Garden Feature: Atlanta Botanical Garden

You think it would be difficult to think of what to write in the first issue of a newsletter, but luckily I am still riding the high from a recent visit to the anti-depressant known as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. They have a larger range of plant choices than here in the Midwest, but the design and grand gestures are what make the garden memorable.

I’ve got a bucket list of all the gardens I want to visit before I die, and time is working against me. For every garden I cross off the list, I learn about two more hidden gems. Atlanta however, was very high on my list for the South Eastern US.

A Grassroot Inception

Radical comes from the Latin word radix as to be radical is to change the root problem of a system and not just surface problems. The beginning of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the product of grassroots radicalism, which saw a group of volunteers come together to found a botanical garden in their growing city. The efforts of this non-profit organization created this gem in Atlanta.

Dedication to Conservation

The garden is dedicated to conservation through it’s conservation greenhouses and the Southeastern Center for Conservation. They also feature a conservation garden with native plants to the area. This garden is so visually unique that I did audibly gasp and catch the attention of nearby staff.

In Step With a Growing City

In 1999, the Fuqua Orchid Center opened. I can only describe this place as a drug.

in 2002, the Children’s Garden opened, making it a destination for families.

In 2010, they opened the Canopy Walk, a 600 foot walk through the treetops.

A Verdant Museum

A defining point for this garden is how it combines art and horticulture. During my visit there was an Alice in Wonderland exhibit, which featured large living sculptures paying homage to the work by Lewis Carroll. It’s a fitting exhibit, because it felt like I fell down the rabbit hole. Unlike Alice however, I’d prefer to have stayed in Wonderland.

This Weekend in the Midwest Garden

Planting Season: This weekend is a good time to focus on getting plants in the ground while the temperatures are still relatively mild and rain stays in the forecast. At least in Madison, WI we should have a mild weekend followed by rain.

Mulching: Set yourself up for success. If you are planting new plants, make sure to add some leaf or wood mulch to help retain moisture and keep the soil cool as we head into warmer days.

House Wasp Nesting Prevention: I’ve noticed some fat wasps flying around my house looking for openings to build a nest. Now is a good time to plug holes with caulk and spray peppermint oil to deter. You can also use fake wasp nests, which uses their territorial nature against them.

My Garden: I’ll be picking up some plants from the Olbrich Gardens perennial sale Thursday. This means I’ll be planting Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’, Liatris, and Allium in the garden. That’s a lot of purple. Luckily it’s the best color.

See below for a recent spring planting project. Working on getting as many beds started as possible before the Summer heat slows planting.

What I Loved This Week

• Read: The Holistic Orchard, by Michael Phillips

• Watch: How Refugees are Greening the Edge of the Sahara

• Listen: Lessons from Ancient Grasslands

• Connect: Piet Oudolf, peak Midwest planting design.

Written for five beautiful readers. 💌
Do me a favor and reply to this email with something you want to do outside before summer. (Let’s see if that even works.)

Until next Thursday,
Ken

About the Author

Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.

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