News & Press

Congratulations to the AHS Book Awards Winners

For decades, the American Horticultural Society has honored exceptional books in the garden field with our longstanding AHS Book Awards. Each year, AHS gathers a committee of renowned garden communicators to recognize outstanding books and their publishers. Books are judged on qualities such as writing style, authority, accuracy, and physical quality. This year, four books were awarded out of over 35 nominated books published in 2023. Uncover them below.

Dry-Climate Gardening by Noelle Johnson (Cool Springs Press)

The Seven-Step Homestead by Leah M. Webb (Storey Publishing)

Tiny + Wild by Graham Laird Gardener (Cool Springs Press)

The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook by Susan Mulvihill (Cool Springs Press)

Read more about each winner and discover our honorable mentions here.

News & Press

Exploring Under the Caribbean Sun with the AHS

From January 28-February 5, 2024, a group of enthusiastic AHS travelers escaped the winter chill and headed to sunnier climes in the Caribbean. Accompanied by AHS Hosts Holly and Osamu Shimizu, the AHS group explored several idyllic islands in the Caribbean’s Antilles archipelago. AHS travel programs feature meticulously curated horticultural experiences to showcase exceptional gardens and nature preserves. AHS traveler Duane Partain was inspired to share the account below of the special experience the AHS group enjoyed during their visit to Hunte’s Garden in Grenada.

If you’d like to learn about future Travel Study experiences, visit www.ahsgardening.org/travel or contact Mercedes Bryant at travel@ahsgardening.org.

HUNTE’S GARDENS – BARBADOS
By Duane Partain
Photos: Jane Scheidecker

Hunte’s Gardens is described as “The most enchanting place on earth,” and a February 4, American Horticultural Society tour set out to discover the truth of that boast.

In and around a collapsed cave (a sinkhole) on 2.5 acres of an old sugar plantation site, Anthony Hunte (and a few helpers) have spent 30 years planning, planting, growing, and nurturing a truly stunning garden creation. A collection of plants, flowers, fruits, pottery, sculpture, and whimsy has been gathered together to form Anthony’s gardens. He will invite you to meander, look, muse, enjoy, and discover all you can while you are there.

Now 82 years young, the gregarious, sprightly host invites every visitor to enjoy his garden paradise. He will play your favorite music, answer all questions, and regale you with the history of the island of Barbados and in particular—his gardens.

The paths are made of bricks that once provided ballast on English ships bringing materials to the islands. Artifacts from sugar cane production and sculptures by local artisans are layered in among tropical, exotic, unusual, colorful plants. It almost overwhelms the senses with so much to see, touch, and inhale.

A canopy of palms shades the layers of plants, and each specimen gets just the right amount of water, sun, and air to be its showy best. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe what you see next to you, above you, below you, and around you. Huge flowers, tropical fruits, unusual colors, shapes, and combinations in hundreds of shades of green foliage everywhere.

Inclines, sidehills, hollows, and gentle switchback paths help make every bench and seat a private spot you just happened upon. The layout is as magical as it is easy to traverse. Each mini-oasis seems as if it was made just for you.

Anthony makes sure all environmental laws, rules, and quarantines are followed for new garden arrivals. His rigor in all the many aspects of planting,care, and maintenance is proof of the passion he has for his garden creation. The setting is so lush, so imaginative, you almost expect a hobbit or elf or Ewok to appear. You just know that dinosaurs lived in places just like this. Anthony will tell you none of those creatures live in his gardens—just birds, insects, monkeys, and visitors.

After wandering in his gardens, Anthony just might offer you a cold rum punch, more conversation, and a rest in his 100+ year-old home surrounded by ferns, bushes, and flowers. The house blends in so well, it has become a part of the whole garden experience.

The lushness, the variety, the garden layers, the sheer amount of colorful flowers in Hunte’s Garden prompted AHS lecturer, tour host, and botanical expert, Holly Shimizu, to confess, “There are plants here I’ve never seen before,” and pronounce, “This is the best tropical garden I have ever seen!” High praise indeed toward the end of a multi-island tour of several gorgeous gardens.

There is more information about the garden on several websites- https://www.huntesgardens-barbados.com/ The gushing, wondering, enthusiastic, effusive comments on Tripadvisor will add to your desire to experience the beauty of Hunte’s Gardens. The creator of it all, Anthony Hunte, welcomes you as the inveterate gardener, historian, raconteur, and consummate host and gentleman he is. He is the gem of the Gardens.

It was the capstone of another fabulous AHS tour—inspirational, interesting, educational, and yes—enchanting!

News & Press

Celebrating Black History Month in Horticulture

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Throughout the centuries, Black Americans have elevated the field of horticulture, making discoveries and revolutionizing gardening practices. This Black History Month, we celebrate all Black horticulturists making a difference and paving the way for future gardeners. While there are too many impactful changemakers to recognize, we have chosen a few key figures to highlight. By lifting the voices of these select gardeners, we hope to foster a culture that invites all Americans to garden to ensure a thriving and beautiful world for current and future generations.

