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Wander through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia on any day, and you will be astonished by the views: orchids flourishing in white, pink, and purple; a vast expanse of yellow on Daffodil Hillside; exquisite dishware in the Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum; an impressive three-story tropical conservatory. The garden draws hundreds of thousands of guests throughout the year, especially for seasonal festivities such as February’s Orchid Madness, the summertime Sunflower Music Series, and the well-loved Winter WonderLights, which attracted over 65,000 visitors in 2024.

The visuals are striking, but what occurs behind the scenes is equally exceptional. Over the last 30 years, the State Botanical Garden has transformed into a living laboratory—a refuge for native seeds and endangered or rare flora. It also stands as one of the best examples of collaborative science, hands-on learning, and successful partnerships aimed at fostering a sustainable environmental future across the southeastern region of the United States. 

As part of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia, the State Botanical Garden merges the educational, research, and community service objectives of UGA. 

“The State Botanical Garden exists to support the state of Georgia through the preservation of our invaluable natural resources, encompassing both common and at-risk plant species, and to offer a complimentary and accessible space for individuals of all ages to appreciate and draw inspiration from nature,” states Jenny Cruse-Sanders MS ’97, PhD ’03, director of the State Botanical Garden.

Revitalizing crucial species 

 Heather Alley BS ’97, MS ’02 asserts that one need not import flora from tropical or foreign regions to discover beautiful flowers. Numerous remarkable species exist right here in Georgia. 

Alley, who oversees the garden’s Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plants, has dedicated over two decades to broadening the garden’s conventional focus on exotic and decorative plants to encompass native flora and ecological restoration throughout the state. She finalized her master’s thesis as part of a research assistantship at the garden in 2001. That research received critical acclaim and provided significant proof-of-concept data for native plant restoration initiatives across the state. 

  “This is gardening for wildlife, for pollinators, and for birds,” Alley remarks. “While we are conducting scientific research, we are also assisting people in implementing these conservation methods in their own

backyards.” 

 The newly formed Georgia Native Seed Network, an innovative public-private collaboration rooted in ten years of research and outreach by garden leaders, connects UGA horticulturists with commercial growers and various partners to gather and reproduce native species seeds for future planting. The network focuses on species such as little bluestem, Virginia wild rye, purple-top grass, and pollinator-friendly wildflowers including blazing star, mountain mint, and wild bergamot.  

 “These are essential plants,” Alley notes. “They act as the foundation of Georgia’s habitats and ecosystems.”  

 In 2023, the team gathered seeds from 40 native species throughout the state. Twenty-four of these species are now being cultivated for vital projects like replanting following hurricanes or wildfires. The overarching goal? To make these plants more freely accessible in Georgia for a range of uses, from powerline rights-of-way to residential gardens.  

 “Two decades ago, we had one small native plant garden in the shade garden, and that was all,” Alley shares. “Today, we’re expanding statewide. That marks a significant change that excites me—both for the plants and for the residents of Georgia.” 

The State Botanical Garden exists to support the state of Georgia through the preservation of our invaluable natural resources, encompassing both common and at-risk plant species, and to offer a complimentary and accessible space for individuals of all ages to appreciate and draw inspiration from nature.” — Jenny Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.  

 Collaborating for rare and endangered plants 

 While Alley contributes to maintaining Georgia’s ecosystems through native plants, conservation coordinator Jennifer Ceska MS ’95 is focused on safeguarding the state’s rare and endangered plant communities. 

Much like Alley, Ceska has dedicated decades to her work—she marks her 30-year anniversary at the garden this year. As a graduate student, she assisted in establishing the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance to protect plants at risk of extinction or under threat from severe weather or human activities. Now, the alliance consists of over 100 participating organizations statewide. The garden serves as both the alliance’s headquarters and a haven for these endangered treasures unique to Georgia. 

 “The objective of these partnerships…
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 is to maintain these species’ ecological significance in their natural habitats,” Ceska states. “We preserve these plants through our seed repositories, through our garden collections, and by collaborating with partner cultivators. This all occurs behind the scenes daily.”  

 The task of preserving these plants is critical but not quickly fulfilled. Consider it an emergency unfolding gradually. 

 Consider the smooth coneflower. A striking and vibrant echinacea, this purple perennial faces threats due to habitat destruction. Conservationists have begun rejuvenating local ecosystems for this plant, reintroducing individual specimens cultivated in the garden and observing their proliferation. The smooth coneflower has recently been reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened” per the Endangered Species Act. 

 Hairy rattleweed represents another case. This rare and endangered flowering species exists only in southeast Georgia—it cannot thrive elsewhere on the planet. Alley and her team are “head-starting” these plants, a term borrowed from animal conservation that denotes young animals reared in protected environments before being returned to their natural settings. A recent discovery of a hairy rattleweed “born” in its native habitat—thanks to restoration initiatives—provides an uplifting indication of progress. 

