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