Holden Forests & Gardens - Spring 2024

SPRING 2024, V8/2

Creative Director: Jackie Klisuric

Editor & Vice President of Public Relations & Marketing:

Margaret Thresher

Photography: Jackie Klisurc, David Lardakis, Chris Langer, Rob Maganja, Juliana Medeiros, Amber Olson, Ferole Parmelee, Ann Rzepka, Amanda Wood

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephen J. Knerly, Jr.,

Board Chairman

Ruth M. Stafford, Secretary

Constance Norweb

Abbey

Tom Anderson

Victoria U. Broer

Barbara Brown, PhD

Tera N. Coleman

Jonathan Dick

Paul E. DiCorleto, PhD

Michael Dingeldein, MD

Lavita W. Ewing

Kate Faust

Mikiko Fujita

Rob Galloway

©Holden Forests & Gardens

Lynn-Ann Gries

Sally Gries

Jonathan Hatch

Joseph J. Mahovlic

Leslie Manzo

Michael C. Marino

Roy D. Minoff

Cynthia Moore-Hardy

Kelly C. Morgan

Ellen W. Jones Nordell

Katie Outcalt

Gary W. Poth

Robin Schachat

Lynn Shiverick

Charles Walton

Joy K. Ward, PhD

Forests & Gardens (ISSN 2474-6371) is a class and events magazine published quarterly by Holden Forests & Gardens, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5172.

Periodicals postage paid at Mentor, Ohio and additional offices.

Postmaster:

Please send address changes to

Forests & Gardens Magazine

Holden Forests & Gardens

9500 Sperry Road Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5172

EDear Friends,

ach spring, nature shakes off the long season of winter slumber and we humans do, too. Symbolizing fresh beginnings, increased daylight lifts spirits and energy levels. Spring’s rejuvenating effect fosters hope and optimism while enhancing mental health. Plants thrive with longer days and warmer temperatures, triggering growth processes like photosynthesis and blooming. The vitality of this seasonal theater rejuvenates the natural world and people alike. In this spirit, we are pleased to take you behind the curtain to share some of the amazing people and stories behind our horticulture and research efforts.

We are pleased to introduce you to members of our talented horticulture team who along with their colleagues tend to our cultivated gardens and natural areas year-round. Our plant and tree experts combine botanical knowledge, horticultural techniques, and creativity to maintain the health, beauty and diversity of the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden’s landscapes.

We also share the story of a hidden gem at the Holden Arboretum — our Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science. From managing a new seed bank and leading a coalition to unite efforts to fight forest pests, to advancing the study of biodiversity and the resilience of plants to climate change, Holden scientists are at the forefront of researching, understanding, and sharing their discoveries with partners in Northeast Ohio, our Lower Great Lakes region and across the country.

And what is spring without rhododendrons? In addition to visiting our beautiful collections at the Arboretum, we are excited to offer special tours once again at the 30-acre Leach Research Station in Madison, home of some of the world’s most exquisite varieties. At our Plant Sale this May, we’ll

“Holden scientists are at the forefront of researching, understanding, and sharing their discoveries with partners in Northeast Ohio, our Lower Great Lakes region, and across the country.”

offer for purchase for the first time our new hybrid Holden’s™ rhododendrons. You will also be able to buy them at select local garden centers!

Join us in celebrating Arbor Day on the last Friday in April, a day that promotes environmental stewardship and conservation efforts around one of our most precious assets: trees. We will be giving away saplings at both campuses and we will host one of our most important fundraising events: Arbor Day of Giving. Your support, big or small, plays a vital role in advancing our mission.

We have exciting new exhibits, experiences, classes and events all season long, including the return of the expanded Pollinator Express train exhibit, which opens at the Arboretum just in time for Memorial Day weekend and gorgeous blooming spring gardens at the Botanical Garden. A packed calendar is located in the final pages of the magazine, and I look forward to seeing you as we celebrate, learn and become immersed in the beauty of our Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Happy Spring!

Ed Moydell

Meet Our Horticulturists

Expert staff members bring experience and knowledge to the gardens.

At Holden Forests & Gardens, the backbone of our operation lies in the dedicated Senior Horticulturists and Horticulturists who oversee the care of over 100 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens along with core natural areas. Their responsibilities encompass a wide array of tasks, including plant care, skilled pruning, soil improvement, planting and show design, tool maintenance, teaching, blog writing, USDA permitting and more. Our horticulture specialists are committed to advancing curatorial goals by featuring wild-collected and northeastern USA native species, and they work tirelessly throughout the year to enrich and rejuvenate the gardens for our guests to enjoy.

These lush, plant-filled gardens serve as vibrant settings for a variety of programming facilitated by our HF&G colleagues. From school and adult classes to weddings, celebration rentals, art exhibits and chef events, our gardens come alive with activity. You may have observed our Horticulturists, Gardeners (THA) and Grounds Assistants (CBG) in action during your visits. The next time you stroll through, don't hesitate to ask a question or strike up a conversation. We are passionate about plants and trees and always eager to share our knowledge and expertise.