Historical Figures

Many historical figures helped shape the field of horticulture, furthering study in botany, agriculture, and plant science. Marie Clark Taylor, the first woman to obtain her scientific doctoral degree and the first African American woman to gain her Ph.D. in botany from Fordham University in 1941, eventually became a professor at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C., one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.

Another important figure who shaped the field of horticulture in the 20^th century was Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturist and agriculture professor at the historic Tuskegee University in Alabama. As an advocate for sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity in gardening, he encouraged African American farmers to adopt regenerative farming techniques in the 1960s and 1970s. He pioneered what would eventually become the modern crop share, having members pay for a season’s worth of crops in advance. In the mid-1980s, he published a book called How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres, which helped disadvantaged farmers make the most of their land. His impact on the field of horticulture resounds even today.

Plantfluencers

One group that is currently gaining traction in the public eye is “plantfluencers,” influencers who create content about gardening and houseplants. In the most recent edition of The American Gardener, writer Georgia Silvera Seamans featured three Black influencers who are prominent players in the houseplant social media sphere:

Kamili Bell Hill (@plantblerd) from New Rochelle, New York started her career as a lawyer, but now has published a book on gardening and indoor houseplants called Happy Plants, Happy You. She sees cultivating plants as a vehicle for self-love and anti-racism.

Plant biologist specializing in ethnobotany, Derek Haynes (@thechocolatebotanist) serves as a board member for The North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He creates content tying together his identity as a Black man with his love for plants.

Stephanie Horton (@botanicalblackgirl) grew up in a plant-loving family in St. Louis, Missouri, but now lives and grows in Huntsville, Alabama. She has worked with HBCUs such as Alabama A&M to revitalize their agricultural programs and interdisciplinary career opportunities to further involve Black people in horticulture. She also produces events at a plant shop to “broaden the houseplant community.”

Nonprofits

Many nonprofits champion education and sustainability while working to increase food security for underserved communities. One organization is Soul Fire Farm, a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-focused organization using ancestral and sustainable methods to farm land in Grafton, New York. By championing farming methods that work in harmony with the earth, Soul Fire Farm, founded by Leah Penniman and Jonah Vitale-Wolff, is striving to achieve its mission to end racism in the food system and foster a more inclusive culture that recognizes the value of caring for our planet and working to leave the land better off than they found it.

Black Garden History

If you are interested in learning more about the role of the Black community in gardening throughout history, join us for a Lifelong Learning Session with Abra Lee on February 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET when she will talk about “Black Garden History: A Great American Road Trip.” In this session, Lee will highlight historic and influential figures in Black garden history. Lee is an American public horticulturist, historian, and writer who currently serves as the Director of Horticulture at Historic Oakland Foundation in Atlanta. You can register for the program here.

Clearly, the role African Americans have played in shaping horticulture cannot be understated. Many important discoveries and innovations would not exist without the hard work of Black gardeners, and we are thankful for their contributions every day. We are happy to honor and recognize important figures in the field for Black History Month, but also recognize that these figures should be celebrated year-round. We hope to see even more diverse voices amplified in the field for years to come.

News & Press

Participate in National Seed Swap Day

Celebrated annually around the end of January, National Seed Swap Day is a great opportunity for gardeners to explore new plants, save money on seeds, support biodiversity, and encourage heirloom cultivation. Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, came up with the idea to start Seed Swap Day. The first official event was held on January 26, 2006. Now, the seed swap has gone national, and it is celebrated across the country, bringing gardeners together and celebrating the power of community nationwide.

This is a great time to begin gathering seeds, since spring planting season is almost upon us. Many gardeners prefer to start their seeds inside before planting outdoors, so attending a seed swap can help you get a head start on spring garden planning. For more information about the holiday, visit the National Seed Swap Day website. Local gardeners or garden centers will likely have information about any swaps in your area.

If you plan on attending an event to celebrate, be sure to do your research beforehand. Some seed swaps have rules for how seeds are transported and handled, and it is important to abide by them. Happy gardening!

News & Press

The Joys and Benefits of Indoor Gardening

As we begin preparing for cooler months, we often shift our focus from outdoor gardens to indoor plants. Indoor gardening is a wonderful way to bring the tranquility of an outdoor garden inside your home. But what exactly is indoor gardening? According to The Spruce, indoor gardening is related to the act of growing a selection of plants inside that you would typically grow outside. Gone are the days of only growing plants in the spring and summer thanks to indoor gardening.

There are many benefits to indoor gardening for you and your family. Houseplants can act as natural air purifiers by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, enhancing the air quality of your home. Indoor plants are also known to reduce stress, improve productivity, and of course, they are beautiful to look at! Studies have shown that being around plants can help lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and even boost the immune system.

