A Legacy of Innovation: Hydroponics in our Production Garden Posted on July 12, 2017 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Lisa Peek, one of Biltmore’s Field to Table gardeners, recently received a new title: Hydroponics Specialist. So when it comes to growing plants without soil in our Production Garden, she is truly a pro. “I’d have to say my favorite thing about working in the Production Garden is learning new techniques to better meet the needs of our estate restaurants,” says Lisa. And the hydroponic process is doing just that. Why Hydroponics? “Because we have such high demand from our chefs for estate-grown produce—greens, in particular—we had to figure out a way to produce higher yields that are still top-notch quality,” Lisa explains. Simply put, the hydroponic system allows our gardeners to provide a plant with exactly what it needs, when it needs it, and in the amount that it needs. To consistently meet all of those requirements while growing a plant in soil is far more difficult. Throw in the volume necessary to meet the demands of six full-service estate restaurants and the challenge becomes clear. The benefits of hydroponics for our situation are undeniable. In addition to higher and more consistent yields, the system results in better taste and texture because the plants are not as vulnerable to variables like sunlight, wind, and temperature. The hydroponic greenhouse protection also results in less waste as outer parts of the plants are not damaged by these elements. Plus, all of our leafy greens are grown in deep water cultures, resulting in such high H2O content that their shelf-life quadruples! More Greens, More Greenhouses To meet the increasing demand for estate-grown produce, we have also found the need to increase our Production Garden space. The addition of two greenhouses will provide Lisa and her team with basically triple the square footage. The new greenhouses are being built exclusively for our deep water cultures. One will house solely lettuce, while the other will house spinach, mustards, kale, collards, and other leafy greens. Our existing space will be home to starter plants for the other two greenhouses as well as various types of hydroponic systems. For edible flowers like snapdragons and herbs such as sage and thyme, we are implementing a Dutch bucket system, which essentially functions as a regulated reservoir. This technique allows us to use a variety of growing mediums while also producing less waste. The Production Garden on the west side of the estate is the backbone of our hydroponics and Field to Table Program. And thanks to dedicated employees like Lisa, we are able to honor George Vanderbilt’s original vision of a self-sustaining estate as well as his unswerving passion for innovation.
Plants Unique to Biltmore’s Gardens Posted on July 5, 2017 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux With more than 2.5 miles of paths in our manicured gardens, it’s easy to stumble upon unfamiliar species of plants at Biltmore. Starting in late May, summer annuals fill the Walled Garden, Estate Entry, and Winery beds. Other estate blooms include roses, perennials, and lush perennial borders in the Walled Garden, Winery, and Antler Hill Village. From June through August, you can find native rhododendron and perennials. But what about those plants you’re less familiar with? We asked Travis Murray, Walled Garden Crew Leader, about plants unique to our gardens. Here are some of the most unique plants found at Biltmore: Shiny black coleus The Shiny black coleus was discovered by John Alexander in the Walled Garden in 2007. At the time, John was the leading gardener over the ornamental turf in the historic gardens and was working for Travis in the Walled Garden. They had planted a border in the pattern beds. The display was a yellow Lantana standard, underplanted with Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria blue,’ bordered with Dark star coleus. John and the rest of the crew were removing dead flower heads from the salvia in the corners when he pointed out that one of the coleuses looked like it had wet leaves. The coleus was not a whole plant, but a sport, which is a part of a plant that shows variations from the rest of the plant. Sports may show differences in foliage shape or color, flowers, or branch structure. John and Travis took cuttings of the sport and turned them over to Gardener Mark Waldroop, who propagated those cuttings and cared for them. He grew the plant and watched it closely to monitor any changes, as many do not remain viable and will revert to the mother plant. To ensure viability once the plant was rooted and healthy enough for cuttings, Mark began propagating the sport. After several successful propagations, the sport held its characteristics and a new coleus was born. We named it Little John, after the man who discovered it. Cercidiphyllum japonicum The Cercidiphyllum japonicum is one of many unique plants that can be found at Biltmore. Commonly called Katsura tree, it is native to Japan and China. It is a deciduous understory tree with a dense, rounded habit, and bark that resembles an American white oak. It typically matures to 40–60 feet, but can reach 100 feet or more in the wild. The Katsura presents a picture-worthy structure and shape, bearing attractive foliage that resembles those of a small redbud. Reddish-purple leaves emerge in spring. As the tree releases its sugars to push out new leaves, there is a faint, sweet