1. Caroline Tait, Vice President of Horticulture & Collections

Holden Arboretum:

2. Annie Rzepka Budziak, Director of Arboretum Horticulture

3. Dawn Gerlica, Senior Horticulturist

Myrtle S. Holden Wildflower Garden and Blueberry Pond areas

4. Lori Gogolin, Senior Horticulturist

Arlene and Arthur S. Holden Butterfly Garden, Corning Visitor’s Center gardens, Gries entrance beds

5. MaryAnn Thesing, Horticulturist

Helen S. Layer Rhododendron Garden - West

6. Mary Lineberger, Horticulturist

Helen S. Layer Rhododendron Garden - East

7. Rob Maganja, Horticulturist Core Natural Areas

8. Sandi Cesarov, Horticulturist Main Display Gardens

Open position

Henry Norweb Jr. Tree Allee, Eliot and Linda Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden, Corning Lake Gardens

Cleveland Botanical Garden:

9. Rob Dzurec, Senior Horticulturist

Campsey Stauffer Gateway Garden, Paula & David Swetland Topiary Garden

10. Sadie Smith, Senior Horticulturist

Costa Rica Cloud Forest and Madagascar Spiny Forest

11. Stefanie Verish, Horticulturist

Mary Anne Sears Swetland Rose Garden, Theme Gardens

12. Sommer Tolan, Exhibits Horticulturist Hershey Childrens’ Garden, Allee

13. Caroline Watson, Horticulturist

Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden, CK Patrick Perennial Border Garden, Japanese Garden

14. David Criste, Horticulturist Woodland Garden

Explore New Trails

at Holden Arboretum

Think of the last time you visited the Holden Arboretum. Maybe you enjoyed the seasonal blooms in the Holden Butterfly Garden, walked through the tree canopy on the Murch Canopy Walk or enjoyed the fragrance of spring lilacs in the Main Display Garden. The Arboretum’s core gardens and paths are vibrant, beautiful, and well-tended — but are you also familiar with the miles of unique hiking trails beyond them?

Trail Maintenance…and More

Under the guidance of Holden Forests & Gardens’ Director of Land & Collections Management Ralph Protano, and with the knowledge and skills of our Collections staff and enthusiastic

support of a dedicated new volunteer team, exciting things are happening in our forests.

The Arboretum is currently evaluating and enhancing our existing trail system. Ralph, who began with Holden in mid2023, has extensive experience in trail development thanks to many years at Cleveland Metroparks. These skills are already being used as the team works to maintain and improve the current hiking trails and imagine what might be next.

Unveiling the First Trail in Years

In a significant milestone, we proudly announce the completion of the first new trail in decades at the Arboretum.

This yet-unnamed trail, located in the Conifer Collection just east of the beloved Conifer Trail, was completed in November. It’s accessible to all guests from the core grounds, but members can gain exclusive entry by parking in the small member-only Conifer Collection parking lot on Sperry Road.

The half-mile of new trail provides a delightful journey through several different environments in a relatively short jaunt. Hikers will be treated to stunning views of conifers within our collections, including majestic pines, firs and other unique species. The trail meanders through different habitats, offering a diverse and immersive experience.

Before summer, more information about the trail will be made available on our website and through on-site materials such as the visitor guide and trailhead map — but make no mistake that it’s hiker-ready and there’s no need to wait to enjoy it!

Building a Trail: Behind the Scenes

The trail planning process involves careful consideration of many factors, including providing access to interesting surroundings and views, accessibility and safety, and stewardship of the existing ecosystem. The result is a trail that seamlessly blends into the natural surroundings, creating an enchanting environment for visitors.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a new trail?

From flagging the route and testing its feasibility to gathering materials and recruiting helpers, the process culminates in the hands-on construction phase. It's a collaborative effort that brings together a dedicated team to create a path that invites exploration and appreciation. In the end, we seek a product that is beneficial for the natural environment while creating a meaningful experience for our users.

A Must-Experience at the Arboretum

Trails play a crucial role in enhancing the Arboretum experience. They offer the best and safest way to explore the "forests" of Holden Forests & Gardens, complementing our cultivated gardens and pathways. The trails showcase natural areas that are examples of well-stewarded and healthy Ohio woodlands. Hiking along these trails is not only great exercise but also a fun activity suitable for companions of all ages.

Moreover, our trails provide an excellent opportunity to observe and identify native plants, animals and fungi. Nature enthusiasts will find themselves immersed in a rich tapestry of biodiversity, making each hike a unique and educational experience.

As we continue to improve and maintain our trail system, we invite our members and guests to embark on this journey with us. Come explore the beauty that Holden Arboretum has to offer — one trail at a time.

Did You Know?

In addition to off-hours access through the member gate, Holden Forests & Gardens members have access to park in a few special areas at the Arboretum. Gates can be opened using the four-digit member gate code found on the back of the digital and printed membership cards — to flip a digital card, click the circle icon in the top right corner on or just above the card.

•Fisherman’s Pond, gated (Kirtland-Chardon Road, 0.2 miles northwest from Sperry Road)

•Conifer Collection, no gate (Sperry Road, 0.2 miles northeast from Kirtland-Chardon Road)

•Working Woods, gated (Sperry Road, 0.8 miles northeast from Kirtland-Chardon Road)

Dogs are great hiking companions, and we welcome dogs on all Arboretum trails! For the safety of our guests, staff and collections, they must remain leashed everywhere on the grounds. Dog waste can damage plants and become a problem for other hikers, so their humans are responsible for cleaning up after them. Only trained, working service animals may enter buildings and the Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower structures. But the rest of the Arboretum trails and pathways are open to four-legged friends.

