On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA April-May 2016

QT A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 6 On the 7 10 25 Gardens, sculpture highlights of Atlanta conference BY KATE COPSEY The 68th Annual GWA Conference and Expo in Atlanta will have some great gardens, including some that offer traditional southern hospitality. They range from large public gardens to small urban gardens; all have something of interest. TABLE OF CONTENTS: ••• Can’t log into the website? Visit MyGWA under Member Resources. A login screen will appear. Click “Forgot your password?” Enter your email address. A message will be sent with a secure link to set or reset your password. Click the link and choose a new password. Once complete, you may login using your email as username and your new password. For issues, please call 212.297.2197. PUBLIC GARDEN The Atlanta Botanical Garden, located on the west side of Midtown Atlanta, is constrained by roads, urban growth and Piedmont Park. Inside the 30-acre garden, you will find sculpture, edibles, southern native specimens, conservatory plants, and much more. Going through the unique Kendela Canopy Walk is just Isobel, a charming young girl, takes careful steps among flowers in the Southern Seasons Garden one of the many ways to enjoy the garden. Now six years at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Teena Stern old, this aerial walkway sits 40 feet in the air and extends and Donald Haugen collaborated on this work in 600 feet through the canopy of the mature wooded bronze. landscape. Building the walkway combined the latest techniques to minimize damage to the roots of the mature trees in this natural landscape. PHOTO COUR TESY ATLANTA B OTAN ICAL G AR DEN /MELI SSA ANTHONY Letter to the Editor . . . . . 2 Upcoming events . . . . . . . 2 President’s greeting . . . . . 3 Executive director’s greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 #GWA2016 Education Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Food gardening . . . . . . . . 6 PAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ample Harvest . . . . . . . . . 8 GWA Foundation . . . . . . . 9 Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Social Media . . . . . . . . . . 10 Business tips . . . . . . . . . 11 Regional news . . . . . . . . 12 Green Industry News . . . 16 New & Noteworthy . . . . 16 Hot Off the Press . . . . . . 18 AHS Honors . . . . . . . . . . 19 Member profiles . . . . . . . 20 Sustainability article . . . . 22 Photography tips . . . . . . 24 New Members . . . . . . . . 26 New look, new tools . . . 27 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Some of the sculptures, such as a little girl carefully stepping around a pond and an elegant equine piece, are gifts from generous donors. These are permanently housed in the garden, while other exhibitions are seasonal. This year’s spring and summer exhibit is “Chihuly in the Garden,” featuring 21 installation sites by the famous glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. The Atlanta Botanical Garden first showcased Chihuly’s amazing garden art in 2004. It is estimated that the exhibit drew twice the normal number of visitors to the garden and contributed more than $50 million to the Atlanta economy. This year promises to be even bigger and better, with nighttime lighting. PRIVATE GARDEN Jim Gibbs, retired founder of Gibbs Landscape Company, acquired nearly 300 acres on Atlanta’s north side and began transforming the landscape into one of the country’s largest estate gardens. With 30 years of cultivation, the property has mature trees, expansive gardens, ponds and stunning views of North George Mountains. Sculptures in this garden include some that are more personal than those at the Atlanta Botanical Garden—representing the character of all three of the Gibbs children and 11 grandchildren. In total, the world-class landscape includes 24 ponds, 32 bridges and 19 waterfalls, as well millions of naturalized ferns. In all, the garden is regarded as one of the largest residential estate gardens in the country. Jim Gibbs is hosting GWA conference attendees to wine and light refreshments and a special after-hours visit. Kate Copsey is head of the local organizing committee for the Atlanta Conference and Expo. 1