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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 27, 2010 19:05:23 GMT
Botanical Gardens Look for New Luresclick on headline to read articleI am very conflicted about the above article. On the one hand, I think botanical gardens are extremely important parts of any nation's cultural heritage and should be sustained. On the other hand, I can't help thinking some of these "solutions" are playing to the lowest common denominator and in fact rather dismissing the whole idea of gardening. Public gardens across the country receive about 70 million visits a year, according to the American Public Gardens Association. But experts say that because of social trends and changing demographics, attendance is at risk if gardens do not change.Who are these experts? How do they know this? Forced to rethink and rebrand, gardens are appealing to visitors’ interests in nature, sustainability, cooking, health, family and the arts. Some are emphasizing their social role, erecting model green buildings, promoting wellness and staying open at night so people can mingle over cocktails like the Pollinator (green tea liqueur, soda water and Sprite). A few are even inviting in dogs (and their walkers) free or, as in Cleveland, with a canine admission charge ($2).
“We’re not just looking for gardeners anymore,” says Mary Pat Matheson, the executive director of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. “We’re looking for people who go to art museums and zoos.” Okay, but does that mean dumbing down the whole educational purpose of a botanical garden, or even setting it to one side as in turning it into a bar? And dogs? Where are they walking? Who's picking up the poop? Of course I applaud the programs that not only introduce children to gardening, but do so in a way that integrates gardening into a whole, ecologically respectful lifestyle, as stated here: In Wyoming, at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the new children’s village has adopted sustainability as its theme. It includes a solar-powered discovery laboratory where children can make art from reused materials, a feature that helped it win the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Teenagers in Cleveland are learning how to grown corn and zucchini on urban plots. But what about this: When the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, in Boothbay, opened its $1.7 million, two-acre children’s garden this month, it came with a chicken coop, where children can harvest eggs, and a windmill weather stationThey spent nearly two million dollars for a teaching tool on the frugal art of growing your own food?! Sounds as though they need a good accountant as much as anything else. In fairness, I think the article presents some programs as new that were parts of the various gardens' types of presentations all along. But I'm most interested in hearing others' takes on all this. Incidentally, the photos in this message were taken from websites of gardens mentioned in the article. No matter how you feel about its content, the links are well worth following.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2010 1:59:37 GMT
I read the piece,perused a good number of the featured gardens,many I have personally visited. I have very mixed feelings about this as well. In the same vein,a perfect example of this trend was demonstrated in the 'new' look that one of my one time favorite garden publications, Garden Design,took on in the last two years. I thought that it would only be in one issue or two,but,it persisted for the duration of my subscription and I consequently did not renew it. I got very outdone with picking up the newest issue,anxious to read,and look at the photos,only to be greeted with pretty people in gardens where the plants were barely visible,let alone labeled,and on the accompanying page a recipe for some cocktail not too unlike the one described in the piece you posted,what was it? The Pollinator?? Jeez.  I plan on espousing more on this when time allows.(the OP,not my rant on Garden Design  ) |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2010 14:57:28 GMT
Actually,this thread may be the lure to get my friend,the horticulturist from Atlanta ,who solved the mystery plant puzzle,to come on board. She works for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens,and I would love to hear her take on this.I will try to grab her this weekend.I owe her a call.
I also know a botanist at Fairchild Gardens,in Coral Gables...hmmmm.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 28, 2010 18:02:29 GMT
Oh, I'm so gratified that a true gardener read the OP and understood my concerns, Casimira. I was afraid of sounding reactionary and peevish, when my real stance is about not having the baby thrown out with the bath water.
And I think your reference to the editorial decisions of Garden Design are completely pertinent to the issue here . I'm dismayed by all the publications that pretend to be aimed at aficionados of subjects, but that really exist to soothe people who feel cooking, gardening, etc. are simply window-dressing of the good life, not something to actually break your nails doing.
I can remember the glory days of Horticulture magazine, for instance. It was a thrill when it arrived in the mail, could not be consumed in a single sitting, and always taught and/or inspired by its excellence.
When you talk to your friends, please tender my thanks for their detective work. And I do hope they'll decide to look in here, where they'll be warmly welcomed by the gardening anyporters.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 6, 2010 12:29:41 GMT
Kew Gardens, just south of London was designated a World Heritage site in 2003 and I've been visiting there since I was a teenager. I have to say that it is one of my favourite places anywhere and no sign of dumbing down at all.
Please visit it if you can. you won't regret it at any time of the year. I can post some pictures if you would like.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2010 12:44:33 GMT
Of course we would like it! What a question!  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 6, 2010 12:53:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2010 16:41:10 GMT
Those are great, Cactus guy! Have you seen my thread about the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, also from last spring? |
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 7, 2010 1:20:47 GMT
What a magical place, Mick! I'm so glad that your pictures are from early in the year. I love seeing gardens before the dazzle of the full blooming season. Of course, that's beautiful, too, but your pictures really show the lines and structure of the garden. There is something about all the spaces you show that doesn't suggest "public garden" at all. In real life, does Kew have an intimate, personal feel about it, as I am feeling here?