Inspiring All of Us

We are happy to announce that Holden Arboretum police officer Pete Green is back on duty following a 2022 incident on I-90. Pete had a long recovery ahead of him after the accident resulted in a lower right leg amputation. On Leap Day, Pete and HF&G librarian Marisha Sullivan achieved their goal of climbing to the top of the Emergent Tower. Pete’s tower climb and story of recovery will be featured in an upcoming “Local Heroes” segment on WKYC’s Heartstrings series. Pete has been reluctant about having any sort of spotlight on him, but he agreed to share his story in the hope of inspiring others. He has certainly done so with us and demonstrated that, despite unexpected tragedies or challenges, we can not only overcome them but emerge stronger and more resilient.

All-Aboard

The Pollinator Express comes to Holden Arboretum Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, September 8.

Pollinators are pulling into the station at the Holden Arboretum this summer. Get ready to be inspired by an imaginative world of miniature trains and larger-than-life botanical sculptures. The exhibit features G-scale* model trains chugging through a landscape of iconic sculptures that depict unique plants from around the globe, paired with the insects and animals they depend on for pollination. And in an inventive twist, everything is built from natural and botanical materials.

Pollinator Express will feature a diverse collection of unexpected and remarkable pollinators from around the world. Created

in 2023, these ten botanical sculptures are intentionally over scaled at 3 to 6 feet each for visual impact and to show the details of each pollinator and its accompanying flower.

Unique to the world of garden railways, Applied Imagination’s installations have garnered nationwide acclaim for over 30 years, inspiring audiences of all ages through their inventive use of botanical materials to create iconic botanical models and sculptures. These are perfectly paired with universally beloved G-scale model trains that transport visitors to an immersive celebration of the natural world.

*G- Scale, also referred to as Garden Scale is one of the largest model trains available. Its size and durability make these trains well-suited for outdoor layouts.

Portals & Pollinators

Kevin Kautenburger brings his multi-sensory exhibit to the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Starting on March 23, Portals and Pollinators by Kevin Kautenberger will open in the Eppig gallery. The beauty and imaginative phenomena that Kautenberger reacts to in the natural world is transformed into his work. Kautenberger is a professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He teaches the Foundation program and shares his sense of wonder with students through site exploration and by teaching design through nature. He shares his vision for the collection.

Q: What inspired this collection?

A: This work is part of a larger accumulation of related works that surround me in my studio. Except for the long row of blossoms/butterflies that project off the main curved wall, the works are friends.

Morning Glory

This work is a response to my love of the morning glory — a temporal and hypnotic flower. This was made when I was sewing wall mounted tents that function as natural history.

Pollen Frame

When I first had a beehive, I noticed the color range of pollen that the workers hauled back to the hive — far more than shades of yellow. A friend was embroidering a drawing with French knots, and I found their mass/shape to be almost equivalent to the pollen basket load of honeybees. Pollen Frames are my version of beehive comb frames and the knots as stored pollen.

The irregular forms are also made with Beauty & Knowledge forms in mind.

This exhibit will be open through Sunday, May 19.

Conserve, Understand, Inspire

The Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science is a vital hub of discovery for scientists and conservation practitioners.

Thirty minutes outside of Cleveland, there’s a place a special group of people call home. They have the health of our environment on their minds every day. For more than three decades, scientists at The Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science at Holden Arboretum have dedicated themselves to understanding the inner workings of our natural environment and identifying actionable steps to sustain it within our region. And now, with a new president and CEO on the scene, Holden’s thriving science department is positioned to gain real ground in the fight to protect the environment of the Lower Great Lakes and, in turn, the world.

“We have something truly distinctive: a world-class plant and environmental research program, an urban garden and a rural arboretum,” says Ed Moydell, president and CEO of Holden Forests & Gardens. “With these resources, we’re able to conserve, understand, and inspire: we protect valuable ecosystems,

conduct in-depth research on plants and the environment, and inspire others to appreciate and care for nature. In today’s world, there is nothing more important.”

Over the past few years, Holden researchers have launched several new initiatives and expanded the impact of existing ones. From a new seed bank and a coalition to unite efforts to fight forest pests, to advancing the study of biodiversity and the resilience of plants to climate change, The Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science has been hard at work to make the world a healthier and greener place.

The Research Headquarters at Holden Arboretum

For decades, the Holden Arboretum has housed researchers making great strides in improving our fundamental understanding of nature. The catalyst of Holden’s research program was the donation of the David G. Leach Research Station

“We have something truly distinctive: a world-class plant and environmental research program, an urban garden and a rural arboretum. With these resources, we’re able to conserve, understand, and inspire: we protect valuable ecosystems, conduct in-depth research on plants and the environment, and inspire others to appreciate and care for nature. In today’s world, there is nothing more important.”

in Madison, Ohio — home of the world’s authoritative collection of Rhododendrons — to the Arboretum in 1986. The science program was founded shortly thereafter, housed at Lake Erie College until the new Horticulture Science Center was built on the Arboretum campus in 1991. Originally focused on horticultural research, the program shifted gears in 2004 to its current ecological and environmental focus. The building was re-dedicated, becoming the Ellen Corning Long and T. Dixon Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science that it is today.

