The beauty of conservation – developing a science-based conservation horticulture programme at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, USA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2025.2074Keywords:
Conservation Horticulture, Orchids, Public Garden, Ex situ conservation, In situ conservationAbstract
While historically serving ornamental, medicinal and agricultural purposes, botanic gardens and arboreta have opened their doors to the public and have extended their missions to encompass the study, preservation and support of plant diversity. Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, PA, USA) has embarked on this journey, leveraging its scientific expertise to establish a conservation focus. Navigating this initiative with its strength in horticulture, the Longwood team outlines key steps in creating a conservation horticulture programme, emphasising the importance of (a) assessing horticultural competencies, strengths and existing infrastructure; (b)aligning systematic conservation priorities and global need; (c) amplifying impact through partnerships; (d) developing research initiatives and expanding mission-aligned work; and (e)leveraging audiences. The article concludes by emphasising the importance of collaborative partnerships, avoiding mission creep through maintaining a strategic focus and understanding that a continuum mindset is essential. Longwood’s work, focusing particularly on terrestrial orchids, illustrates how a public garden can use this process to result in a successful and strategic impact-focused conservation horticulture programme that supports plant diversity.
References
AFFOLTER, J.M. (1997). Essential role of horticulture in rare plant conservation. HortScience, 32: 29–34. doi: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.32.1.29
ANTONELLI, A., FRY, C., SMITH, R.J., EDEN, J., GOVAERTS, R.H.A. ET AL. (2023). State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2023. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. doi: https://doi.org/10.34885/wnwn-6s63
ARBNET (2024). Longwood Gardens. Available online: https://www.arbnet.org/mortonregister/longwood-gardens (accessed February 2024).
BAKER, M.J., WILLIAMS, L.F., LYBBERT, A.H. & JOHNSON, J.B. (2012). How ecological science is portrayed in mass media. Ecosphere, 3: 1–7. doi: https.//doi.org/10.1890/ES11-00238.1
BECKMAN BRUNS, E., WESTWOOD, M., GRIFFITH, M.P., HIPP, A.L., LOBDELL, M., MEYER, A., ROLLINSON, C.R., STILL, S., WORCESTER, L. & HOBAN, S. (2022). Quantifying endangerment value: a promising tool to support curation decisions. Sibbaldia, 22: 2–24. doi: https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2022.1970
BELLIS, J., OSAZUWA‐PETERS, O., MASCHINSKI, J., KEIR, M.J., PARSONS, E.W., KAYE, T.N., KUNZ, M., POSSLEY, J., MENGES, E., SMITH, S.A., ROTH, D. & BREWER, D. (2024). Identifying predictors of translocation success in rare plant species. Conservation Biology, 38(2): e14190. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14190
BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (2025). GardenSearch database. Available online: http://gardensearch.bgci.org (accessed February 2025).
BREMAN, E., BALLESTEROS, D., CASTILLO-LORENZO, E., COCKEL, C., DICKIE, J., FARUK, A., O’DONNELL, K., OFFORD, C.A., PIRONON, S., SHARROCK, S. & ULIAN, T. (2021). Plant diversity conservation challenges and prospects – the perspective of botanic gardens and the Millennium Seed Bank. Plants, 10: 2371. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112371
BROWN, P.M. (1996). A challenge to propagation and production. In: ALLEN, C. (ED.), North American Native Terrestrial Orchid Propagation and Production Conference Proceedings. The North American Native Terrestrial Orchid Conference, Germantown, MD, pp. 113–114.
BRUMBACK, W.E. (1989). Notes on the propagation of rare New England species. Rhodora, 91: 154–162. Available online: www.jstor.org/stable/23312473 (accessed February 2024).
CALONJE, M. & GRIFFITH, P. (2020). Montgomery Botanical Center’s cycad collection – focus on research and conservation. Cycads, 4: 6–9.
