Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Volume 14 • Number 2 • July 2017

Conservation horticulture: Making a garden a botanic garden Features in this issue: • Talking plants: an interview with a plant conservation champion • Plant hunting tales from Fiji • Featured garden: focus on Geneva

30 YEARS 1987-2017 Volume 14 • Number 2

IN THIS ISSUE... EDITORS

EDITORIAL: CONSERVATION HORTICULTURE: MAKING A GARDEN A BOTANIC GARDEN .... 02 FEATURES

NEWS FROM BGCI .... 04 Suzanne Sharrock Joachim Gratzfeld Director of Global Director of Regional Programmes Programmes INTERVIEW: TALKING PLANTS .... 07

PLANT HUNTING TALES: RARE RUBY REVEALED – A NEW SPECIES OF Cover Photo : Nursery with seedlings for reforestation of the Atlantic Forest, in Rosario do Limeira, Brazil ENDEMIC HIBISCUS IN FIJI .... 08 (Alf Ribeiro / Shutterstock.com) Design : Seascape www.seascapedesign.co.uk FEATURED GARDEN: THE CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE CITY OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND .... 10 BGjournal is published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) . It is published twice a year. Membership is open to all interested individuals, institutions and organisations that support the aims of BGCI.

Further details available from:

•B otanic Gardens Conservation International, Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3BW UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5953, Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956, ARTICLES E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org

• BGCI(US) Inc, The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, WHAT IS CONSERVATION HORTICULTURE? 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, USA. Tel: +1 626-405-2100, E-mail: [email protected] Joachim Gratzfeld .... 14 Internet: www.bgci.org/usa

•B GCI-China, South China Botanical Garden, CHANGING ATTITUDES TO HORTICULTURE AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC 1190 Tian Yuan Road, Guangzhou, 510520, China. GARDEN EDINBURGH David Rae .... 18 Tel: +86 20 85231992, Email: [email protected], Internet: www.bgci.org/china PLAYING TO OUR STRENGTHS: APPLYING HORTICULTURE • BGCI-Southeast Asia, Jean Linsky, BGCI Southeast Asia Botanic Gardens Network Coordinator, AND ADVOCACY TO THREATENED PLANT CONSERVATION Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center, Jack Hobbs and Emma Bodley .... 24 No. 31, Tongsing Rd., Gaoshu Township, Pingtung County 90646, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel: +886 8 796 0913, Mobile: +886 966484475, Email: [email protected], BRYOPHYTE HORTICULTURE: MYTH OR REALITY? Internet: www.bgci.org; www.kbcc.org.tw/en Ulyana Spirina and Yuri Naumtsev .... 28 • BGCI-Africa, Kirsty Shaw, BGCI Africa Office, IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), P.O. Box HORTICULTURE AND THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED SPECIES 68200 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel. +254 (0)725295632 Skype: bgci_kirsty, Email: [email protected], Internet: • CASE STUDY 1: SUCCULENT PLANT COLLECTIONS IN BOTANIC www.bgci.org GARDENS SUPPORTING E X SITU CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH

• BGCI-Russia, c/o Main Botanical Gardens, Olwen M. Grace and Lucas C. Majure Botanicheskaya st., 4, Moscow 127276, Russia. • CASE STUDY 2: PROJECT CHAGUAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CHALLENGES Tel: +7 (095) 219 6160 / 5377, Fax: +7 (095) 218 0525, AND RESULTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.ru COLLECTIONS OF THE CHILEAN MEDITERRANEAN ECOREGION BGCI is a worldwide membership organisation established in 1987. Its mission is to mobilise botanic gardens and M. Victoria Legassa, Daniela Escobar and Ángel Cabello engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well- • CASE STUDY 3: RESTORING CRITICALLY ENDANGERED FERN SPECIES .... 34 being of people and the planet. BGCI is an independent Ruth Aguraiuja organisation registered in the United Kingdom as a charity (Charity Reg No 1098834) and a company limited by guarantee, No 4673175. BGCI is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) CAREER LADDER FOR HORTICULTURISTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN non-profit organisation in the USA and is a registered non- NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) “HORT LADDER” profit organisation in Russia. Christopher Willis, Andrew Hankey, Thompson Mutshinyalo, Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Boards or staff of BGCI or of its Werner Voigt, Berenice Carolus, Phakamani Xaba, Monique members. McQuillan, Elias Moeng, Rene du Toit and Kaashiefa Bassier .... 40

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 01 EDITORIAL: CONSERVATION HORTICULTURE: MAKING A GARDEN A BOTANIC GARDEN

In a recent analysis compared to managers, scientists and professionalization of acquisition, carried out by the educators in botanic gardens, all of which documentation, management and use of Cambridge suggests that the recognition due to living collections. Today, specialist University Botanic horticulturists is still lacking. If we don’t horticulturists are saving an ever Garden and BGCI recognise and reward these business- increasing roster of threatened species all we show that the critical skills ourselves, how can we then over the world (pages 34-39) as in situ world’s botanic expect policymakers and funders to do so, conservation approaches struggle to save gardens conserve and how can we persuade our supporters plants in fragmented and transformed and manage 93% of that botanic gardens are especially landscapes. As botanic gardens step into vascular plant families, 56% of genera important to the future of humanity? this void, we are increasingly seeing and 30% of species in their living botanic gardens go outside their walls, collections and seed banks. These are Of course, not all gardens carry out engaging with in situ conservationists and minimum figures as they are based on exemplary, innovative horticulture. Many other land managers to carry out BGCI’s PlantSearch database which only gardens buy in ornamentals and don’t integrated conservation work. For includes accession names from around a focus at all on the broader taxonomic example, Auckland Botanic Garden third of the world’s botanic gardens. array of plants. BGCI argues strongly that describes its integrated approach to These statistics show unequivocally that if botanic gardens want to differentiate conservation horticulture which comprises our professional community grows a themselves from public parks, then a native species garden with 17 replica wider range of plant diversity than any specialist horticultural skills, diverse and habitats for public outreach, a seed other sector. It is also testament to the interesting collections and rigorous conservation programme with the skills and knowledge of our horticulturists, professional standards related to Millennium Seed Bank and seed orchards many of whom are specialists in growing documentation and collections used to bulk up seed collections for long specific taxa. Such skills will become management are prerequisites. term storage and for species recovery increasingly important as humanity (pages 24-27). struggles to meet the needs of an Conservation horticulture, which this increasing human population and as we edition of BGjournal celebrates, is perhaps Understanding the importance of nurturing destroy more and more of the terrestrial one way in which specialist horticulturists the specialist skills required to grow a landscape. It is surely inevitable that can raise their own professional wider range of plant species, the South restoration of degraded landscapes, standards, be appropriately paid and African National Biodiversity Institute has creation of novel species assemblages, achieve a higher profile. On pages 14-17, instigated a specialist horticulture career and bringing new species into cultivation we learn about the differences and ladder that values and recognises specific will become ever more important in specific challenges of conservation knowledge and skill sets that meeting human needs in the future. Put horticulture as compared to amenity horticulturists can aspire to (pages 40-44). simply, our ability to grow a wide range of horticulture and understand how these Finally, even our plant hunting tale is plant diversity enables human innovation, differences have impacted on the focused on the progenitors of adaptation and resilience. development of horticulture over more horticulturally important cultivars, taking than two centuries at the Royal Botanic us to Fiji in pursuit of Hibiscus rosa- However, despite the fact that these Gardens, Edinburgh (pages 18-23). sinensis (pages 8-9). unique skills are found in botanic gardens, Edinburgh was one of the first botanic BGCI’s recent Technical Review on gardens to computerise its living If you enjoy reading BGjournal, or you ‘Defining the botanic garden, and how to collections records and to make the link have comments you would like to make, I measure performance and success’ between its horticultural collections and would like to encourage you to email us at (http://bgci.org/news-and-events/news/ scientific research. From the 1980s [email protected]. We would like to introduce 1418/) suggests that few institutions onwards, the importance of living a ‘Letters’ page to BGjournal, so your define themselves by their horticultural collections to plant conservation was contributions would be welcome. We knowledge or collections. Nor do gardens increasingly recognised, and the would also like to hear from you with measure these specialisms at the development of the International Agenda suggestions about future editions of institutional level. In the Review BGCI and the Global Strategy for Plant BGjournal, features you would like to see, strongly recommends that botanic Conservation have since helped to shape and how we can make this publication gardens make much more of their unique Collections Policy at the garden. more relevant to you. skills and ability to grow plants that nobody else can. The Review also finds This trajectory will be familiar to many Dr Paul Smith that horticulturists are poorly paid gardens, and it has helped to drive the BGCI Secretary General

02 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 02 Pierre-André Loizeau

FEATURES

NEWS FROM BGCI

INTERVIEW: TALKING PLANTS

PLANT HUNTING TALES: RARE RUBY REVEALED – A NEW SPECIES OF ENDEMIC HIBISCUS IN FIJI

FEATURED GARDEN: THE CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE CITY OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 03 FEATURE

NEWS FROM BGCI

BGCI CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

BGCI was first established in 1987 and our influence has grown considerably over the past 30 years. To mark our anniversary, we have produced a video highlighting the progress we have made, working to save threatened plants and linking botanic gardens worldwide. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mqxAi8zb8ls&feature=youtu.be.

Mélanie Zogheb

Case studies presented by participants demonstrated the impressive achievements of botanic gardens around the world. They showed how botanic gardens can be leaders in their communities in social and environmental issues; how they can showcase sustainability solutions; how they can bridge the gap between science and society; how they can Coline Amos engage people with nature; how they can influence policy and how they can 6TH GLOBAL BOTANIC One of the key themes that emerged really make a difference in conserving GARDENS CONGRESS from the Congress was the importance and restoring species and ecosystems. of partnerships. Time and again, Abstracts of presentations and key 6GBGC was hosted by the Conservatory presentations highlighted how conclusions of the Congress are and Botanical Garden of the City of partnerships are key to ensuring success available on the BGCI website, together Geneva (CJBG), Switzerland, from the - be it in conserving threatened species, with videos of all plenary sessions: 26th-30th June. The Congress, which restoring damaged ecosystems or http://bgci.org/news-and-events/6gbgc. had the theme ‘ Botanic gardens in engaging with the public. Botanic society: visions for the future ’, attracted gardens are involved in partnerships at over 550 participants from 65 countries. all levels, from local community-level As well as a varied and stimulating networks to large international initiatives, scientific programme, participants working through such partnerships with enjoyed a range of social activities, organisations across sectors and across including a gala dinner that celebrated continents. the 200th anniversary of CJBG and the 30th anniversary of BGCI. Plenary speakers discussed the importance of botanic gardens in All aspects of the work of botanic engaging with and addressing major gardens were discussed during the societal issues – such as food security, week, through a mix of plenary climate change, sustainability and speeches, oral presentations (over 200 biodiversity conservation – and by doing were delivered), round table and panel this contributing to the achievement of Coline Amos discussions, workshops and posters. the Sustainable Development Goals.

04 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (1) • 04-06 Pierre-André Loizeau

TREE TUESDAY

Tuesday 27 June was designated ‘Tree Tuesday’ at the Congress. Sponsored by The Morton Arboretum and organised by the Global Trees Campaign, the day was dedicated to highlighting the latest developments towards ensuring zero tree extinctions. Sessions focused on the importance of trees to humankind, tools that are available to support tree conservation, the opportunities and challenges for botanic gardens in conserving tree species and progress towards the Global Tree Assessment. Kunle Olasupo (D. Bown) Top: Amy Padolf receiving the Marsh Award Above: The Million Orchid Project STEMLab Read more about Tree Tuesday here: (Amy Padolf) http://globaltrees.org/news-blog/getting- threatened-trees-trending/. programmes for pre-kindergarten through to post graduate studies as well as NEW STAFF AT BGCI teacher professional development, adult education and community gardening. A BGCI is delighted to welcome Paola notable success for Amy is the project Andreoni as our new Head of ‘Growing Beyond Earth’, which will help Membership. After 15 years helping expand ongoing NASA research into a organisations with structuring content citizen science program for students that and sharing knowledge, Paola decided includes experimental design and data to take her passion for plants forward collection and analysis, with a special and train in horticulture. Following an emphasis on scientific communication. internship at RBG Kew and a trainee position at the RHS School of For further information see: Horticulture, Paola became Deputy Head Kunle Olasupo , Field Supervisor in the http://www.bgci.org/news-and- Gardener for a private organic estate. Forest Unit at the International Institute events/news/1420/ Paola has joined BGCI to lead the for Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria won strategic development of the the award for International Plant Seed conservation awards membership programme and coordinate Conservation. His skills and commitment communications with members. have been crucial in the development of The first set of awards under the Global Nigeria’s first arboretum for ex situ Seed Conservation Challenge (GSCC) RECOGNISING SUCCESS conservation of threatened trees, and he were presented at 6GBGC. These awards plays a key role in guidance and capacity recognise excellence in seed banking with Marsh Awards building for staff, conservation partners, winners identified in 5 different categories: teachers, students and postgraduates. The Marsh Awards are awarded annually • Greatest progress in seed banking by the Marsh Christian Trust, in The award for Botanic Garden Education was awarded to the Australian partnership with BGCI, in recognition of was won by Amy Padolf , Director of PlantBank at the Royal Botanic excellence in International Plant Education at the Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Mount Annan. The seed bank Conservation and Botanic Garden Botanical Garden, USA. Amy oversees has been open for 4 years and currently Education. The awards for 2017 were national and international multidisciplinary stores more than 50 per cent of New announced at 6GBGC. environmental science education South Wales' threatened flora as seed.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 05 • The award for conserving the Of all the countries in the world, Brazil BGCI/ARBNET BOTANIC GARDEN greatest proportion of threatened has the most tree species, with 8,715 PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME species in their collection went to species, followed by Colombia (5,776) Bok Tower Gardens , which maintains and then Indonesia (5,142). Apart from This international partnership building a National Collection of endangered the Arctic and the Antarctic (which have initiative aims to facilitate the exchange plants and seeds from central and no trees whatsoever), the region with the of knowledge, skills and resources within northern Florida. fewest tree species is the Nearctic the botanic garden and arboretum region of North America, with less than community. A first phase of the • The Oman Botanic Garden was 1,400 species. Partnership Programme is now coming awarded the prize for conserving the to an end, and a number of pilot most useful species , based on its GlobalTreeSearch will form the partnerships have been established. work with the species Aloe backbone of the Global Tree These include partnerships between: dhufarensis , one of the most important Assessment, an initiative to assess the and versatile medicinal plants in conservation status of all the world’s tree • Vilnius University Botanic Garden, Dhofar, southern Oman. species by 2020. Lithuania and the Tasmanian Arboretum, Australia • The Conservatory and Botanical Find out more at: www.bgci.org/news- Garden of the City of Geneva won and-events/news/1400/. • Botanic Garden of Rome, Sapienza the award for conserving the most University, Italy and the South London

difficult species to collect . The Botanical Institute, UK Garden has developed a system to collect and conserve Typha minima , a • Stellenbosch University Botanical species with very short-lived seeds Garden, South Africa and Shanghai using a drying cabinet in the field to Chenshan Botanical Garden, China. dry seeds immediately after harvest. BGCI Technical Review Defining the botanic garden, and how BGCI and ArbNet are now working on the • The award for conserving the most to measure performance and success framework for the second phase of the threatened species went to the Partnership Programme. Further Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii information about Phase 2 will be for the conservation and reintroduction available from BGCI shortly. To find of Silene perlmanii , a species that is out more, visit: www.bgci.org/joinin/ thought to be extinct in the wild. partnership-programme/

Further information about the GSCC BGCI EDUCATION CONGRESS awards is available at: www.bgci.org/ plant-conservation/seedawards BGCI’s 10th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens will be HOW MANY TREE SPECIES ARE hosted by the University of Warsaw THERE IN THE WORLD? Botanic Garden from 10-14 September, 2018. Themed on ‘Bringing nature to the BGCI has been city’ the Congress will celebrate 200 working for over TECHNICAL REVIEW years of the University of Warsaw Botanic two years, Garden. For further information, visit: consulting over In response to a request from its www.ogrod.uw.edu.pl/en/congress2018 500 published International Advisory Council, BGCI has sources and recently published a Technical Review EIGHTH EUROPEAN BOTANIC liaising with that looks at the criteria by which GARDENS CONGRESS - experts all over botanic gardens define themselves and EUROGARD VIII the world to reviews how botanic gardens measure find the answer success. Based on an on-line survey EuroGard VIII – ‘ Botanic Gardens, People – 60,065 tree carried out early in 2017 and a literature and Plants for a Sustainable World ’ will be species. review, the report incorporates data from held in Lisbon, Portugal from May 7-11, ‘GlobalTreeSearch’ is the first list of over 200 botanic gardens in more than 2018. Organised by the European Botanic its kind, documenting all of the world’s 50 countries. The Review includes an Gardens Consortium, the University of known tree species and their country updated list of criteria that define a Lisbon and the Botanic Garden of Ajuda, level distributions. With over 375,500 botanic garden and a number of the Congress will be held in association records, the database also reveals recommendations to aid botanic garden with the 15th Symposium of the Ibero- that that more than half of all tree strategic planning. For more information Macaronesian Association of Botanic species occur in a single country, and and to download a copy of the report, Gardens and celebrates the 250th many of these species are threatened please visit www.bgci.org/news-and- anniversary of the Jardim Botânico da with extinction. events/news/1418/ Ajuda (Botanic Garden of Ajuda). www.eurogard2018.org/

06 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) FEATURE

INTERVIEW TALKING PLANTS

In this issue of BGjournal we talk to Pierre-André Loizeau , who has been Director of the Conservatory and Botanic Garden of the City of Geneva, Switzerland for the past ten years and has Andrea Loizeau recently hosted the 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress.

