Clippings - May - August 2026

| Atlanta

President’s Message

The Garden’s expansion to create a gateway entrance on the Atlanta Beltline is about to become a reality. When this visionary idea first emerged in 2016, I could not have fully anticipated the profound impact the Beltline would have—not only on our city but as a model for urban transformation nationwide. Today, as we prepare to break ground on the expansion, that impact is unmistakable. The Beltline is redefining how people move through Atlanta, how they experience its neighborhoods and how they connect to nature, culture and one another—often without ever getting into a car.

For the Garden, this moment is truly transformational. Positioning it as a cultural destination directly on the Beltline represents a generational opportunity. This new, second entrance will, quite literally, open our doors to a broader, more diverse audience, inviting people in who may not have experienced the Garden before.

The experience itself will be as compelling as the access. A second visitor center will serve as an elegant welcome point for Beltline guests, creating a seamless and inviting arrival to the Garden. Beyond it, the grand entr through a series of three water terraces, where water and plants converge in layered, immersive displays designed to captivate the senses. These spaces will showcase the richness of our plant collections—including aquatic species—while also introducing more native plants into a thoughtfully designed landscape that reflects the ecology of our region.

The impact will be both immediate and enduring. We anticipate significant growth in visitation and membership, as the Garden becomes part of the daily rhythm of the Beltline experience. Just as importantly, our new Beltline Plaza will allow us to expand free, public programming in meaningful ways—creating opportunities for learning, gathering and inspiration that extend beyond our gates. Demolition of existing structures along Piedmont Avenue will begin this spring, with groundbreaking for the nearly 8-acre expansion to follow later this summer—visible signs that this long-envisioned project is now under way.

This expansion reflects years of thoughtful planning and a deep belief in the Garden’s future. It is an investment not only in our institution but also in the vitality of our city.

We are grateful to the many supporters, partners and advocates who have helped bring this vision to life. Because of you, the Garden is poised to take a bold step forward— one that will shape how we grow, serve and inspire for decades to come.

Mary Pat Matheson

Anna and Hays Mershon President & CEO

Back

by popular demand, playful sculptures celebrate rich history of art in the Garden

Throughout its half-century, the Garden has complemented its lush plant displays with artful accents, from whimsical statues and gushing fountains to sprawling special exhibitions of sculptures by renowned artists from Henry Moore to Dale Chihuly.

To celebrate that rich history, the Garden will present a revival of its 2006 sculpture exhibit, Niki in the Garden, May 9 – September 6.

| Atlanta

The new exhibit will feature 42 pieces in what’s believed to be one of the largest showings of Niki de Saint Phalle’s outdoor work presented in North America.

The late French-American artist was best known for her massive, playful sculptures, particularly her “Nanas” — curvaceous works of women that celebrate femininity — as well as whimsical animals, mythical figures, totems and even sports heroes.

“What better way to celebrate the Garden’s 50th anniversary and its quarter-century tradition of bringing great art set amongst nature to Atlanta than an encore exhibit of Niki?” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO. “The joyous nature of her work lends the perfect accent for marking our golden jubilee.”

Saint Phalle, who died in 2002, worked with a range of materials, including fiberglass, resin, mosaic glass, ceramic tiles, mirror pieces, bronze, concrete and even found objects.

The playful sculptures will be staged throughout the Garden as well as indoors and range in size from the 2,000-pound Grand Step Totem and 16.5-foot Large Yelling Man to small wall hangings of reliefs only 2 feet square.

Members and visitors who experienced the 2006 exhibit will be dazzled by encountering the Star Fountain (Blue) “Nana” once again holding court in Cox Courtyard as well as the joyously iconic Three Graces frolicking in the Skyline Garden pond.

Who was Niki de Saint Phalle?

DIG DEEPER

Don’t miss an interpretive exhibit on the artist and her work in the Fuqua Orchid Center hallway gallery.

Niki de Saint Phalle was a French-American sculptor, painter, filmmaker, author and illustrator.

Cocktails in the Garden

Toast the Garden during its 50th anniversary while exploring Niki in the Garden in the cool of the evening during Cocktails in Garden. This year’s after-hours social marks the arrival of the World Cup in Atlanta with a “Cultures of the World” theme, each week featuring a different region celebrated with music, art, food – and, of course, cocktails!

Thursdays, May 14 – Sept. 24 5 – 9 p.m.