 “This young plant was found in a powerline right-of-way, where ample sunlight facilitated reproduction,” remarks Ceska. “We recognized it was a juvenile because they lack ‘hair’ in their first year. We were ecstatic to witness its presence!” 

 Georgia Power manages right-of-way maintenance across the state and collaborates with the GPCA on these efforts. Yet, despite commitments from such stakeholders, the process of rescuing and rejuvenating rare species requires patience.  

 “Conservation progresses at the pace of flora,” says Ceska. “I advise our students to prioritize their well-being, to take time for themselves, as we will require your involvement in this work for the next four decades.” 

 Cultivating Future Leaders 

While the State Botanical Garden is nurturing native and endangered species, it is also fostering the upcoming generation of Georgia’s leaders. Cora Keber MA ’19, the garden’s educational director, directs the experiential learning program Learning by Leading. 

 “We aim to establish a leadership culture,” Keber explains. “We are assisting students in developing essential interpersonal skills crucial for thriving and leading in the workplace.”

 Learning by Leading equips UGA students with these skills while engaging in horticultural and environmental initiatives. Internship positions are also offered for those eager to delve deeper into the garden’s activities.  

 “They discover how they interact with others and how others engage with them,” Keber states. Students participate in a science communication module aimed at teaching them how to convey scientific concepts in a manner that resonates with public audiences. Earlier this year, staff mentors facilitated a new networking event tailored for students involved in the program. 

 “Our students expressed that they were unsure about how to network professionally,” Keber shares. “This kind of experience was new to them. We crafted an event where we practiced networking, explored some techniques, and bolstered their confidence.”  

 Since the program’s inception at the garden in 2018, 182 students have engaged, contributing over 23,000 hours to furthering the State Botanical Garden’s mission. On a national scale, Learning by Leading was awarded the Program Excellence Award by the American Public Gardens Association in 2024. For Keber, the initiative’s achievements reflect the broader transformation of the State Botanical Garden and its growing involvement with plants, locations, and communities across the state. 

 “We’re transitioning from a perspective of viewing students as temporary helpers to recognizing them as leaders and collaborators in the garden,” she mentions. “This aligns with our larger mission. Together with our state and regional partners, we are united in this work. There’s no hierarchy here.” 

Establishing Roots 

Learning experiences at the garden are not solely for the youth.  

 “Our sessions are available for all ages, from pre-K to senior citizens,” Keber remarks. “Everyone wishing to connect more deeply with the natural world is welcomed and encouraged to participate.”   

 Community education is fundamental to the State Botanical Garden’s mission. As the garden engages with Georgians across various generations, the objective remains unchanged: to nurture respect and environmental stewardship for the diverse plants that sustain and enhance our world.  

 “The scientific and technical endeavors we undertake are genuinely significant,” Ceska states. “But…
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Ultimately, if individuals don’t appreciate plants, then we might as well head home. If you don’t cherish something, you cannot defend it. We require individuals throughout our state to perceive and appreciate plants in their everyday lives.”

This is a mission worth rolling up your sleeves for—and it’s precisely why some of the garden’s essential efforts unfold in the yards of Georgians. The Connect to Protect program offers tools for gardeners statewide, assisting the community in crafting havens for plants and wildlife within their gardens, regardless of how small their plots are. These little retreats greatly impact the plants, pollinators, and other creatures striving for survival in our ever-busy environment.

Best of all, nearly anyone can accomplish it. All you require, according to Ceska, is the determination to persist—and to acknowledge that when it comes to cultivating plants, education is a lifelong endeavor.

“I invest a significant amount of my time making eye contact with individuals, whether they are trained conservationists, volunteers, or students, and affirming, ‘Yes, you can. Yes, you can. You have the ability to do this,’” remarks Ceska.

“Indeed, we will plant some seeds, and we’ll see what transpires. If something doesn’t go as planned and the plants fail to thrive, we will learn from the experience and try again.

“We’re committed for the long term.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of working at the State Botanical Garden, Alley notes, is discovering nature’s tenacity. Just like people, plants exhibit a will to thrive. Sometimes, all plants require are spaces to establish roots, supportive hands during challenging times, and ample time to blossom into what they are destined to be—vibrant and essential contributors to our collective future.

“You can witness it if you’re patient,” Alley explains. “However, you must be willing to observe. You plant these plants, and they flourish. That’s why we engage in this work.”

CTA: Support the Botanical Garden’s growth! botgarden.uga.edu/give

The article How Does Our Garden Grow? first appeared on UGA Today.

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