Four representatives of the Garden Club of Denver were fortunate to attend the Garden Club of America Shirley Meneice Horticulture Conference at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in September – Suellen W. (GCA Horticulture Committee), Debbie D. (Zone XII Horticulture Representative), and club delegates Kathleen T. and Margaret T..
We had the opportunity to tour a multitude of local gardens, including Crab Tree Farm, the only operating farm on Lake Michigan. Bill Kurtis (of NPR’s “Wait, Wait – Don’t Tell Me” fame) and his partner Donna LaPietra, personally welcomed us to Mettawa Manor, their 65-acre tallgrass prairie restoration project that is the centerpiece and home of the Kurtis Conservation Foundation.
The conference showcased the work of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and its research partnerships with conservation groups and private landowners in the Chicago area with efforts focused on the conservation and restoration of plants and trees native to the upper Midwest and great lakes area.
The Chicago Botanic Gardens is a leader in conservation sciences and many of us had the privilege participating in a tour with Kayri Havens, the chief scientist of their Negaunee Institute. Our visit included a visit to the CBC’s Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank. The seed bank is a repository holding over 100 million seeds from over 1800 species native to the tallgrass prairies, woodlands, and wetlands of the upper Midwest. Through their efforts not only are they preserving the diversity of native species but have also expanded to farm native seeds on a production level basis in order to provide a supply for the restoration of tallgrass Prairie areas.
On the last day of the conference, we heard from a broad representation of scientists, conservationists, and community leaders, including Fred Spicer, the Director of the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and Ernest C. Wong, Founder and Principal of Site Design Group, ltd. Ernest Wong shared some of his favorite projects that epitomized the mission of his design team, including creating community garden spaces along the Chicago River and the Shed Aquarium, as well as his team’s impromptu idea to repurpose plywood that had been used to board up buildings to create joyful gathering spaces in the South Side of Chicago during Covid.
As the conference came to a close, attendees eagerly anticipated the announcement of this year’s Freeman Medalist – an award celebrating and promoting a native plant. This year’s medalist is “Querrus Montana” which goes by several common names including “chestnut oak”, “basket oak”, and “mountain oak.” Two other native plants were honored as well, including the Fraser Magnolia (honorable mention) and the Ozark Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) (special recognition).
Of course, the highlight of the conference was connecting with members of other Garden Club’s around the US. We strolled along paths in incredible private gardens, hiked through oak woodlands, and enjoyed social hours and meals together. We searched for treasures at the Seed Share and exchanged stories about our favorite plants. Best of all, we brought back new ideas from our fellow garden club friends as well as seeds to share with you from the Seed Share!
-Story by Margaret T.
