Plant Weekend with the Zoo Crew

November 18th, 2016 | Events

The Ohio River winds through Cincinnati, with beautiful views from both sides.
The Ohio River winds through Cincinnati, with beautiful views from both sides.

We love visiting the horticultural team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. They’re serious plant people and wonderful hosts. This past weekend, John Hoffman and Marketing Director Shannon Currey attended the Native Plant Symposium, which the zoo hosted.

Shannon was on the program to deliver a talk on grasses and sedges. She was joined by an impressive roster of speakers, and spending time with them was a big bonus. This was the lineup:

  • Mike Berkley of Growild, Inc. in Tennessee discussed pocket prairies and creating better plantings in urban environments.
  • Shana Byrd of The Dawes Arboretum in Ohio talked about their collection program for eastern native plants.
  • Steve Castonari of North Creek Nurseries in Pennsylvania discussed resources about pollinators and highlighted some of the best native perennials for pollinators.
  • Andrew Lane Gibson from Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves described his work with the agency, along with some of Ohio’s rare plants and their habitats.
  • Brian Jorg of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden shared how they plan, design, and build native gardens at the zoo.
  • Steve Foltz, also from the Zoo, highlighted native trees in the Cincinnati area, focusing on some of the most useful for ecological services.

The visit included several meals with the zoo team and other speakers, a full day of symposium activities, and a morning tour of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. The day before the symposium, Mike Berkley and John Magee, hosts of the Native Plant Podcast, interviewed two of the zoo guys for the podcast. Brian Jorg, Manager of Horticulture, and Scott Beuerlein, Horticulturist for the zoo, talked about their work with native plants. Both podcasts will be coming soon, We are partial to the podcast guys—they had Shannon Currey on the podcast earlier in 2016 to talk about grasses and sedges.

The entire weekend was a blast, and we’re happy to share some moments from our trip.

John Magee (R) and Mike Berkley (L) interview Brian Jorg about the Zoo's native plant gardens.
The night before the symposium, John Magee (R) and Mike Berkley (L) interviewed Brian Jorg about the Zoo’s native plant gardens.

Scott Beuerlein from the zoo hosted the symposium activities. It was a sell-out crowd, with more than 280 participants.
Scott Beuerlein from the zoo hosted the symposium activities. It was a sell-out crowd, with more than 280 participants.

Our Marketing Director Shannon Currey talked about native grasses and sedges, focusing on the important role they play in building today's landscapes.
Our Marketing Director Shannon Currey talked about native grasses and sedges, focusing on the important role they play in building today’s landscapes.

Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries started his talk on perennials for pollinators with a description of North Creek's trial and demonstration gardens.
Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries started his talk on perennials for pollinators with a description of the trial work North Creek is doing.

After the symposium, some of us met for dinner to recap the day.
After the symposium, several of us met for dinner to recap the day. From left to right: Ben Ackerly, horticulturist formerly with the zoo; Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture for the zoo; John Hoffman; Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries, Mike Berkley and Terri Barnes of GroWild, Inc.; Shannon Currey; Linda Keller, symposium attendee and friend of John Magee of Magee Design. Thanks to Terri Barnes for sharing her photo.

Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum has an extensive collection of aged trees and unusual specimens. Its beautiful memorial structures frame the landscape and highlight the beautiful fall colors.
Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum was established in 1845, so it has an extensive collection of aged trees and unusual woody specimens. Its beautiful memorial structures framed the landscape and highlighted the beautiful fall colors during our visit.

Mike Berkley pauses near the lush grove of Bald Cypress at Spring Grove.
Mike Berkley pauses near a lush stand of Bald Cypress at Spring Grove.

Views throughout the cemetery are simply stunning, and were especially striking on the crisp, fall morning we were there.
Views throughout the cemetery were stunningly beautiful, and were especially striking on the crisp, fall morning we were there.

Steve Castorani smiles after a fun photo shoot with the crew.
Steve Castorani smiles after a fun photo shoot with the crew.

Before we parted ways, our morning tour group got together for a photo in front of grogeous Bigleaf Magnolia. From left to right: John Hoffman, Terri Barmes, Scott Beuerlein, Shannon Currey, Mike Berkley, John Magee, Steve Foltz, and Steve Castorani.
Before we parted ways, our morning tour group got together for a photo in front of a gorgeous Bigleaf Magnolia. From left to right: John Hoffman, Terri Barmes, Scott Beuerlein, Shannon Currey, Mike Berkley, John Magee, Steve Foltz, and Steve Castorani. Thanks to Linda Keller for taking the photo and Terri Barnes for sharing it.

It will be hard to top this year’s native plant symposium at the zoo. Guess that means we’ll have to return for another try!

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