smell in the air, similar to cotton candy. The leaves mature to medium green with a slight bluish tinge in summer and turn to shades of gold, orange, and red in fall. “In autumn, the fallen leaves have a faint smell of cinnamon, sugar, and apples,” says Travis. The Katsura can be found in the Shrub Garden, with a larger specimen found near the circle in the Azalea Garden. Eucomis sparkling burgundy Eucomis sparkling burgundy, or the pineapple lily, can be found in the Walled Garden, particularly in the Victorian border. This unique cultivar has dark burgundy leaves and boasts flowers that form on 20- to 30-inch stalks, bearing tight, smoky, pinkish-purple florets reminiscent of pineapples. These tender bulbs hail from South Africa. However, we have successfully been able to keep them over winter. Dracunculus vulgaris The Dracunculus vulgaris, also known as the voodoo lily or dragon plant, can be found in the Walled Garden and is seeded in the scented border. The plant is native to the Balkans, extending as far as Greece, Crete, and the Aegean Islands. The species can be identified by a large purple spathe and spadix, which has a somewhat unpleasant smell to attract flies as pollinators. The large palmate leaves have occasional cream flecks along the veins. If ingested, part of the plant is poisonous. The plant opens in May and lasts just a few weeks. The historic gardens are full of interesting plants and trees, many of which are state champions, such as the Heritage birch, or the Double winged silverbell. There are also the Weeping and Non-weeping blue atlas cedars, and the Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood), which is a fast-growing, endangered deciduous conifer. This is the only living species of the genus Metasequoia, one of three species in the subfamily Sequoioideae.
Preserving Italian Garden’s Pools of Delight Posted on June 12, 2017 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux The Italian Garden next to Biltmore House was created to offer a tranquil spot for enjoying magnificent reflections of America’s Largest Home®. The design, which includes three large pools filled with aquatic plants, remains remarkably true to the intention of Frederick Law Olmsted, Biltmore’s landscape architect. Chihuly At Biltmore Was On Display From May 17 To October 7, 2018. Please Enjoy This Archived Content. Chihuly at Biltmore In 2018, the Italian Garden is just one of the estate’s settings showcasing Chihuly at Biltmore—an exhibition of large-scale glass sculptures by American artist Dale Chihuly now through October 7. The vibrant colors and organic shapes that distinguish Chihuly’s creations are captivating presented within Biltmore’s artfully designed landscapes. Caring for the Italian Garden For the past several years, Chuck Cissell’s primary responsibility as a member of Biltmore’s landscaping team has been the Italian Garden with a focus on the aquatic plants. It’s a job he enjoys year-round, especially he can be in the pools caring for the breathtaking blooms that reach their peak in the summer months. Blooming water lily Planning for the seasons Beginning in the fall, Chuck creates a plan for the Italian Garden pools. He places plant orders in April and May, and completes plant installations in June. Most of the aquatic plants come from Tricker’s Water Gardens—a company that was one of the first commercial water lily growers in the United States. Amazingly, it’s the same supplier that Olmsted used. “I order many of the same plants that Olmsted used from Tricker’s, but today there are new colors and hardier blooms because they’ve experimented with growing and hybridizing water lilies to improve the shape, colors, and hardiness,” said Chuck. “We always order new tropical water lilies and Victoria water platters with their huge lily pads. In one pool we have about 50 different lilies, including night-blooming varieties.” Summer beauty in the Italian Garden Glorious blooms In June, you’ll see 130 hardy and tropical water lilies begin blooming. The lotus bed display starts in early July, and the gigantic platter-shaped Victoria lilies are largest in late August. For the center pool display, Chuck used plants including ‘Sweet Caroline Bronze’ sweet potato vine, ‘Mahogany Splendor’ Hibiscus, sun-tolerant Bromeliads, and dwarf Cannas. He picked muted colors like purple, silver, and bronze to highlight and compliment Chihuly’s Palazzo Ducale Tower glass sculpture in that location. “I feed and fertilize the water lilies once a week; they are heavy feeders. And we groom three times a week from June to October. Grooming—that means removing the pollinated blooms—helps increase the number of blooms a lily produces,” said Chuck. Colorful koi in the pools Keeping the koi content The filtration system in the pools is original 1895 technology, using constant water flowing into and out of the pools. The gravity-fed reservoir, which also used to provide water to Biltmore House, provides water for the pools. Natural filtration is beneficial to the colorful koi that populate the Italian Garden pools. We know from archival records that Olmsted wanted to have fish in the pools, and while we don’t know exactly when the koi were introduced, at least one is about 50 years old. Statuary around the Italian Garden pools Preserving Olmsted’s Italian Garden designs Because of the sheer volume of receipts, plans, and letters in Biltmore’s garden archives, Biltmore’s gardeners have only gone through a fraction of all the information available. For Chuck, that’s one of the most important elements of his job. “I really like the historic aspect of gardening here,” he said. “I have the joy of knowing I’m recreating the same thing that the Vanderbilts saw in 1895, and continuing that tradition.” Visit the Italian Garden now Plan your summer visit to Biltmore today. It’s a great time to introduce your children to America’s Largest Home® as ages 16 and under are admitted free from Memorial Day to Labor Day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Featured blog image: A reflection of Biltmore House in the Italian Garden pools