Born Catherine Marie-Agnes Fal de Saint Phalle in 1930, she came to be known as one of the few female sculptors of monumental works as well as an advocate for women’s rights, social change and environmental awareness. She became famous for her massive, colorful and playful sculptures addressing feminism, mythology, politics and personal trauma. These evolved into what she called “Nanas” – joyful, curvaceous, large-scale sculptures of women, animals and monsters.

Following a difficult childhood, she married at a young age and had two children before entering the art world with an experimental style. Saint Phalle, who was called “Niki” by her family, had no formal training but associated freely with other contemporary artists, writers and composers. For years, she worked closely with Swiss kinetic artist Jean Tinguely, who became her second husband. One of her most famous large-scale projects is the “Tarot Garden” in Tuscany, Italy, a playful, surreal park featuring massive, colorful sculptures inspired by Tarot cards.

The artist worked with a diverse range of materials, including fiberglass, polyester resin, mosaic glass, ceramic tiles, mirror pieces, bronze, concrete and found objects. In her later years, she suffered from multiple chronic health problems attributed to her repeated exposure to airborne glass fibers and chemical fumes from her pioneering works.

Saint Phalle’s bold use of color, emotion and sensuality drew mixed reaction during a minimalist age. Yet she became one of the most significant female and feminist artists of the 20th century and one of the few to be recognized in the male-dominated art world during her lifetime.

The French-born, American-raised artist, who died in 2002, was well known in Europe, but her work was rarely seen in the United States until her final years in San Diego. Today, it is displayed in both museums and public spaces worldwide.

Great idea!

New lawn planting design to stay for summer

The Great Lawn is about to become — well, even greater!

To celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary, the Garden more than doubled its spring bulbs, including about 140,000 planted on the Great Lawn for a mega Atlanta SUPER Blooms! The timing for the addition was perfect because the lawn was due for its 10-year replacement of sod.

But as the blooms faded, plans to replace the bulb beds with new grass were scrapped because the masses of flower color were so well received by Garden guests, said Scott McMahan, Vice President, Horticulture & Collections.

Instead, the comma-shaped beds will be maintained, new drains and irrigation will be added, and beds will be planted as mixed borders. The design, by Tres Fromme and Amanda Bennett, will feature evergreen shrubs and perennials as a backdrop for colorful summer annuals in front.

And the winner is...

China roses top the Garden’s annual review

The rosy results are in.

Every year, the Garden’s horticulturists evaluate its roses for identifying top performers for southern gardens, and this year China roses, hands down, took the prize.

A number of cultivars stood out for overall performance, such as how well they fare against pests and diseases common in the Southeast, and for their form, flowers and fragrance. Throughout the growing seasons, horticulturists regularly observe and score each variety for disease and insect resistance, flower quality and overall vigor. Those scores are combined into a single index that lets them compare roses side by side and identify the strongest performers.

China roses performed exceptionally well as a group, showing the strongest resistance to common rose problems like insects and disease. The trade-off is that China roses often have lighter fragrance than many traditional roses. If scent is important, several varieties managed to combine good performance with noticeable fragrance—particularly ‘GRAppl’, ‘Perle d’Or’, ‘Ducher’ and ‘Little Butterfly’.

Across the trial, the best performers tended to feature open to lightly cupped blooms in shades of red, pink and soft white.

Here are a few reliable choices to consider for a home garden:

• ‘Little Butterfly’

Small pink blooms that hold their petals well and keep the plant looking tidy.

• ‘GRAppl’ (Purple Prince)

Bold dark magenta flowers with a rich fragrance.

• ‘Perle d’Or’ Elegant apricot blooms with especially beautiful flower form.

• ‘Ducher’

A classic white China rose known for its toughness and delicate flowers.

• ‘Old Blush’

An historic rose that produces continuous pink blooms and thrives in Southern gardens.

Taylor Schultz Horticulturist

TOP PERFORMERS

The highest-scoring roses from the Garden’s first three-year trial were:

• ‘Bailim Chi’

• ‘Old Blush’

• ‘Little Butterfly’

• ‘GRAppl’ (Purple Prince)

• ‘BAIneon’ (Screaming Neon)

• ‘HARflow’ (Easy Going)

• ‘Bailey Red’

• ‘Perle d’Or’

• ‘Ducher’

Water art

New fountain beckons guests in redesigned

entry garden

The redesigned Anne Cox Chambers Garden — a transformed, crown jewel of an entry garden — is complete, accented with a new take on a contemporary water feature.

