 27
• 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Gary Crider, naturalist and invasive plant control specialist
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/6g5
This class consists of three elements: a series of prerecorded introductory videos, in-person or at-home lab exercises exploring plant anatomy and a wrap-up discussion session through Zoom
Part 1 - Introductory Video Lectures – content released Oct. 15
Part 2 - Exploratory Lab Exercises – self-paced at home OR in-person session Nov. 8, 10 a.m.–noon or 1–3 p.m.
Part 3 - Online Discussion Session – through Zoom, Nov. 12, 6–7 p.m.
ELECTIVES
Our gardens, roadsides and meadows are aglow with color in the fall. In this class, students will learn to recognize the most common fall-blooming wildflowers in the Georgia Piedmont and be introduced to the basic botanical terminology used in identifying and describing fall-flowering plants, with an emphasis on plants in the Aster (composite) family. We will then apply that knowledge to plants in the field, learning to recognize families, genera and species based on characteristics readily observable in the field.
This workshop is an introduction to the identification and control of invasive, non-native pest plants. Students will learn about the major “offenders” in the Georgia Piedmont and how these plants cause ecological harm to native plant communities and wildlife. The class will also focus on habitat restoration through the management and control of invasive plants. A variety of control methods will be outlined, including a description of tools, techniques and detailed strategies for some of the high-priority species. The lecture portion of this class will be until 12:30 p.m., followed by a break and an optional outdoor field study.
ELECTIVES (CONTINUED)
Fall Wildflowers of the Granite Outcrops of Georgia
• Bill Sheehan, co-founder, Fungal Diversity Survey
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/8Cn
Warm-Season Grasses of the Georgia Piedmont
• Saturday, Oct. 18
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Zach Wood, Georgia Native Seed Network manager, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/7a1
Invasive Plant Control Strategies, Techniques, Tips, Tricks and Tools!
• Saturday, Nov. 15
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Gary Crider, naturalist and invasive plant control specialist
• Virtual program
• https://t.uga.edu/9B4
Georgia is home to 90% of the Southeastern Piedmont’s granite outcrops, one of the most endangered and botanically interesting natural communities in the U.S. Students will be introduced to the ecology, habitats and plant communities of the granite outcrop ecosystem during an interpretive hike. Yellow daisies and fall wildflowers dominate the outcrops in September, and we’ll take in the grand showing as we celebrate fall’s wildflowers on the outcrop. We will discuss and observe much about their life histories, adaptations and resiliency to survive on the rock. This will be an entirely field-based course on a multi-hour hike. Please note that this class is located outside of the Athens area.
Fungi are one of the three major groups of multicellular organisms on Earth, yet they are far less well-known compared to plants or animals. Fungi evolved before plants, live inside all plants, provide nutrition to many plants and are the primary decay organisms that cycle dead plants back into nutrients. This course will start with an overview of fungal ecology and diversity. Students will then collect samples of fungi in the field and, in the final part of the class, examine the findings in relation to structure and function.
Grasses are the most economically and ecologically important plant family, but most of us know very little about them, and even fewer know how to identify them. In this class, we will learn to identify common fall-flowering grass species found in the Georgia Piedmont. During the first half of the class, we will dissect grass plants to learn the basic structures that are useful for identification in the field. The last two hours of the class will be spent in the field examining a variety of native and exotic grasses. Be sure to bring a hand lens if you have one.
This class will detail safe, practical and effective control methods for three critical invasive species: Japanese Stiltgrass, English Ivy and Chinese Privet. With the right strategies, tools and techniques, these invasive plants can be brought under control, reducing their impacts and improving the ecological function of affected sites. Other problematic species will also be discussed, including Japanese Knotweed, Callery Pear, Kudzu and Japanese Chaff Flower.
Plants & Pollinators Specialization
REQUIREMENTS
Five courses (4 hours each) 20 hours
Two field trips (4+ hours each) 8+ hours
Volunteer service, 30 hours
Total 58 hours
The garden has expanded its successful Certificate in Native Plants program to include a Plants and Pollinators Specialization designed for anyone ready to take an interest in protecting our native plants and pollinators! The specialization is open to people currently enrolled in or graduated from the CNP program and those who have not yet participated but are looking for an opportunity to get involved in pollinator protection in their area.
