The Many Gardens of Selby
Botanical gardens are a great way to escape, unwind and enjoy all that nature has to offer. From gorgeous flowers to centuries-old banyan trees along the shores of Sarasota Bay, Selby Gardens is truly a garden paradise. Unlike many gardens, Selby is actually made up of smaller gardens within a garden; with epiphytes being a common focus. To help us gain a better understanding, Mike McLaughlin, Selby Gardens’ Director of Horticulture took the time to answer a few questions for us.
What is your plan for synchro¬nizing the different themes while building upon that foundation in the future?
Using epiphytes in the landscape certainly gives our design a Selby brand identity and we make every effort to incorporate them as much as possible throughout the Gardens. Sometimes they comple¬ment a theme (e.g. adding epiphytic cacti to the Succulent Garden), and other times they are used to embellish the landscape (as with the Elder Garden). One of our goals is for every tree on the property to eventually be festooned in epiphytes. Little by little we are making progress toward that goal.
Gardens are ever-changing. How has Selby Gardens changed over time?
Marie’s property at the time the Gardens were started in 1975 was much simpler compared to the lushness we see today. The trees and plantings have grown and expanded, giving our Gardens a fuller, more mature appearance. Certainly the plant diversity is significantly greater than it was 40 years ago. Over the years, new features have been added, while existing gardens have been enhanced or renovated. And certain things have been removed, intentionally or by natural attrition, which offers new opportunities. Because gardens are created by people and not a natural occurrence, they require ongoing care. Each generation of horticulturists will add his/her influ¬ence. I’ve had the great pleasure of shaping the Gardens for 25% of its existence. My team and I strive to continually improve upon the quality of our displays. Today, visitors frequently refer to our Gardens as being “manicured.” That was not a typical description when I first arrived. It’s a work in progress, and there is so much more I hope to create at Selby Gardens.
What are some of the ways botanists and horti¬culturists can work together to weave a story/experience for garden visitors of any stripe?
Our gardens are not merely lovely, but they are the artful expression of our living collection. Our botanists and horticulturists have worked together over decades to gather the living collection, and will continue to augment it with new specimens from various sources. Botanists help the horticulturists select specimens to display that have botanical significance, and the education department adds interpretive tools that enhance visitor experience. As we begin to imple¬ment garden themes, we will add and group plants that can be found in similar ecological habitats. We hope to teach our visitors about those habitats and how they “shaped” the plants that grow there. There will be continued opportunity for the three depart¬ments to further our collaboration around Selby Gardens’ living collections for our guests’ benefit.
What are some basic garden design princi¬ples that apply at Selby Gardens?
COLOR SCHEMES
Color is an important tool in landscape design that adds emotional impact. For us color has the greatest influence in our temporary displays, such as our annual winter plantings and Conservatory displays. We incorporate color to add beauty and drama but also to entice guests to further explore the gardens.
RHYTHM AND MOTION
We use repeating elements to create unity in a design (too much diversity is called landscape “confetti”).Repeating elements can help direct the eye and lead it around the composition, such as a border planting or hedge. “Lines” are probably even more important than rhythm for leading the visitors’ eye around a landscape. Most of Selby Gardens is informal, and we often use curved lines to gently guide the viewer’s gaze through a scene. We refer to this as “flow.” Straight lines can accom¬plish this in a bold way, typically leading to a focal point.
DESIGNING A FOCAL POINT IN EXISTING LANDSCAPES
Placement can be manipulated through the use of lines and scale, but in most landscape renovations focal points tend to be inherent. Objects placed in focal points need to be things that warrant the attention such as a sculpture, planter or dramatic specimen. In general, focal points should be used sparingly and scale should be considered.
VISUAL TEXTURE
Texture is particularly noteworthy in tropical landscape designs, because of the bold textured foliage palette available to the designer. A landscape is more inter¬esting punctuated with contrasting textures. For example, break up a fine textured landscape with linear grasses, or break up a bold composition with small leaved plants. If you want a garden to say “tropical”, just add plants with large foliage and you’re on your way.
What are we doing here to introduce new garden design features/elements?
We have created a Gardens Themes document to guide garden renovations until a Master Plan has been developed. When garden renovations are dictated by donations, timing can be affected. This fiscal year we are renovating the tidal lagoon area behind the Mansion with support from State cultural grants and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. The following year we will address epiphyte plants and displays. Smaller upgrades and augmentation are always occuring.
How can readers help?
Support through contributions or volunteering is always welcome! Contact Ann Logan, Selby’s chief development officer at (941) 366-5731, ext. 266 or alogan@s33944.p20.sites.pressdns.com to learn more.