We know you are passionate about human resources to accounting, vehicle I see a parallel between music and plants, but who or what first inspired your management, watering systems, scientific botany in the rigor with which one must love of plants? strategy and the organization of the work, either with an instrument, or in herbarium or library. But what is most inventorying a site; in the creativity As a child, we lived in the countryside, appealing to me today is the opportunity necessary for the reproduction of a nature was my playground. My father, to make Geneva’s voice heard on the musical score or the understanding of passionate about nature, helped me to great issues of our society concerning the the plant world; in the capacity to marvel discover ornithology and the pleasure of environment, and thus to contribute at a musical piece as at a flower. On the observation. As a teenager, I spent my modestly to building a future for us all. other hand, I do not see any link that holidays in the mountains with my family, would allow a young person to associate drawing up lists of flowers growing on You have just hosted the very successful music and botany, if not by indirect either the south face or the north face of 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress. contact. This is what we are pursuing in small valleys. What do you think made the Congress Geneva with our playground, the such a success and what advice would carousel of fables, the animal park or the As a taxomomist, you have specialised in you give to a botanic garden director who organization of concerts: to attract a the Aquifoliaceae. What is it about this is thinking about hosting such public a priori not interested in botany, group of plants that attracted you? an event? possibly young, who in contact with our presentations, discovers a world of wild I had an opportunity when choosing a We have received much positive plants, creating a link with nature. subject for my doctoral thesis to study feedback, and we are very pleased. this family as part of the Flora I believe that success is linked to the The Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques Neotropica. There was also a PhD commitment and professionalism with de la Ville de Genève is already one of Professor who was passionate about which we have tackled this challenge, not the most important gardens in the world, South America, heading the Flora of only at the level of the organizing but what plans do you have to further Paraguay. And, as everyone knows, Mate committee, but also of all the employees develop the garden in the future? , Paraguay's national drink, is made from of the institution and our partners. I think a species in the Aquifoliaceae - Ilex that such an event should be celebrated In 2016 we reached the end of six years paraguariensis . by the whole institution. My advice is to of renovations of some of the thematic encourage directors to invite all the gardens and buildings, and the You have been Director of the collaborators of the host institution to expansion of the herbarium, thus Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la participate proactively, soliciting ideas providing a remarkable framework for Ville de Genève for the last ten years. from all and allowing staff at all levels - horticulturists and botanists. At the level This must be a very varied job, but what gardeners, scientists, librarians, of the Garden and in the spirit of creating aspects of your work do you enjoy most administrators etc. to actively participate an environment conducive to and why? in all events. observation, we would now like to reconstruct an aviary 16m high and over I particularly enjoy the great diversity of As well as a passionate botanist, you are 3000m 2, in which the public could responsibilities, especially in the context of also an accomplished musician. Do you circulate, devoted to breeding and a medium-sized institution such as ours. think music can be used to inspire an multiplication of threatened animal and I need to be involved in everything, from interest in plants amongst the young? plant species of wetlands.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 07 07 FEATURE

Author: Lex Thomson

PLANT HUNTING TALES RARE RUBY REVEALED – A NEW SPECIES OF ENDEMIC HIBISCUS IN FIJI

Researching endemic Hibiscus in Fiji is as much serendipity as science, and more akin to a detective story than typical botanising

n May 2015 I had the immense good fortune to be in Kenya with Dr Paul ISmith, BGCI Secretary-General, where we were working on a review of the World Agroforestry Centre’s Genebank. One of our discussions touched on the origins of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and whether it had come from southern China (Rose of China), South Asia (type Hibiscus sp. aff. storckii (Mt Delaikoro), Rukuruku Village, Ovalau (Cultivated) (Nicholas Perrault) specimen from Sri Lanka), East Africa (given its relationships with the Kenyan & storckii ? I was excited by this prospect my beloved Fiji on the Garden Island of Tanzanian H. schizopetalus ), Madagascar but also concerned at how to utilise this Taveuni. My plan had been to undertake a and Indian Ocean Islands (likely origin of opportunistic botanical find. preliminary search for H. storckii but with Lilibiscus species) or perhaps Melanesia. mountain vegetation defoliated by TC We also talked about Fiji’s Hibiscus Developing a project Winston there seemed no hope of storckii , long lost since its discovery on locating Storck’s Hibiscus . Taveuni in 1860 by German Botanist In February 2016, I was contacted by Berthold Seemann, and synonymised Paul Smith of BGCI and together a First glimpses under H. rosa-sinensis . project on “Survey, inventory and conservation of Hibiscus storckii , a highly On the Saturday morning of 12th March I In November of the same year, I was threatened Fijian species” was developed planned to visit Lavena on the east coast working in Fiji collecting sandalwood leaf and supported by the Mohamed bin of Taveuni. Having just missed the bus at samples for DNA analysis with Mr Sonu Zayed Species Conservation Fund. A key Wairiki, and not wanting to wait several Dutt of the Fiji Department of Forestry aim was to locate wild populations of H. hours for the next one, I ran flat out and Dr David Bush from the storckii and also establish the relationship eventually catching up with the bus after Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial of H. storckii with the Mt Delaikoro a kilometre of stops, starts and gasps– Research Organization. At the end of a Hibiscus. The local partners were thus providing amusement to locals full day of collecting sandalwood leaves NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, University of watching on. It was a hot, steamy, sweaty we took the precarious four-wheel drive South Pacific Regional Herbarium and the and dusty slow ride on a packed market- climb to Mount Delaikoro in Vanua Levu. Savurua Botanical Gardens. day bus. Arriving in Lavena it was On a steep rocky slope I was stunned to shocking to see the structural damage to see a pink Hibiscus flower glowing in the Three weeks after Tropical Cyclone this seaside village. Lavena had taken the last rays of sunshine. Further down the Winston in early 2016 – the strongest full force of the Category 5 TC Winston, slope was another similar Hibiscus bush. storm ever recorded to make landfall in with many buildings damaged or totally Could this be the elusive Hibiscus the Southern Hemisphere – I was back in destroyed. Their remnants were draped in

08 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 08-09 including the orange dove and Fiji bush warbler and occasional screeches of the red shining parrots and collared lories. We traversed an elevated pathway or tua which fell away steeply on both sides. This was used to trap hapless strangers during the cannibal era, and I was glad to be alive today. After several hours we reached the impressive broad valley of the Waibula River. This river is the largest on Taveuni. After a rest we made the final half-hour scamper over the boulder-strewn Waibula River to the site where the jungle Hibiscus was known to occur. Two of the Hibiscus Hibiscus storckii (Lex Thomson) plants had died or been destroyed by TC Winston but to my delight one plant with a tarpaulins. On a bright note, it was flowered Hibiscus – were beginning to single unmistakably beautiful ‘Ruby Rose’ heartening to hear and witness the emerge. Following our discussions with Hibiscus flower had survived. ‘Ruby Rose’ resilient attitude of the locals to Suli, Father Michael promised to arrange Hibiscus was reported to be more plentiful rebuilding, some in the wake of having for Tutu’s young farmers from Villa Maria in the upper reaches, but that entailed an just lost everything, before the bus to find the location of the wild Hibiscus arduous and treacherous five or six hour quickly turned around and, with no shops and I determined to visit the isolated site walk. We collected cuttings and botanical open, I really appreciated the local to confirm its wild origin. specimens of the new Hibiscus before generosity in sharing a bottle of Fiji Water. returning in the late afternoon to Villa On the return bus journey I caught a A long hike Maria – fatigue and aches kept at bay by a fleeting glimpse of a dark-eyed, pink- thoroughly exhilarating day of discovery. flowered Hibiscus which I thought may It was the second week of June before I The undescribed species is being named have been Hibiscus storckii . could get back to Taveuni. On the 8th in honour of Father Michael McVerry and June Father Michael arranged for Suli in recognition of his assistance in finding It was late in the afternoon when Tutu’s and his son Sepo to be my guides on the ‘Ruby Rose’ and for his contributions to Father Michael McVerry drove me back to quest to locate ‘Ruby Rose’ in the wild. I Taveuni, including the local Garden have a closer look at the pink Hibiscus . had been told that the Reality TV Club and the work of Marist Tutu Rural There were two plants growing in the Villa program ‘Survivor’ had cut a new road Training College. Maria Settlement, which on closer that led to near where the ‘Ruby Rose’ inspection I determined to be the grew, and that only a 30 minute hike was Where are we now? Hibiscus known internationally as ‘Ruby needed, but alas this turned out not to Rose’. We met with Mr Suliano Manabua, be the case. Due to land dispute and My research has determined that Fiji now who was well-known to Father Michael as damage to the walking track by TC has at least two endemic and critically both Suliano and his parents had Winston, the walk turned out to a difficult endangered species of Hibiscus – with previously attended Tutu’s married hike up and down several precipitous both arguably having the most attractive couples programs. It was then that valleys. During the walk I was sustained flowers of any tropical Hibiscus species. Suliano dropped a bombshell. He said and revitalised by bush foods and The Mt Delaikoro Hibiscus is that his father, Sepo, had collected the medicines, including young tubers of a morphologically readily distinctive but cuttings of ‘Ruby Rose’ from a remote wild ginger ( Zingiber zerumbet ) and the genetically close to H. storckii and more location in the Waibula River catchment in fresh leaves of an excellent blood tonic, research is needed to clarify whether it 2004 and that it was growing wild. The wild sarsaparilla ( Smilax vitiensis ), an should be recognised at species or sub- wild origins of ‘Ruby Rose’ – one of the aromatic Fijian cinnamon and a primitive specific level. There are almost certainly at most spectacularly beautiful miniature gymnosperm tree with edible leaves and least one more undescribed Fiji Hibiscus fruit ( Gnetum gnemon ). species, and more field and genetic research is urgently needed before they The wonderfully diverse tropical forest disappear entirely from the wild due to included timber trees Podocarpus extreme climatic events and competition neriifolius and Syzygium spp., the edible from invasive species. Tahitian chestnut ( Inocarpus fagifer ), epiphytic orchids and the perfumed So where does Hibiscus rosa-sinensis woody Fagraea beteroana , with a rich originate?…Well that is another story, but understorey of endemic palms and ferns. certainly its origins are closer to Melanesia The walk through the forest was than Asia or Africa. punctuated by the calls of songbirds The support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Ms Nancy Penibera with Hibiscus storckii . Wai Species Conservation Fund is gratefully Village, Taveuni, (Cultivated) (Lex Thomson) acknowledged.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 09 Rémy Gindroz

FEATURE

Authors: ?

FEATURED GARDEN THE CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE CITY OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Host of the recent 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress, the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva (CJBG) is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Originally created in 1817 by the renowned botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, the botanic garden expanded so much during the 19th Century that in 1904, it was forced to leave the city centre and was re-established at its present, 28 hectare site on the banks of Lake Geneva, in the heart of the international organisations district of the city.

Living collections the 6th Global Botanic Gardens • The garden of useful plants : Congress. The ethnobotanic garden is fermented beverages, wood, he botanical garden includes a arranged under four main themes: domestic uses, organic pest control, living collection of nearly 10,000, sacred and poisonous plants. Tmainly wild species coming from • The food garden : herbs, spice plants, countries worldwide. The plants are functional food, forgotten vegetables The institution has a special interest in the displayed in forty geographical, and foraged plants medicinal plants of Paraguay. Here the taxonomic, morphological / ecological Guaraní people recognise around 5,000 or thematic collections, with a special • The medicinal garden : medicinal medicinal plants and information about rockery being dedicated to the plants, plant-based medicines, these has been preserved by the Jesuit threatened plants of Switzerland. herbalism missions and the collections of Emil The most recently completed thematic Hassler. The Paraguayan Ethnobotany garden is the ethnobotanic garden, • The economy botany garden : Project was established in the mid-1990s which was officially opened on June 26, perfumes, dyes, fibers, sugar, oils in collaboration with the Botanical Garden with an inauguration event held during and resins and Zoo of Asunción. This collaborative

10 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 10-11 Pierre-André Loizeau

developed slowly through acquisitions, gifts, and bequests. Its expansion began at the beginning of the 20th century, and more precisely when Emile Burnat, a botanist from Vaud, donated his valuable botanical collection of 3,000 volumes to the City of Geneva. It contained elements of the collections of Louis Leresche, Samuel Bridel and Judge Abraham Thomas.

Pierre-André Loizeau

framework has facilitated the creation of a bank and use them for cultivation or large herbarium of Paraguayan medicinal reintroduction. The method involved plants and the creation of the Centro de using a drying cabinet in the field to dry Conservación y Educación Ambiental seeds immediately after harvest. (Center for Conservation and Environmental Education: CCEAM), Sustainability located within the Botanical Garden of Asunción. Sustainability is taken very seriously at CJBG with the gardens being managed Seedbank organically since 2015 (it was the first public establishment in Switzerland to The seedbank at CJBG recently won the adopt organic garden management) and Global Seed Conservation Challenge its energy supply is 100% from award for conserving the most difficult renewable sources. The water used for species to collect. The award was watering the greenhouses is principally based on the work of the garden in rainwater that is obtained from the roofs conserving Typha minima , a species with of the greenhouses and the “maison des very short-lived seeds. Most seeds of jardiniers.” It is collected in two cisterns this species germinate before winter or situated underneath the greenhouses die during winter if not germinated. As a that hold about 1,000 cubic metres. An In 1920, the famous library of De result, the seeds have the reputation of installation for demineralisation by Candolle was donated by the family of being unable to be stored. By performing inverse osmosis is used when there is the last living botanist of this name. This harvest techniques and post storage little or no rainfall. The water is warmed marvellous family collection can be germination tests, CJBG proved that it is to 77° F (25°C). compared to those of the largest national possible to collect and store Typha museums. Another valuable element to minima seeds in a conventional seed Herbarium be added to the Conservatory was the Boissier library: it was given as a Rémy Gindroz The Garden includes one of the world’s permanent gift in 1943 by the University most important historical herbaria. With of Geneva who had received it through nearly 6 million specimens, the collection the generosity of the Boissier family. is derived from a long tradition of botany Afterwards, the Library was able to in Geneva that dates back to the 1800’s. acquire useful complements to its It contains plants and fungi from across collection, such as the library of the the whole world, but in particular, those “Société botanique de Genève” and the of the Mediterranean, the Near and Far “Société genevoise d’horticulture” as well East, South America and Europe. as those of the “Institut de botanique générale” and of the “Laboratoires de Library pharmacognosie et de pharmacie galénique” of the University. Since then The library at CJBG was established in the City of Geneva, the guardian of these 1824 and now contains over 120,000 riches, has kept the Library up to date volumes. Initially the collections through regular acquisitions.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 11 Pierre-André Loizeau

ARTICLES

WHAT IS CONSERVATION HORTICULTURE?