Grow Your Own Prairie in North Georgia
• Saturday, Oct. 25
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Karin Hicks, Georgia master gardener and master naturalist
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, classroom 2
• https://t.uga.edu/6gf
Prairies, meadows, savannas and woodlands were once an integral part of Georgia’s Piedmont and mountain ecoregions. These habitats have nearly disappeared, but are now being restored and re-created by gardeners, ecologists and landscapers. This class will teach you the basics of creating a prairie on your property, including site analysis, species selection and habitat management. Class time will be divided between classroom lecture and a field trip to the prairie at the State Botanical Garden. Hicks will share her experience cultivating and managing 10 acres of meadow, forest and natural garden in North Georgia, where she encourages wildlife to come and live.
Richard Ludwig, PhD, former host of PBS TV’s GardenSmart, past garden specialist for Southern Living
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, gardenside room Fundamentals of Design Graphics
• Wednesday, Aug. 27
• 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Creating the Ultimate Landscape Design
• Wednesday, Sept. 17
• 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, gardenside room
Designing the Environmentally Responsive Landscape: A Nature-Inspired Approach
• Wednesday, Oct. 8
• 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, gardenside room
This certificate provides hands-on instruction in the design and implementation of sustainable and stunning residential designs. Participants will work through four full-day, participantcentered classes that offer straightforward, practical design strategies. The series takes a step-by-step approach starting with design graphics and moving through spatial composition, sustainable design principles and planting design.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29
• 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, gardenside room Planting Design for the Sustainable Landscape
This course provides intense, hands-on instruction in design illustration and graphics. The full-day workshop provides participants with bold yet efficient strategies to effectively communicate design concepts on paper. Participants will improve their design communication and drawing skills.
This course is developed for participants to enhance their design philosophy and create plans that are stunning, unified and functional. The class adopts an architectural approach, emphasizing topics such as form composition and lines of force. This hands-on workshop provides extensive training in design theory, moving from a basic understanding to creating a master plan in just one day. Improve your skills as you create beautiful, practical, sustainable design solutions.
This full-day, hands-on workshop is for participants who want to create landscape designs that are stunning and earth-friendly. This course focuses on weaving ecologically sound concepts into traditional residential design. Additionally, this class offers basic graphics instruction to communicate ideas efficiently and boldly on paper. By centering around an in-depth, hands-on understanding of curvilinear-based drift designing, this class will prepare you to create native plant displays and gardens that are both visually pleasing and environmentally conscious.
This workshop focuses on the effective use of all types of plant material. This full-day workshop takes an artistic approach centering on how to combine form, texture and color. How to create and manipulate visual energy is a central theme as well. Students will use the paradigm of block design to create stunning combinations. The course also teaches how to draw in a realistic elevation view to help communicate your ideas. Finally, the workshop provides research-based knowledge on soil preparation for herbaceous and woody plants.
Evening/After Hours
Full Moon Hike Series
• Sunday, Sept. 7, 8-9:30 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 6, 8-9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7-8:30 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden education staff
• Meet at the fountain in front of the Visitor Center
• Fee: $5/person, pre-registration required
• https://tinyurl.com/4aan34me
See the garden come alive at night! Join our monthly Full Moon Hikes to enjoy the State Botanical Garden after hours and hear discussions on nocturnal plants and animals, the changing seasons and moon folklore. Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile on our wooded trails and in the garden, where visibility may be low at times. If you have young children or infants, a backpack carrier is suggested. Pre-registration is required.
Rambles
Nature Ramblers
• Thursdays, March 6 through Nov. 20
• 9 a.m. (each ramble lasts about 90 minutes)
• Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists, featuring guest guides
• Meet at Children’s Garden arbor
Fall Bird Rambles
• 8 a.m.
