American Public Gardens Association

American Public Gardens Association The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture.

Our Mission: Advancing public gardens as leaders, advocates, and innovators.

  - The Atlanta Botanical Garden extensive orchid collection includes 48 taxa of Gongora, a remarkable genus of Neotropi...
08/21/2026

- The Atlanta Botanical Garden extensive orchid collection includes 48 taxa of Gongora, a remarkable genus of Neotropical orchids pollinated by fragrance-collecting Euglossine bees. Their powerful fragrances and unique pollination biology offer an incredible opportunity to explore plant diversity, pollination and coevolution.

Gongora species are displayed year-round on a rotating basis in the Fuqua Orchid Center, where educators and docents introduce visitors and students to these fascinating relationships. The Garden also supports orchid conservation by propagating and sharing high-priority Gongora species with other institutions, while carefully documenting their growth, flowering and genetic information.

We’re proud to see public gardens like Atlanta Botanical Garden using their collections to advance conservation, research and education!

🏆We are excited to recognize American Public Gardens Association members who recently received awards from the Massachus...
08/20/2026

🏆We are excited to recognize American Public Gardens Association members who recently received awards from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Sharon Loving, past chief horticulture and facilities officer at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, received the Society's highest honor for eminent service in horticulture.

Drew Schuyler, assistant head gardener at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers, New York, was the inaugural recipient of the R. Wayne Mezitt Medal.

Richard Hawke, Ga***rd and Dorothy Donnelley Director of Ornamental Plant Research at Chicago Botanic Garden, received a Gold Medal for eminent horticultural accomplishment.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4x86r75

08/19/2026

🌿We’re pleased to share exciting news from our member, the Missouri Botanical Garden! Research involving Missouri Botanical Garden scientists is helping expand our understanding of these remarkable ancient trees. The baobab genus includes species found across Africa, Madagascar, and Australia, with some trees living for centuries or more.

🔬Through genetic and genomic research, scientists are uncovering more about baobab evolution, relationships among species, and the adaptations that have helped these iconic trees survive in challenging environments. This work highlights the important role public garden scientists play in advancing plant science and conservation and in helping us better understand and protect some of the world's most extraordinary plants.

Read the full story to learn more about this fascinating research from Missouri Botanical Garden: https://bit.ly/4bWTvsC

🍂Fall is around the corner already and that means we have four exciting Regional Learning Series coming up at member gar...
08/18/2026

🍂Fall is around the corner already and that means we have four exciting Regional Learning Series coming up at member gardens around the country! We are excited to see more of you in person and provide more professional development opportunities.

1. Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
Ann Arbor, Michigan
October 6, 2026
Focus: Plant Collections and Management
Registration Deadline: September 29

2. Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
October 9, 2026
Focus: Plant Curation, Conservation, and Horticulture
Registration Deadline: October 2, 2026

3. Brookside Gardens
Wheaton, Maryland
October 16, 2026
Focus: Next Generation Green
Registration Deadline: October 9

4. Tohono Chul
Tucson, Arizona
November 13, 2026
Focus: Activating Living Collections
Registration Deadline: November 6

Please visit our Regional Learning Series page to learn more and register: https://members.publicgardens.org/events/regional-learning-series/

The Morton Arboretum Arboretum has unveiled new BASICS-inspired garden spaces in its Children’s Garden through a partner...
08/18/2026

The Morton Arboretum Arboretum has unveiled new BASICS-inspired garden spaces in its Children’s Garden through a partnership with the DuPage County Health Department. This exciting new venture brings together nature, play and health education to create meaningful experiences for children and families.

We’re proud to celebrate our members at The Morton Arboretum for their innovative work and this wonderful partnership! Their commitment to creating engaging spaces that connect children with nature and support healthy communities is an inspiring example of the impact public gardens can have.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Uq5clD

08/17/2026

APGA staff took their learning on the road this weekend in Indianapolis! After spending time exploring the beautiful gardens at Newfields the team joined fellow association professionals at ASAE The Center for Association Leadership to learn, connect, and exchange ideas during the conference.

Opened to the public in 2008, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) is a 136-acre public garden where na...
08/16/2026

Opened to the public in 2008, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) is a 136-acre public garden where nature, history, and community come together. The land has a fascinating past, once serving as a railroad corridor, a mining site, and later a forgotten City-owned property before a group of Jacksonville citizens recognized its potential as an arboretum and public garden.

Today, JABG is evolving into a more curated botanical garden while embracing the unique landscape and history that make it special. Visitors can explore seven miles of trails and a growing collection of gardens across 13 distinct ecosystems, while enjoying a diverse calendar of community-loved events and educational programs. From nature walks and educational programs to seasonal celebrations, JABG continues to grow as a place for people to connect with nature, discover Northeast Florida’s natural state, and celebrate the community.

To learn more, visit https://jacksonvillearboretum.org/

Congratulations to Leigh MacDonald on her recent appointment as the new Executive Director of Ithaca Children's Garden! ...
08/15/2026

Congratulations to Leigh MacDonald on her recent appointment as the new Executive Director of Ithaca Children's Garden! We are so happy for Leigh and wish her the best in her new role!

“We have been incredibly impressed with Leigh’s interim leadership,” said Liz Kinast, President of the ICG Board of Directors. “She is extremely thoughtful, creative, and has deep knowledge and care for the Garden, staff, and the community.”

MacDonald first joined the Garden in 1999 as a program assistant while pursuing graduate studies in environmental education. What began as an opportunity to explore the connections between plants, people, and community evolved into a long career dedicated to growing the Garden’s programs, staff, and physical landscape.

Read more: https://members.publicgardens.org/ithaca-childrens-garden-board-appoints-leigh-macdonald-as-executive-director/

  - Due to a generous donation in the early 1980’s from the Carell family, a trend of collecting dogwoods at Cheekwood w...
08/14/2026

- Due to a generous donation in the early 1980’s from the Carell family, a trend of collecting dogwoods at Cheekwood was established and has continued, culminating in the recognition by the American Public Garden’s Plant Collection Network in 2012.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens located in Nashville, Tennessee, is proud to be among a prestigious group of gardens and arboreta that have committed themselves to the conservation and care of specific plant collections, managed at the highest professional level. This recognition is not only a reflection of the long-term commitment to the conservation and care of dogwoods, but another important step in growing Cheekwood’s reputation as one of the country’s most beautiful gardens in North America.

Congratulations to Miles Arnott on his recent appointment as the new President and CEO of Bok Tower Gardens! We are thri...
08/13/2026

Congratulations to Miles Arnott on his recent appointment as the new President and CEO of Bok Tower Gardens! We are thrilled for Miles and wish him the best in his new role.

Arnott brings more than 20 years of experience in public garden leadership, horticulture, conservation, environmental stewardship, education, and nonprofit management. He currently serves as Vice President of Horticulture and Conservation at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where he oversees the institution’s cultivated and natural landscapes, directs horticultural development and maintenance of its renowned sculpture gardens, and leads environmental stewardship efforts across its significant natural areas.

Read more: https://members.publicgardens.org/bok-tower-gardens-selects-miles-arnott-as-next-president-and-ceo/

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Wilmington, DE
19806

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