CANO, Á., POWELL, J., AIELLO, A.S., ANDERSEN, H.L., ARBOUR, T., BALZER, A., BAUER, D.S., BUGARCHICH, J., CANO, F., CONTRERAS, M.P., CUBEY, R. & CZAJKOWSKI, I. (2025). Insights from a century of data reveal global trends in ex situ living plant collections. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 9(2): 214–224. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02633-z
CARRERO, C., BECKMAN BRUNS, E., FRANCES, A., JEROME, D., KNAPP, W., MEYER, A., MIMS, R., PIVORUNAS, D., SPEED, D. & EBERLY, A.T. (2023). Data sharing for conservation: A standardized checklist of US native tree species and threat assessments to prioritize and coordinate action. Plants, People, Planet, 5: 600–616. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10305
CARRERO, C., JEROME, D., BECKMAN, E., BYRNE, A., COOMBES, A.J., DENG, M., GONZÁLEZ-RODRÍGUEZ, A., HOANG, V.S., KHOO, E., NGUYEN, N., ROBIANSYAH, I., RODRÍGUEZ-CORREA, H. ET AL. (2020). The Red List of Oaks 2020. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, IL.
CAVENDER, N. & DONNELLY, G. (2019). Intersecting urban forestry and botanical gardens to address big challenges for healthier trees, people, and cities. Plants, People, Planet, 1: 315–322. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.38
CENTER FOR PLANT CONSERVATION (2019). CPC Best Plant Conservation Practices to Support Species Survival in the Wild. Center for Plant Conservation, Escondido, CA.
DICENZO, C., MENEZES, S., SMITH, H., MURRAY-JOHNSON, K., AZIZI, M. & MCDUFFIE, K. (2021). Inclusive Science Communication Starter Kit. Metcalf Institute, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. Available online: https://inclusivescicomm.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1568/ISC-Starter-Kit_FINAL.pdf (accessed March 2024).
DIETSCH, A.M., WALD, D.M., STERN, M.J. & TULLY, B. (2021). An understanding of trust, identity, and power can enhance equitable and resilient conservation partnerships and processes. Conservation Science and Practice, 3: e421. doi: http.://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.421
DIXON, K. (2007). The science-living collections continuum in botanic gardens. Sibbaldia, 5: 5–14. doi: https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2007.2
FAY, M.F. (2018). Orchid conservation: how can we meet the challenges in the twenty-first century? Botanical Studies, 59(1):16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-018-0232-z
FRANCISQUETI, A.M., MARIN, R.R., HENGLING, M.M., HOSOMI, S.T., PRITCHARD, H.W., CUSTÓDIO, C.C. & MACHADO-NETO, N.B. (2024). Orchid seeds are not always short lived in a conventional seed bank. Annals of Botany, 133: 941–952. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae021
GALE, S.W., FISCHER, G.A., CRIBB, P.J. & FAY, M.F. (2018). Orchid conservation: bridging the gap between science and practice. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 186: 425–434. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boy003
GOODING, C.I. (2012). Organizational mission and the phenomenon of mission drift/creep: A perspective from the nonprofit sector. Unpublished DM dissertation, University of Maryland University College.
GRATZFELD, J. (2017). What is conservation horticulture? BGJournal, 14: 14–17.
GRIFFITH, M.P., MEYER, A. & GRINAGE, A. (2021). Global ex situ conservation of palms: Living treasures for research and education. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 4:71141. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2021.711414
HISCOCK, S., LENNON, S. & YOUNG, B. (2024). Celebrating botanic gardens. Plants, People, Planet, 6: 249–257. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10472
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (2024). Science-led approach. Available online: www.iucn.org/our-work/science-led-approach (accessed March 2024).
KIDEGHESHO, J.R., RIJA, A.A., MWAMENDE, K.A. & SELEMANI, I.S. (2013). Emerging issues and challenges in conservation of biodiversity in the rangelands of Tanzania. Nature Conservation, 6: 1–29. doi: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.6.5407
KNAPP, W.M. & WIEGAND, R. (2014). Orchid (Orchidaceae) decline in the Catoctin Mountains, Frederick County, Maryland as documented by a long-term dataset. Biodiversity and Conservation, 23: 1965–1976. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0698-2
KNOTT, D. (2021). Garden Profile: The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh at 350. Sibbaldia, 20: 5–22. doi: https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2021.374
LAURIAT, G. (2023). The Northeast corridor – Money is the ‘M’ in Megalopolis. American Journal of Transportation, 752: 14. Available online: www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-the-northeast-corridor-money-is-the-m-in-megalopolis (accessed March 2024).