• See State Botanical Garden of Georgia website for dates
• Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
• Upper Parking Lot
• Free and open to the public
Come join the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society for a morning bird walk at the garden. Look and listen for our fall migrants. First time birding? No problem. ORAS members will help you spot and identify the feathery creatures. All birding levels are welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information, visit www.oconeeriversaudubon.org.
Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the State Botanical Garden while making new friends and enjoying the fresh air. Rambles start with an inspirational reading by a nature writer such as Annie Dillard, John Muir or Janisse Ray. Ramblers are encouraged to bring their own nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. This is a ramble, not a hike; stopping to view interesting plants, insects, butterflies and mushrooms, etc., along the way is part of the experience each week. You can join for just one or all sessions. These informal rambles are free, but donations are accepted in the garden’s donation box in the lobby of the visitor center. To get a feel for what these rambles are like, visit http://naturerambling.blogspot.com.
Children & Family Programs
Sweet Pea Club
• Every Thursday, March 20 through Oct. 30
• 10:15-11 a.m.
• Theater-in-the-Woods
• Fee: $3 per class
• Ages: 3-5
Join the State Botanical Garden of Georgia education team for Sweet Pea Club at the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden. Families will join one another for a morning of adventure in the garden through a variety of activities that can include songs, puppets, stories, hikes and games. Each week will highlight a new theme, such as water, soil, pollination, all about animals, plants we eat and more. The Sweet Pea Club program is an informal way to give young naturalists a better understanding of the importance of our shared earth. This program is designed for children ages 3-5. Please note that this program typically takes place outdoors, and the location may change depending on the weather. Registration is required and can be found on our website.
Field Trips at the Garden
• Tuesdays - Fridays
• 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• State Botanical Garden education staff
• Children’s classroom, gardens and trails
• Fee: Varies with program, $5 - $8 per student
• Ages: Varies with program, Pre-K–grade 12
Adventure Packs
• Available times between 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Self-guided
• Fee: $20 for materials for up to 20 participants
• Ages: Pre-K–grade 12
Bring your students to the garden to learn about natural ecosystems near and far. Each field trip program includes hands-on learning through our gardens and trails, and a chance to connect with nature. For more information, please contact sbgeduc@uga.edu.
Come explore the State Botanical Garden and trails on your own selfguided adventure. Each pack contains maps and supplies for hands-on science activities, plant hunts and forest explorations to be completed throughout different areas of the garden. Bring your family or students to enjoy activities and games that introduce you to our shared earth at your own pace. For more information, please contact sbgeduc@uga.edu.
Birthday Parties at the Garden
• Saturdays & Sundays
• 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m.
• State Botanical Garden education staff
• Visitor Center, children’s classroom
• Fee: $350 for up to 30 guests
• Ages: 5–10
Are you looking for a memorable, magical, kid-friendly birthday? Look no further! The State Botanical Garden of Georgia offers a variety of birthday programs from September through May. You can choose from Animal Encounters, Critter Catchin’, Forest Treasure Hunt and more. Each party includes one hour of guided activities in our conservatory or forest trails and use of the children’s classroom for a total of three hours. Parents or chaperones must accompany all children for the duration of the program and are included in the participant numbers. For more information, please contact sbgeduc@uga.edu
Insectival
• Sunday, Sept. 14
• Noon-4 p.m.
• Fee: $5 per person, $20 per family
One of our largest and most well-known festivals, Insectival, will return to the garden this year! Participants will meet and interact with a variety of entomological experts and their buggy friends. Activities include presenter booths, a puppet show and the popular butterfly release on the Flower Garden lawn. Join garden staff and partners as we celebrate our beloved six-legged neighbors. Insectival is sponsored by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, UGA Lund Club, UGA Department of Entomology and Georgia Museum of Natural History.
Art Exhibits
Featured Artists in the Conservatory
Meredith Raiford
Aug. 24 – Oct. 5
Meredith Raiford is an Athens-based artist with a BFA in painting from the University of Georgia and an affinity for color. She has always had a passion for art and nature, and is having a grand time combining these two loves in her latest body of work. Her desire is to make art that enriches people’s homes and inspires their daily lives.