CHANGING ATTITUDES TO HORTICULTURE AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH

PLAYING TO OUR STRENGTHS: APPLYING HORTICULTURE AND ADVOCACY TO THREATENED PLANT CONSERVATION

BRYOPHYTE HORTICULTURE: MYTH OR REALITY?

HORTICULTURE AND THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED SPECIES

CAREER LADDER FOR HORTICULTURISTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) “HORT LADDER”

12 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) Natacha Frachon

Rémy Gindroz

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 13 ARTICLE

Author: Joachim Gratzfeld

Training in conservation horticulture, Yachay Botanic Garden, Ecuador, October 2016. WHAT IS CONSERVATION HORTICULTURE?

Growing one plant in one pot is a certain, rather limited with these terms. While gardens, throughout history, were established to challenge. To grow 200 plants for an indefinite period serve various functions, whether for contemplation and aesthetics, study and maintain the genetic diversity among them is and supply of herbal medicine, or propagation trials and cultivation of food not the same challenge 200 times over. It is a crops and other socio-economically important species, botanic gardens in the quantitatively and qualitatively different challenge, 21st century have become the vanguard and a far more difficult one. Susan Wallace (1992) for the conservation of plant diversity. Defining conservation horticulture

Introduction conservation, the science and With documented, living plant collections techniques of horticulture were at their heart – A botanic garden is an onservation and horticulture , two developed millennia ago with the onset institution holding documented collection terms that have been brought of human innovation to domesticate and of living plants for the purposes of Ctogether in fairly recent history to cultivate wild plant species for sustained scientific research, conservation, display articulate a vital, yet understated function provision of food and medicine. This may and education (Wyse Jackson, 1999) – spearheaded by botanic gardens. Whilst have paved the way for the notions of horticulture concerned with integrated the unabated decline of biodiversity over garden (Latin: hortus ) and gardening conservation and environmental the last two centuries is imparting a new (Latin: colere and cultura ), and the many awareness is taking centre stage in sense of urgency to the concept of forms and uses known today associated today’s botanic gardens (Figure 1).

14 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 14-17 botanic garden Based on this characterisation, conservation horticulture in botanic gardens aims at ex situ plant holdings that: ex situ education • are representative of the genetic conservation and leisure documented and interpretation, diversity of target populations in the managed germplasm training, recreation wild as an insurance policy for the from known, wild future, i.e. to source germplasm for in provenances situ conservation measures, including population reinforcement programmes conservation and reintroductions, as well as vision mission introductions; and horticulture

• support conservation education and research in situ for example environmental awareness-raising. conservation reproductive recovery with biology, germination, germplasm from This purpose and vocation unmistakably phenology, etc. ex situ collections differentiate conservation horticulture from horticultural practices employed elsewhere, such as in production areas, urban parks, amenity gardens, recreation grounds or other managed, green spaces (Table 1). collection policy Technical challenges and opportunities in conservation horticulture Figure 1: Conservation horticulture in botanic gardens serving integrated conservation.

The fundamental endeavour for conservation horticulture to maintain live- Commercial horticulture Conservation horticulture plant collections that are genetically representative of natural populations is • Management of plants for • Management of documented, plausible (Kay et al ., 2011), yet there production (e.g. food, collection policy and conservation remain technological and/or ornamentals) and amenity science-based plant holdings methodological challenges. To name a • Representation of fewer taxa, • Representation of a wide range of few, these may range from species- often major emphasis on wild taxa from diverse climates and specific propagation and cultivation provision and display of cultivars habitats, genetically representative of problems, such as breaking deep seed natural populations for research, dormancy in exceptional species (Pence, conservation, education and display 2011) or overcoming pathogens and • Focus on grounds maintenance • Aimed at integrated ex and in situ invasive species, to spatial limitations in and display conservation (species recovery and allowing the full genetic diversity in ecological restoration) populations to be represented, or avoiding • More mechanised approaches • Specialised skills to determine inbreeding. Establishing different, distant serving large-scale production, requirements for wild species populations in one location, or preventing commercialisation and amenity collection, reproduction and long- hybridisation of closely related species management, short-term or term maintenance present further challenges conservation frequently changing displays horticulturalists have to consider. Thus, there is a vital need to understand the genetic diversity present in natural Table 1: Selected areas of emphasis of horticultural principles and practices in the commercial and botanic populations and how botanic gardens can garden sectors. mirror this diversity (Griffiths et al ., 2015; Mirantho et al ., 2012; Namoff et al ., 2010; global conservation, and the vital conservation horticulturists, speaks for Maunder et al ., 2001). This will inform the contribution and difference that itself. For instance, the discovery by effective management of germplasm conservation horticulture has made Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, as an insurance policy for the future (BGCI, 2010). The long list of examples South Africa, that smoke, rather than heat (Rao and Hodgkin, 2002). of horticultural innovations in growing and ash from wild-fires is the main trigger plants, as well as species saved from in germination, resulted in a revolution in Despite these challenges, there are also extinction in the wild thanks to the seed propagation for threatened species, many instances of the direct value of ex knowledge, practical skills and restoration ecology and species for situ collections in botanic gardens for enthusiasm for empirical work of commercial horticulture (Dixon, 2007).

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 15 aimed at promoting ex situ conservation. Nevertheless, there are promising developments to boost the role and image of conservation horticulture through specialised curricula and career development tailored to the particular, institutional needs. For example, recognising the fundamental importance of retaining staff of horticultural excellence, the United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC, has developed a four tier career progression system. Employees can move through the four levels (with commensurate pay increases) National Parks and Conservation Service nursery ‘Robinson’, where several species endemic to Mauritius are as skill sets improve. If staff are hired at being propagated (Stéphane Buord). tiers 1 or 2, they can progress to the next tier without competition as long as the Emblematic cases of germplasm held in ‘Quo colis? ’ – A future for required competencies are met. When ex situ collections from populations that conservation horticulture? there is an opening at a tier 4 position no longer exist, let alone of species gone there is an internal competition for all extinct in the wild include the frequently Horticulture in general is facing a crisis in eligible tier 3 employees (Smith and quoted Sophora toromiro (Fabaceae) many countries (Hewett, 2015). There are Harvey-Brown, 2017). The South African from the Easter Island, or Encephalartos insufficiently well-trained people available National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) woodii (Zamiaceae) in southern Africa. to service the broad range of occupations also offers a career progression Plant material of both these species has in the sector, while horticultural degree programme for its staff. Comprising 8 survived in botanic gardens in Chile and opportunities are disappearing from tiers, SANBI’s Career Ladder for Germany, and South Africa respectively, research organisations. Horticulture is Horticulturists is designed to recognise, and is used in population reintroduction losing appeal and suffering from a attract, retain and develop horticulture trials. Other iconic examples include perceived lack of career progression and horticulturists in botanical gardens, Cylindrocline lorencei (Compositae) in prospects (RHS, 2014). to fulfil the organisation’s mandate (See p Mauritius, Normania triphylla 40). Another example is Francisco Javier (Solanaceae) in Madeira and Erica As with production horticulture, a decline Clavijero Botanic Garden in Xalapa, verticillata (Ericaceae) in South Africa of botanic garden horticulture staff and Mexico, which offers a diploma in (Gratzfeld, 2016). standards has been witnessed in the last horticulture structured in three certificate 30 years (Rae, 2013). The fundamental modules. They can be taken separately Influencing environmental role of conservation horticulture and of and are aimed at professionalizing the sensitisation the personnel and volunteers who carry distinction in horticulture, such as in out this challenging work is not fully propagating native cloud forest trees for Conservation horticulture also supports a appreciated – both within the institutions ecological restoration. more holistic approach to environmental themselves as well as amongst wider education. This goes beyond the mere public. With limited resources, botanic In times of rapid climate change, tagging of plants in display and gardens are struggling to maintain their horticultural excellence is also of vital conservation collections with the right living collections appropriately using significance to plan and manage names and interpretational materials as a horticultural science and principles that gardens and plants in response to means of public outreach. Unlike in serve conservation. increasing extreme weather events, commercial, ornamental horticulture including heat waves, prolonged dry or where a natural temptation to select the Equally, few opportunities exist for ‘best-looking’ individuals may be a advanced capacity building in priority (Aplin, 2016), conservation conservation horticulture. While training horticulture presents an opportunity to programmes and grants are offered by showcase and learn about the diversity some of the larger botanic gardens, and wider genetic array within a affiliated institutions, universities and population or species. ‘ The old foundations (e.g. Royal Botanic Gardens horticulturist in me would naturally have Kew; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; favoured the most compact and South African National Biodiversity floriferous clone and disdained the rest Institute; United States Botanic Garden; [of the clonal differences in the collection University of Florida, University of Hawai’i of Conradina grandiflora ]. Today the Hilo; The Stanley Smith Horticultural revised horticulturist in me celebrates Trust), countries with an important share these differences and the story they tell in plant diversity and high levels of Sophora toromiro, grown in the Jardín Botánico to our visitors about genetic diversity. ’ threatened species, often lack access to Nacional, Chile, and subject of an ambitious (Wallace, 1992) . horticultural courses and/or resources reintroduction programme (Óscar Fernández).

16 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) wet spells and frosts. Whilst a number of , Gratzfeld, J. (Ed.) 2016. From Idea to challenging hazards, such as a higher Realisation – BGCI’s Manual on incidence of existing and new pests and Planning, Developing and Managing diseases as well as alien invasive plants Botanic Gardens . Botanic Gardens may have to be managed with mounting Conservation International, Richmond, frequency, there are also opportunities United Kingdom. arising from a changing climate. These bgci.org/resources/2016-bgci-botanic- may provide for more flexibility in garden-manual gardening practices and innovation in plant choices (Webster et al ., 2017). , Griffith, M.P., Calonje, M., Meerow, However, this will require adaptation to A.W., Tut, F., Kramer, A.T., Hird, A., changing environmental conditions, and Magellan, T.M. and Husby, C.E. 2015. remaining mindful of how the species Can a Botanic Garden Cycad planted now might be suited or not in Collection Capture the Genetic the medium and longer term future. Diversity in a Wild Population? International Journal of Plant Conclusion Sciences 176 (1): 1-10. Normania triphylla (Solanaceae) in the conservation collection of the Conservatoire botanique national de Improving the perception and status of , Hewett, E.W. 2015. Is Horticultural Brest, France (Loïc Ruellan). horticulture in conservation and society, Science in Crisis? What is Needed to as well as its relevance in times of fast Assure Its Future? International Species? Sibbaldia: The Journal of global change, is not only a call for Society for Horticultural Science. Botanic Garden Horticulture 11 : 5-13. governments and the public at large. ishs.org/news/horticultural-science- Ultimately, it is the horticulturists at crisis-what-needed-assure-its-future , Rao, V.R. and Hodgkin, T. 2002. botanic gardens themselves whose vital Genetic diversity and conservation work not only must be seen, but who , Kay, J., Strader, A.A., Murphy, V., and utilization of plant genetic need to be better heard: still all too often, Nghiem-Phu, L., Calonje, M. and resources . Plant Cell, Tissue and their wealth of knowledge and practical Griffith, M.P. 2011. Palma Corcho: Organ Culture 68 : 1-19. knowhow acquired by empirical effort and A Case Study in Botanic Garden best practice based on trial and error, Conservation Horticulture and , RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). deserves and requires to be Economics . HortTechnology 21 (4): 2014. Horticulture Matters . The Royal communicated and publicised more 474-481. Horticultural Society, London, assertively. After all, it is they who provide, United Kingdom. cultivate and monitor the plants that make , Maunder, M., Lyte, B., Dransfield, J. rhs.org.uk/Education-Learning/PDF/ a botanic garden now and in the future. and Baker, W. 2001. The conservation Training/1016-RHS-Hort-Careers- value of botanic garden palm Brochure-V8.pdf References collections . Biological Conservation 98 : 259-271. , Smith, P. and Harvey-Brown, Y. 2017. , Aplin, D. 2016. No Plant Collection BGCI Technical Review . bgci.org/files/ without a Strategy or Policy. In: From , Miranto, M., Hyvärinen, M., Hiltunen, IAC/IAC%202017/medres.pdf Idea to Realisation – BGCI’s Manual R. and Schulman, L. 2012. Ex situ on Planning, Developing and conservation of threatened native , Wallace, S. 1992. The Role of Managing Botanic Gardens (Gratzfeld, plants in Finland: analysis of the Horticulture in Plant Conservation . J. (Ed.), 2016). Botanic Gardens current status . Endangered Species bgci.org/congress/congress_rio_1992 Conservation International, Research 17 : 227-236. /wallace.html Richmond, United Kingdom. bgci.org/resources/2016-bgci-botanic , Namoff, S., Husby, C.E., Francisco- , Webster, E., Cameron, R.W.F. and -garden-manual Ortega, J., Noblick, L.R., Lewis, C.E. Culham, A. 2017. Gardening in a and Griffith, M.P. 2010. How well does Changing Climate . Royal Horticultural , BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation a botanical garden collection of a rare Society, United Kingdom. International). 2010. Ex situ palm capture the genetic variation in a conservation – the value of plant wild population? Biological , Wyse Jackson, P.S. 1999. collections . BGjournal 7(1). Botanic Conservation 143 (5): 1110-1117. Experimentation on a large scale - an Gardens Conservation International, analysis of the holdings and resources Richmond, United Kingdom. , Pence, V. 2011. Evaluating costs for of botanic gardens . Botanic Gardens bgci.org/files/Worldwide/Publications/ the in vitro propagation and Conservation News 3(3). PDFs/BGJ7.1.pdf preservation of endangered plants . In bgci.org/resources/article/0080 Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology , Dixon, K. 2007. The Science-Living - Plant 47 (1): 176-187. Joachim Gratzfeld Collections Continuum in Botanic BGCI Director of Regional Programmes Gardens . Sibbaldia: The Journal of , Rae, D. 2013. Botanic Garden 199 Kew Road, TW9 3BW, Botanic Garden Horticulture 5: 5-14. Horticulturists – A Threatened Richmond, Surrey

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 17 ARTICLE

Author: David Rae

CHANGING ATTITUDES TO HORTICULTURE AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH

The Woodsia ilvensis restoration project relied on close cooperation between horticulturists and scientists before plants could be returned to wild habitats (Heather McHaffie)

Understanding the important role horticulture plays with respect to conservation, research, education, training and international capacity building has led to the development of an exemplary and integrated horticulture programme at RBG Edinburgh.

Introduction most activities rely on the garden of that glue and the extent to which and horticulture for their delivery horticultural practice can support the here is one thing that all of the and in this sense: mission of the garden, be that a visitor world’s botanic gardens do and attraction, research institute or both. Tthat is horticulture. Most also offer horticulture can be education at various levels, some The purpose of this article is to describe undertake research and a few are “thought of as the glue that how horticulture has developed at the actively engaged in conservation, but bonds all the gardens’ Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) every botanic garden has a garden. over the last generation and explain Whatever the size or quality of cultivation activities together. current attitudes to collection the garden and the activity of horticulture ” management and how the Garden has are usually at the heart of every botanic It is, however, the quality and promoted the importance of horticulture garden. While gardening is seldom the purposefulness of the horticultural through its outreach, training and stated purpose of botanic gardens, endeavour that dictates the strength education programmes.