Controlled Approach: Preserving the Road to Biltmore Posted on June 9, 2017 at 12:00 am.Written by Coleman Minter For Western North Carolina native Jason Mull, his daily work at Biltmore can sometimes seem very invasive—but that’s only because he heads up a crew of six gardeners who are primarily focused on the Approach Road, and their work includes control of invasive plant species. “Jason is one of our unsung heroes working behind the scenes. He has great technical know-how and a wealth of knowledge for plants,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture. “He also has a special skill in controlling and eradicating undesirable plants while preserving native species,including some endangered ones.” One of the main tasks Jason’s crew tackles is dealing with non-native plant species, such as invasive grasses, shrubs, and vines. Most troublesome are Chinese silver grass, porcelain berry, and elaeagnus. These plants crowd out native species, threatening the integrity of Olmsted’s Approach Road design. “We use all kinds of equipment from tractors to dump trucks to get rid of these plants,” said Jason. “And then we grind up the material we remove to make mulch that we use across the estate.” When they are not fighting back invasive plant species, Jason and his crew have a long list of seasonal tasks, including tree pruning and planting, mulching, and using chain saws to clear brush and dead wood. It’s a never-ending list, but they enjoy keeping the historic landscape true to Olmsted’s plans, often referring to original notes and drawings made by Olmsted that are part of Biltmore’s collection. In addition to his commitment to Biltmore, Jason has a deep connection to these mountains. He grew up loving the outdoors, a trait instilled in him by generations of family who also hail from this area. His job as Approach Road crew leader at Biltmore keeps him outdoors most of the time, and he’s happy about that. “I’ve been with Biltmore for two decades working on various gardens here,” said Jason. “We work every day to assure that our guests see Biltmore in the best possible light, the way landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted wanted it to be viewed.” — Featured image: Jason Mull and his team at work on the Approach Road
Olmsted’s Deliberate Approach Posted on February 6, 2017 at 12:00 am.Written by Ellie Garst The three-mile Approach Road that meanders from Biltmore Village up to Biltmore House is not there by accident—it’s the result of a very intentional and complex design by Frederick Law Olmsted, Biltmore’s landscape designer. Everything by design In Olmsted’s own words, “…the most striking and pleasing impression of the Estate will be obtained if an approach can be made that shall have throughout a natural and comparatively wild and secluded character; its borders rich with varied forms of vegetation, with incidents growing of the vicinity of springs and streams and the remote depths of a natural forest.” The road is a perfect blending of forest and landscape with no hard edges to separate the two. The lack of long-range views is intentional. “The Approach Road is the first important garden and landscape feature you see on the estate,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture. “It gives you a true feel for Olmsted’s skill.” Mountain laurel blooms along approach road “Along the brook and on the edge of the drive, Olmsted planted low-growing plants. For variety of color in the winter, he used hardy olives, evergreens with an olive tint, junipers, red cedars, and yews,” explained Parker. “All of these created the complexity of light and shadow that define a picturesque style.” George Vanderbilt (front row, far right, in a light-colored hat) and Frederick Law Olmsted (to Vanderbilt’s right) with the crew that dug the Approach Road Changes through time Over time, all of Biltmore’s landscapes have matured and changed in appearance. The challenge for today’s landscaping team lies in determining Olmsted’s original intent for the approach road, and they use archival resources such as early plans, letters of correspondence written during the construction of the estate, and information about Olmsted’s design philosophies to help them stay true to the original vision. Sometimes, variations from the approach road plan are necessary. For example, Olmsted planted some exotic plants that were not invasive at that time, including Oriental bittersweet, mahonia, and barberry. We’ve replaced those with others plants that offer similar characteristics and looks. We also now know that certain plants will not thrive where originally planted, so we select others that are able to do well in those original locations. “It’s a continual learning process, and each year I discover something new,” said Parker. Leaf peeping on the Approach Road during fall is a favorite past time for visitors.