A two-phase project that began in 2022, the renovation of the garden, designed to highlight Georgia’s year round gardening potential with shade-loving plants, is a true blend of art and nature inspired by ukiyo-e, or Japanese wood block prints. Ukiyo-e often depicts mountainous landscapes with a meandering river running through the composition. The Garden’s interpretation utilizes sweet flag, Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, as a grand and winding “river” through a landscape composed of dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nanus’, Phlox, Irises, ferns and more.

Project designers Sylvatica Studio described the first phase of the renovation as a painting in which guests are greeted by a living piece of artwork. An expanded plaza marks the perfect spot to view this composition. In the newest phase, the designers went one step further to ask guests what lies beyond the bend while looking at that painting — through the surface level and deep into the landscape.

that painting. The sweet flag “river” has been extended into this new space to show guests the way through a meandering space anchored by a contemporary water feature. The sparkling, solid sheet of water seemingly floats from the sky and runs throughout the garden.

iris, and Lobelia cardinalis. As summer turns to autumn, don’t miss Rhododendron ‘Southgate Grace’, Phlox ‘Sweet Summer Dream’ and Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’.

Phase II, located between the Hardin Visitor Center and Longleaf restaurant, lends the opportunity to walk through

Along the pathways, look for many botanical treasures, from spring-blooming Epimedium ‘Sulphureum’ and Toad Lilies to summer-blooming Iris fulva, the copper

KNOWLEDGE BLOOMS!

ATLANTA

Shade Gardening

Learn about understory trees, shrubs, herbaceous plant choices and plants that work in combination for a healthy plant community.

atlantabg.org

GAINESVILLE

Introduction to Needle Felting

Explore how loose wool transforms into delightful handmade creations using specialized tools and simple techniques.

gainesvillegarden.org

The garden is named in honor of the late Anne Cox Chambers, one of the Garden’s leading supporters and a lifetime trustee.

Going for gold Garden jubilee evokes

heartfelt, insightful memories

The party continues as the Garden celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout 2026!

What began in the 1970s as an organized megaeffort by a core group of determined and dedicated volunteers has mushroomed into what’s considered one of the top botanical gardens in the country and among Atlanta’s most iconic cultural institutions.

The celebration kicked off with Orchid Daze, featuring the Garden’s signature plant collection, followed by Atlanta SUPER Blooms !, doubling the usual number of spring bulbs, including a spectacular Great Lawn display. This month, the Garden will present a revival of its Niki in the Garden sculpture exhibit, which debuted 20 years ago, and fall will usher in a few celebratory surprises at Scarecrows in the Garden and Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Throughout the year, the Garden has been honored to have some of its founding volunteers and members share memories both delightful and insightful of the early days. Here are those of Sylvia Attkisson.

Garden reflections

Founding volunteer recalls simple, innocent beginnings

We had no idea – this glorious Garden we now have? Not in our wildest dreams! Sometimes excitement, enthusiasm and openness to possibilities take you to amazing places. Here are some of my fondest memories from when that journey began:

On a chartered bus in the mid ’70s to a class at Park Seed Co., volunteer Barbara Humphreys told me, “You know, Atlanta should have a botanical garden.” Just back from an American Horticultural Society meeting, Barbara talked to Louise Allen, another founding member, and the ball was rolling.

Rennie Davant, the first membership coordinator, maintained the membership roll on index cards in a shoebox. She took the box home every night lest the trailer that served as office/visitor center catch fire.

Blossom, the resident cat, often made it hard to pay attention to speakers for Sunday afternoon trailer classes. She would walk in, stroll to the front of the room, jump on the table, curl up and go to sleep.

Dottie and J.B. Fuqua at the Fuqua Orchid Center groundbreaking

On a beautiful May day in the early ’90s, Executive Director Alston Glenn sat on Lanier Terrace finishing his lunch as Flossie Dodge, president of the Garden Associates, walked by huffing and puffing with a heavy bag draped over one shoulder. Alston asked what was in the bag. “$20,000!” she replied. He nearly fell off the terrace. The cash was proceeds from the weekend’s Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, which that year had raised ticket prices to $20 and was wildly successful. Alston, a former banker, devised a new system for the next year.