LONGWOOD GARDENS (2016). Longwood Gardens achieves ArbNet Level IV accreditation. Available online: https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2016-11-21/longwood-gardens-achieves-arbnet-level-iv-accreditation (accessed February 2024).
MACHADO-NETO, N.B. & CUSTÓDIO, C.C. (2005). Orchid conservation through seed banking: Ins and outs. Selbyana, 26: 229–235. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/41760193
MAGRINI, S., DE VITIS, M., TORELLI, D., SANTI, L. & ZUCCONI, L. (2019). Seed banking of terrestrial orchids: evaluation of seed quality in Anacamptis following 4-year dry storage. Plant Biology Journal, 21: 544–550. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.12936
MALMGREN, S. (1996). Orchid propagation: Theory and practice. In: ALLEN, C. (ED.), North American Native Terrestrial Orchid Propagation and Production Conference Proceedings. The North American Native Terrestrial Orchid Conference, Germantown, MD, pp. 65–72.
MEYER, A., BRUNS, E., FOSTER, J., MIMS, R. & TOPPILA, R. (2024). Conservation horticulture expertise at botanic gardens. BGCI-USBG. Available online: www.bgci.org/news-events/new-report-highlights-global-expertise-in-conservation-horticulture-at-botanic-gardens (accessed November 2024).
MILLER, B., CONWAY, W., READING, R.P., WEMMER, C., WILDT, D., KLEIMAN, D., MONFORT, S., RABINOWITZ, A., ARMSTRONG, B. & HUTCHINS, M. (2004). Evaluating the conservation mission of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and natural history museums. Conservation Biology, 18: 86–93.
NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE (2017). Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: https://doi.org/10.17226/23674
NATURESERVE EXPLORER (2000–2025). Web application. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Available online: https://explorer.natureserve.org (accessed May 2024).
O’DONNELL, K. & SHARROCK, S. (2018). Botanic gardens complement agricultural gene bank in collecting and conserving plant genetic diversity. Biopreservation and Biobanking, 16: 384–390. doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/bio.2018.0028
PENNSYLVANIA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM (2024). Species and natural features list: plants. Available online: www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/SpeciesFeatures.aspx (accessed May 2024).
PIMM, S.L. & JOPPA, L.N. (2015). How many plant species are there, where are they, and at what rate are they going extinct? Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 100: 170–176. doi: https://doi.org/10.3417/2012018
POLHILL, R.M. (ED.) (1952–2012). Flora of Tropical East Africa. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond.
RAE, D. (2004). The role of horticulture in the global strategy for plant conservation. Sibbaldia, 2: 95–100. doi: https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2004.105
RAE, D. (2008). The value of living collection catalogues and catalogues produced from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Sibbaldia, 6: 115–131. doi: https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2008.38
RAMSAY, M.M. & STEWART, J. (2008). Re-establishment of the lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus L.) in Britain. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 126: 173–181. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1998.tb02524.x
RANDALL, C. (2018). Longwood Gardens: 100+ Years of Garden Splendor (2nd edn). Longwood Gardens, Inc., Kennett Square, PA.
SCHUESSLER, L. (2013). The gift of orchids at Longwood Gardens. Available online: https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2013-01-31/gift-orchids-longwood-gardens (accessed February 2024).
SHARROCK, S., HOFT, R. & DIAS, B.F.D.S. (2018). An overview of recent progress in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation – a global perspective. Rodriguésia, 69: 1489–1511. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860201869401
SHEVIAK, C.J. (2024). Platanthera. In: FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA EDITORIAL COMMITTEE (EDS), 1993–. Flora of North America North of Mexico, vol. 26. Available online: http://beta.floranorthamerica.org/Platanthera (accessed May 2024).
