Intensively managed landscapes, like those found in many public gardens, attempt to mitigate the impact of significant weather events through irrigation, improving soil characteristics, and mulching. At the same time many gardens purposefully push the boundaries of 'known hardiness' in an effort to keep their displays fresh and interesting. Onsite National Weather Station data was used to identify extreme weather events and compared those time periods with permanent plant deaths as recorded in the plant records database. This will be a thought provoking catalyst for attendees in regards to the efficacy of current landscape management practices, promote further research, and lead to an enhanced understanding of the impact of climate change on the public garden landscape.

Presenter: 

B. Tankersley, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois