Photo credit: www.gardenista.com
Last Tuesday, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden welcomed hundreds of horticultural professionals for the 29th annual Plant-O-Rama, a significant event comprising a symposium, trade show, and career fair organized by the Metro Hort Group. This organization is dedicated to the horticulture community in the tri-state area and engages members through various activities including meet-ups, lectures, and field trips. However, Plant-O-Rama stands out as their premier gathering. The symposium featured insightful keynote addresses by prominent figures in landscape architecture, including Edwina Von Gal, the founder of the Perfect Earth Project, as well as Ethan Kauffman, director at Stoneleigh, a public garden in Pennsylvania known for its naturalistic design. The event also included panel discussions focused on the management of naturalistic landscapes and the collaboration of artists and horticulturists.
Here are seven innovative concepts gleaned from this inspiring event:
N.B: Above photograph of section on Governors Island, post-solarization, by Sarma Ozols for The Trust for Governors Island.
Artful Hay Stacks
The morning keynote from Edwina Von Gal was specifically designed for horticultural professionals, focusing on effective communication strategies when discussing concepts with clients. Von Gal shared her innovative landscaping practices on her own property, where she has created habitats and retained biomass using log pile walls and “bug snugs.” Additionally, she introduced the idea of constructing an aesthetically pleasing hay stack on her land to repurpose meadow mowing biomass, humorously referring to it as her “homage to Monet.” She recommended positioning this hay stack strategically to suppress undesirable invasive plants.
Bee Beaches
Another creative suggestion from Von Gal aimed at supporting local wildlife was her concept of a “bee beach,” a designated area for bees and other pollinators to access fresh water. In her garden, this is realized through a concrete trough set under a spigot, which is filled with stones to create landing spots for insects. During the summer months, she allows a gentle drip from the tap into the trough, maintaining a reliable source of hydration. For those looking to replicate this in their gardens, a simple bird bath with some rocks could serve as an effective “bee beach.”
Source
www.gardenista.com