Nursery

The establishment and operation of the garden’s nursery is to support the mission and vision of the garden. This is accomplished through four inter-connected functions: collection development, research and education, seed collection and exchange and plant sales.

Collection Development

The nursery was originally developed to support the development of the garden’s permanent plant collections. A large percentage of plants are either unavailable or difficult to acquire while many others are prohibitively expensive. On site propagation was a partial solution. At our current stage of nursery operation, we average sowing 750 accessioned species of seed (1,200 pots) and propagate 200 species of asexual vegetative cuttings on an annual cycle. Our facilities also provide the opportunity to develop plants into larger more mature specimens, which increases our success into garden/collection establishment. We accession an additional 150-300 species of smaller rooted plants to grow onward.

Research and Education

Currently, nursery research is concentrated in two areas: propagation and horticultural trials. Our propagation research studies seed viability and storage along with their specific germination inhibitors, germination timing and techniques, cultural requirements and seedling management. In addition we are studying several areas of vegetative or asexual rooting techniques. Our horticultural trials investigate a plant’s adaptability to our regional conditions, site requirements, cultural management, impacts from pests or disease and overall garden worthiness. In addition, we want to understand unknown plants reproduction traits and invasive colonization potential. Detailed records are maintained in both areas, but at this date we have not published our findings.

Seed Collection and Exchange

We monitor pollination and seed development and then collect seed from plant species identified in our collections and nursery. Seed is properly stored and, when seasonal conditions are favorable, sown. A percentage of all seed collected is allocated for our seed exchange with other botanical institutions and reciprocating specialty nurseries. Our Index Seminum, (detailed description of seed and spores) is released at the end of the year.

Plant Sales

A small percentage of the garden’s revenue is derived from sales of plants grown in the nursery. We sponsor an annual off-site plant sale with 25 other specialty nursery growers, participate as a vendor of plants with other organizations, host our own open nursery sales and have plants available for sale year round through our gift shop. An equally important function is ‘community outreach.’ One role of botanical institutions is to share unique, diverse plants from their botanical collections with other organizations and the horticultural public. Historically, new species of plants or horticultural selections were introduced through this process.

Species Diversity

We are currently managing over 2000 species of plants, of 3000 unique accessions, in the nursery. This includes over 1,250 species of seed, seeded pots and/or germinated seedlings, 850 potted species under cultivation and numerous vegetative cuttings. The diversity of plant family and region of origin is extensive, as are the cultural requirements. This past year 350 new plants were incorporated into the garden’s collections.

Facilities

The nursery facility occupies a footprint just shy of 20,000 square feet. Near the center sits a 26 x 40 foot lexon skinned, gas heated, fan cooled greenhouse. The greenhouse benches are raised with hot water heating. The propagation area has a deep plunge bench with controlled bottom heat, mist cooling and high spectrum lights. There are also seed benches with specific cultural controls. The surrounding nursery has 2 potting stations, multiple shade structures, 16 cold frames and diversified sites for specific potted plant species and/or management practices. All is manually irrigated. There is also a shaded satellite site for fern propagation that consists of a small indoor propagation facility, cold frames and raised sand beds.

Management

The nursery is managed by a partnership between garden staff and volunteers. Staff oversees all tasks related to collection development, plant propagation, research and education, seed collection and record management. Volunteers manage the majority of the revenue program. Sustainable, ecological based horticultural practices dictate management philosophy.