For 55 years supporters of Fernwood Botanical Gardens along the St. Joseph River in Buchanan Township have worked diligently to share the beauty and bounty of nature in Michigan’s Great Southwest so you can imagine the incredible thrill racing through their veins upon word that a slice of their culture will be on display for most of the coming year in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Botanic Garden on Capitol Hill.
Officials at Fernwood have received word that they will be a part of the The U.S. Botanic Garden’s presentation of a new exhibit Celebrating New American Gardens from January 31st through October 15th, 2019.
The new exhibit showcases 21 gardens from across the United States that have created new gardens or renovated a garden within the last five years. Photos, drawings, landscape designs, and project descriptions share the story of each new garden, and Fernwood is honored to be one of those 21 select gardens chosen to showcase their work. A panel featuring the Entry Garden at Fernwood is part of the exhibit.
As the U.S. Botanic Garden notes, “Public gardens across America are engaging, inviting, and dynamic. Gardens are living creations, as they display seasonal changes along with a constant ebb and flow. These new gardens showcase new plant collections, create spaces for people to connect with nature, and foster sustainability.”
Saharah Moon Chapotin is Executive Director of the national garden in Washington, D.C. She says, “Gardens are always changing – with the seasons, with emerging gardening trends, and with their communities. We are excited to feature these new gardens and showcase the diversity and beauty of modern garden projects.”
On the local scene, Fernwood Executive Director Carol Line says, “Fernwood is quite honored to have our work featured in Washington D.C. among that of our esteemed colleagues at fine gardens across the country,” and adds, “The unique nature of all gardens and the diversity represented within their botanical collections is so well demonstrated in this exhibit.”
Roy Diblik is Designer & Plantsman at Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin. He says, “Wherever we see gardens there are constant transformations in plant use and planting styles. The nature of Fernwood offers the belief that all plants shall have the good life, living in healthy communities and are loved.”
Gardens with projects featured in the national exhibit are:
- Adkins Arboretum, Maryland
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York
- Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Massachusetts
- Chicago Botanic Garden, Illinois
- Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado
- Fernwood Botanical Garden, Michigan
- Green Bay Botanical Garden, Wisconsin
- The Grotto Gardens at the Dayton VA Medical Center, Ohio
- Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Florida
- New Orleans Botanical Garden, Louisiana
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pennsylvania
- Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon
- Reiman Gardens, Iowa
- San Diego Zoo, California
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park, California
- State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia
- Tohono Chul, Arizona
- Tulsa Botanic Garden, Oklahoma
- United States Botanic Garden, District of Columbia
- Waterfront Botanical Gardens, Kentucky
Throughout the exhibit run, the U.S. Botanic Garden will offer programs, workshops, lectures, and tours related to the exhibit. You can visit www.USBG.gov/NewAmericanGardens to learn more about the exhibit and associated programs.
The U.S. Botanic Garden is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10 am to 5 pm. The Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, on the southwest side of the U.S. Capitol. Visitors are encouraged to use Metrobus and Metrorail. More information is available at www.USBG.gov
The United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The Garden informs visitors about the importance and fundamental value and diversity of plants, as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic and ecological significance. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. The U.S. Botanic Garden is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. www.USBG.gov
Established in 1964, Fernwood is a unique property located near Lake Michigan in southwest Michigan on 105 acres of cultivated gardens and natural areas with woodlands, ravines, wetlands, and river frontage on the St. Joseph River. The garden opened its new Sims Education Center in October 2018.
Fernwood follows its mission to enrich people’s lives by awakening and deepening their appreciation of nature and the possibilities of harmony between people, plants, gardens, and wildlife. Open year-round, Fernwood is located in Buchanan Township at 13988 Range Line Road in Niles. Visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call 269.695.6491 for more information. Fernwood is a member of the American Public Gardens Association and the American Alliance of Museums.