Is the second picture, the rock garden, for heath or acid soil plants? I don't recognize anything there, with the possible exception of the burgundy flower clump -- some kind of crocus? Is the gray mass santolina? I love that fat-trunked succulent, but have no idea what it might be.
The shot of the curly tree and the walk beyond, with the lovely gray foliage and white-flowers in the foreground totally stole my heart.
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2010 15:10:08 GMT
Somehow I missed this last installment of posts,wow,Kew Gardens,right up there on my short list of gardens to visit someday.
Great shots Mick.
The British always seem to have an innate sense of what to place where,yet still maintain a sense of how flora is in it's natural state. It is a true gift,to be able to do this. The correct lines,the most aesthetic of natural materials used in their displays,containers,trellises etc.
Not too frou frou,understated natural elegance.
Thanks for sharing these with us,I look forward to seeing more!
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Post by lola on Aug 13, 2010 4:34:14 GMT
Wonderful photos, Mick. I love the outdoor shots especially.
St. Louis has a world class botanical garden, started in the 1860's by an English immigrant who made a bundle in the hardware biz, then went back home to visit and was inspired by Chatsworth.
The only thing they've ever done that ticked me off was the one that everyone else loved: a big display of glassware by Dale Chihouly throughout the garden. People flocked in to admire it. The bright glass colors clash badly with the flowers and overwhelm their subtlety. They've left some of his floating onions in the waterlily pools, and worst of all: bright yellow wormlike crowns over the arched rose garden trellises.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2010 10:40:13 GMT
I know and love that garden well Lola, from when I lived in Saint Louis. It was my saving grace for the duration of my stint there. Many,many hours I passed in what you aptly describe as a world class public garden (The Jewel Box,of course,familiar to those who know Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie,being a particular favorite feature).My first introduction to the world of Tropical flora was inside the Climatron.
Yuck,that all this beauty would be tainted as it were, with other people's imposing what they feel is an enhancement to an already beautiful milieu!
Thanks for the memories dear!
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Post by fumobici on Aug 13, 2010 14:30:28 GMT
I'm struggling to think of a venue where a Chihouly display will constitute an aesthetic upgrade. He's a huge personality and a terrific self-promoter though, perfect for the current art ecosystem.
On botanical gardens, here locally the VanDusen Botanical Garden is really an outstanding one well worth visiting for anyone in the Vancouver area. I wish I'd taken a camera and photographed it, sometimes though I can enjoy a garden better without camera in hand.
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Post by lola on Aug 13, 2010 15:24:45 GMT
Yes, Casimira!
And, yes, fumobici. Right on about current art scene and its dependence on personality. A nNOY ing.
I enjoy sitting for an hour or so with watercolor at the Garden trying to capture something; whether or not the result is decent, you've had a chance to observe the scene fully.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 12:40:40 GMT
Those are great, Cactus guy! Have you seen my thread about the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, also from last spring? I haven't yet but as I'm so new there's about 99.9% that I haven't seen. I'll get to that shortly... |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 12:45:11 GMT
What a magical place, Mick! I'm so glad that your pictures are from early in the year. I love seeing gardens before the dazzle of the full blooming season. Of course, that's beautiful, too, but your pictures really show the lines and structure of the garden. There is something about all the spaces you show that doesn't suggest "public garden" at all. In real life, does Kew have an intimate, personal feel about it, as I am feeling here? Is the second picture, the rock garden, for heath or acid soil plants? I don't recognize anything there, with the possible exception of the burgundy flower clump -- some kind of crocus? Is the gray mass santolina? I love that fat-trunked succulent, but have no idea what it might be. The shot of the curly tree and the walk beyond, with the lovely gray foliage and white-flowers in the foreground totally stole my heart. Thanks! I rarely get there mid summer but I do like it in winter. These were taken late February when the big Orchid display was on. Kew really does have a lovely atmosphere and if you aren't feeling great itn is quite energising to walk around any time of the year. Second picture I can only tell you that it was the Alpine House (not one of my favourite buildings there as it is huge and ornate with only a small growing area. I'll see if I have a picture of it. That tree was lovely and the white flowers are snowdrops. I was there with my grandson and he saw the potential of the picture. I just pressed the button.... |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 12:46:26 GMT
Somehow I missed this last installment of posts,wow,Kew Gardens,right up there on my short list of gardens to visit someday. Great shots Mick. The British always seem to have an innate sense of what to place where,yet still maintain a sense of how flora is in it's natural state. It is a true gift,to be able to do this. The correct lines,the most aesthetic of natural materials used in their displays,containers,trellises etc. Not too frou frou,understated natural elegance. Thanks for sharing these with us,I look forward to seeing more! Not sure if we are really like that Casimira but I'll take it.... ;D |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 12:47:20 GMT