18 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 18-23 Brief historic overview largest in Britain at the time (completed two years before Chatsworth’s Great The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Conservatory), was constructed to house (RBGE) started as a Physic Garden with the increasing number of warm temperate the purpose of teaching apothecaries and tropical plants that were now flowing the identification and use of medicinal into the Garden from foreign contacts. plants. Education and training have Other innovative buildings and garden therefore been a core activity since the areas followed in quick succession. The start. It was at the Garden’s third site, ‘Golden Age of Plant Collecting’ was the when John Hope was Regius Keeper, next significant phase with plant species that science and research flourished new to science flooding into Europe. while education continued to be very RBGE became one of the centres for the important. Hope was an able and introduction and description of this scholarly director of the garden, material. Horticulturists were busy finding introducing the Linnaean system of ways to cultivate these new pants while nomenclature to the Garden, botanists were busy describing and experimenting with the medicinal classifying them and, again, the two Sowing and recording wild collected Chilean seeds for properties of rhubarb and carrying out disciplines clearly worked together eventual research, education and display (David Rae) numerous experiments in plant closely to the benefit of both. physiology at a time when the study of During the 1970s attitudes started botany was emerging from under the By the 1960s the horticultural emphasis changing. Edinburgh was one of the first wings of medicine. Significantly, and of of the Garden appeared to be focussed botanic gardens to computerise their special note for this article, he had a very on amenity horticulture with little Living Collections data, science staff close working relationship with his Head emphasis on ‘botanical’ or ‘wild origin’ were increasingly demanding that plants, Gardener, John Williamson, and the two material. That said, it is always important particularly those used to support together accomplished a great deal. for botanic gardens to inspire visitors research, were of known provenance, a When he died in 1786 there was no with beauty and diversity and the garden first Collection Policy was drafted and doubt that RBGE was regarded as a certainly did, and continues, to do that. the two Kew conservation conferences leading botanic garden where botany Numerous cultivars were being grown of 1975 and 1978 (Synge, 1987) hinted and horticulture combined to deliver and much of the student course was that there could be a role for botanic teaching and research. devoted to municipal horticulture. There gardens in plant conservation. The was little coordination with botanical Garden started emerging from the period Outstanding horticultural ingenuity and research with botanists focussing mostly of what might be called ‘amenity skill were clearly in evidence when the on herbarium material and only a few botanical gardening’ where there was Garden moved to its fourth and final site (but with notable exceptions) using the little connectivity between horticultural in 1820. Many of the mature trees from Living Collection or glasshouses to and scientific staff into an era where the the previous garden were successfully support their work. At this time there Living Collection was increasingly being transplanted to the site and in 1834 a was only the weakest of emerging thought of as a resource to be actively magnificent octagonal palm house, the interests in conservation. used and there was increasing collaboration between staff across the whole institution. This, of course, is a bit of a generalisation and there were many exceptions, but it is true to say that this period was pivotal in moving to the Garden’s current position where:

horticulture is relevant and n“eeded for fulfilling the Garden’s mission. ” This partly stemmed internally from the strong personal friendship and collaboration between the Director of Science at the time and the Director of Horticulture and also from the fact that science staff were increasingly inviting horticultural staff to join them on fieldwork expeditions. Externally, there was a International capacity building. Staff from Edinburgh teaching propagation and cultivation techniques to staff growing call for botanic gardens to at the Oman Botanic Garden (Sadie Barber) mobilise their expertise to conserve plants .

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 19 legislation, was vital for guiding the Living Collection into the future. After numerous meetings with horticultural, science and education staff, and after consultation with senior management and eventually with the Board of Trustees, a 69 page comprehensive and very descriptive Policy was eventually published in 2006 (Rae et al , 2006). The process and content are described in detail by Rae, 2006. One of the many new features of the Policy was an understanding that the Collection existed to be used and enjoyed by what we now refer to as user groups and the Horticulture Division existed to grow plants to help these user groups. The first section also listed relevant policies and conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), GSPC and the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), described their relevance to the Collection and then listing how the Horticulture Division would try and fulfil the requirements of these policies and conventions through Collecting cuttings for the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Genetics and Ecology of Sub-Arctic Willow project with the Living Collection. Using ‘Investors in long pruners to reach material growing free from sheep and deer grazing (Natacha Frachon) People’ terminology the Policy was demonstrating that the Living Collection For example, in his paper ‘The changing garden horticulturists and, as the new had internal and external ‘customers’ all role of the botanic garden’ (Heywood, millennium dawned, there was a growing of which had particular requirements and 1987) Vernon Heywood argued that realisation that living collections needed it was the job of the Horticulture Division botanic gardens, including their to be managed more professionally with to fulfil those requirements. horticultural departments, were needed objectives and targets if they were to be now more than ever to help stem the tide ‘fit for purpose’ and of any use to From the Collection Policy flowed a need of plant extinctions and to start engaging conservation. There was no doubt that at to manage the Collection appropriately actively in plant conservation, but they this time the Global Strategy for Plant for a wide diversity of ‘customers’ and needed to coordinate their efforts more Conservation (GSPC) had a profound this required quality standards to ensure effectively. impact on horticulture in botanic gardens the Collection was ‘fit for purpose’ which as the Strategy was clearly written and in turn required monitoring (Rae, 2004). Relevance of botanic garden contained targets and objectives, many of Up until this time the plant records horticulture which relied on botanical horticulture, system had not generally been used to especially Target 8. This proved a catalyst manage the Collection, only to track From the 1980s to the end of the century for botanic garden horticulture with plants and store field data, but it the increasing relevance of BGCI and the gardeners seeing a direct relevance of contained the ability to provide all sorts emergence of other networking groups their work in delivering parts of the GSPC of statistics and analyses. To move the such as PlantNetwork (the Plant (Rae, 2004, Frachon, Jebb & Rae, 2005). Collection towards being more useful it Collections Network of Britain and was decided that three figures or facts Ireland) saw practitioners and scientists Living Collection management were of paramount important: percent working together to discuss how best wild origin, percent verification and botanic gardens could engage with RBGE had a draft Collections Policy from annual number of new accessions. The conservation. At first discussions the late 1980s but it was never published first was important because wild origin focussed on what might be done but and contained little description or plants are more useful for conservation slowly transformed into practical action rationale, comprising mostly lists of and research than plants that are of as those who were willing but didn’t know priority species to be cultivated. In the unknown origin, the second because it is how to act started to understand the early 2000s horticulture management at important for all users to have unique and important role that botanic the Garden decided that a confidence that plants in the collection gardens could play in conservation (see, comprehensive Collections Policy for the are correctly identified and labelled (and for instance, Bramwell, 1981, Thibodeau Living Collection, developed with input this was aided by the ‘Targeted & Falk, 1987; Bramwell, 1991, Heywood from all staff and all garden sectors, and Verification Process’, see Cubey & and Wyse Jackson, 1991; Bramwell and recognising important external factors, Gardner, 2003), and the third to ensure Heywood, 1993). This galvanised botanic such as international policies and that new material was entering the

20 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) Collection at a suitable rate to maintain The two policies, one for collection as Bhutan, China, Turkey, Chile and numbers and diversity. Targets for these management and the other for garden Nepal, working with science and three figures were set and monitored landscape, involved numerous staff but education staff, helping to develop new annually. A five-yearly audit of 50 key were, perhaps, a fundamental step in botanic gardens, deliver training families and genera was also established developing horticulture at Edinburgh and workshops or working hands-on in at this time to monitor change over a integrating it more closely with other practical conservation projects. It also longer time period as was the ‘Gold garden staff and departments. However, became increasingly common for Standard’ of curation termed ‘Data outputs such as international capacity horticulture and science staff to Capture’ (Frachon, Gardner & Rae, 2009) building, the production of Sibbaldia , the collaborate in foreign fieldwork where the which strove for the highest standard of journal of botanic garden horticulture primary purpose was to collect herbarium, curation possible. and training and education were an seed and live plant material to support important part of the process too. research projects. It has been particularly In tandem with raising the standards of pleasing to see the strong bonds develop collection management to better support International capacity building between staff in the two disciplines with research, conservation and education, and fieldwork both practical and personal benefits experience had shown that the flowing from the collaboration. publication of a comprehensive While horticultural staff from the Garden Catalogue of the Living Collection had frequently been involved in garden Sibbaldia approximately every five years was a advice and development in the UK, it was highly worthwhile exercise (Rae, 2008). relatively uncommon for them to be Sibbaldia, the journal of botanic garden The discipline of producing a hard copy involved in overseas capacity building horticulture (named in honour one of book of the Collection, while time projects. However, with the increased RBGE’s founders, Robert Sibbald) was consuming, creates the opportunity to integration with science and education launched in 2003 to provide an stocktake the collection, update any staff taking place from the late 1990s, opportunity to share horticultural nomenclatural changes, describe projects coupled with targets in the GSPC calling knowledge within the botanic garden and changes to the Collection since the for such projects, and opportunities for community and also to encourage publication of the last catalogue and financial support offered by the Darwin botanic garden horticulturists to commit publicises collection statistics. Initiative, assignments of this type their knowledge to paper. Many botanic Furthermore, the hard copy provided a became increasing common, and garden horticulturists have valuable and ‘snapshot’ of the Collection at a particular increasingly asked for. Furthermore, it is detailed knowledge about particular time and, taken with the previously probably fair to say that the increased species and their cultivation requirements published Catalogues, provides an scientific and methodical approach being but are often loathe to commit this invaluable history of the Collection. given to the management of the Living knowledge to paper or believe that it is Collection created a feeling of confidence not particularly special or worth sharing. Landscape policy and professional pride that gave However, the information is often very horticultural staff the desire to take part in worth sharing, particularly the cultivation While science, conservation and overseas projects. Horticultural staff requirements of threatened species education are, arguably, the most therefore found themselves in places such that are demanding to cultivate. important users of the Collection, so too are the visiting public and for them a botanic garden needs to be attractive, well maintained and informative. While most botanic gardens will have been professionally designed at some stage, most continue to grow and evolve in an unplanned and organic way meaning that, over time the coherence of the landscape can be lost. At Edinburgh, experience showed that the production of Landscape Assessment and Development Plans (which are less formal and prescriptive than fully developed Master Plans) for each of the four gardens that make up RBGE, were helpful in describing the history and development of each garden, assessing aspects such as views in and out, pedestrian and vehicular routes, integration between garden areas or features, and in highlighting problem areas where the landscape didn’t ‘work’ well (Daniel & McDermott, 2006, 2008, Staff monitoring the fern Woodsia ilvensis a year after restoration back into the wild following ex situ 2008 and 2010). propagation and cultivation in Edinburgh’s nursery facilities (Heather McHaffie)

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 21 training course for plantation crops to powerpoint presentations were equip graduates to manage tea, coffee developed that staff could use if they and fruit estates in the British Empire. attended a short familiarisation course. The course was modernised in the 1960s Furthermore, the course could be and became the Diploma in Horticulture adapted to local situations and offered on Edinburgh (DHE). While much of the a daily or weekly basis. Using minimal content was based on municipal text and lots of visual material, the course horticulture there was a strong practical was also relatively easy to translate into botanic garden element and the ablest other languages and it has now been students found employment in botanic offered in more than seven countries and gardens around the world. The changing in five languages. It is endorsed by BGCI requirements of education in the late and offered in partner organisations such 1990s, such as validation and scrutiny by as the Eden Project and has proved government education departments incredibly valuable in capacity building forced a change to a fully accredited projects as well as an entry level course Diploma course that was run in in horticulture. The CPH has undoubtedly conjunction with the Scottish Rural enhanced RBGE’s horticultural reputation University College (SRUC). While this both at home and abroad. reduced the practical content, the accreditation was welcomed by In addition to horticulture courses RBGE employers who could more easily has been offering an MSc in the understand the level of the course. Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants, run Research, in this case on the evolutionary Bespoke modules were created in in conjunction with the University of development of Begonia , relies on both a subjects such as botanic garden Edinburgh, for many years. This course, comprehensive collection of the genus and also on management and conservation and the which is especially popular with detailed and accurate plant records (David Rae) course’s growing success lead to the overseas students, equips graduates for introduction of a four year BSc level a career in botanic gardens, universities, The growing realisation that horticulture course which articulated seamlessly with government conservation and had a worthwhile part to play in the two year Diploma and was made environment departments and conservation only made this need to administratively easy through the existing conservation NGO’s. The Garden also communicate more important. The editor accreditation system. Horticulture offers an incredible diversity of schools was determined, however, that the students from RBGE, whether graduating and further education classes ranging journal would be a ‘quality product’, after two or four years, now enter the from single days to courses lasting similar to RBGE’s scientific publication labour market with a range of skills and several weeks and aimed at students of the Edinburgh Journal of Botany (EJB) knowledge encompassing horticulture, all ages and abilities and ranging from and papers are now procured, edited, botany, conservation, plantsmanship and well-being and recreational courses peer reviewed and designed to the same an understanding of policies such as the through to herbology, botanical art, high standard as the EJB, ensuring that CDB, CITES and the GSPC and how photography and garden history. All horticultural output is of the same botanic gardens, and particularly botanic these courses rely on horticulture to standard as science output. The journal garden horticulturists, can contribute to some extent for plant specimens, also features a guest essay from a their delivery and success. teaching materials and garden space prominent botanic garden personality and in this way horticulture underpins and papers on conservation, cultivation, These courses are taught and accredited education and training at the Garden. policies relevant to botanic gardens, within the British education system and, seed banking and restoration. It is freely while they appeal to many overseas available on-line and hard copies are students, their duration and entry available to purchase requirements are not really flexible (http://journals.rbge.org.uk). enough to offer them as part of international training and capacity Education and training building projects. Staff therefore found themselves spending many days creating Education and training have been at the one-off courses in, for instance, heart of the Garden since the first propagation and cultivation, with the apothecaries were trained in the 1670s. result that there was wasted time and Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries duplication of effort. However, the Head medical students subscribed to lectures of Education at the time, created an in botany and the medicinal properties of excellent, short, practical and easily plants and in 1892 the ‘Course of understood course, tailored to botanic Instruction for Practical Gardeners and garden horticulture and called the Foresters at the Royal Botanic Garden Certificate in Practical Horticulture (CPH) Edinburgh’ was established (Oldham, (Morris & Cohen, 2010). A common set of Teaching propagation techniques at Oman Botanic 1992). This slowly morphed into a notes, images, video clips and Garden (David Rae)