Oct. 12 – Nov. 9
Earl Miller is a selftaught artist and paints exclusively with acrylics. His works include landscapes as well as florals, birds and architecture. “I endeavor to portray the striking scene or object and capture it on canvas so that it may be viewed beyond that instant moment of visual delight,” said Miller.
Earl Miller’s “Waters of Georgia”
Friends First Friday
First Friday each month
9–10:30 a.m.
Fee: $12 general admission, $10 for members Pre-registration is required
Sept. 5 – Welcome to the Heritage Garden with Zoë Prince
Zoë Prince is the curator of the Heritage Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The Heritage Garden opened in 2001 as a showcase of plants of historical interest to Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. It includes heirloom annuals, perennials, native plants, fruit trees and row crops. Prince will discuss the history of the Heritage Garden and some of the changes the garden has undergone in the last couple of years, including the hillside garden and perennial meadows.
Prince joined the State Botanical Garden in October 2024. She graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2024 with a degree in horticulture. During college, Prince was involved with the Horticulture Club, serving as president in her final year. She has gained most of her horticulture experience in the nursery business, spending time working at a large commercial nursery in her hometown and later at Athens Wholesale Nursery.
Oct. 3 - Breeding Plants for a Crowded Market with David Roberts
David Roberts has a deep love for plant breeding and propagation and hopes to inspire gardeners with exciting new plants that are unique and easy to care for. Roberts has a master’s degree in horticultural science from North Carolina State University with a concentration in ornamental plant breeding.
Bailey Nurseries, Inc. hired Roberts in 2015 to act as the general manager and head plant breeder for Bailey Innovations. He now serves as the Director of Plant Breeding at Bailey Innovations, where he leads the breeding team and coordinates plant trials from their nursery located in Winterville, Georgia.
Roberts will discuss the philosophy, strategy and objectives for various plant breeding projects at Bailey Innovations.
Nov. 7 – Floral Designs for the Holidays with Carol Dyer McKeen
Please join Carol Dyer McKeen as we explore the beauty of seasonal flowers and natural elements to design a simple floral arrangement for the fall and winter holidays.
Foraged flowers, greenery and other natural elements will be provided to guide you through the basic process of creating a floral design. You will leave with your own floral design and the confidence to design your own arrangements at home! McKeen is the curator of the State Botanical Garden’s Tropical Conservatory and the Herb and Physic gardens. She has done floral designs for over 20 years. She learned floral design from the late C.L. Morehead of Flowers Inc. Retail and designed florals with retired Herb Garden curator, Pam Butts, at her nursery, Charmar.
Dec. 5 – Tulips in December with Jim Moneyhun
December may seem like an odd time to talk tulips, but it is the perfect time to plant bulbs that will flower next spring. Jim Moneyhun will provide a brief history of tulips, including the Ottoman Empire’s fascination with the flower and the seventeenth-century Dutch tulip mania. He will also suggest tulip species and hybrids most likely to return year after year and discuss practices for planting and protecting tulips from herbivory.
Moneyhun is curator of the Flower Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The Flower Garden extends from the Heritage Garden to the Day Chapel and down the tiered lawns, which host the Sunflower Concert Series. He and his team, consisting of two part-time staff and 10 regular volunteers, maintain the Flower Garden. In the fall of 2024, the Flower Garden team planted 8,900 tulip bulbs and 5,100 other spring-blooming bulbs.
Dear Friends,
I am thrilled to be the Friends Membership Coordinator, and I am eager to get to know each one of you. I hope that each of you will get to know me better, but for now, let me introduce myself.
I am from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attended Loyola University in New Orleans, where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in history. Following in the footsteps (or rather, paw prints) of the many bulldogs that came before me, the University of Georgia is what brought me to Athens. I graduated from UGA in May with my Master of Public Administration, and I am happy to be giving back to my community at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
When I moved to Athens two years ago, I found peace in walking around and exploring the garden. I did not know many people when I moved here, and I quickly found a place for myself at the garden. My first job in Athens was here at the garden. I previously worked as the customer service assistant for Winter WonderLights in 2023, and I am very happy to be making my return. It brings me great comfort to begin this chapter with Friends by my side!