I'm struggling to think of a venue where a Chihouly display will constitute an aesthetic upgrade. He's a huge personality and a terrific self-promoter though, perfect for the current art ecosystem. On botanical gardens, here locally the VanDusen Botanical Garden is really an outstanding one well worth visiting for anyone in the Vancouver area. I wish I'd taken a camera and photographed it, sometimes though I can enjoy a garden better without camera in hand. We had Chilhouly at Kew. Hated it................. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 12:50:38 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 16, 2010 15:37:25 GMT
Kew really does have a lovely atmosphere and if you aren't feeling great itn is quite energising to walk around any time of the year. Mick, that really sums up one of the greatest benefits of a public garden -- the restorative, uplifting, and/or contemplative mood it affords to everyone. That brings me back to what I found so distressing in the OP's quoted article -- the bustling, dismissive attitude toward the very soul of what a garden is: “We’re not just looking for gardeners anymore,” says Mary Pat Matheson, the executive director of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. “We’re looking for people who go to art museums and zoos.”What -- they're mutually exclusive?! I'm sure Mary Pat would take this statement as positive proof of her premise: a big display of glassware by Dale Chihouly throughout the garden. People flocked in to admire it. That makes me cringe thinking of people loudly pointing out the loudly colored pieces that are not there to enhance or to co-exist, but to compete with the boring old plants. But looking back at what's been written in this thread, and at the long history of botanical/public gardens, it's obvious that people have always appreciated their core purposes and will continue to do so. That tree was lovely and the white flowers are snowdrops. I was there with my grandson and he saw the potential of the picture. Right there is an example of a young person completely attuned to what a garden has to offer in and of itself, a person who didn't need a flashy attraction to visit a public garden. As everyone points out above, the main reason one visits a garden is to partake of the atmosphere it affords, not because it's mimicking something else. Look at this capsule history of public parks and short essay on use of public space. Chatsworth in England is cited as a garden that gives the public what it wants. If you visit the Chatsworth website, you'll quickly see that the garden has not been relegated to a background for exhibits or activities, but remains the focus. ===================================================================== More wonderful pictures of Kew, Mick ~~ thank you! The venerable tree glowing in the sun seems to be leaning over to greet humans. Is that the same pagoda in the (Asian?) wooden piece as in the next picture? Those are very happy, healthy cacti, but someone should tell Kew that the Tradescantia sillamontana doesn't like that much dry sunshine. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 16, 2010 16:01:44 GMT
The wooden piece isn't Asian but is English. It was out together after our huge 1987 storm when Kew and SE England lost thousands of trees. It was made from the remains of the trees and I think there are some 30+ different types of wood in it.
You can see the storm god blowing and it includes the pagoda and other garden features affected by the storm.
I've been taking my grandsons to Kew since they were in push chairs and it's absolutely their favourite place to go. It just doesn't need coloured glass balls - the plants do it all.
The cactus is a bit cheeky of me - it's one of mine that I donated to Kew when it got a little large for me and they put it into the public display - Thelocactus macdowellii.
I've been supplying Kew with Stapeliads for about 5 years now. They have been struggling to grow them but between us we're getting there. In return I get my pick of most of their back collection...
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 17, 2010 4:40:29 GMT
Mick, that is incredibly impressive. Why have they had so much struggle with the Spapeliads? It's good that they're willing to listen to a skilled grower.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 17, 2010 12:10:28 GMT
Mick, that is incredibly impressive. Why have they had so much struggle with the Spapeliads? It's good that they're willing to listen to a skilled grower. Main problem has been staff turnover. Stapeliads really need a specific regime to grow well and they had some strange ideas (particularly about winter care) that were just killing them off. They had hardly any stock left. They now have a really good head of the arid area who has been there for a couple of years now and who has done wonders. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 17, 2010 12:12:39 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 18, 2010 12:42:10 GMT
I guess you're all Kew'd out...........
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2010 18:41:05 GMT
No, no, not at all! There are lots of things happening on all the branches, and it's hard to keep up with everything, even those of us who are supposed to.
I am in great admiration of the tree in #18, which is probably suffering from severe back pain.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 20, 2010 1:21:45 GMT
I guess you're all Kew'd out........... Not I! Sorry -- I lost internet service, which has put me behind in answering. I love all this stuff, especially what I can't have. The alpine/heathy things in the troughs are really intriguing. It must take them ages to get to even that tiny size. The grassy plant with yellow flowers is desperately desirable, ditto the irises (?) right below it. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 20, 2010 7:54:01 GMT
More later then!
The grassy thing is a Narcissus species (Daffodil) Bixa.
I can't remember what that tree is Kerouac2. Sorry! (loved your books by the way...)
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 20, 2010 11:58:36 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 20, 2010 15:50:26 GMT
That next-to-the-last, day-of-the-triffids THING ~~ what is it?! The rest of my life will be devoted to getting one for myself.
The narcissus-family stuff you're showing is knocking me out. They're all from dry climates, aren't they?
The Kew variety is mind-boggling. They go all out on the displays, too.
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