Musical November Evenings in the Winter Garden Posted on November 14, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Ellie Garst Candlelight Christmas Evenings is now underway, meaning Biltmore House is filled with firelight and candlelight as well as live music on select evenings. We’re delighted to host the following musical performers in the Winter Garden during the month of November. Friday, November 4 Arioso of Athens, GA Flint Hill Handbell Choir of Shelby, NC Saturday, November 5 The Grove A Cappella Choir of Maysville, GA Dogwood Duo of Blountville, NC Sunday, November 6 Starlight Carolers of Asheville, NC Classic Touch of Weaverville, NC Monday, November 7 Songspinners of Waynesville, NC Bruce Lang Duo of Barnardsville, NC Tuesday, November 8 Hendersonville Chorale of Hendersonville, TN Bliss of Vero Beach, FL Wednesday, November 9 Starlight Carolers of Asheville, NC SilverLight Flute Duo of Asheville, NC Thursday, November 10 Hendersonville Chorale of Hendersonville, TN Bliss of Vero Beach, FL Friday, November 11 Nashville Notes Chamber Singers of Nashville, TN 14 Strings of Charlotte, NC Saturday, November 12 Highest Praise of Johnson City, TN Ladies of Lee of Cleveland, TN Cambia Flute Ensemble of Kingsport, TN Sunday, November 13 Ridgeview High School of Winter Park, FL Bittersweet Two of Blountville, TN Monday, November 14 Bob Jones Academy Elementary of Greenville, SC Flute Frolics of Boone, NC Wednesday, November 16 Bel Canto Singers of Charlotte, NC Windswept Melodies of Asheville, NC Thursday, November 17 Milligan College Women’s Chorale of Milligan, TN Duo Dolce of Boone, NC Friday, November 18 Patriot Pride Honors Chorus of Wake Forest, NC Shane Parish & Emmalee Hunnicut of Asheville, NC Saturday, November 19 North Greenville University Singers of Tigerville, SC Carolina Style Chorus of Hickory, NC Cambia Flute Ensemble of Kinsport, TN Sunday, November 20 First Presbyterian Chamber Singers of Spartanburg, SC Cedarwind Duo of Mars Hill, NC Monday, November 21 Bob Jones High School Choir of Greenville, SC Bob Jones Academy String Quartet of Greenville, SC Tuesday, November 22 Forsyth Country Day School of Lewisville, NC Belmont Duo of Asheville, NC Wednesday, November 23 Greensboro Youth Chorus of Greensboro, NC Braidstream Two of Asheville, NC Friday, November 25 Cecelia’s Day of Anderson, SC Sons of Lafayette Male Voice Choir of Lafayette, GA Bittersweet of Blountville, TN Saturday, November 26 Classical Conversations of Mallard Creek of Charlotte, NC Cecelia’s Day of Anderson, SC Bittersweet of Blountville, TN Sunday, November 27 Cantemus Women’s Choir of Kingsport, TN Blue Ridge Harp Duo of Polkville, NC Monday, November 28 Providence High School of Jacksonville, FL Bittersweet of Blountville, TN Tuesday, November 29 Asheville High School of Asheville, NC Duo Dolce of Boone, NC Wednesday, November 30 Song O’ Sky of Asheville, NC Trillium of Asheville, NC
Fall Garden Maintenance at Biltmore Posted on October 18, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Ellie Garst As fall beauty begins to blanket the estate, our dedicated garden crew is busy preparing the grounds for cooler temperatures. Of course, the blowing and raking of leaves is a seemingly never-ending task among the crew this time of year, but here’s a peek into a few of their other duties. After their summertime glory, Marc Montrell (pictured) is working to gather fading lilies from the Italian Garden ponds over the next few weeks. Along with all of our raked leaves across the estate, they will be