I look forward to meeting current Friends members at upcoming events and welcoming new Friends as well!
Jessie Penouilh, Friends Membership Coordinator
Calbos
Immediate Past President
Eileen Hale
Endowment Trustees
Mercer Brockenbrough
James L. LaBoon III
John V. Quackenbush
Ellen Wilkens Wiley
Members at Large
Shirley Berry
Nancy Black
Ann Davis
Betsy Ellison
Juli Fields
Celia Fowler
Susie Haggard
Taylor Jenkins
Shelly Prescott
John V. Quackenbush
Anne Walker
William A. “Bill” Walker
2025 Gardens of the World Ball
On Saturday, May 3, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia welcomed more than 180 guests to the 40th annual Gardens of the World Ball, “The Black and White Ball,” a dazzling evening commemorating the very first ball held four decades ago. This milestone celebration paid tribute to the garden’s rich history and enduring legacy, with elegant black-and-white décor setting a sophisticated tone across the beautifully adorned plaza and Conservatory.
Guests enjoyed a stunning display of native plants and florals, accompanied by a menu that showcased the best of Georgia’s culinary traditions. The evening was a heartfelt celebration of community, conservation and the beauty of our natural world.
Special thanks and recognition go to this year’s tri-chairs—Betty DeVore, Georgia Schley Ritchie and Gena Knox—whose creativity and dedication brought this landmark event to life. We also extend our deepest gratitude to honorary chairs James Miller and Marianne McConnel for their unwavering support and decades-long ambassadorship of the garden.
As one of the garden’s premier fundraising events, the Gardens of the World Ball continues to play a vital role in supporting the State Botanical Garden’s mission. Proceeds from this year’s ball will help fund a thoughtfully designed expansion of the garden’s entrance, enhancing accessibility for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who experience the garden’s beauty each year.
Tootsie Adams, Athens
Cyndae Arrendale, Atlanta
Betsy Barge, Marietta
Lisa Bell, Savannah
Malinda Bergen, Savannah
Mary Bishop, Sea Island
Sherri Callaway, Hamilton
Natalie Schweers Coghill, Augusta
Jeff Cole, Athens
Geri Coleman, Atlanta
Amy Cowsert, Athens
Andrew Crawford, Atlanta
Christopher Davidson, Gainesville
Martha Deméré, Sea Island
Betty DeVore, Athens
Evelyn Dukes, Athens
Cindy Edwards, Savannah
Betsy Ellison, Athens
Susan Braselton Fant, Sea Island
James Farmer, Perry
Melissa Fontaine, Athens
Ann Frierson, Athens
Kelly Grow, Athens
Robert Hallock, Savannah
Board of Advisors 2025-2026 Thank
Catherine Hardman, Athens
Mary Hardman, Athens
Francie Hargrove, Cashiers, NC
Paula Hennessy, Atlanta
Ken Hodges, Albany
Maudie Huff, Columbus
Karen Hull, Augusta
JP James, Brookhaven
Truett Jarrard, Atlanta
Jimmy Jeter, Moultrie
Sally Jobe, Atlanta
Dori Jones, Columbus
Sally Jones, Sea Island
Gena Knox, Athens
Merry Jo Kurrie, Valdosta
Betsy Leebern, Columbus
Carrie Lovein, Atlanta
Brenda Magill, Athens
Polly Mattox, LaGrange
Marianne McConnel, Atlanta
Tavia McCuean, Atlanta
Jim Miller, Atlanta
Farolyn Mobley, Moultrie
Caroline Morris, Augusta
Alannah O’Quinn, St. Simons Island
Sandra Paris, Atlanta
Alex Patterson, Gainesville
Hart Payne, Gainesville
Doreen Poitevint, Bainbridge
Kathy Rainer, Atlanta
Loulie Reese, Atlanta
Georgia Schley Ritchie, Atlanta
Hart Roberts, Athens
Victoria Simms, Sea Island
Henrietta Singletary, Albany
Lacy Sinkwich, Athens
Janie Skinner, Atlanta
Eileen Small, Atlanta
Haynes Studstill, Lakeland
Nancy Thomas, Screven
Elizabeth Townley, Bogart
Sally Tyndall, Atlanta
Ruth Wellborn, Greensboro
Joel Wernick, Greensboro
Tom Wight, Macon
Cynthia Willett, Bluffton, SC