“It’s about learning, about gathering new knowledge, applying that knowledge to find best practices we can use to improve the quality of our environment, and then sharing that information with the community,” says David Burke, vice president for Science and Conservation. “Whether that information is for the public, for tree care professionals, for conservation partners — we’ll get it out there any way we can so we can make the world a better place. We’re trying to make the world greener.”

Now, four core laboratory groups plus dozens of additional staff conduct nationally recognized research on plants and the environment while also fostering the next generation of leaders in this space. These teams conduct research in Holden’s laboratories, research orchards, managed woodlands,

thousands of acres of conserved land, and greenhouses to study the flora of the lower Great Lakes and beyond, both for the sake of conserving our local ecosystems as well as to improve our fundamental understanding of biology and nature.

Even the classic Rhododendron research at the Leach Research Station has seen its glow-up — researchers no longer use the Leach collection only to breed the prettiest ornamentals. Researchers now come from near and far to use the extensive collection to study plant resistance to cold and pests, to conserve the global diversity of Rhododendron species in the face of global change, and to answer any number of ecological and environmental research questions.

Understanding Plants for a Better World

Our future environment is uncertain. The coming era is expected to bring changing temperatures and precipitation patterns, increased stressful events like summer droughts and early frosts, and more frequent or more deadly forest pests and diseases. All of these can impact plants on the cellular, population and wholeecosystem level. To protect our environment, we need to know: What’s going to happen to the plants — and how can we help? Holden’s scientists are asking these questions from every angle.

The team working under Juliana Medeiros, Ph.D. specializes in understanding the architecture of plants — how they are built and how that shapes their resilience. She works at the level of whole forests and at the level of tissues and cells to understand how plants respond to stress. Her team recently discovered physiological differences in eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) that are allowing the trees to expand their range into drier climates out West. Closer to home, they’ve documented that although urban forests tend toward more stress-tolerant tree species than rural forests, overall tree abundance and diversity can be quite similar, underscoring the importance of conserving forests right in our own neighborhoods.

In the lab of Katie Stuble, Ph.D., researchers are tapped into the effects of climate change on plant communities, including those that might thwart attempts to restore degraded and destroyed ecosystems. Her team has studied the woodlands at Holden to understand the effects of different management practices. They’ve discovered that management of nonnative shrubs in the forest understory is a critical, if often overlooked,

“It’s about learning, about gathering new knowledge, applying that knowledge to find best practices we can use to improve the quality of our environment, and then sharing that information with the community.”

- David Burke, Vice President for Science and Conservation

component of forest management, allowing for increased biodiversity within the forest understory that are not seen with overstory thinning alone. And they recently found evidence that negative effects of acid rain on carbon storage — one of our important defenses against climate change — may be reversible with the right soil amendments, working via changes to the soil microbial communities.

Across the hall, Na Wei, Ph.D. studies how plants’ ecology and evolution, from their relationships with pollinators or microbes to the structure of their genomes, impact their resilience to global change. Her team works in a number of systems, from pond-dwelling duckweed to the National Crabapple Evaluation Plot in Holden’s 40-year-old crabapple collection. They’ve identified specific pollinators and fungi that associate with different crabapple varieties, found which crabapple cultivars are more disease-resistant than others, and learned what environmental conditions increase diversity of microbes living on duckweed. She’s done research on the evolution of the genome of strawberries and research on how pollen grains from different species might affect flower evolution.

And in the Dr. David Burke lab, researchers study how organisms in the soil affect plant growth, survival, and resistance to threats like pests and diseases. Burke was also a key player in discovering the cause of beech leaf disease — after colleagues found the nematode associated with the disease, Burke conducted experiments to reveal that the nematodes may spread within trees on water that flows across trees after rainstorms. His team recently discovered that beech leaf disease has belowground effects on fungi that live in association with the tree’s roots, and that de-acidifying soils increases the colonization of healthy fungi in the roots of mayapples (a forest understory plant, Podophyllum peltatum).

Conservation & Community

Over the last few years, Holden’s science department has seen more and more integration with the conservation and community forestry teams, ultimately increasing our local and regional impact. Direct collaboration between our scientists and our practitioners out in the field has informed the direction of Holden’s research and provided a route for immediate application of new findings.

Where our conservation team is attuned to our natural areas, our community forestry team is attuned to the needs of the local community. In 2019, we launched our award-winning Working Woods demonstration forest, in which we model and teach Northeast Ohio landowners best practices to manage and improve their woodlots, while also studying those practices and their effects on the forest.

Since 2015, Holden researchers have maintained a research orchard, installed by the U.S. Forest Service, of ash trees that are potentially resistant to emerald ash borer. This research and breeding program expanded in 2021 when the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative, headquartered at Holden and supported by the U.S. Forest Service, launched to organize and facilitate efforts to protect our native ash, beech, and hemlock trees from invasive forest pests across the region. The Collaborative connects and empowers disparate programs, organizations, and individuals, sharing best practices, research findings, and resources with all involved, with the end goal of breeding pest-resistant trees for reforestation.