composted. Many of our guests ask what happens to the koi during this time, but they actually remain in the ponds and hibernate over winter! There are still many gorgeous blooms in the Rose Garden, but there is a lot of pruning and “deadheading” to be done over the next couple of weeks. A preliminary trim to mid-height is done in late November, with the final cutting in late winter when the roses are dormant. Gardener John Smith (pictured) notes that this method may not apply in other gardens, at Biltmore’s Rose Garden acts as it’s own ecosystem, protected by the stone walls which retain heat and offer protection from the wind. The Garden crew recently planted winter evergreens such as Blue Spruce, Hemlock and Magnolia trees in the large pots along Biltmore’s front door. Gardner Clare Whittington (pictured) notes that watering these potted trees must be done frequently, and are constantly monitored during freezing temperatures in the winter. No matter what time of year guests visit, this wonderful team works hard to ensure the gardens and grounds are beautiful. Visit the Gardens & Grounds section of our website for more information about what’s featured throughout the year.
“Polar Express Sunbelt” sweeps the 2016 Biltmore International Rose Trials Posted on October 12, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux A jury of rose experts from around the world has selected the winning roses in the 2016 Biltmore International Rose Trials, held recently in Biltmore’s historic Rose Garden. Polar Express Sunbelt (photo above), bred by Kordes (KORblixmu), took the top award: the George and Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding Rose of the Trials. Since 2011, Biltmore’s historic Rose Garden has been home to the trials in which more than 150 varieties from growers and breeders worldwide have been planted and cared for by Biltmore’s expert horticulturalists. In addition to winning Best in Show, Polar Express Sunbelt won the Edith Wharton Award for Best Floribunda, and the William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit. Additional winners this year were: Honeymoon Arborose, bred by Kordes (KORhemtra), winner of the Gilded Age Award for Best Climber and the Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant Double 10, bred by Ping Lim (LIM10), winner of the Pauline Merrell Award for Best Hybrid Tea The Lark Ascending, bred by David Austin Roses (Ausursula), winner of the Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub Each trial lasts two years and a permanent jury judges the roses four times per year. This year’s final round of competition started with 31 entries planted in 2014 from Canada, the U.S., France, Ireland, Great Britain and Germany. Trials of this type are open to rose breeders around the world – from professional to beginner. Competing roses are evaluated for overall health and rigor; fragrance; disease resistance; and ability to repeat bloom. Congratulations to all of the winners! Biltmore's Rose Garden receives Award of Garden Excellence During the trials event, Biltmore’s rosarian Emily Wilson and past American Rose Society president Jolene Adams unveiled an award in honor of Biltmore’s historic Rose Garden: the World Federation of Rose Societies Award of Garden Excellence. Biltmore’s rose garden is one of only 10 gardens in the United States and 62 worldwide to receive it. Susan Fox, one of the Rose Trials jurors, tells us that gardeners and garden lovers travel just to see the gardens that receive this award. We are honored to have received it!