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Betty Balentine, Atlanta
Diana Barrow, Savannah
Dottie Blitch, Atlanta
Mark Callaway, Atlanta
Pat Carlock, Atlanta
Linda Cravey, Atlanta
Susan Duncan, Highlands, NC
Jim Gatewood, Americus
Sylvia Gibson, Athens
Lynwood Hall, Moultrie
Georgia Hatcher, Macon
Mimsie Lanier, Sea Island
Sissy Lawson, Gainesville
Peggy Lientz, Atlanta
Alden Maier, Rome*
Cindy Moore, Savannah
Felton Norwood, Atlanta
Colleen Nunn, Atlanta
Penny Nunnally, Atlanta
Stephen Reichert, Macon
Margaret Robinson, Sea Island
Deen Day Sanders, Norcross
Betty Sponcler, Dalton
Nancy Tarbutton, Sandersville
Robert Winthrop, Athens
Kathy Young, Marietta
LIFETIME MEMBERS
Melba Hill, Atlanta
Kathy Lanigan, Thomasville
Marilyn McNeely, Clarkesville
Mark Preisinger, Sea Island
Sunflower Concert Series
Join us for the last Sunflower Concert Series performance this year on Sept. 16, featuring The 80’s Walkmen.
Playing the best of 80’s college rock and new wave, the 80’s Walkmen are sure to bring you back to the days of jamming to your cassette mix-tape in your dorm room or on your car stereo. From U2 to Devo, the Police to The Cure, R.E.M. to Elvis Costello and many more, the 80’s Walkmen deliver hit after hit in highly entertaining fashion.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
State Botanical Garden makes updates to trail network
By: Laurel Clark, communications manager
Red and Black are the colors of the University of Georgia, and now they’re the colors of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s trail network, too.
The State Botanical Garden recently updated the names and corresponding colors of its trail network, which includes over 5 miles of trails, to improve wayfinding and visitor accessibility. Additionally, new trail posts were installed, featuring mileage markers to enhance wayfinding.
The garden’s White Trail is now known as the Red Oak Loop, and the Orange Trail has been renamed the Black Gum Loop. Other trails also changed names and colors, making it easier to distinguish between different trails.
“Do you really need to ask the question ‘Why are we changing our trail colors from orange and white to red and black?’ We are the Dawgs, we are red and black,” said the garden’s director of Horticulture and Grounds, Jason Young. “This is a big change, but it is needed to improve the user experience of our trail system.”
Updates to the garden’s trail names and colors were made in August. This is one of several projects planned to improve the garden’s trails for its users.
Community partners, including Walmart volunteers and Eagle Scouts, have helped build elevated wooden walkways in low areas where the trails are often wet and muddy, increasing the safety and enjoyment of the trails. New bridges are also being constructed to improve access across the creeks found on the trail network.
With an increasing number of annual visitors to the garden, several infrastructure improvements are planned for the next few years as part of the State Botanical Garden’s Gateway to the Garden project.
In the spring of 2025, infrastructure improvements were completed on the garden’s driveway. Rain gardens with native species were installed to help manage stormwater runoff.
Future Gateway to the Garden projects will include an updated entranceway, improved trail access, and additional parking to accommodate the increasing number of visitors the State Botanical Garden welcomes annually.
“The Gateway to the Garden project will be transformative for the State Botanical Garden and its visitors,” said the garden’s director, Jenny Cruse-Sanders. “The updates to the garden’s trails will improve our visitors’ experience while enjoying our natural areas.”