In 2021, Holden conservation biologist Becah Troutman noticed an unfamiliar aphid on a patch of garlic mustard, an invasive species her team (and conservation teams across eastern North America) are working to remove. It was a garlic

mustard aphid, Lipaphis alliariae, and it was the first time the insect was ever spotted in the U.S. This discovery has sparked wide-ranging endeavors to document its spread and investigate its potential to work as biocontrol to curb the spread of the pesky plant.

That same year, researchers led by Claudia Bashian-Victoroff in the Burke lab launched a soil inoculation project in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Program. Over several years, a thousand trees will be planted across the county, which will be studied by Holden researchers to determine whether adding living soil from healthy forests during planting can improve tree health or survival in urban areas.

And just last year, the science and community forestry teams launched the Holden Seed Bank, a hub for collecting, storing, and disseminating native plant seeds — mostly trees — to facilitate tree planting efforts across the region.

“We’ve significantly amplified our influence through rigorous scientific research, and today, our conservation and community forestry teams are actively disseminating our expertise across broader spheres: locally, regionally, and increasingly, on a national scale,” says Dr. Katie Stuble, research chair at Holden Forests & Gardens.

Inspiring the Next Generation

All along the way, the researchers at Holden’s Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science are working to inspire the next generation of scientists, foresters, and conservation practitioners. There are times when each research team seems to have more interns and volunteers than research staff! And by hosting field trips, working with local teachers, and speaking with the public at Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden events, the scientists are more accessible than ever.

Every summer, the center opens its doors to college students from across the U.S. who are interested in studying the environment. In Holden’s research department, interns are partnered with staff scientists to conduct crucial research delving into plant and environmental health and resilience. These interns have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Holden researchers on experiments centered around the natural areas and collections maintained by Holden. These immersive experiences give the students a chance to go beyond book or classroom learning and to

MEET THE STAFF

“We’ve significantly amplified our influence through rigorous scientific research, and today, our conservation and community forestry teams are actively disseminating our expertise across broader spheres.”

-Dr. Katie Stuble, Research Chair

work on an actual research project. Together, they tackle important scientific questions that have implications for ecosystem health and resilience, not just in Northeast Ohio but also beyond.

Accelerating Discoveries & Solutions

As we endeavor to advance pioneering research in plant and tree science, we find ourselves at a critical juncture for the natural world. The escalating impact of a warming planet underscores the urgency for accelerated scientific breakthroughs and heightened collaboration among plant and environmental scientists globally. In response to the escalating demands of our region’s ecosystem, the Center for Plant and Environmental Science is poised for expansion. This growth will encompass additional laboratory and classroom facilities, community space and new greenhouses, each enabling us to more effectively address the increasingly pressing environmental challenges that face our natural world.

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to conserve, understand, and inspire all at the same campus. Together, we will change our world for the better.

Make Time for the Natural World

Help the children in your life enjoy the great outdoors.

You probably know that the young people in your life (kids, grandkids, neighbor’s kids, relative’s kids) benefit from interacting with the natural world around them, but maybe you are not sure how to make that happen. Well, Holden Forests & Gardens makes it easy. There are two campuses to explore and myriad opportunities at each. You can pick and choose from them depending on where you live, how

Exploring on Your Own

Staff-led Activities Nature Play

Get Dirty!

Head to the Hershey Children Garden’s mud kitchen!

Explore New Spaces

At Holden Arboretum, visit the newly reopened bird blind at Corning Lake, or grab a Discovery Pack from Corning Library to find new ways to explore our trails and gardens.

Flora

Explore Hershey Children’s Garden, where you’ll find dozens of planters inspired by this year’s theme: Paris Olympics.

Fauna

Explore pondlife at Holden Arboretum’s Discovery Tower in Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods.

Once you have chosen a few options make sure to plan a visit — or, better yet, several. The Perennial Play Space at Cleveland Botanical Garden is open year-round. The Hershey Children’s Garden at the

Story Times

Story time is available at Cleveland Botanical Garden Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and at Holden Arboretum every Thursday at 11 a.m.

Programming

Daily drop-in programming happens inside the Hershey Children’s Garden. Check the schedule outside the gates for daily details. Drop-in programming is available at Holden Arboretum on Saturdays and Sundays on our grounds.

Better

Support our groundbreaking work in plant & tree science.

Did you know that Arbor Day was founded 152 years ago in Nebraska? Since then, it has become an international holiday celebrating the beauty of trees and all that they do to keep our environment clean and healthy.

At Holden Forests & Gardens, Arbor Day is a special holiday as we celebrate our mission, our great plant and tree diversity, and our work to build a sustainable future. However, tree diseases, like Beech Leaf Disease and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, are threatening our beautiful forests and our air quality, water supply and wildlife habitats. Arbor Day celebrates the planting and care of trees as

a powerful fight against these threats. With your support, our research and conservation teams are studying these diseases and are making strides to protect our forests through effective forest management practices. When you support HF&G on Arbor Day, your gift goes beyond this day and supports healthy forests for generations to come.

Our goal this year is to raise $75,000.