22 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) Conclusion , Daniel, P. & McDermott, S. 2008. Dawyck Botanic Garden; Attitudes and practices in horticulture at Landscape Assessment and RBGE have changed a lot in the last 40 development Plan. Royal Botanic years and this has been brought about Garden Edinburgh. by an understanding that horticulture has an important part to play in , Daniel, P. & McDermott, S. 2008. Logan conservation, research, education, Botanic Garden; Landscape training and international capacity Assessment and development Plan. The Scottish Government-funded Biodiversity, building, and that horticulturists can Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Taxonomy, Genetics and Ecology of Sub-Arctic work effectively in partnership with Willow project, a collaboration between eight others to the benefit of all. This does not , Daniel, P. & McDermott, S. 2010. Scottish research institutes, required horticultural diminish the need for botanic gardens to The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; skills to collect and cultivate the material, in this look beautiful and contain interesting Landscape Assessment and case Salix lanata (Natacha Frachon) plants as it is always important to inspire development Plan . Royal Botanic visitors with the beauty and diversity of Garden Edinburgh. Collection Policy for the Living plants and this still requires the Collection . Royal Botanic Garden maintenance of good horticultural , Frachon, N., Jebb, M. & Rae, D. 2005. Edinburgh. standards of cultivation. These factors, PlantNetwork’s Target 8 project, the in turn, have led to a need for better survey stages. Sibbaldia . 3: 67-82. , Rae, D. 2006. Developing a new collections and landscape management collection policy for the living to support user groups and a need to , Frachon, N., Gardner, M. & Rae, D. collection of plants at the Royal disseminate specialist knowledge 2009. The data capture project at the Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Sibbaldia , through publications, capacity building, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. 4: 9-24. training, presentations and networking Sibbaldia , 7: 77-82. groups. However, just at a time when the , Rae, D. 2008. The value of living value and importance of horticulture in , Heywood, V.H. 1987. The changing role collection catalogues and catalogues botanic gardens is being realised, it is of the botanic garden. In: Bramwell, D, produced from the Royal Botanic also important to note that the number Hamann, O., Heywood, V. & Synge, H. Garden Edinburgh. Sibbaldia , of trained botanic garden horticulturists (eds). Botanic Gardens and the world 6: 115-132. is dwindling due to the decreasing Conservation Strategy , pp 3-18. number of students entering horticultural Academic Press, London. , Rae, D. 2013. Guest essay: Botanic training (Rae, 2013; RHS, 2013), but that garden horticulturists- a threatened is a separate issue. , Heywood, V.H. and Wyse Jackson, P.S. species? Sibbaldia , 11 : 5-14. (eds). 1991. Tropical Botanic Gardens . References Academic Press, London. , Royal Horticultural Society. 2013. Horticulture Matters . RHS, London. , Bramwell, D. 1981. Conservation- , Morris, L. & Cohen, L. 2010. The orientated research in local botanical development of the Royal Botanic , Synge, H. 1987. Introduction in gardens. Bot. Jahrb. Syst ., 102 : 125- Garden Edinburgh ‘Certificate in ‘Botanic gardens and the world 132. Practical Horticulture’. Sibbaldia , conservation strategy . Edited by 8, 165-178. Bramwell, D, Hamann, O., Heywood, , Bramwell, D. 1991. Botanic gardens in V. & Synge, H. Academic press, conservation: re-introduction into the , Oldham, S.A.J. 1994. Scotland, the London, p xxi-xxxv. wild. In: Heywood, V.H. & Wyse home of good gardeners. In: Jackson, P.S. (eds). Tropical Botanic Horticulture 100, Proceedings of a , Thibodeau, F.R. & Falk, D.A. (987. Gardens , pp 209-215. Academic conference on horticulture in education Building a national ex situ Press, London. and conservation , held at the Royal conservation network - the U.S. Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 7-11 Center for Plant Conservation. In: , Bramwell, D. & Heywood, V.H. 1993. September 1994. Royal Botanic garden Bramwell, D, Hamann, O., Heywood, Guidelines for the “ex situ” Edinburgh, 1994. V. & Synge, H. (eds). Botanic Gardens Conservation of Germplasm in Botanic and the world Conservation Strategy , Gardens. BGCI/Cabildo Insular de , Rae, D. 2004. The role of horticulture in pp 285-294. Academic Press, London. Gran Canaria. the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Sibbaldia , 2: 95-100. David Rae, , Cubey, R. & Gardner, M. 2003. Targeted Director of the Stanley Smith (UK) verification. Sibbaldia , 1: 19-24. , Rae, D. 2004. Fit for purpose? The Horticultural Trust and former Director value of checking collection statistics. of Horticulture and Learning , Daniel, P. & McDermott, S. 2006. Sibbaldia , 2: 61-74. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Benmore Botanic Garden; Landscape 20A Inverleith Row Assessment and development Plan. , Rae, D., Baxter, P., Knott, D., Mitchell, Edinburgh EH3 5LR Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. D., Paterson, D. & Unwin, B. 2006. United Kingdom

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 23 ARTICLE

Authors: Jack Hobbs and Emma Bodley

PLAYING TO OUR STRENGTHS: APPLYING HORTICULTURE AND ADVOCACY TO THREATENED PLANT CONSERVATION

Overlooking the water to the Euphorbia glauca beach habitat

For conservation purposes, the primary strengths of Our conservation goals are achieved mainly through ex situ collections of Auckland Botanic Gardens (ABG) are our horticultural threatened NZ native plants. We also hold collections of threatened cultivars, expertise and high visitor numbers (~1 million annually). both exotic and native. These collections also underpin our programmes to Applying these strengths in partnerships with other engage the broader community with the plight of threatened native plant species agencies has underpinned our conservation efforts for and generate widespread support for the past 25 years. their protection. Our plant conservation strategy requires the integration of many disciplines. Our Introduction relevant partnerships’. This primarily expertise in horticulture underpins much involves growing nationally and of what we do, but environmental BG ‘Plant Collections Guidelines’ regionally threatened plants in cultivated education programmes, garden design, states that our primary collections for advocacy, education, marketing and interpretation are Aconservation goal is to “conserve research and for restoration of wild important contributors. To raise their plant species with a particular emphasis populations. It includes establishing profile and promote their use, we use on regionally and nationally threatened seed orchards to provide plants for threatened plants with ornamental NZ native plants through using our return to the wild, and to produce seeds qualities, such as Tecomanthe speciosa resources and horticultural expertise in for long term storage. and Muehlenbeckia astonii extensively in

24 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 24-27 nondescript appearance of many of our threatened plants. Our aim is to transfer the community interest in these special places to the plant species now struggling to survive in them.

Examples include the ‘Saltmarsh’ habitat where we have highlighted Tetragonia tetragonioides , the edible NZ spinach that now rarely grows wild on shell banks and rocky foreshores. The ‘Coastal rocky bluff’ habitat is home to napuka ( Hebe speciosa ), a popular garden subject that is nationally threatened with very few remaining natural populations. Our ‘Offshore island’ features Tecomanthe speciosa which is Threatened Native Plant Garden common in cultivation but almost extinct in the wild on Three Kings Island. amenity situations, We have long In these partnership projects ABG has Euphorbia glauca can be found in the understood that to harness the traditionally undertaken the ex situ ‘Pebble beach’ habitat with other resources necessary to meet the conservation component, but we also common associates. Once it would have challenges faced by threatened plants support some habitat-based threatened been found on beaches all over we must capture the hearts and minds of species recovery projects although this Auckland but disappeared long ago. our community as well as community is primarily the responsibility of DOC. and political leaders. This is challenging Our ex situ work involves both cultivating when many NZ threatened native plants collections and seed banking, and we lack the beauty of similarly threatened propagate threatened plant species for native birds and therefore struggle for in situ restoration projects. equivalent attention and resourcing. ABG is a member of Botanic Gardens Background Australia NZ (BGANZ), an umbrella group for Australasian botanic gardens. Over the past 25 years ABG has applied In April 2017 BGANZ signed a horticultural and propagation skills memorandum of understanding with towards many threatened native plants DOC that will provide a framework for species recovery projects, mainly in future cooperation and enable a more partnership with the Department of strategic approach to threatened plant Conservation (DOC). conservation.

Threatened Native Plant Garden

Our Threatened Native Plant Garden (TNPG) is central to our endeavours to engage visitors with the plight of threatened plants in NZ as it affords visitors an easily accessible opportunity to view threatened plants and understand their stories.

The TNPG contains 17 replica habitats, each of which showcases one Flowers of Clianthus puniceus threatened plant species. Most New Zealanders are familiar with the chosen habitats that include a beach, wetland, The story of each of the threatened plant rocky bluffs and a sand dune. The fact species we showcase is told through that most visitors recognise and have a interpretation that focusses on their strong emotional connection to such plight, their relationships with other environments helps overcome the organisms such as birds and insects and their importance to plant diversity. We Emma Bodley collecting Euphorbia glauca seed also highlight any medicinal properties or from the seed orchard traditional indigenous uses.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 25 To further engage visitor interest, the TNPG contains artworks by leading NZ artists that relate to the stories in this garden. ‘Caught in the act of losing you’ is a striking representation of the threatened rush Sporadanthus ferrugineus that sits within our ‘Coastal wetland’ habitat. ‘Tuna’ (a bronze representation of the threatened long finned eel) is located near the ‘Wetland’ and ‘Stream’ habitats.

Seed banking

In April 2012 NZ botanic gardens signed a seed banking agreement with The Millennium Seed Bank, and they also have a formal arrangement to supply seed to the New Zealand Indigenous Flora Seed Bank (NZIFSB) in Palmerston Edible leaves of Tetragonia tetragonioides can be added to a salad just like spinach North. ABG also has established a long- term seed storage unit as required under minimum of 10,000 seeds per collection Euphorbia glauca the Millennium Seed Bank partnership. so there is significant advantage in using botanic gardens for seed production. In the mid 1990’s a single plant of the In our experience seed production and shore splurge ( E. glauca ) was discovered collecting seed is much easier in Seed sent by ABG to the NZIFSB to date growing on a sheer cliff on Motukorea cultivation than in the wild where plants includes Clianthus puniceus, Epilobium (also known as Browns Island), just a are often difficult to access, particularly hirtigerum, E. glauca and Pomaderris short boat ride from central Auckland. It on a regular basis. Our agreement with hamiltonii . is considered extinct on the Auckland the Millennium Seed Bank requires a mainland, the only other known location Clianthus puniceus being Hauturu, or Little Barrier Island.

The beautiful kakabeak ( C. puniceus ) is The solitary wild E. glauca plant on widely cultivated in many countries, but Motukorea did not produce flowers or only one population remains in the wild. seeds, but fortunately plants cultivated in Since 1995 ABG and DOC have our seed orchard produce copious seed collaborated on the recovery of this last that has been used in many restoration known wild population on Moturemu projects. The seed orchard is located in Island in the Kaipara Harbour, Seed was the main ABG public carpark so it also collected in 1995 and the first connects visitors with the threatened translocation back to the island took shore spurge when they arrive. place in 1997. All relevant information from the original collections of kakabeak Experimentation has resulted in an is held at ABG. effective harvesting practice of picking whole seed heads and placing them To protect the genetic purity of this string mesh bags to capture seeds when nationally critical species, ABG the capsules explode. It has proved established a seed orchard of C. puniceus that continues today. No other forms of Clianthus puniceus are cultivated at ABG, and we also avoid the popular C. maximus .

With only one plant of C. puniceus known in the wild this species has minimal genetic diversity so our seed orchard is suitable for collection. Approximately 17,300 seeds of C. puniceus have been supplied by ABG to the NZIFSB to ensure sufficient viable Interpretative signage for Tecomanthe speciosa seeds are available for germination highlighting the threats to this plant testing during their long storage period. Euphorbia glauca seed orchard in the ABG carpark

26 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) also in a nearby regional park. ABG has undertaken seed dispersal training and supplied mistletoe seed to the University of Auckland for research projects. Mistletoe plants have also been established at ABG, originally on C. propinqua hosts but they have since spread to other Coprosma species and Plagianthus divaricatus . In May 2017 material of I. micranthus was collected from a roadside population at Whakatiwai Regional Park in Auckland to re-establish a new population of mistletoe at ABG.

Experimental propagation of Children playing among the Euphorbia glauca annual fern habitat The Anogramma leptophylla recovery much simpler to collect seed from project is another example of ABG cultivated plants than in the wild as the applying horticultural and propagation capsules distribute seeds widely when skills to cultivate a nationally vulnerable they explode. plant species. We are researching the association this small annual fern has Green mistletoe with a liverwort that grows with it and exploring techniques for spore Green mistletoe ( Ileostylus micranthus ) is containment and capture. In future we Tuna sculpture in TNPG regionally threatened in the Auckland aim to restore this species into wild sites. area. A recovery partnership with DOC Conclusion commenced in 1997 when seed was ABG collected spores in July 2014 from collected at Miranda in east Auckland. plants growing on the bare vertical south ABG continues to play an important role The initial ABG role was producing side of an ancient kumara pit on in plant conservation through utilising Coprosma propinqua plants for Maungarei (Mt Wellington) in Auckland. our horticultural skills and the establishment at Miranda as mistletoe Material was collected and cultivated in a opportunity to advocate for threatened host plants. The first of these were tray of sand with two scoria rocks plants to a large audience. Our success planted in 1998. Over several years ABG collected from the translocation site set to date has resulted from carefully and DOC successfully established a in the sand. We have successfully grown prioritising which projects we become thriving mistletoe population in the plants to produce spores and population involved with, and working original roadside habitat at Miranda, and numbers have multiplied. collaboratively to optimise threatened plant conservation outcomes.

References

, Auckland Botanic Gardens (2017). Managing our plants and gardens: Plant collections guidelines.

, New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (2017). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Search Flora. Retrieved from http://www.nzpcn. org.nz/page.aspx?nzpcn

Jack Hobbs and Emma Bodley, Auckland Botanic Gardens 102 Hill Road Manurewa Auckland 2105 New Zealand

When leaving the visitors centre to the gardens are topiary Muehlenbeckia astonii , a threatened plant, which is utilised in amenity horticulture

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 27 ARTICLE

Authors: Ulyana Spirina and Yuri Naumtsev

BRYOPHYTE HORTICULTURE: MYTH OR REALITY?

Part of the display “Secret Garden” with mosses, ferns and horsetails

Introduction Tver State University Botanical Garden has developed

ne of the most important goals of cultivation techniques for over 50 species included in its botanical gardens is the study bryophyte collection and has a special display dedicated to Oand ex situ conservation of biodiversity. The creation of modern seed and spore banks is undoubtedly these and other spore plants. necessary for such conservation work. However, is there any guarantee that the material that has been stored in such substrates are all changed due to the Another way for rare and endangered banks for several decades will be able to influence of human activity. Where is the species to be conserved is through ex adapt successfully to real environmental guarantee that the material grown from situ methods based on horticulture. This conditions in the future? the spores and seeds from these banks allows plants to adapt gradually to will be able to adapt to these new environmental changes and, importantly, Changes in the environment can be conditions? And how to engage people it allows these plants to be displayed to significant: the atmosphere's in the importance of rare species people in the garden and for stories composition, the temperature regime, conservation, with only seeds in a seed about plant vulnerability to be told. the chemistry of soils and other bank to see? Growing plants ex situ also results in

28 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 28-33 modern botanical garden. Living mosses 1. Preliminary studies of the bryophytes allow children to get acquainted with the species in their natural habitats in real biodiversity of their region, to see order to understand their ecological rare species and learn about them. preferences and biological characteristics; Cultivating bryophytes 2. Definition and choice of habitats Since 1994, the Botanical Garden of allowing plants to be taken for Plagiomnium cuspidatum with sporophytes in the Tver State University has conducted experimentation without endangering display “Secret Garden” experiments on ex situ conservation of the ecosystem or identification of rare and endangered plants of the Tver habitats with rare species which will improved horticultural practices, as region. definitely be lost in the short term; gardeners work with plants of various ecological and taxonomic groups. In total 46 species of 3. Preparation of a place in the garden Creation and maintenance of living plant with artificial substrate most collections is one of the traditional “mosses, 4 species of liverworts appropriate to the ecological activities of botanical gardens, and it and 1 species of hornwort have characteristics for the species; remains no less important today. been cultivated since the living 4. Transfer of a fragment of moss turf to Bryophytes are the second most bryophyte collection was the garden and its establishment on numerous group of land plants, and artificial substrate; many of them are threatened. However, established in the garden 23 people are generally not familiar with years ago. 5. Maintaining and recording the them, because mosses are small and do horticultural techniques used and not have bright eye-catching flowers or ” monitoring the plant condition; fruit. This group is highly specialised, With regard to bryophytes, initially these rather difficult in horticulture but it can were studied extensively in natural 6. Estimating the stability of the species give new opportunities to gardens. ecosystems. The living collection was ex situ and determining the possibility developed on scientific principles and of using it in the displays in the Beyond doubt, gardens bring beauty to aimed to determine the possibility of ex garden. our lives; they have an important situ conservation of rare species of aesthetic value. The monochrome mosses and liverworts of Tver region. In order determine the ex situ stability of aesthetics of mosses presents a special bryophyte species, an 18-point case, providing subtly and specialist Eight bryophytes from the collection are estimation scale was created (Table 1). interest. Moreover, garden designs today listed in the Red Data Book of Tver often seek to mimic natural ecosystems, Region. All species are brought into the and without a moss component, such garden as living plants from natural displays cannot be complete. habitats.