Indoor gardening is an enriching and fulfilling pursuit that brings nature into your daily life. Start small and watch as your indoor garden transforms your space and your well-being. Happy gardening!

Sources: The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/indoor-gardening-beginner-guide-5199347
Piedmont: https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/health-benefits-of-indoor-plants

News & Press

USDA Releases Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, a national standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures at a certain location.

The USDA describes the latest map, jointly developed by Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, as the most accurate and detailed version it has ever released.

PRISM, part of the OSU College of Engineering, stands for Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model. The previous version of the plant hardiness map, also based on PRISM data, was released in January 2012. The new plant hardiness map incorporates data from 13,412 weather stations, compared to the 7,983 that were used for the 2012 edition.

Viewable in an interactive format, the map is based on 30-year averages (1991 to 2020) for the lowest annual winter temperatures within specified locations. The 2012 edition was based on averages from 1976 to 2005.

“The addition of many new stations and more sophisticated mapping techniques using the latest PRISM technology led to a more accurate and detailed Plant Hardiness Zone Map but also produced localized changes that are not climate related,” said Christopher Daly, director of the PRISM Climate Group and the map’s lead author.

The plant hardiness map is divided into a total of 13 zones, each zone representing a 10-degrees-Fahrenheit range of temperatures. Each zone is then further divided into two half zones, with each of those representing a 5-degree range.

“Overall, the 2023 map is about 2.5 degrees warmer than the 2012 map across the conterminous United States,” Daly said. “This translated into about half of the country shifting to a warmer 5-degree half zone, and half remaining in the same half zone. The central plains and Midwest generally warmed the most, with the southwestern U.S. warming very little.”

Accompanying the new map is a “Tips for Growers” feature that provides information about Agricultural Research Service programs likely to be of interest to gardeners and others who grow and breed plants.

The approximately 80 million American gardeners and growers are the most frequent map users, according to the USDA. In addition, the USDA Risk Management Agency uses the map in setting certain crop insurance standards, and scientists incorporate the plant hardiness zones into research models, such as those looking at the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

News & Press

This week is National Pollinator Week!

Happy National Pollinator Week! (June 19-25)

Supporting a natural ecosystem is something that home gardeners can do to combat loss of plant and animal species, from planting for pollinators, to getting to know your insect friends and foes, to creating bird-friendly winter gardens.

Last year, we compiled a variety of how-to articles about attracting pollinators, distinguishing beneficial insects from garden pests, and creating wildlife habitats for you from past issues of our bimonthly member magazine, The American Gardener. Check out our pollinator resources and find out how you can support the environment within your own garden!

Celebrate National Pollinator Week by making your garden welcome to a diversity of pollinators— and help create a healthier, more bountiful community for all. For additional ideas and a list of Pollinator Week activities near you, visit www.pollinator.org.

News & Press

Celebrate National Rose Month

June is National Rose Month!

Roses have a long history of symbolism from love, peace, beauty, and the United States— In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution making the rose the national flower of the United States of America. Full of fragrance and delicate petals, roses are some of the most versatile and classical garden plants.

Although they require careful planting and pruning, many variations of roses are not as hard to care for as some may think. Shrub and ground-cover bush roses are becoming more popular with gardeners around the country looking for a splash of fragrance in their home or garden. Ground-cover roses, often referred to as “carpet roses” are a lower maintenance rose option for those looking for the beauty of the rose without the higher effort upkeep.

You can read more about different types of roses at the National Rose Society’s website, and visit the Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) Garden: American Rose Society & Gardens of the American Rose Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.

News & Press

We Need Your Help: Spring2ACTion

Wednesday, April 26 is the official Spring2ACTion Giving Day for the City of Alexandria, where AHS and its historic River Farm headquarters resides. This year, we celebrate 50 years at River Farm, where we live our mission of horticultural excellence, where we focus on honoring the past, leveraging the present and charting the future.

Once part of the farmlands that George Washington owned, the beautiful 25-acre gardens have provided a place of respite, inspiration, and beauty to countless visitors, fellow gardeners and nature enthusiasts. In recent years—in support of AHS’s increased focus on sustainable gardening—we have continued to implement and demonstrate Earth-friendly gardening practices at River Farm.

As a private, self-funded nonprofit without an endowment, we rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our sustainable gardening mission alive! Please consider making a donation during Early Giving or by the April 26 deadline to support River Farm’s maintenance and stewardship. You may donate here.

Thank you for helping to support River Farm!

News & Press

AHS & River Farm Closed in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree today.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.  

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, American Horticultural Society and River Farm will be closed on January 16. We encourage our staff and AHS members to volunteer to improve their communities on this National Day of Service.  

 Together, we are a family of gardeners sharing and planting seeds of hope, compassion, acceptance, equity, and peace.   

~ The AHS Team