Garden Mission Statement
The mission of Juniper Level Botanic Garden is one of aesthetic display of
ornamental plants, ex-situ plant conservation, plant evaluation, plant
identification, plant exploration, plant propagation, and education about
the diversity of ornamental plants from around the world. Our emphasis is
southeast US natives, especially those of conservation concern and those
whose horticultural desirability make them targets of unscrupulous
collectors who decimate wild populations by selling wild collected plants.
- Aesthetic Public Display (garden division)
- We firmly believe that a good public display of plants is one of the
best ways to educate gardeners about plant diversity and get them
excited about potential uses of the plants they see displayed.
- Ex-Situ Plant Conservation (garden division)
- Our mission is to secure a wide diversity of species and, where possible,
a wide range of genetic material for each species across its
distribution range.
- Education (all divisions)
- We strive to extend our outreach programs, helping to educate gardeners,
both locally and nationally, on all aspects of ornamental
horticulture, but especially about the diversity of plants. A
combination of on-site classroom instruction, open garden days,
lectures, articles, and participation in on-line plant forums is
the main venue for our efforts.
Juniper Level Botanic Garden has been featured in numerous books, magazines,
and television segments.
- Plant Evaluation (research division)
- The focus in our evaluations is to study new plants in cultivation to
determine their adaptability to our Zone 7b climate, their ornamental
suitability, and their potential to become invasive.
- Plant Identification (research division)
- We work with experts from around the world to properly identify plants
and then to disperse this information to others.
- Plant Exploration (research division)
- Our mission is to boldly go where others have gone before and find new
or overlooked plant forms (and new species) that have ornamental
potential. We have a particular interest in the diversity of a
species from different parts of its native range, especially when
disjunct or wide ranging populations exist. Not only do we make the
expeditions ourselves, but we help to financially sponsor others
when we feel their work is valuable to our mission.
- Plant Propagation (nursery division)
- We feel that there is no better way to conserve a plant than through
propagation. By making plants more widely available, we hope to
increase the genetic diversity of ornamental gardens while reducing
the wholesale collecting pressures on native plant stands.
Botanic Garden and Research Staff
Todd Wiegardt, Garden Curator
email:
toddw@plantdelights.com
Monica Hudak, Assistant Garden Curator
John Rogers, Garden Staff
Jeremy Schmidt, Research Horticulturist
Frank Mandarino, Research Assistant/Field Production
Tony Avent, Director
[BIO]
email:
tony@plantdelights.com
Plant Delights Nursery
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