Bryophytes also contribute to the In Tver Botanical Garden, developing education and outreach activities which horticultural techniques for bryophytes are so integral to the activities of the follows a number of steps:

Garden stuff at work: weeding in the display Anomodon viticulosus – rare species of Tver region in the display “Gateway to Staritsa” “Secret Garden”

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 29 Criteria \\\\E\\s\ timation scale

Artificial vegetative 1 Species not well established, in most cases reproduction perishes at this stage; 2 Species well established (50 % of cases and more); 3 Species always well established.

Growth condition 1 General condition in the garden deteriorates; 2 General condition in the garden is stable, does not change; 3 General condition in the garden improves.

Competitive ability 1 Neighbouring plants substantially oppress the moss species; Fragment of artificial bog in the garden with Betula 2 Character of competitive relations is the same as nana, Malaxis monophyllous, Sphagnum species in natural habitats; and ferns: this display imitates an endangered 3 Moss species becomes more dominant than in ecosystem of Tver region natural habitats. Ecological groups Horticultural technique 1 Species demands creation of a specific niche environment and the constant control of conditions; We have identified five ecological 2 Species does not require creation of a specific groups. These groups are: calciphilous niche environment, but the regular control of bryophytes; mosses of the basiphil- conditions is necessary; epiphytic group; species of 3 Species does not require any special horticultural minerotrophic marshes; mosses that techniques or environment. favor habitats with discontinuous vegetation; and ground mosses of Vegetative proliferation 1 Vegetative proliferation is not observed; forests and meadows. Calciphilous 2 Insignificant vegetative proliferation; bryophytes and ground mosses are most 3 Active vegetative proliferation. stable in the garden; bryophytes of minerotrophic marshes are less stable Sporophyte production 1 Sporophytes are not formed in the garden; but can also be grown. 2 Sporophytes form sometimes in the garden; 3 Sporophytes form regularly in the garden. Growing bryophytes in botanical gardens requires Total estimation 1-7 Species is not stable in the garden; “ 8-13 Species in the garden is stable; special attention to the needs of 14-18 Species in the garden is very stable. these plants. ” Table 1: Estimation scale to measure ex situ stability of bryophyte species Horticultural techniques have been developed for all 51 species of the bryophyte species included in our living plants collection (estimation scales for all species are provided in Table 2). Alongside rare and endangered bryophytes, we also grow common species representing vulnerable ecological groups. This approach enables us to single out suitable model species that have the same ecological preferences as the rare ones, and to choose the best horticultural techniques.

Initially, the bryophytes were grown in the nursery. Later they were planted out in the garden displays, imitating the natural vegetation of the Tver region. Finally a special display “Secret Garden” dedicated to bryophytes and other spore Encalypta spreptocarpa – rare calcephyllous moss of Tver region in the garden nursery plants was created.

30 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) In the garden we witness changes in noted in Anomodon viticulosus and bryophyte vitality. Even in nature mosses Abietinella abietina. The material have low competitive capacity in obtained from such proliferation has comparison with vascular plants. been used for new displays. Therefore special attention has to be paid to the relationships between Finally, we observe the possibility of mosses and vascular plants. Our sporophyte production. In the garden all experiments have shown that ideal acrocarpous mosses constantly produce accompanying plants for bryophytes are sporophytes, as in the wild. terrestrial orchids, ferns and club- Pleurocarpous mosses produce mosses. It is noticeable that sporophytes irregularly, but we have graminaceous plants and Marchantia are observed sporophytes in Helodium very competitive with bryophytes and blandowii and Anomodon species which displace them in nearly all cases. In the never produce them in natural habitats in garden Cratoneuron filicinum becomes Tver region. rather vigorous and suppresses others Garden visitors interested in mosses in the display species from minerotrophic marshes. Displaying bryophytes “Secret Garden” In relation to horticultural techniques, In 1998 we started the development of Horticultural methods the focus needs to be on careful, regular the living plant displays and exhibitions weeding and removal of leaf litter. In the devoted to the unique natural vegetation Horticultural methods developed for displays, we have not encountered of the Tver region. vascular plants are not generally pests and diseases, but there is a need appropriate for bryophytes. The specific to protect mosses from birds and The display “Gateway to Staritsa” features of moss biology and life cycle mammals that mechanically disturb the demonstrates the most interesting need to be taken into account, as well as integrity of the turfs. The species of fragments of the Volga Valley with its the fact that bryophytes have no roots. minerotrophic marshes are the most large outcrops and rich and When collecting mosses, the plant difficult in horticultural terms, because heterogeneous flora. The display material must be taken from natural this group of bryophytes requires a very contains 25 species of vascular plant habitats in large fragments with a layer of specific substrate and watering regime. and 10 species of bryophytes. Over the substrate. If not, the appropriate The main concern is an increase of time, the display has evolved from substrate has to be created artificially but eutrophication of the substrate, which imitation into natural landscape. Our closely corresponding to that found in these species do not tolerate. goal is achieved when visitors refuse to nature. believe that this is a man-made display, The species studied in the garden which has been systematically In our estimation scale (Table 1), we first exhibit different levels of vegetative maintained for more than 15 years, and it take into account the possibility of proliferation. Intensive proliferation is is not a natural fragment of the territory. artificial vegetative reproduction by tuft fragmentation. The success of this process essentially affects further horticultural results because all material comes into our collection as living plants.

Our experiments have shown that some bryophytes of the basiphil-epiphytic group can be planted on limestone substrate instead of tree trunks. For example, Anomodon species grow well on limestone powder. We are continuing the experiment and testing other basiphil- epiphytic species on carbonate substrates.

Another issue is that accompanying vascular plants become more vigorous and start to suppress the growth of bryophytes when planted into the rich garden soil. For this reason the substrate on which the mosses grow must be isolated from the soil with a layer of sand or non-woven fabric. This technique has proved its efficiency and also reduces weeds. Lesson on bryology for schoolchildren in the garden

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 31 Total Species Total estimation score The display “Flora of Minerotrophic Marshes” demonstrates the rare MOSSES (BRYOPHYTA) hydrophytes from the different districts of the region. Not all of them were Species in the Brachythecium salebrosum (Hoffm. ex F. Weber & D. 16 successfully grown. This means that garden are very Mohr) Schimp. further work with these groups is stable (Score Pogonatum dentatum (Menzies ex Brid.) Brid. 16 needed, rather than indicating the failure 14-18) Polytrichum strictum Menzies ex Brid. 16 of ex situ conservation. Anomodon viticulosus (Hedw.) Hook. & Taylor 15 Bryum argenteum Hedw. 15 The “Secret Garden” Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. 15 Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T.J. Kop. 15 In 2000 we created a special display Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp. 14 named "Secret Garden" in which we Anomodon longifolius (Schleich. ex Brid.) Hartm. 14 collected both rare and common Brachythecium rotaeanum De Not. 14 bryophytes, ferns, horsetails and club- Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. 14 mosses to introduce spore plants to Polytricum juniperinum Hedw. 14 visitors. The meaning of the display Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Schimp. 14 name is that in the world of plants, as well as in the human world, not all is Species in the Abietinella abietina (Hedw.) M. Fleisch. 13 spectacular, and there are things that garden are stable Calliergon giganteum (Schimp.) Kindb. 13 only become apparent on close (Score 8-13) Climacium dendroides (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr 13 inspection. Encalypta streptocarpa Hedw. 13 Eurhynchium hians (Hedw.) Sande Lac. 13 Special classes and excursions in the Leskea polycarpa Hedw. 13 garden allow children and adults to learn Orthotrichum pumilum Sw. 13 about the structure, life cycle and Orthotrichum speciosum Nees 13 ecology of mosses. In modern times, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst. 13 people have lost the integrity of Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske 13 perception and attention to detail. Our Seligeria campylopoda Kindb. 13 "Secret Garden" is trying to return this. Barbula unguiculata Hedw. 12 Brachythecium oedipodium (Mitt.) A. Jaeg. 12 It is a great pleasure to see people Brachythecium populeum (Hedw.) Schimp. 12 changing their customary patterns of Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. 12 observing living organisms: people Bryum caespiticium Hedw. 12 viewing plants not from the level of the Homalia trichomanoides (Hedw.) Schimp. 12 human height, but crouching and Thuidium philibertii Limpr. 12 sitting down to see better. This display Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. 11 gives people the opportunity to explore Brachythecium mildeanum (Schimp.) Schimp. 11 the mysteries of spore plants and is Brachythecium rivulare Schimp. 11 a part of a multipurpose project Calliergonella cuspida (Hedw.) Loeske 11 dedicated to studying and conserving Campylium chrysophyllum (Brid.) J. Lange 11 bryophytes entitled “Kneel down Didymodon fallax (Hedw.) R.H. Zander 11 before the plant!”

Spore plants have considerable Table 2: Estimation of the horticultural stability of bryophytes in the Botanical Garden of Tver State University aesthetic potential, and this is noticeably different from the beauty of flowering plants. It is difficult to compare the subtle details of monochrome mosses with the splendor of colorful flower beds, but the development of aesthetic taste is of particular importance in the modern world, and it is one of the aims of botanical gardens.

One of the important trends in landscape architecture is "aesthetics with meaning", which is opposed to trivial embellishments. Any display in the garden should bear a semantic meaning, and we invite visitors to reflect on what they see. Climacium dendroides in the display “Secret Garden”

32 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) Total Species Total estimation score

Didymodon rigidulus Hedw. 11 Bryophytes and vascular spore plants in Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. 11 the garden in this case could be a model Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp. 11 object, especially because of the Orthotrichum obtusifolium Brid. 11 specific structure and functioning of Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T.J. Kop. 11 these plants that requires one not only Racomitrium canescens (Hedw.) Brid. 11 to see, but to analyze and reflect. Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst. 11 Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow 11 Conclusions Sphagnum squarrosum Crome 11 Barbula convoluta Hedw. 10 The conservation and cultivation of Campyliadelphus stellatus (Hedw.) Kanda 10 bryophytes allows the botanical garden Cirriphyllum piliferum (Hedw.) Grout 10 to carry out the following activities at a Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. 10 new higher level: Leptodictyum humile (P. Beauv.) Ochyra 10 Leskeella nervosa (Brid.) Loeske 10 1. To implement programs of ex situ Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce 8 conservation for rare species from the Ditrichum flexicaule (Schwaegr.) Hampe 8 regional flora; Tomentypnum nitens (Hedw.) Loeske 8 2. To conduct scientific research on Species in the Bryum schleicheri Schwaegr. 7 biology, ecology and taxonomy; garden are not Helodium blandowii (F. Weber & D. Mohr) Warnst. 7 stable (Score 1-7) Meesia triquetra (L. ex Jolycl.) Aongstr. 7 3. To conduct school and university Paludella squarrosa (Hedw.) Brid . 7 training in biological, environmental Philonotis fontana (Hedw.) Brid. 7 sciences and in landscape design Pseudocalliergon trifarium (F. Weber & D. Mohr) Loeske 7 using live material of all taxonomic Scorpidium cossonii (Schimp.) Hedenaes 7 and ecological groups of biodiversity Scorpidium scorpioides (Hedw.) Limpr. 7 of the region;

LIVERWORTS (MARCHANTIOPHYTA) 4. To acquaint garden visitors with the biologically and aesthetically unique Species in the Preissia quadrata (Scop.) Nees 12 originality of the region's flora, to garden are stable Plagiochila porelloides (Torr. ex Nees) Shust. 9 demonstrate fully-fledged displays and to influence aesthetic taste; Species in the Barbilophozia hatcheri (A. Evans) Loeske 7 garden are not Mesoptychia badensis (Gottsche) L. Söderstr. & Vá a 7 5. To use investment funds for the stable ň implementation of multipurpose projects. HORNWORTS (ANTHOCEROTOPHYTA) We would like to emphasize that, Species in the Anthoceros agrestis Paton 7 through having a living bryophyte garden are not collection in Tver Botanical Garden, stable we are able to combine scientific experiments on ex situ conservation and in situ studies of bryophytes with educational and outreach work. The mission of our garden is to open the world of plants for visitors and to promote harmonious relations between man and nature and this could not be carried out completely without our work on bryophytes.

Ulyana Spirina and Yuri Naumtsev Botanical Garden of Tver State University Zhelyabova Street 33, Tver, 170000 Russian Federation

Plagiomnium undulatum in the display “Secret Garden”

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 33 ARTICLE

HORTICULTURE AND THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED SPECIES

he conservation of threatened CASE STUDY 1: SUCCULENT PLANT COLLECTIONS plants in ex situ collections is IN BOTANIC GARDENS SUPPORTING EX SITU Ta key feature of the work of botanic gardens the world over. CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH Such conservation work is increasingly important as the threats Authors: Olwen M. Grace and Lucas C. Majure to species survival in situ increase, and is only possible thanks to the ollections of succulent plants are a Beyond the horticultural display, curated specialist skills of conservation Cregular feature of the horticultural living collections in botanical gardens horticulturists. displays in botanic gardens. Water- are vital for the ex situ conservation of storing tissues in the plant body – the succulent plants. Succulent plants are, The following three case studies defining feature of succulence – sustain typically, narrowly distributed with high provide examples of how metabolism under drought conditions, rates of endemism and specialised horticultural skills are being used: and are common to a variety of plants habitat requirements, making them (i) to ensure the survival of succulent that are taxonomically distributed challenging horticultural subjects. plants in botanic gardens around throughout the angiosperm tree of life, Closely curated collections such as the word; (ii) to address threats to the and occur throughout the world. The those of the Royal Botanic Gardens, native flora in Chile; and (iii) to allow most diverse of these groups include the Kew (e.g. 650 accessions of Aloe , the restoration of critically cacti (Cactaceae: 139 genera/ 1,860 approximately 70% from wild endangered ferns in Hawaii. species), ice plants (Aizoaceae: 125 populations, representing about 60% of genera/ 2,000 species) and succulent all taxa) and the Desert Botanic Garden Countless similar examples exist euphorbs (Euphorbioideae: 39 genera/ (more than 13,000 accessions of throughout the botanic garden 2,800 species). In the botanical garden, Cactaceae, mostly from wild community – but they frequently succulent plants provide a striking populations, including the largest go un-recorded and the specialist feature, but even a modest display of collection of subfamily Opuntioideae horticultural skills involved are not one or two succulent plants can 96%) are valuable for conservation and recognised. effectively illustrate the diversity of the research (Hultine et al ., 2016), because plant kingdom and the adaptations of the horticultural expertise ensures they A recommendation from BGCI’s plants to desert environments. are well curated and accessible. recent Technical Report is:

Botanic gardens should v“alue and measure their horticultural specialisms at the institutional level. ….The unique plants and plant assemblages that a garden grows define that botanic garden. ”

Aloe polyphylla , the national flower of Lesotho, on display at RBG, Kew. The species is endangered in the wild but increasingly common in cultivation (O.M. Grace)

34 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 34-39 Succulent plant collections at the Desert Botanic Gardens, where the majority of accessions are from natural populations (L.C. Majure)

