Botanist's Lens: Preserving Plants in Peril - The Public Garden Way
- Meenal Harankhedkar, Director of Horticulture
- Sep 11, 2020
- 2 min read
London Town's woodland gardens: Rhododendron 'Dexter', with Ostrich Fern and wild ginger
Our goal for the Plant Sale is to bring you closer to London Town's unique living collections and conservation goals. On Saturday, September 26 (9am - 2pm), you can take home botanical specimens directly transplanted from the grounds at London Town and specimens matching London Town's collections (e.g., ephemerals, bulbs, ground covers, shrubs, mid-canopy layers and more).
Plants in peril - those that are rare, threatened and endangered in the wild - need our attention now. Some flora and fauna have fragile populations in the wild. Zoos and botanical gardens are sanctuaries for ex-situ conservation of these species. Learn more here.
"In situ is Latin for 'on site', in situ conservation is therefore the conservation of species diversity within normal and natural habitats and ecosystems. By comparison, ex situ conservation focuses on safeguarding species by keeping them in places such as seed banks or living collections. Because our natural systems face many threats, conserving them is not easy, and must use many techniques." - Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Primary goals of curation of London Town's plant collections are:
responsible ex-situ conservation of species
building sustainable landscapes with informed ecological restoration choices
utilizing sound propagation practices for further enhancement of species
The Plant Sale includes plant material that directly comes from London Town's grounds as a way of sharing unique botanical specimens grown with care. Conservation is critical for those species of which only a few are left in the wild. Conservation is also key to bringing attention to many species that go unnoticed, for not every plant is as common as the bright red knock out rose. For example, did you know that Asarum canadense, wild ginger, is considered threatened in Maine?
Star Anise, Illicium floridanum
Anise Trees, Illicum henryi and Illicium floridanum, both grow prolifically at London Town. Both are considered threatened in the wild. A beautiful evergreen shrub, it would go unnoticed as its flowers aren't as bright as roses or tulips. But what makes Illiciums cool is that they were one of the first flowering plants to evolve!
All plants at the sale are grown in zone 7-9. Also, for the first time, we will have seeds for sale, collected from London Town's unique collections. The current list of plants and seeds are available here.
Plants from London Town's gardens: From left to right: Sinocalycanthus, Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema ringens), Azalea seed capsule, Azalea 'Glen Dale', Camellia on Azalea glade, Illicium henryi
Given the constant change in urban and forested landscapes, plants aren't in peril alone. Sustainable landscapes, fragile habitats and vulnerable plant relations are also in peril. With informed knowledge of species and plant relations, one can contribute immensely to saving a habitat, saving a species, regardless of its origin. Come and join us on September 26th and learn about woodland plants that deserve a second look.
This is a wonderful article on the importance of ex-situ conservation. It is fascinating to learn how botanical gardens serve as such vital sanctuaries for species like the Illicium floridanum that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Learning about the history and preservation of these rare specimens makes me want to dive deeper into nature-themed literature. If you are looking for a Book series that captures the beauty of the natural world or simply need some fresh Books to read while relaxing in a garden sanctuary like London Town, there is so much inspiration to be found in stories about our environment. Thank you for sharing these insights!
This is such an insightful look into the vital role public gardens play in conservation! It’s fascinating to learn about the difference between in-situ and ex-situ preservation and how London Town serves as a sanctuary for threatened species like wild ginger and star anise. The effort to share these unique botanical specimens through the plant sale is a wonderful way to encourage sustainable, ecologically-informed landscaping in our own backyards.
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This is a wonderful and important look at the critical role public gardens play in conservation. The "botanist’s lens" provides such a unique perspective on the dedication required to preserve species that are truly in peril. It’s a great reminder that consistent, specialized attention—whether it’s for a rare plant or something like personal scalp care—is what leads to long-term health and growth. Just as a High Frequency Facial uses specific technology to revitalize, these botanical efforts show how targeted care can make all the difference for the future. Thank you for highlighting such vital work!
What an inspiring read! Love how the article ties the importance of conserving delicate plant species to the greater rhythm of nature. After reading, I found myself picturing a quiet escape at Edisto Beach where you can unwind surrounded by the sea and greenery—then retreat to the comfort of Beach vacation rentals to round it all off. Thanks for sharing!
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