In the late ’80s, Ann Crammond invited directors of about 10 leading botanical gardens to Atlanta to advise us on building a conservatory with J.B. and Dottie Fuqua’s gift. The consensus was we were still getting established and certainly should not undertake a conservatory. Undeterred, Ann and Dottie persevered.

When conducting a meeting in the trailer classroom, the question was not where’s housekeeping but where’s the Comet? Chairing a meeting included cleaning the bathroom before guests arrived.

Garden trustee Norris Broyles took notes in Classroom A during a 1988 meeting while Tom Woodham, other early board members and I developed the Garden’s mission statement. In one sitting.

Executive Director Ann Crammond came to us from the North, and as part of the Garden’s annual Country Christmas event, decided one year we should have a bonfire. As is often the case in Atlanta in December, the temp was in the 70s that day, and nobody wanted to get NEAR her bonfire. Ann also wanted to sell roasted chestnuts. No buyers. Then volunteer Jennifer Burman brought over a boom box and started playing Nat King Cole singing “Chestnuts roasting . . .” The chestnuts sold out!

When City permitting slowed Conservatory construction, J.B. Fuqua grew frustrated, so trustees agreed to write him and Dottie thanking them for their generous gift. The Garden was to collect the letters and send them to the Fuquas. But no letters arrived. Board members were stymied by how to start the greeting. We all called her “Dottie,” but no one could fathom referring to him by anything other than “Mr. Fuqua.” “Dear Dottie and Mr. Fuqua”??? The Garden stepped in and decreed that all letters should say “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Fuqua.” The letters poured in.

Here’s to the next 50 years! To heights unimaginable. To plants saved and gardeners educated. And especially to the shared enthusiasm of the thrill of gardening.

Sylvia Attkisson is an Atlanta garden designer, whose training was first inspired by the Garden’s

classes.

She is a founding volunteer and lifetime trustee.

Baptisia

Bold spikes of perennial add color, height to home gardens

Known for their dramatic towers of bold spring blooms, Baptisia varieties are excellent additions to southeastern gardens. Commonly known as Wild or False Indigo, these long-lived perennials thrive in full sun and are fairly drought tolerant once established. At three or four years old, plants begin to produce large blue-green shrub-like growth and create a great backdrop for other perennials or as a striking focal point as a single specimen or trio. As a member of the Fabaceae (legumes) family, their large seed pods provide attractive late-season interest that often rustle in the wind as they dry. Plants can be cut back in late fall as stems turn black from frost for a tidier appearance or wait until early spring for extra winter protection and to observe the decorative seed pods. Here are some favorites that will bring both beauty and longevity to a garden.

‘Screamin’ Yellow’

Noted for its profuse yellow bloom, this variety grows up to 3 feet but can spread to 5 feet. Even noted for its use in rain gardens, this adaptable variety remains dense

One of the most compact varieties, ‘Grape Taffy’ grows to about 2.5 feet and 3 feet wide. Reddish-purple flower spikes feature a yellow keel. While all of these varieties will tolerate part shade, blooms will be reduced, and staking may be required to prevent leggy growth.

Featuring dark purple flower spikes that stand high

Outdoor Kitchen Programs

Select dates, May–August

Local chefs showcase healthy, seasonal recipes to savor during Garden Chef Demonstrations, small culinary classes and dinner experiences, including the Fresh Plates, Georgia Grown and Well-Seasoned Chef series. Get fresh inspiration and tips for home cooking while learning and sampling dishes featuring herbs and vegetables from steps away in the Edible Garden. For a full listing of plant-to-plate programs in the Outdoor Kitchen, visit atlantabg.org/outdoorkitchen.

Alston Lecture: Sam Hoadley

Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m.

Join Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center, as he highlights native plant species and cultivars from trials that make beautiful and ecologically valuable additions to a garden. Hosted in partnership with Trees Atlanta. The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture Series is made possible by generous support from the estate of Elkin Goddard Alston.

Atlanta Rose Show

Saturday, May 9, 1 – 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 10, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The annual cut-flower show presented by the Greater Atlanta Rose Society features roses of diverse varieties and colors.

Mother’s Day in the Garden

Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Celebrate Mom with a day in the Garden featuring live music, specialty cocktails and chef’s picnic boxes for per-order or onsite purchase.

Cocktails in the Garden

Thursdays, May 14 – Sept. 24, 5 – 9 p.m.