Conservation assessments (e.g. IUCN polyphylla , a species endemic to Red List) indicate grave threats to global Lesotho, was once very valuable to succulent plant diversity, while trade collectors due to its rarity, but it is now regulations such as CITES that apply to commonly available, due to the all species in some succulent plant development of micropropagation groups, highlight the taxonomic methods. Movement of the species is complexities of species-level restricted by CITES Appendix 1, in identification. The first comprehensive recognition of the demand for material assessment of the ex situ conservation and threats to natural populations. The of succulent plants (Oldfield, 1997) genetic diversity of Aloe polyphylla in ex revealed that only a few well- situ collections is currently unknown. documented collections in botanical gardens could be quantified, while a Succulent plants are increasingly subsequent analysis of BGCI records for popular for water-wise gardening and Cactaceae showed that the most landscaping in arid environments, and endangered species were absent from have been recognised for their potential botanical garden collections (Oldfield as future sources of green energy. As Controlled pollination of Aloe polyphylla at RBG, and Hunt, 2010). This implies a worrying these plants assume greater value for Kew (O.M. Grace) vacuum in which very rare taxa are not managing the effects of environmental adequately conserved ex situ . The status change, well-curated collections in , Oldfield, S. 1997. Status survey and of succulent plant collections and an botanic gardens will become conservation action plan: Cactus and assessment of genetic diversity of those increasingly important to conserve the succulent plants . IUCN, Gland, collections is now a priority, to guide diversity of these exceptional drought- Switzerland & Cambridge, United botanical garden acquisition targets and prone plants. Kingdom. plant collecting programmes that will compliment in situ conservation References , Oldfield, S. & Hunt, D.R. 2010. The measures. conservation of cacti and succulents , Grace, O.M. 2011. Current in botanic gardens . BGjournal 7:1. The value of living collections in perspectives on the economic botany botanical gardens depends upon of the genus Aloe L. Olwen M. Grace horticultural expertise to maintain (Xanthorrhoeaceae) . South African Comparative Plant & Fungal Biology, healthy, well-curated collections. Journal of Botany 77 (4), 980-987. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, Paradoxically, ornamental horticulture is United Kingdom also the driver of an unsustainable , Hultine, K.R., Majure, L.C., Nixon, Email: [email protected] demand for succulent plants and seldom V.S., Arias, S., Búrquez, A., Goettsch, results in equitable benefit being shared B., Puente-Martinez, R., Zavala- Lucas C. Majure with the people who have sovereign Hurtado, J.A. 2016. The role of Dept. of Research, Conservation and ownership of the plants in the wild botanic gardens in the conservation of Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, (Grace, 2011). For example, Aloe Cactaceae . BioScience biw 128. Phoenix, Arizona, United States

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 35 CASE STUDY 2: PROJECT CHAGUAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CHALLENGES AND RESULTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE COLLECTIONS OF THE CHILEAN MEDITERRANEAN ECOREGION

Puya venusta collection at Chagual Botanic Garden, Santiago de Chile (M. Victoria Legassa)

Authors: M. Victoria Legassa, The most vulnerable ecosystems are macrocarpa, and N. obliqua-N. Daniela Escobar and Ángel Cabello those regions such as Coquimbo, El glauca-N. alessandrii ; the subandean Maule and the Metropolitan area, with Kageneckia angustifolia and less than 1% of its territory under Austrocedrus chilensis ; the thorny protection (Sierralta et al ., 2011). Until the Acacia caven and Prosopis chilenis ; and end of the last century, such low shrubs from Ecuatorial slopes. representation was also reflected in the limited information published on For each of the collections, different and phenology, types of seed dormancy and specific places for collecting seeds were cultivation requirements for most of these identified and guidelines and criteria species. Additionally, as can be seen from were established for obtaining, handling the forest plantations, parks, private and maintaining seeds and plants. gardens and public spaces of our cities, nurseries for forest and ornamental plants The search for propagation methods for have not shown any interest in cultivating, native species is of vital importance for introducing or making known native and their conservation, particularly seed endemic plants from these ecoregions.

Within this context, and in accordance with its mission to promote the development of a culture valuing the Lardizabala biternata , Lardizabalaceae (Daniela natural heritage of the Mediterranean Escobar). climate area through ex situ conservation of its flora, Chagual Botanic Garden has he ecosystems of the Mediterranean undertaken several initiatives to establish Tecoregion in Chile (33-38°) host a practices and procedures for the genetic large percentage of flora growing in conservation of target species, situations of high vulnerability. In these integrating conservation and display ecosystems there are a total of 3,160 collections. Among these collections are taxa, of which 52% are endemic to the vulnerable endemic species and species country and 30% are exclusively in conservation categories, including endemic to the region (Arroyo et al ., Bromeliads; communities of sclerophyll 2003), making this a biodiversity hotspot forests - Beilschmiedia miersii- of global importance. In spite of this, Cryptocarya alba, Cryptocarya these plants have limited representation alba-Peumus boldus, Lithraea caustica- in the national protected areas system Quillaja saponaria-Jubaea chilensis ; Myrcianthes coquimbensis , Myrtaceae (M. Victoria (SNASPE). deciduous trees Nothofagus Legassa).

36 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) propagation which allows the genetic Where the collection of seeds is variability of the specimens obtained to challenging, be it due to massive attacks be preserved. Taking particular care of by insects, high degree of non-viable this genetic variability, seed collection seeds, or the small number of mother has been carried out following the plants, vegetative propagation has been recommendations included in INIA’s and tried - by bulbs ( Rhodophiala tiltilensis ), Kew’s manual for seed from native by cuttings ( Avellanita bustillosi, species (Gold et al ., 2004). Data on the Myrceugenia rufa ), or through in vitro specimens and collection sites are culture ( Alstroemeria garaventae, A. registered on cards which include: spathulata, Avellanita bustillosi ). collection place and date, scientific name, common name, botanic family, 97 species (85 endemic and 12 native) latitude, longitude, altitude, the are maintained in the nursery, of which surrounding habitat and vegetation, and 29 are classified in some category of the collector’s identity. conservation; these last plants in turn come from samples taken from 39 Over more than a decade, Chagual different sites, such as: Austrocedrus Botanic Garden has been working with all chilensis (2), Beilschmiedia berteroana types of plants from the Mediterranean (2), B. miersii (4), Calydorea xyphioides zone of Chile - some 292 species, of (1), Jubaea chilensis (4), Menodora which 242 are endemic and 50 are native. linoides (1), Monttea chilensis (1), Myrceugenia rufa (2), Myrcianthes The seed laboratory which has been set coquimbensis (2), Nothofagus glauca (1), up has allowed us to obtain information Pouteria splendens (1), Porliera chilensis Calydorea xyphioides , Iridaceae (M. Victoria on physical parameters such as purity, (1), Prosopis chilensis (4), Puya Legassa). number of seeds per kilogram and their boliviensis (1), Puya venusta (2) and viability. Germination pre-treatments Tarasa umbellata (1). already established in the garden at have been applied to increase the speed places shown in the Master Plan. and germination capacity of seeds, On the other hand, plantations have Results obtained from the species through which a significant number of been created from collections of the studied under Project BG Chagual have specimens were obtained. sclerophyll communities Lithraea resulted in 19 publications in scientific caustica-Quillaja saponaria , which outreach journals or book chapters. Out of the 82 species from the include Jubaea chilensis from two Mediterranean ecoregion presently clusters of palms, Cocalán y Ocoa and References classified as under some threat, the Beilschmiedia miersii-Cryptocarya alba following 19 have been studied at BG among which specimens of B. miersi , Arroyo M.T.K., D. Rougier, F. Pérez, P. Chagual’s laboratory and publications stand out, coming from three different Pliscoff & K. Bull. 2003. La flora de have been produced: Alstroemeria places of origin. Chile central y su protección: garaventae, A. spathulata, Austrocedrus antecedentes y prioridades para el chilensis, Austrocactus spiniflorus, Information gathered at collection sites establecimiento del Jardín Botánico Avellanita bustillosi, Beilschmiedia and through laboratory analysis, as well Chagual . Revista del Jardín Botánico berteroana, B. miersii, Jubaea chilensis, as that obtained from observations on Chagual 1: 31-40. Kageneckia angustifolia, Menodora sowing, germination, cultivation and linoides, Myrceugenia rufa, Nothofagus horticultural practices, are integrated , Gold. K., P. León-Lobos & M. Way. alessandrii, N. glauca, N. macrocarpa, with each registered accession. In 2004. Manual de recolección de Phyrrocactus curvispinus, Porlieria addition, an inventory is being kept to semillas de plantas silvestres para chilensis, Puya venusta, Rhodophiala allow the follow-up of these collections conservación a largo plazo y tiltilensis and Tarasa umbellata . at the nursery as well as those plants restauración ecológica. Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Centro Regional de Investigación Intihuasi, La Serena, Chile. Boletín INIA N° 110, 62 p.

, Sierralta L., R. Serrano, J. Rovira & C. Cortés (eds.). 2011. Las áreas protegidas de Chile . Ministerio del Medio Ambiente. 35 p.

M. Victoria Legassa, Daniela Escobar and Ángel Cabello Jardín Botánico Chagual Menodora linoides , Oleaceae (left) and Peumus boldus , Monimiaceae (right) (Natalia Smith). Santiago de Chile

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 37 CASE STUDY 3: RESTORING CRITICALLY ENDANGERED FERN SPECIES

Author: Ruth Aguraiuja

Introduction

s a result of long-term research at ATallinn Botanic Garden (TBG), Estonia (R. Aguraiuja, since 1999), ex situ propagated plants of three globally critically endangered endemic fern species Asplenium dielpallidum N. Snow, Asplenium dielmannii Viane and Asplenium diellaciniatum Viane have been propogated and returned to their country of origin – Kauai island in Hawaii in 2015. All three federally listed species (Endangered Species Act) are extremely endangered (less than 50 extant mature individuals) due to their very small Gametophyte cultures being soaked in distilled water for few minutes before replanting into new trays populations and very local distribution. Their natural habitats are heavily Propagation at Tallinn Botanic Average germination rates varied from disturbed and natural recruitment is very Garden 30 to 35 days. The growth and slow in these conditions, the extinction development of the gametophytes was rate of individuals of A. dielpallidum Germination tests at Tallinn Botanic much slower. Full maturity of being about three times higher than Garden (TBG) were initated in 2011. There gametophytes was reached 3.5 to 4 establishment of new individuals was no preliminary evidence about any months after the sowing. As the (Aguraiuja, unpublished data). other type of sporophyte production than gametophyte growth extended over the sexual for this group of ferns (Wagner months and years, the trays became 1952). Single individual gametophyte densely filled and the gametophytes cultures never showed any sporophyte were replanted repeatedly. Thus an ex formation, which indicated that these situ collection of gametophyte cultures species were obligatory out-crossers. was established at TBG.

Spores were collected from all currently Replanting of gametophtes was a known populations of the study species. delicate task conducted with the help of The number of reproductive individuals stereomicroscopes using dissecting was smallest for A. dielpallidum , therefore needles and tweezers. The gametophytes the spores from different individuals from were soaked in distilled water for a few different locations were mixed for minutes before replanting into new trays. cultures. For A.dielmannii only a single Fern gametophytes produce motile population is currently known, the spores sperm and for sexual reproduction they of its different individuals were combined are totally dependent on the availability of per sowings. More numerous but free water. Soaking them, in addition to morphologically variable A. diellaciniatum the misting of the trays helped to speed was handled as consisting of three local up the formation of sporelings. (sub-) populations, and these were kept separate during germination tests. Tests demonstrated that older gametophytes remained capable of The spores were sown on moist neutral vegetative and regenerative growth. soil substrate in covered phytatrays Gametophyte cultures could therefore (SIGMA CellCulture P 1662). The serve well for preserving the gene pool cultures were grown under fluorescent for ex situ research and propagation for light (OSRAM L 30W/77) on a 16-h light, restoration, particularly for species which 8-h dark cycle at 22-24 C. The have short and non-branching rhizomes germination and gametophyte growth with a single apical meristem. were examined weekly by dissecting microscope (Leica S4E). The full cycle from the spore to mature spore-producing individuals took 4-5 Left above: Ferns re-potted at NTBG years in cultivation. Left: Un-packing ferns after successful arrival at NTBG

38 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) Gametophyte culture of Asplenium dielpallidum at TBG

Translocation from TBG in Altogether 13 thermoboxes with 1,790 Estonia to NTBG in Hawaii, specimens reached Kauai ( Asplenium United States of America dielpallidum – 848 specimens, Asplenium dielmannii – 465 specimens, Asplenium The route of the ferns propagated in diellaciniatum – 477 specimens) together Estonia was as follows: Tallinn Botanic with 90 units of gametophyte cultures. Leena Horma weeding out contaminating mosses Garden Estonia , National Tropical from gametophyte cultures. Botanical Garden (NTBG), Kauai , The ferns were replanted into pots at Kauai Mesic Elevation Nursery in Kokee NTBG and later relocated to Kauai Mesic Asplenium dielmannii – 114 individuals in , natural habitat within their natural Elevation Nursery in Kokee for further one location, in Na Pali Kona Reserve, distribution area. acclimatization to the local climate. 96.5 % alive after the first year in the habitat. As there was no guarantee that the ferns Planting out and first-year would survive long travel flights across survival rates Asplenium diellaciniatum – 19 individuals the world, it was decided to send out the in one location, in Na Pali Kona Reserve, plants in all different life stages – Planting in the natural habitat began in all alive after the first year in new location. gametophytes, young sporophytes and 2016 and continued in 2017. Altogether mature individuals. Full documentation 276 individuals have so far been planted Partners of the plant material was conducted, in natural habitats in four locations within including collecting DNA and spore fenced exclosures: The return of the ferns to Kauai was samples and mounting voucher made possible thanks to international specimens for TBG and NTBG. Asplenium dielpallidum – 143 individuals cooperation and the joint efforts of in two locations in Kuia Natural Area several institutions - Tallinn Botanic All living plant material had a Reserve, survival 91.6% after the first Garden, National Tropical Botanical phytosanitary check upon departure year in the habitat. Garden (NTBG), Plant Extinction from Estonia and also on entering the Prevention Program (PEPP), University of country of origin. As the ferns were Hawaii Department of Botany, Division of grown on soil substrate, the soil had to Forestry and Wildlife Department of of be replaced with certified subtstrate. The Land and Natural Resources (DOFAW- soil was removed by washing the roots DLNR) State of Hawaii, United States in a flow of purified water. Cleaned roots Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). were covered with a mix of hydrogel and vermiculate, wrapped in thin shade References cloth. For protecting the rhizome and fronds from occassional damage during , Wagner, W.H.Jr., 1952. The Fern transport, the plants were placed in Tetra Genus Diellia . Its Structure, Affinities Pak cartons and packed tightly into and Taxonomy. University o California sealed thermoboxes. Press.

The first three thermoboxes with plants Ruth Aguraiuja, were carried as checked luggage with Senior Researcher, Tallinn Botanic Hawaii State Botanist Dr. Margaret Garden, Sprock-Koehler, because this was the Kloostrimetsa Rd. 52, quickest way to get them back to Kauai. Tallinn 11913, Estonia. The condition of the plants was unexpectedly good upon arrival. The Research Associate, National Tropical rest of the ferns travelled to Kauai as Botanical Garden, airfright deliveries by Fedex. Dr. Margaret Sprock-Koehler (Statewide Botanist of 3530 Papalina Rd., Kalaheo, Hawaii) with the first fern delivery HI 96741, U.S. A.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 39 ARTICLE

Authors: Christopher Willis, Andrew Hankey, Thompson Mutshinyalo, Werner Voigt, Berenice Carolus, Phakamani Xaba, Monique McQuillan, Elias Moeng, Rene du Toit and Kaashiefa Bassier

CAREER LADDER FOR HORTICULTURISTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) “HORT LADDER”

curation of living plant collections to support or drive research, education and conservation, generating knowledge and disseminating it in various ways, including public talks, and publishing in popular and/or peer-reviewed journals. To be eligible for consideration under the ‘Hort Ladder’ a horticulturist must perform a minimum of 60% of their duties in horticultural pursuits.

A horticultural pursuit concerns itself with plants or landscape management associated with botanic garden management and development, including such activities as:

• living collections curation; • ex situ and in situ conservation; • taxonomy; • developing/utilising techniques and protocols to grow a diverse range of plant species; • education and communication on the importance of conserving plants and Anthony Hitchcock inspecting Erica verticillata restored to Rondevlei (Adam Harrower) how to grow or use them reaching a diverse audience; The career ladder for horticulturists follows a multi- • landscaping to achieve public displays; dimensional approach and is aimed at recognizing, attracting, retaining and developing horticulture and horticulturists in botanical gardens, to fulfil SANBI’s mandate.