SMITH, P. (2017). Editorial: Conservation horticulture: making a garden a botanic garden. BGjournal, 14(2): 2.
SMITH, P. (2018). The challenge for botanic garden science. Plants, People, Planet, 1: 38–43. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10
STOUTAMIRE, W.P. (1974). Relationships of the purple-fringed orchids Platanthera psycodes and P. grandiflora. Britonnia, 26: 42–58.
SULESKI, J. & IBARAKI, M. (2010). Scientists are talking, but mostly to each other: a quantitative analysis of research represented in mass media. Public Understanding of Science, 19: 115–125. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625080967
SWARTS, N.D. & DIXON, K.W. (2009a). Perspectives on orchid conservation in botanic gardens. Trends in Plant Science, 14: 590–598. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2009.07.008
SWARTS, N.D. & DIXON, K.W. (2009b). Terrestrial orchid conservation in the age of extinction. Annals of Botany, 104: 543–556. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcp025
TSUCHIYA, I. (1954). Germination of orchid seeds from premature pods. Na Pua Okika o Hawaii Nei, 4: 130–131.
TURNER-SKOFF, J.B., JOHNSON, L.R., STEFFERUD, E., STRATMAN, P. & SANTOS, K. (2024). Reimagining relationships with resources as a public garden: case studies of Longwood Gardens’ sustainability and stewardship practices. Journal of Zoological and Botanic Gardens, 5: 481–491. Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/5/3/32 (accessed February 2025).
TURNER‐SKOFF, J.B., PAIST, S., BYRNE, A. & WESTWOOD, M. (2022). ArbNet: 10 years of fostering collaborations, furthering professionalism, and advancing the planting and conservation of trees through the global network of arboreta. Plants, People, Planet, 4: 128–135. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10228
VELDMAN, S., GRAVENDEEL, B., OTIENO, J.N., LAMMERS, Y., DUIJM, E., NIEMAN, A., BYTEBIER, B., NGUGI, G., MARTOS, F., VAN ANDEL, T. & DE BOER, H.J. (2017). High-throughput sequencing of African chikanda cake highlights conservation challenges in orchids. Biodiversity and Conservation, 26: 2029–2046. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1343-7
VELDMAN, S., OTIENO, J.N., ANDEL, T.V., GRAVENDEEL, B. & BOER, H.J. (2014). Efforts urged to tackle thriving illegal orchid trade in Tanzania and Zambia for chikanda production. Traffic Bulletin, 26: 47–50.
VITT, P., TAYLOR, A., RAKOSY, D., KREFT, H., MEYER, A., WEIGELT, P. & KNIGHT, T.M. (2023). Global conservation prioritization for the Orchidaceae. Scientific Reports, 13: 6718. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30177-y
WALL, V. & FULK, R. (2011). Partnerships and collaboration for conservation. BGjournal, 8: 12–14. Available online: www.jstor.org/stable/24811061 (accessed February 2024).
WESTWOOD, M., CAVENDER, N., MEYER, A. & SMITH, P. (2021). Botanic garden solutions to the plant extinction crisis. Plants, People, Planet, 3: 22–32. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10134
WRAITH, J., NORMAN, P. & PICKERING, C. (2020). Orchid conservation and research: An analysis of gaps and priorities for globally Red Listed species. Ambio, 49: 1601–1611. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01306-7
ZALE, P.J., CLAYTON, A., NIX, J. & TAYLOR, M. (2022a). Asymbiotic in vitro seed germination, in vitro seedling development, and ex vitro acclimatization of Spiranthes. Applications in Plant Sciences, 10: e11494. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11494
ZALE, P.J., MCCORMICK, M.K. & WHIGHAM, D.F. (2022b). Choosing a favorable substrate to cultivate native orchids symbiotically: Examples using Goodyera tesselata and Platanthera blephariglottis. HortScience, 57: 634–642. doi: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16509-22
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Peter J. Zale, Jessica B. Turner-Skoff, Kate Santos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Please read our Open Access, Copyright and Permissions policies for more information.