You are the reason we can do this amazing work. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference. Join us this Arbor Day and show some love to our trees by supporting the work we do for our community and beyond.

2 3 4

4 Ways to Make a Gift:

Give online at www.holdenfg.org

Scan the QR with your phone camera to be sent directly to the giving homepage.

Mail a check, with the memo listing your gift as an Arbor Day donation, to:

Holden Forests & Gardens P.O. Box 7422

Cleveland, OH 44194-0002

Call Jillian Schaefer, Annual Fund Manager, at 216-707-2852.

More Ways to Celebrate Arbor Day:

Our Arbor Day of Giving is not just about our financial goal. We also invite you to celebrate the diversity and beauty of trees and nature with us by enjoying free admission to both campuses. We will also be offering free tree saplings to visitors, which we encourage you to take home and follow the proper planting and care instructions.

Scan to give:

Last Year’s Gifts Helped To:

•Manage and protect the habitat of rare plant species.

•Educate future generations about the importance of the environment through Sprouting Young Scientists classroom visits and hosting field trips.

•Support interns as they learn about and develop their skills in research, urban forestry, and conservation.

We have a goal to reach $75,000 by April 26th.

Give online and it counts toward Arbor Day of Giving or reply by mail before April 26th.

MEET THE STAFF

Jillian Schaefer joined Holden Forests & Gardens in July of 2023 as the Annual Fund Manager. Prior to working at HF&G, Jillian earned her Master of Arts studying Nonprofit Administration at John Carroll University and worked in career advising. She is passionate about connecting people to one another and opportunities to pursue their interests. Jillian feels philanthropy is a great way to do just that. Drawn to HF&G for its mission and critical environmental advancements, Jillian is eager to grow the annual fund program to meet your needs. Jillian is thankful for all the friendly faces she has met so far and looks forward to meeting even more of our supporters.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebes are fascinating waterbirds renowned for their distinctive black ring around their pale blue beak. This grebe species inhabits diverse aquatic environments, including serene freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes and coastal waters. Pied-billed grebes have adapted to various habitats, showcasing their remarkable versatility as a water-dwelling species.

Equipped with a specialized diet and exceptional diving abilities, Pied-billed grebes predominantly feed on small fish, insects, crustaceans and small amounts of aquatic plants. Their ability to submerge themselves beneath the water's surface allows them to expertly hunt and capture prey, making them well-adapted to their aquatic lifestyle. These skilled divers are often observed disappearing beneath the water with only their heads visible as they navigate their underwater world for sustenance.

Pied-billed grebes typically prefer solitude during the crucial breeding season, highlighting the significance of privacy and seclusion. Nesting in dense vegetation, they create a floating or anchored nest in aquatic environments. Comprising materials like bulrush stems, water lilies, watermilfoil, cattails and small sticks, these nests serve as a stable platform where grebes can securely lay and incubate their eggs.

Female Pied-billed grebes typically lay a clutch of four to seven buffy white eggs, which are incubated for about

MEET THE STAFF

BIRD FACTS

SIZE: 12-15 in. Wingspan: 16 in.

DESCRIPTION: primarily brown, with darker streaks on the back and sides; black ring on pale blue bill; short tail

RANGE: extends from southern Canada to northern South America; breeds much of the United States, southern Canada, and parts of Mexico

VOICE SONG: not melodious and repeated “Kerr-r-rup” or “Kaa-ow”

CALL: series of harsh, guttural croaks

BEST LOCATION TO VIEW: Arboretum: Corning Lake

20 days. Once hatched, the chicks are covered in downy feathers with an endearing striped pattern. Both parents play an active role in caring for the young, with the chicks often riding on their parents' backs for protection and warmth. As they grow, the young grebes gradually develop their diving and swimming skills under the watchful guidance of their attentive parents.

Pied-billed grebes are widespread and common. Partners in Flight estimate a global breeding population of 3.1 million. While the Pied-billed grebes are not currently considered a species of immediate concern, conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the health of their populations. Habitat destruction, water pollution and disturbances in nesting areas pose potential threats to these waterbirds. Preservation of wetland habitats, responsible recreational practices and efforts to address environmental issues contribute to the conservation of the Pied-billed grebes and its aquatic ecosystems.

Rebecca Thompson is the Education Manager at Holden Forests & Gardens and has dedicated her career (1999 – present) to school-aged children and life-long learners. Her enthusiasm for the natural world has kindled a sense of exploration, discovery and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Her passion for bird watching drove her to become a self-taught local bird expert. She has served as President on local boards, including Blackbrook Audubon Society and Cleveland Regional Council of Science Teachers.

Holden’sTM Rhododendron Hybrids

Holden Forests & Gardens introduces its own brand of rhododendron hybrids.

After more than 20 years of breeding and trialing, we are excited to introduce six new rhododendron hybrids developed at the David G. Leach Research Station. These plants stem from efforts of now retired station director Dr. Stephen Krebs and team to improve upon the immense collection of rhododendrons gifted to Holden Arboretum by David Leach in 1986. With the oldest cultivar resulting from a 1996 cross and the most recent from 2003, these new plants are a long time coming and a great step forward in our efforts to make rhododendrons more successful in the average home garden.