Introduction specialising in indigenous plants. Key broad focus areas for their work are n the South African National horticultural research and development, Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) conservation, garden management and Inationwide network of national public information management. As in botanical gardens, horticulturists, and other professional fields, they also the work they do, are varied. They can manage resources and human capital. be highly specialised in a particular area, but most often, they are multi- Horticulturists in SANBI are qualified Mashudu Nndanduleni hand pollinating Serruria disciplinarians. SANBI’s horticulturists professionals responsible primarily for florida in the motherstock for threatened species are unique in their work, with a mandate the development, maintenance and (Vuyani Nqumla)

40 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) • 40-44 • sustainable development of plants linked to people’s well-being; • conserving indigenous or local knowledge, research and development.

Although horticulture in SANBI’s national botanical gardens is a specialized and core profession, its growth and development has been limited by a lack of a career pathing and development. To address this, a career ladder for horticulturists was launched by SANBI in 2015/16 to recognise, attract, retain and develop horticulture and horticulturists.

The Career ladder

Objectives

• To develop a clear progression and career path for horticulturists within Dineo Dibakwane collecting Athanasia grandiceps seeds in the Drakensberg (Sthembile Zondi) SANBI. • To standardize performance and management tools for horticulturists. • To advance horticultural science to benefit SANBI’s mandate. • To encourage, recognize and reward specialization in horticulture within SANBI. • To encourage academic advancement in horticulture. • To attract, develop and retain horticultural skills in the Institute.

The career ladder applies to both permanent and fixed-term contract horticultural staff.

Rungs and requirements

The career ladder for horticulturists in SANBI has eight rungs. The rungs are: Roger Oliver inspecting buchu at Kirstenbosch (SANBI collection) Rung 1: Candidate Horticulturist – works under close supervision. Rung 7: Principal Horticulturist 2 – career ladder. Inputs can loosely be Rung 2: Horticulturist 1 – works under nationally established track record with defined as what an individual brings to some supervision but shows ability to considerable and increasing recognition the job, in terms of their learnt skills and become more independent. as a leader, leads projects in SANBI with experience. Outputs are the measurable Rung 3: Horticulturist 2 – works a team of national collaborators. deliverables of the job and for which independently and starting to develop Rung 8: Chief Horticulturist – highly evidence of achievement can be their record of accomplishments recognised at national and international provided. hereafter referred to as track record. level. Leads teams of collaborating Rung 4: Senior Horticulturist 1 – starting horticulturists or professionals, inside • Input: quantifiable measure of to establish their track record locally. and outside the Institute, which includes capability based on qualification, Rung 5: Senior Horticulturist 2 – locally internationally based members. experience and leadership established, and starting to establish • Output: quantifiable measure of their track record regionally. Career ladder criteria productivity identified as relevant to a Rung 6: Principal Horticulturist 1 – specific profession regionally established track record with The career ladder is based on a series of considerable and increasing recognition inputs and outputs that describe and Capability indicators have been defined as a leader, leads projects in SANBI with measure the skills and experience to help in the measurement of a team of national collaborators. required to fulfil different rungs on the individuals’ suitability to a specific rung.

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 41 Mashudu Nndanduleni monitoring and doing Bathabile Ndlovu plant collection Midlands (Dineo Dibakwane) inventory of Leucadendron argenteum (Silver tree) at Cecilia Forest (Chamell Pluim) • Input 2: Relevant working experience articles, web-based articles, public or The appropriate working experience institutional lectures, debates and will specifically be related to botanical panels, and information leaflets. These garden management and horticulture are used to engage not only with the needed to successfully perform scientific community, but also with horticultural duties e.g. garden users of research outputs, including a maintenance operations, garden range of end-users and policy-makers development, the support of human and ultimately interested members of capital development, curation of living the public. The emphasis should be on collections and specialised botanical recent achievements, and for this garden services to the Institute. purpose, the incumbent’s track record over the past seven (7) years is used • Input 3: Strategic horticultural when determining appropriate levels. leadership Requirements for this output include Bathabile Ndlovu pruning Plectranthus saccatus Strategic horticultural leadership refers the ability to undertake scientific (Philisiwe Sibiya) to skilled-based leadership horticultural research and the ability to complemented by the proven ability to communicate research results and Each input and output is weighted and develop and implement horticultural outcomes. contributes to an overall score. A strategies in horticultural subject areas horticulturist’s position on the ladder is and/or areas of competency. Strategic • Output 2: Human capital established by determining the weighted horticultural leadership has an impact development sum of levels of competency regarding at a local, regional, national and Human capital development is the on- Inputs and Outputs. Expectations are international level. going development of self, staff, cumulative, and at each rung, additional work-integrated learning (WIL) achievements are added to those of the The outputs for evaluation are: students, post-graduate students and rung immediately below. interns through coaching (skills • Output 1: Horticultural research and development), mentoring, work The inputs for evaluation are: development assignments, structured training and Horticultural research and any appropriate supervision in order to • Input 1: Required qualifications conservation research and restoration maximise human potential, in line with This Input refers to appropriate must be guided and undertaken the needs of the Institute. academic or professional qualifications according to scientific research needed to perform horticultural duties methodology principles and policy. Requirements for this output include: to achieve the required levels of Knowledge dissemination involves the ability to transfer skills and acceptance by peers, stakeholders reporting on the results of research in a knowledge, the drive for self- and clients nationally and number of different ways. It includes development, the ability to be an internationally at different levels of a publication of peer-reviewed papers in affective mentor, and to deliver formal horticulturist career ladder. scientific journals, books, popular and informal training.

42 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) individuals entailing several and more Input 1 – Required qualifications: involved facets. Collaborations and Completed NQF (National Qualification partnerships should first benefit the Framework) level 7 qualification in particular garden where the incumbent relevant discipline. (e.g. BTech or is based, but may later lead to Advanced Diploma, or any qualification national, network-wide and deemed to be equivalent by the South international benefits for all African Qualifications Authority, SAQA). stakeholders. Requirements for this Equates to level 4 = 40 points. output include the ability to harness unique expertise or capabilities for Input 2 – Relevant working experience: mutual benefit, establishing or 5-6 years working experience in strengthening co-operative linkages horticultural field. Equates to level 5 = and thereby increasing productivity, 80 points. Monique McQuillan restoring Erica verticillata , avoiding “re-inventing the wheel” to extinct in the wild, to Kenilworth Racecourse reach inter-related goals quicker, and Input 3 – Strategic horticultural Conservation Area (Anthony Hitchcock) gaining support and mitigating risks. leadership: Provides strategic horticultural leadership • Output 3: Curation of living Applying the Hort Ladder within subject areas locally. Equates to collections level 4 = 40 points. Living collections require dedicated, Horticulturists are assessed according to skilled staff to develop and grow them the level of competence displayed for Capability indicator: into useful assets of the Institute and each of the three inputs and five outputs. • Evidence of independent development of the country. Competent individuals are Value points are assigned for the components of strategy in subject areas crucial to the success of any living appropriate level of competence in each within a garden. May include collection. Requirements for this area and then added to give an overall composition of sections of written output include skills related to ensuring score, which is then used to determine strategy, review or analysis of past trends the viability and genetic integrity of the the appropriate placement on the career or current situation (1 over 7 years). collection, to managing a range of ladder. It is important to note that species, to ensuring accuracy of horticulturists can be assessed as being Output 1: Horticultural research and complex data recording, to conducting at different levels for different inputs or development field collecting and to identify and set outputs (e.g. a horticulturist can be at level Conducts horticultural research and living collection norms and standards. 3 for Output 1, but level 5 for Output 5). writes popular articles independently. Equates to level 4 = 40 points. • Output 4: Horticultural maintenance An illustration of the application of the and development Hort Ladder is provided for a Capability indicators: Horticultural maintenance includes all horticulturist submitting a ‘portfolio of • Takes responsibility for designing and aspects of daily operational processes evidence’ as follows: completing horticultural experiments. and development of botanical gardens, associated nurseries, and the need for planning to meet the mandate of SANBI. Requirements for this output include the ability to develop and implement horticultural maintenance processes, the ability to plan long and short term targets for horticultural development, and the ability to align strategic Garden Development Plans to meet expectations and align them to the botanical garden’s vision.

• Output 5: Plant conservation and collaboration Collaboration through engaging stakeholders or partners internally or externally is an integral part of SANBI’s mandate in fulfilling its mission and reaching its objectives. Collaborations may entail a simple project with two or three role players or a complex project with multiple South Africa’s Millennium Seed Bank Partnership team harvesting seed from the threatened succulent Frithia stakeholder organisations and humilis (Mesembryanthemaceae) at a coal mining site in Mpumalanga, South Africa (Erich Van Wyk)

BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) 43 • The submitted and reviewed curation on Rung 4 of the Career ladder and plan/continuance plan accurately would equate to Salary level 9: Senior reflects the collections, which is Horticulturist 1. evident in the Garden State of the Collections review every three years. Evaluation process • Fieldwork conducted introduces new appropriate accessions, At regular intervals (the standard being independently. every three years), horticulturists are • Accurate collection records are required to submit a portfolio of evidence, inventoried and submitted to the based on the three inputs and all five garden Plant Recording offices every outputs, using evidence from the previous 1-3 years. seven-year period only. This portfolio is assessed by a SANBI-appointed Output 4: Horticultural maintenance Moderation Panel. Horticulturists are and development required to show consistent satisfactory Independently develops and implements performance in order to progress to the complex maintenance and basic next rung of the ladder. development plans. Contributes to the NBG Garden Development Plan and Career Development Plans implements section development. Sthembile Zondi experimenting with Protea seeds Equates to level 5 = 80 points. These are developed to outline the (Dineo Dibakwane) milestones required for horticulturists to Capability indicators : progress to the next rung of the ladder • Evidence of acceptance for • Evidence of independently developed and cover a 3-5 year period. Career publication of 2 popular articles per and reviewed complex maintenance Development Plans are translated on an year (14 over 7 years). plans and submitted annually. annual basis into the work plan of the • Presents research findings, done • Evidence of horticultural norms and horticulturists and also link with their under supervision at local conferences standards developed and are included Personal Development Plans. or professional forums; 2 over 7 years in maintenance plans. worked (either poster or oral • Evidence of contributions to individual Christopher Willis, Andrew Hankey, presentation). Garden Development Plan. Thompson Mutshinyalo, Werner Voigt, • Evidence of acceptance for • Evidence of section development Berenice Carolus, Phakamani Xaba, publication of 1 co-authored peer- plans and can provide long term Monique McQuillan, Elias Moeng, reviewed publication over 7 years. (greater than 5 years) plans. Rene du Toit and Kaashiefa Bassier South African National Biodiversity Output 2: Human capital development Output 5: Plant conservation and Institute, Focuses on developing own skills and collaboration South Africa. shows ability toward the coaching and Runs multiple complex plant mentoring of ground staff and students. conservation projects through internal For further enquiries contact Ms Rene du Equates to level 3 = 20 points. and external collaborative engagements Toit, [email protected]. and provides input into the development Capability indicators : of SANBI’s regional conservation plans. • Evidence of self-development by Equates to level 6 = 120 points. means of an achieved career development plan. Capability indicators: • Evidence of 2 ground staff and 3 WIL • Evidence of successfully leading and students development over 7 years coordinating, multiple, concurrent worked. complex projects that engaged multiple stakeholders. Output 3: Curation of living collections • A record of at least 2 regionally Curates basic living collection(s) completed complex projects over a independently (a basic collection requires period of 7 years worked. less specialist understanding and may • Produces quarterly progress reports have limited taxonomical challenges, be on current regional collaborative easier to propagate, cultivate and or initiatives (e.g. the implementation of a acquire than a complex collection). number of regional plant Equates to level 4 = 40 points. conservation/restoration programmes).

Capability indicators: In the above example, the overall score • Annual work plan reflects independent for both inputs (160) and outputs (300) The MSBP staff targeting endemic Watsonia curation of basic living plant combined = 460 points, which would umtamvunense for seed collecting at Umtamvuna collection(s). indicate the incumbent should be placed Nature Reserve in Pondoland

44 BGCI • 2017 • BGjournal • Vol 14 (2) From Idea to Realisation BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens

4 Parts - 8 Chapters

From Idea to Realisation B 03/08/2017 08:51 Page 1 03/08/2017 08:52 Page 27 03/08/2017 08:53 Page 45 B 03/08/2017 08:54 Page 226

From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens

BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing From Idea to Realisation – Organisational and The Plant Collection – Botanic Gardens as Models of and Managing Botanic Gardens A Bringing a Big Idea to Life B Operational Essentials C Linchpin of the Botanic Garden D Environmental Sustainability

© Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Part A: From Idea to Realisation – Bringing a Big Idea to Life This section is primarily aimed at stakeholders who wish to create a new botanic garden or substantially modify an existing garden. It covers the process involved in transforming the idea of a botanic garden into reality with all of the planning, building and development in between.

Chapter 1: Planning and Implementing Botanic Garden Design Projects

Botanic Gardens Conservation International Part B: Organisational and Operational Essentials This section sets out the governance models, processes, human resources and financial mechanisms required to operate a botanic garden.

The manual is intended for botanic Chapter 2: Governance Models, Human and Financial Resources Development gardens and arboreta as ever- evolving institutions that respond Part C: The Plant Collection – Linchpin of the Botanic Garden to environmental and societal This section discusses the plant collection that the botanic garden is built needs, changes and challenges. around. Topics include the development of a collection policy; collection record management systems; horticultural management; and uses of the collection. It is not meant to be prescriptive but to offer guidance and ideas with case studies from Chapter 3: No Plant Collection without a Strategy or Policy around the world. As a comprehensive Chapter 4: The Plant Collection in the International Policy Context resource, the guidance provided aims at Chapter 5: Collection Record Management Systems newly developing institutions with limited Chapter 6: Horticultural Management experience as well as at established botanic Chapter 7: Using the Plant Collection – Research, Conservation, Education, gardens that may seek advice or information Public Engagement, Recreation and Tourism for instance as part of a re-development or an organisational review. Part D: Botanic Gardens as Models of Environmental Sustainability This section sets out how botanic gardens around the world are addressing The manual is organised in 4 main parts sustainability challenges such as energy, water and recycling. and 8 chapters. Chapter 8: Managing Environmental Sustainability

Available now: bgci.org/resources/2016-bgci-botanic-garden-manual/ JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST PLANT CONSERVATION NETWORK

For 30 years Botanic Gardens Conservation International has represented the botanic garden and arboretum community .

BGCI’s directory of botanic gardens, GardenSearch, lists 2,500 botanic gardens that conserve a third of known plant diversity and attract 500 million visitors a year.

BGCI is a leadership and catalyst organisation that works to promote botanic gardens as a professional community, share knowledge and skills and mobilise funding for plant conservation.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International Education Review Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Volume 13 • Number 2 • July 2016

Volume 13 • Number 2 • September 2016 Volunteers Restoring damaged for public Membership benefits include ecosystems: engagement The role of botanic gardens Volunteers - invaluable and the Ecological or of limited value? Restoration Alliance Voluteers - botanical guardians Supporting scientists as volunteers

New features in this issue: • Talking plants: • BGCI’s publications, including our an interview with a plant conservation champion • Plant hunting tales from South Africa • Featured gardens: journals, BGjournal and Roots focus on Malawi • Botanic garden technical support and advisory services • Major discounts on registration fees for BGCI Congresses • Eligibility for BGCI twinning/ • Access to advanced collections data mentoring scheme analysis services • Eligibility for BGCI prizes and awards • Eligibility for BGCI project funding • Use of the BGCI website to promote • Eligibility for subsidized BGCI training your events and news courses • Use of BGCI’s logo and name • Eligibility for BGCI’s conservation • A membership pack, including accreditation scheme a Certificate of membership Botanic Gardens Conservation International

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