Fall Arrives in Biltmore’s Gardens Posted on September 15, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux When Frederick Law Olmsted designed Biltmore’s gardens, he planned their beauty to last through all four seasons. It’s little wonder the blooms of the estate’s gardens continue well into fall. In the formal gardens, the show continues with carefully planted flowers designed to blossom through cooler temperatures. In the Walled Garden, an array of fall mums provide color from late September though the end of October. This year’s color show will include orange, lilac, golden yellow, and royal purple buds in the pattern beds and blazing bronze blooms under the arbors. Rose lovers can enjoy a sneak peek of the judging of the annual International Rose Trials on September 24. Since 2011, the estate’s historic Rose Garden has served as the home for the trials. More than 90 varieties from growers and breeders worldwide have been planted and cared for by Biltmore’s horticulturalists. Each trial lasts two years, with a permanent jury judging the roses four times each year. The glory of fall blooms continues through the estate’s informal gardens. The Azalea Garden, filled with 15 acres of native azaleas, enjoys a second bloom in the fall. The area’s other gardens are also alive with late blooming annuals, perennials, and vibrant leaves on the estate’s native and exotic trees. Those looking to learn from Biltmore’s gardening experts can enjoy free demonstrations at A Gardener’s Place shop, located below the Conservatory. Available every Tuesday at 1 p.m. from September 6 through October 19, the complimentary session provides a quick lesson on Success with Succulents. All attendees receive a 20% coupon towards the purchase of a succulent in the shop. For those looking for fall color beyond the gardens, a scenic drive through the estate provides a wonderful opportunity to slow down and savor views of forests flush with color and panoramic vistas. The road by the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center is populated by vibrant orange and red sugar maple trees, while an afternoon drive by the Bass Pond offers views of bright fall foliage backlit by the afternoon sun. A trip to Antler Hill Village & Winery provides the chance to drive by the Lagoon and enjoy views of the house’s western facade framed by vibrant leaves. The promise of fall color begins in early September and continues until late October, making any time a perfect time to experience autumn on the estate.
Best-kept secrets: Biltmore’s alley gardens Posted on July 15, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Danielle Withrow With acres of vivid colors and lush plantings, the gardens of Biltmore are so breathtaking that some guests never venture inside the Conservatory during the summer months. According to Jordana Chalnick, Conservatory Horticulturist, however, those who stay outside are missing out on some very special displays in the “back alleys” of the Conservatory. A working conservatory “Biltmore’s Conservatory was originally designed to be a functional workspace for growing and nurturing plants as well as an indoor garden space for guests,” said Jordana. “We continue to use it for both purposes today, and we also create intriguing displays that draw visitors through the Conservatory and into the alleys behind it.” Jordana has been with Biltmore since 2006, putting her horticulture degree to use first in the Azalea Garden and then in the Conservatory. She became Conservatory Horticulturalist in 2013 and has been instrumental in creating the displays that make the Conservatory a must-see during any Biltmore visit. “In the mid-1990s, there were just a few hanging baskets and some of the larger trees in the alleys,” Jordana said. “Gradually, the staff began lining the alley walls with plants and then over the years adding under-plantings to the larger pots. The alleys have definitely evolved from what they were initially to the more designed and elaborate displays we do today.” Heating up and keeping cool Jordana noted that there are actually two alleys—one between the cool room and the sitting room and one between the hot room and the sitting room. This year, the cool alley, which was designed by Conservatory Gardener Kathryn Marsh, features fragrant plants that create a shady respite from the sun during the hot summer months. Having all the different fragrances makes it a nice space in which to take break and relax for a while. The hot alley features water plants using dwarf versions of many of the species in the Italian Garden. “I’ve always liked the idea of displaying the water plants in a way that guests can have closer access to them than they do in the Italian pools,” Jordana said. “I took lots of inspiration from pictures of gardens in Bali and Thailand where they incorporate water plants seamlessly into the landscape as opposed to having a special area for them.” Alley installation As far as installing the alleys, the Conservatory crew does as much as possible ahead of time. They received most of the cool alley’s fragrant plants from Florida in March, and the dwarf lotus plants for the hot alley were stored in the Italian Garden pools until early June. “We already have a general idea of which plants will go in which alley, so we will generally load up a truck load for one alley, haul it up and unload it,” said Jordana. “We have one reserve worker who helps us and we definitely get a lot of help from everyone in Historic Gardens, since our crew is pretty small and installing the alleys is a huge project.” Visit now Now that the alley plantings are installed, the Conservatory crew will maintain them throughout the summer, watering, grooming and deadheading as needed. The alleys will stay in until around mid-September when the plants need to start transitioning back to the greenhouses for winter. “I love my job,” Jordana said, “because I get to use my creativity in designing displays as well as using all of my horticultural knowledge to keep plants happy and healthy.”