Our new introductions were bred to have elevated resistance to root rot disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, an introduced pathogen that causes root and crown rot in rhododendrons grown in nurseries and home landscapes. The disease is fatal and has been a problem for nursery growers and homeowners for decades. These plants represent one of the earliest initiatives in the world to develop rhododendrons resistant to root rot disease and have been through field and greenhouse trials to select for resistance and durability.

MEET THE STAFF

Our new hybrids are being sold under a tradename beginning with Holden’s™ followed by a flower color descriptor: Holden’s™ Fuchsia, Peach, Pink, Pink Flare, Raspberry Ruffles and Red. If you see a rhododendron for sale with a name beginning with Holden’s™, it is from us. All the new rhododendrons are similar in most regards outside flower color. They are about 5’ tall and wide in 10 years, tolerant of some sun but best in part shade, resistant (but not immune) to root rot disease, plant and flower bud hardy in USDA hardiness zone 5, and just as or more ornamental than traditional rhododendron hybrids. All have been trialed in open field conditions for many years at both HF&G’s David G. Leach Research Station in Madison and at Holden Arboretum’s Lower Baldwin research plot.

We have partnered with two commercial tissue culture nurseries: Briggs Nursery in Elma, Washington, a longtime partner of the breeding program, and JRT Nurseries in Aldergrove, B.C., Canada, to produce these plants at large scale. Tissue culture nurseries can rapidly produce thousands of plants annually in a laboratory setting, ultimately selling small plants called liners to nursery growers around the country. These growers then grow the plants to a saleable size that landscapers and homeowners can purchase. Our new hybrids were made available to growers beginning in about 2022.

We have quietly offered some of these new plants in recent HF&G plant sales and will have more in the spring 2024 sale of Holden propagated plants at Artisans at the Arboretum. Our hope is that people will see them available locally and through online retailers soon, if not already. We are biased, but we believe rhododendrons are unrivaled in their place in home landscapes. A thriving rhododendron in full bloom is one of the most stunning sights one can see in the garden. We strive to continually develop new and improved plants for home landscapes, and we hope you enjoy these new hybrids as much as we do.

& Classe s Events

Learn something new this season! Visit holdenfg.org for more details about our offerings.

Botanical Painting & Drawing

April 9 – May 21 | Tuesdays, 2 – 4:30 p.m.

$155 per member, $195 per nonmember

Adult

Fashioning a Fibershed: The Potential of the Local Textile Movement

April 13 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

$15 per member, $30 per nonmember

Adult

Houseplants 101

April 20 | 10:30 a.m. – noon

$20 per member, $35 per nonmember

Adult

Join us at

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Reopening Of

Hershey Children’s Garden

March 30

Help your child disconnect from technology and discover the wonders of nature. As they explore plant and animal life, they’ll have a new appreciation for the environment. They can become immersed in hands-on activities like making a mud pie, searching for insects and arthropods in our lush foliage, exploring and playing in nature’s playground, and so much more! The Hershey Children’s Garden will open on Saturday, March 30

Spring Egg Hunt

March 30 | 9 a.m. – noon

Join us for our popular annual Egg Hunt with a sustainable spin! Eggs will be hidden all morning long. Once each hunter has found their 10 natural seed bomb eggs, they can retrieve their delicious prize at our candy station. Our seed bomb eggs are a great way to avoid plastic and encourage planting. Visitors

can look forward to learning about seed dispersal in unconventional waysleaping, twisting and running! Advance registration is required.

Return of the Butterflies

Opens Saturday, April 1

Celebrate spring with Return of the Butterflies at the Cleveland Botanical Garden — a visual treat with more than 600 newly emerged butterflies in the Costa Rica biome. Starting April 1, there will be a public butterfly release Tuesdays-Sundays daily at 2 p.m. in the Costa Rice biome.

Midwest Cactus and Succulent Society Sale & Show

April 6 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

April 7 | noon – 5 p.m.

Secure your succulents at this highly anticipated sale. Please note, this is a popular event so vendors sell out quickly and parking may be limited. Registration is not required. This sale is cash and check only.

Houseplant Kokedama

April 21 | 2 – 4 p.m.

$30 per member, $45 per nonmember

Adult

Houseplants 102

May 11 | 10:30 a.m. – noon

$20 per member, $35 per nonmember

Adult

Cleveland Marathon

May 18-19

Holden Forests & Gardens is officially a charity partner of the Cleveland Marathon. Show your support by donating to Team People for Trees, or by joining us in running, walking or volunteering at any of the Marathon weekend events, May 18-19, including the 5k, 10k, half marathon or full marathon. For more information and for an exclusive registration discount code for HF&G supporters, please reach out to Ellie Rial, donor stewardship and events manager, at Erial@holdenfg.org or at 216-707-2839.

SAVE THE DATE

Harvest Moon

Friday, September 13, 2024 5 p.m. VIP Reception | 6 p.m. Event Opens to All | 9 p.m. After-hours Party

We invite you to spend Friday the 13th with us for an enchanting evening of botanical splendor and mystical revelry. For more information, visit holdenfg.org.

Join us at

Holden Arboretum

IMPORTANT NOTE TO VISITORS

Total Eclipse of the Arboretum

This event is SOLD OUT! Monday, April 8 will look different than a usual member-access-Monday.