Construction of a new trail, funded by the Vaughn-Jordan Foundation, began this summer. The new trail will connect to an additional parking lot, allowing the State Botanical Garden to welcome more visitors to experience its collections and impactful programs.
To view the new trail map, visit botgarden.uga.edu
Free Sketch Friday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and Oct. 31 at the Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum
Come take a tour of the garden!
Garden Guided Tours
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia has several themed gardens among its 323 acres. A guided tour is the best way to ensure your group doesn’t miss a thing. Group tours last approximately 1.5 hours and are led by experienced and enthusiastic tour guides. We aim to provide one tour guide for every 10 guests to ensure a personalized tour experience.
Tour times: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, noon-3 p.m.
Tours are $5 per person ($50 minimum per tour). Group tours must be booked at least one week in advance.
Walk-Up Tours
Joining a guided garden tour is a wonderful way to experience a botanical garden. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia has always offered guided tours for groups of 10-200 people. What if you don’t have a group of 10, but you’d still like a guided tour?
On Tuesdays-Fridays, for only $5 per person, you can take a 1-hour guided tour through select areas of the garden. Tours leave from the Visitor Center lobby at 11 a.m. and are finished by noon.
For more information, please contact Andrea Fischer at afischer@uga.edu or 706-542-6195.
Student Spotlight
Hogan Rigole
Hogan Rigole has been a museum assistant at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum for three years. He is set to graduate in the spring with a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Hogan has always had a love for art and jumped at the opportunity to work in the museum. Being surrounded by art every day and the view of the gardens from the museum is always a mood booster and makes the day that much better, he said. He joined the team shortly after the museum opened and has witnessed its growth as more people learn about the museum.
He looks forward to meeting people from all over the country who come to visit the gardens and museum. Some of his favorite moments include helping to create new scavenger hunts, working with the museum’s docents each week, and being at the garden when all the lights are up for Winter WonderLights.
Rigole has loved working under Museum Curator Grace Moorman, who he says has brought a new
Andres Mayorga
life to the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. He is thankful for the time he has spent at the garden and all the wonderful people he has met and worked with.
Andres Mayorga is a PhD candidate in consumer horticulture and a Master’s candidate in applied economics who has been working at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia this summer through the Graduate School Professional Development program at the University of Georgia.
The program encourages student professional development by facilitating 8-week internships at select university departments. The majority of his time at the garden has been spent analyzing crucial data for the federally endangered species Xyris tennesseensis. His findings will help guide conservation practices for state and federal partners in Georgia, as well as Alabama and Tennessee, the only other states where the species is found.
Once his graduate work is complete, Andres has diverse career aspirations that include marketing and consumer behavior, economics, horticulture and perhaps even working at a botanical garden.
14th Annual Native Plant Sale
2025 Yoga Festival
$15 Sunday, Sept. 21 5:30 p.m., set up at 5:15 p.m.
Please bring a yoga mat, water bottle, towel and friends.
https://tinyurl.com/479s7yff
Join the Athens yoga community for 108 Sun Salutations in the Flower Garden. From beginners to seasoned practitioners, all ages and all levels of practice are welcome! Modifications will be presented and encouraged.
Join garden professionals at the Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies for on-site plant shopping. Experts will answer questions about incorporating native plants into every space, from large gardens to pots. See details and a plant list at botgarden.uga.edu
Postcards from the Garden
706.542.1244 . botgarden.uga.edu . garden@uga.edu
Did you find all eight Bulldog Bees? Hint: they’re on pages 7, 8, 13, 17, 24, 26 and 27
Garden Gift Shop
The leaves are starting to turn, the air is getting crisp, and we are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year at the garden.
Step into the garden’s gift shop and discover a curated collection of heartwarming treasures perfect for celebrating autumn and the upcoming holidays. The gift shop offers serving boards, planters and plants for your centerpiece, as well as yard and porch art, and a variety of UGArden teas and honey for those chilly nights.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect hostess gift, a thoughtful way to say “thank you,” or a special treat for yourself, you’ll find it here. Fall in love with giving, and shop local.