Explore Niki in the Garden in the cool of the evening! This year’s after-hours social marks the arrival of the World Cup in Atlanta with a “Cultures of the World” theme, each week featuring a different region celebrated with cash bars, food, music and art.

Sensory Friendly Afternoon

Wednesday, June 3, 3 – 5 p.m.

Visit drop-in learning and art stations created for individuals with cognitive and sensory-processing disabilities, and their families. Don’t miss Teller Productions’ performance of “Cardboard Silly Show” at 4 p.m.

Refugee Recipe Celebration

Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Celebrate the strong connection among plants, food and culture in honor of World Refugee Day. Chefs from Friends of Refugees join the weekend cooking demos with international recipes alongside other activities that highlight Atlanta’s diverse refugee communities and foodways.

Educator Appreciation Evening

Monday, June 22, 4 – 9 p.m.

Metro Atlanta teachers are invited to the Garden for a complimentary summer evening planned just for them! Visit atlantabg. org for details.

Patricia Kyritsi Howell

Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m.

Herbalist and author Patricia Kyritsi Howell examines how the Southern Appalachians became a hub of medicinal plant diversity and use. Using insights from ecology, history and folk tradition, she details how these plants were utilized—and how Appalachian plant knowledge still shapes modern herbal practices today. The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture Series is made possible by generous support from the estate of Elkin Goddard Alston.

happenings

Summer Party

Saturday, June 27, 5 – 9 p.m.

Celebrate the season with live music, specialty food, cocktails and a lantern parade!

Pollinator Party

Friday, June 26, 10 a.m. – Noon

Bees, butterflies, birds and other animals that pollinate plants are responsible for one of every three bites of food! Enjoy this family celebration that honors the hard-working pollinators in Atlanta.

A Note from the Director

Late spring and summer is one of the most enjoyable times to be in the Garden.

Annuals, perennials and shrubs provide constantly-changing color and fragrance during these longer, warmer days.

The Gainesville Garden is fortunate to be home to the gorgeous Ivester Amphitheater, a lovely venue nestled into the hillside and surrounded by our mature hardwood forest. Gainesville High School’s outstanding theater program will present its final production of Hadestown here on Saturday, May 9. We hope this will be the first of many theatrical performances in the amphitheater by local organizations. This summer we will also present a new “Music in the Garden” series featuring local musicians on Saturday evenings during this family-friendly, limited-ticketed event.

As we continue to expand our programming, I hope you will join us – whether to enjoy a twilight performance, our annual JuneFest or the summer exhibit of Alfred Glover’s folk art.

GOING WILD

Exotic travels inspire artist’s sculptures

The Gainesville Garden will be transformed into a showcase of colorful, fanciful sculptures when it features Wild & Wonderful: Folk Art by Alfred Glover 16 – August 30.

The 17 sculptures, made mainly from wood and recycled aluminum, were inspired by exotic plants and animals seen by the Cape Cod artist on his travels or by stories

Music in the Garden Amphitheater features new intimate series

Enjoy the Garden this spring and summer during early evening musical performances in the Ivester Amphitheater. Music in the Garden acts beginning May 30 and every other Saturday through July. Guests are invited to stroll the Garden beginning at 5:30 p.m., purchase snacks and beverages, and enjoy performances of bluegrass, jazz and more at 6:30 p.m.

Limited tickets will be available, and all parking is onsite. For details, visit gainesvillegarden.org.

Amazing azaleas

Shrubs evolve from centuries of discoveries, breeding

The discovery and introduction of

Hybridization efforts were made to continue to improve on the Knaphill hybrids to create even more vivid colors on strong growing plants.

By 1970 Eugene Aromi of southern Alabama decided to begin hybridizing Exbury hybrids with more southerly U.S. species such as R. canescens, R. austrinum, R. atlanticum and R. alabamense. The goal was to create heat- and disease-tolerant deciduous azaleas with large flowers and an array of bright colors for zones 6–9. Aromi made more than 1,000 crosses and named more than 100 cultivars. These are some of the most spectacular deciduous azalea cultivars available today, and the Gainesville Garden features ones such as ‘Mauvilla Gold’, ‘Pink Carousel’, ‘Four Kings’ and ‘Frontier Gold’.

Ethan Guthrie Horticulture Manager

Story Time and Sensory Bins

Wednesdays through August

10 a.m. – Noon

Enjoy Story Time on the terrace and the sensory bin in the Children’s Garden.

