Garden Mission Statement

The mission of Juniper Level Botanic Garden is one of aesthetic display of ornamental plants, ex-situ plant conservation, plant evaluation, plant identification, plant exploration, plant propagation, and education about the diversity of ornamental plants from around the world. Our emphasis is southeast US natives, especially those of conservation concern and those whose horticultural desirability make them targets of unscrupulous collectors who decimate wild populations by selling wild collected plants.

Aesthetic Public Display (garden division)
We firmly believe that a good public display of plants is one of the best ways to educate gardeners about plant diversity and get them excited about potential uses of the plants they see displayed.

Ex-Situ Plant Conservation (garden division)
Our mission is to secure a wide diversity of species and, where possible, a wide range of genetic material for each species across its distribution range.

Education (all divisions)
We strive to extend our outreach programs, helping to educate gardeners, both locally and nationally, on all aspects of ornamental horticulture, but especially about the diversity of plants. A combination of on-site classroom instruction, open garden days, lectures, articles, and participation in on-line plant forums is the main venue for our efforts.

Juniper Level Botanic Garden has been featured in numerous books, magazines, and television segments.

Plant Evaluation (research division) The focus in our evaluations is to study new plants in cultivation to determine their adaptability to our Zone 7b climate, their ornamental suitability, and their potential to become invasive.

Plant Identification (research division)
We work with experts from around the world to properly identify plants and then to disperse this information to others.

Plant Exploration (research division)
Our mission is to boldly go where others have gone before and find new or overlooked plant forms (and new species) that have ornamental potential. We have a particular interest in the diversity of a species from different parts of its native range, especially when disjunct or wide ranging populations exist. Not only do we make the expeditions ourselves, but we help to financially sponsor others when we feel their work is valuable to our mission.

Plant Propagation (nursery division)
We feel that there is no better way to conserve a plant than through propagation. By making plants more widely available, we hope to increase the genetic diversity of ornamental gardens while reducing the wholesale collecting pressures on native plant stands.

Botanic Garden and Research Staff

Todd Wiegardt, Garden Curator toddw@plantdelights.com

Assistant Garden Curator

Garden Staff

Jeremy Schmidt, Research Horticulturist jeremy@plantdelights.com

Frank Mandarino, Research Assistant/Field Production

Tony Avent, Director [BIO] tony@plantdelights.com