Collections Diversity and Collections Policy

Juniper Level Botanic Garden is a six acre display garden containing over 17,000 taxa (unique plants). Our focus is to determine and showcase the diversity of ornamental plants that will thrive in USDA Zone 7b (with the exception of our Amorphophallus collection). The garden not only functions as a display area, but doubles as a ex-situ conservation, research and development facility. New plants from plant explorations, seed exchanges, our breeding program, and from other gardeners around the world are evaluated for their garden worthiness, their adaptability to the climate of the southeastern US, and their ability to peacefully co-exist with our natives.

Plant Exploration Expeditions

Specialty Collections (updated 1/1/2007) These are plant groups to which we have devoted extraordinary effort, time, and resources.

Agapanthus
6 specie; 52 cultivars

Amorphophallus (Araceae)
85 species; 46 unidentified species

Arisaema (Araceae)
70 species; 51 unidentified species

Aspidistra (Liliaceae)/(Ruscaceae)
18 species; 37 cultivars; 28 unidentified species

Crinum (Amaryllidaceae)
27 species; 75 cultivars; 2 unidentified species

Elephant Ear, hardy (Araceae)
Alocasia; 9 species; 7 cultivars
Colocasia; 5 species; 56 cultivars
Remusatia; 3 species

Epimedium (Berberidaceae)
47 species; 118 cultivars

Ferns
Athyrium; 14 species; 18 cultivars
Cheilanthes; 20 species
Dryopteris; 40 species; 18 cultivars
Polystichum; 22 species
Woodwardia; 5 species

Hosta (Hostaceae)
23 species; 585 cultivars

Kniphofia (Asphodelaceae)
28 Species, 31 cultivars

Rain Lilies (Amaryllidaceae)
Habranthus; 8 species; 3 cultivars
Zephyranthes; 28 species; 48 cultivars

Solomon's Seal (Liliaceae/Ruscaceae)
Disporopsis; 6 species
Disporum; 13 species; 19 cultivars
Polygonatum; 34 species; 24 cultivars
Smilacina; 12 species
Uvularia; 4 species; 5 cultivars

Trillium (Trilliaceae)
30 species
Secondary Emphasis Collections
Cacti - winter hardy
Conifers
Grasses - ornamental

Collections Documentation and Institutional Cooperation
All collections information is recorded in an Access database. Sample data fields include:

Latin Name
Family Name
Accession Date
Accession Source
GPS/Location data where possible for wild documented collections
Planting Date
Garden Status
Garden Location
Performance Data
Survivability

Our research staff works with experts, both institutional and private, to properly identify all garden specimens. We also share material (live and herbarium specimens) with researchers, both institutional and private, to advance the knowledge base in the botanical and horticultural fields.