Thank you for making note of a few eclipse-day details below:

- Sperry Road will be closed to the public between KirtlandChardon & Mitchell's Mill Roads all day.

- Ticket holders ONLY will have access to Arboretum grounds on April 8 - if you're a member and typically visit on Mondays, please choose another day to visit.

- If you are a ticket holder, please look out for pre-event emails and review them closely for traffic and entry details.

Composting at Home

and in Your Community

April 12 | 5 – 7 p.m.

$20 per member, $35 per nonmember Adult

Audubon Spring Bird Walk Series

April 14 - May 19 |

Sundays 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Free for members, $20 per nonmember adult, $14 per nonmember child Families

Wine & Cheese Night Hike

April 19 | 8 – 11 p.m.

$30 per member, $45 per nonmember Adult, 21+

Stebbins Gulch Hike

April 21 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember Adult

Nursery Notes: Beneficial Bugs

April 27 | 10 a.m. – noon

$27 per member, $37 per nonmember Adult

First Fridays: Wildflower Garden Tour

May 3 | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

$7 per member, $22 per nonmember

Adult

Artisans at the Arboretum

Featuring Holden Plants

May 18 & May 19 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Member plant preview: May 18 & 19 | 9 – 10 a.m.

Artisans at the Arboretum by Made Cleveland returns to the Holden Arboretum this spring to provide a fun outdoor marketplace to shop a variety of unique, local vendors. New this year, Holden Forests & Gardens will be partnering with Made Cleveland to offer an in-person shopping experience of Holden plants at Artisans at the

Arboretum on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, 19th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Holden Arboretum. Whether you are trying to naturalize your landscape or enhance a corner of your garden, our Artisans at the Arboretum Featuring Holden Plants event will offer exclusively Holden propagated and grown plants, including over 80 species of native wildflowers, ornamental perennials, shrubs and trees, including staff favorites and selections from our Collections, including rhododendron, sweetbay magnolia, peony, turtlehead, gentian, wild columbine, nodding onion and many, many more!

Holden Forests & Gardens donors will have the opportunity to shop for plants early on Friday evening May 17th. Members will have early access to shop for plants from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday prior to the sale opening to the public.

Magnificence on the Mountain Hike

May 19 | 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember

Adult

Stebbins Gulch Hike

May 25 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember

Adult

Wine & Cheese Night Hike

May 31 | 8 – 11 p.m.

$30 per member, $45 per nonmember

Adult, 21+

Nursery Notes:

Summer Nursery Tour

June 1 | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember

Adult

First Fridays: Layer Garden Tour

June 7 | 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

$7 per member, $22 per nonmember

Adult

The Benefits of Nature at All Ages with Professor Don Rakow

June 8 | 1 – 2 p.m.

$20 per member, $30 per nonmember

Adult

Guided Forest Therapy Walk

June 8 | 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

$12 per member, $22 per nonmember

Adult

Magnificence on the Mountain Hike

June 15 | 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember

Adult

Stebbins Gulch Hike

June 16 | 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $20 per nonmember

Adult

Firefly Foray

June 22 | 8 – 11 p.m.

$30 per member, $40 per nonmember

Adult

Join us at

David G. Leach Research Station

Leach Research Station

Weekly Drop-In Hours

April 26 – June 7 | Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free for members, with admission for nonmembers Registration is required.

Families

Mother’s Day Open House

May 12 | 12 – 1:30 p.m., 2 – 3:30 p.m., 4 – 5:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $15 per nonmember

Families

Epitome of Spring: Photography at Leach Research Station

May 25 | 7 a.m. – noon

$80 per member, $120 per nonmember

Adult

Spring Open House with the American Rhododendron Society

May 25 | 12 – 1:30 p.m., 2 – 3:30 p.m., 4 – 5:30 p.m.

$10 per member, $15 per nonmember

Families

9500 Sperry Road

Kirtland, Ohio 44094 holdenfg.org

Artisans at the Arboretum Featuring Holden Plants

Holden Arboretum

May 18 & May 19 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Member plant preview: May 18 & 19 | 9 – 10 a.m.

Artisans at the Arboretum by Made Cleveland returns to the Holden Arboretum this spring to provide a fun outdoor marketplace to shop a variety of unique, local vendors! New this year, Holden Forests & Gardens will be partnering with Made Cleveland to offer an in-person shopping experience featuring exclusively Holden propagated and grown plants. Visit holdenfg.org for details.

Forests & Gardens is the member magazine for Holden Forests & Gardens, which includes the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland.

MISSION: Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities

VISION: All communities transformed into vibrant places where trees, plants, and people thrive ©Holden Forests & Gardens

“Holden Forests & Gardens” and the related logo is a trademark owned by The Holden Arboretum.

9550 SPERRY ROAD, KIRTLAND, OHIO 44094

HOLDENFG.ORG

440.946.4400

HOURS

TUESDAY - SUNDAY: 9AM - 5PM

MONDAY: CLOSED TO NON-MEMBERS

For updates, visit holdenfg.org

11030 EAST BLVD, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106 HOLDENFG.ORG

216.721.1600

HOURS

For Cleveland Botanical Garden hours, please visit holdenfg.org.