Fairytale Fridays

Second Friday, May – July

Dress up as your favorite fairytale character and enjoy magical family fun! Join the Fairytale Parade at 11 a.m. in the Children’s Garden and stroll the paths to music and bubbles.

Mother’s Day in the Garden

Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Celebrate Mom with a bloom-filled day of live music and cocktails in the Garden! Pre-order picnic boxes for two prepared by Blossom & Herb.

Wild & Wonderful: Folk Art by Alfred Glover

Saturday, May 16 – Sunday, Aug. 30

Explore a landscape of whimsical and enchanting folk art sculptures by Cape Cod artist Alfred Glover.

Music in the Garden

Saturdays, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25; 5:30 p.m.

This new series showcases local musical talent while guests enjoy a summer evening in the Garden.

JuneFest

Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Celebrate summer with family-friendly entertainment, a mini-market and more. Enter the Garden’s Birdhouse Competition for the chance to win prizes!

Gainesville Garden Summer Camp

Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Summer Camp returns for another week of fun, creativity and outdoor exploration. Kids will be immersed in the wonders of nature as they get their hands dirty, make new friends and discover the enchantment of the Garden.

gainesville happenings

membersonly

ALL MEMBERS

Gainesville Member Evening

Gainesville: Monday, May 18, 5 – 8 p.m.

Explore the beauty of springtime in the Gainesville Garden! Enjoy an evening of family-friendly crafts, live music and a complimentary treat while touring the latest exhibition Wild & Wonderful: Folk Art by Alfred Glover. Look for an email with details.

CONTRIBUTING LEVEL & ABOVE

Light

Bites & Garden Insights

Monday, June 1, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 3, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Contributing-level members and above are invited to presentations by Garden experts while enjoying light refreshments. Look for an email with details. To upgrade to Contributing level or above, call 404-591-1544.

ALL MEMBERS

Member Summer Evening

Monday, July 27, 5–9 p.m.

Members are invited to a special night of live music, surprise entertainment, familyfriendly activities and a refreshing member treat while touring Niki in the Garden.

How does overwatering or underwatering impact my outdoor plants?

Improper watering can create an unhealthy plant. An underwatered plant may have discolored yellowing, brittle or dying leaves at the bottom, dwarfed growth, and little or no production or blooms. Roots may appear on the soil surface, which may be cracked. An easy fix is regular watering. Watering longer, but less frequently, allows for deeper penetration and root growth. Conversely,

2025 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Wanda Bokoski

Member Previews: Niki in the Garden

CONTRIBUTING LEVEL & ABOVE :

Tuesday, May 5, 6 – 9 p.m.

ALL MEMBERS : Thursday, May 7, 6 – 9 p.m.

Be the first to experience the long-awaited return of Niki in the Garden before it opens to the public. Enjoy live music, imaginative crafts and activities for kids, and tasty treats alongside these colorful and iconic sculptures!

SUPPORTING LEVEL & ABOVE

Strings in the Garden

Monday, Aug. 31, 6 – 9 p.m.

Supporting-level members and above are invited to a live string performance while enjoying delicious fare in the Garden. Invitations will be mailed. To upgrade to Supporting level or above, call 404-591-1544.

Wanda Bokoski has been named the Garden’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year.

After retiring from Fulton County Schools in 2003, Bokoski joined the Garden’s Docent Program and has been leading school groups on Garden tours for the past 23 years. She also helps with youth programming, including summer camps, Garden Playtime and Fall Family Fun, along with events and festivals. She was Docent Chair in 2008 and continues to serve on the Docent Hospitality Committee.

Bokoski is a three-time Volunteer of the Month and this year was honored with the Everlastings Award for her long tenure of service to the Garden, its mission, staff and visitors. Staff describe her as reliable, passionate and composed as well as a kind spirit.

Read all about it

Go behind the scenes with the Garden’s horticulturists and scientists for a look back at 50 years of success stories in the Garden’s critical mission work in PlantIntel The annual publication is available in the Hardin Visitor Center or online at atlantabg.org/plantintel.

signs of overwatering include similar leaf discoloration symptoms as underwatering, and yellowing leaves that are limp and wilted, not brittle. Roots are rotting or stunted, appear brown and breaking off easily. Waterlogged plants may start turning brown and develop mushy stems. Proper soil drainage is key to combating overwatering whether due to constant rain or too much “tender loving care.” Adequate mulching can also prevent overwatering.