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Discovering the Secret Life of Plants at Moody Gardens
By SUE MAYFIELD GIEGER (Published 4/04)
Everyone knows what a great place it is – Moody Gardens. Attractions include the Rainforest Pyramid, Imax 3D theater, Aquarium, Discovery Pyramid, Palm Beach, Ridefilm Theater, Moody Gardens Hotel, Convention and Conference Center, The Colonel Paddlewheel boat, and educational programs. The offerings at this incredible facility are sensational and have been enjoyed by a multitude of visitors for many years. But, let's take time out to stop and smell the roses.
In Peter Tompkins' "The Secret Life of Plants," he explains the science of plant life and human interaction; that plants have feelings and respond not only to humans but their basic environment. Seemingly, a similar relationship is felt among the humans who interact with plants. With spring now in our midst, we felt it fitting to take you behind the scenes at this remarkable complex and introduce you to some rare botanicals, plus re-introduce you to some old favorites, as well as give you a little background information on the folks who keep the foliage happy and healthy.
If you don't have a map, chances are you won't find the greenhouses and associated buildings tucked away on the far east side of the property. Upstairs and far removed from the tourist arena, you will find the offices of Grounds Director John Kriegel and the rest of the talented staff. The walls are full of maps, drawings, and sketches, with landscape jargon marking pathways of where certain species will go, locations of wetland lagoons, the desert conservatory, tropical dome, etc. Several shelves contain a variety of books and pamphlets on everything from seeds to bonsai. Colorful posters of brilliant flowers are tacked about (including their scientific names), one specifically touting tulips with names like "Apricot Parrot" and "Queen of Marvel."
Dressed casually in jeans, loafers and blue shirt, John Kriegel isn't much on titles, so prefers to introduce Donita Brannon and Terry O'Connell as part of the integral team who keep everything together. However, typically Donita oversees the Rainforest, while Terry looks after the greenhouses and takes care of horticulture therapy. All in all, about 30 people are responsible for the care and maintenance of the grounds, including Leslie Youngblood, greenhouse supervisor, who co-ordinates the color beds. Plus, volunteers come every Wednesday to help with propagation.
As a non-profit entity, Moody Gardens operates on leased land owned by the City of Galveston, specifically the old airport property. The Moody Foundation provides the resources to build the structures, with the facility sustaining itself on generated income and funding. Originally created in 1986 as gardens to surround a hippotherapy riding program, the 146 acres now include all of the amenities listed above, plus a portion of wetlands.
"We are the plant people," says John. "Everything you see here, we have all collectively designed ourselves, installed ourselves and maintain it ourselves." With over 1,000 species alone within the Rainforest, 500 species on the grounds (including 1,000 palm trees of about 80 varieties), that's a lot to maintain. "We also have a great interest in salt-tolerant plants," John continues, "and are always working with plants that seem to do well in this environment."
The 40,000 sq. ft. ten-story Rainforest Pyramid consists of 1,700 glass panes and is also home to butterflies, birds and tropical fish representing Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Thanks to a research grant, Donita has traveled to Central America, bringing back plant tissues that were then grown in the Moody Gardens greenhouses. Many of those plants were sent to the University of Houston Department of Pharmacology to be tested for medicinal properties. The Rainforest, therefore, contains the more exotic of plants, with exterior plants being more indigenous to the area.
One of the rare species found in the Rainforest is the Bixa orellana plant (where the dye to make lipstick comes from). "We also have about a hundred varieties of palm trees," says Donita, "and they provide wonderful things, like food, drink, shelter, clothing. Palms are the source for wax, oil, medicine, thread, fiber, fans, baskets and soap. Then there's the baobab tree (also known as the Tree of Life). Elephants eat it; humans eat it; they make a drink from the fruit; there's even a medicine that comes from it. They can grow up to 30 ft. in circumference."
Donita adds that within the Rainforest Pyramid, you will also find coffee, sugar cane, bananas, coconuts, pineapples, citrus fruit, starfriut, mangos; and fragrant spices, like vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and black pepper.
The lists of medicinal plants found in the Rainforest are many. Some are: Coral bean tree, whisker vine (heart medication), coconut palm (skin infections), tail flower (bug bites and arthritis), cyclanthus (snakebite), guava (vertigo and upset stomach), cannonball tree (toothaches), curtain ivy (anti-cancer compound), and gold tree (liver/kidney disorders). One of the most common is the rosy periwinkle used to treat childhood leukemia. According to Donita, 25% of our medicines come from 1% of Rainforest plants. Of course, many have yet to even be discovered, so preserving the Rainforest is crucial.
All of the pest control in the Rainforest is done naturally using an IPM (integrated pest management) approach. Donita explains: "We use all natural enemies, which are basically bugs that eat other bugs. We use no pesticides whatsoever." John adds that the Moody Gardens Rainforest was the premiere facility to do that. The same approach is used in the greenhouse as well, unless there is a severe outbreak, then a minimal amount of chemical spray is used. The irrigation system is carefully treated and refined, plus they make their own compost assuring that everything within the confines of the gardens is recycled. Although there is an elaborately timed watering system, much of the watering has to be done by hand, specifically the potted plants. The greenhouses encompass 21,000 square feet of growing area for production and support; everything is birthed in the greenhouses.
"We are constantly adding and changing things," says John. "For instance, we just finished planting around the new parking garage and convention center; then there's the new enabling garden." Terry is mainly the one responsible for designing and maintaining the enabling garden where the term "horticulture therapy" really comes into play. Not only do the physically challenged work in the garden, they enjoy the ambiance that the garden provides. With raised beds and mostly everything within easy access, they are afforded the opportunity to be self-sufficient and productive.
Donita says that many people don't actually realize how therapeutic plants are. The whole correlation of plants, soil and growth is a wonderful thing. "We all take tremendous pleasure in the regrowth of things here," says John. But, probably the most rewarding aspect of what goes on here is the work Terry does with the physically challenged in the therapy garden. "It is very powerful to them to see that they have nurtured something and helped create it," Terry says.
Terry's division also has a large interest in herbs, which is really stimulating in the horticultural therapy program due to sensory perception. "If you're working with people who are blind, herbs are a great source of smell, taste and touch," she explains.
Curious, I have to take the tour where I immediately encounter Adrian (filling trays from his wheelchair) and Derrick (helping with the gardening). They are definitely on a mission and engrossed in what they are doing. There are three greenhouses with oodles of plants bursting out of pots, many of them blooming. Birdhouses and bird feeders are wheelchair accessible, plus there is a raised pond and raised beds, providing easy access for Adrian, Derrick and the others. Hanging baskets are on pulleys, so they can be lowered for watering, then raised back to their hanging levels. Lavender, rosemary, sage and bay laurel fill the air with enticing aromas. Terry explains how brain injury patients enjoy the smell of the herbs, while taking pleasure in the colors of nearby flowering blooms. A Red Powder Puff tree looms overhead along side a Firecracker plant. There is a showcase of tools, specifically designed for handicap use. For instance, a simple funnel inserted into a plastic pipe becomes a great assistant when planting seeds in the soil for those who are unable to kneel on the ground. The enabling garden provides a therapeutic place for the physically challenged to work, while giving them a sense of accomplishment.
Moody Gardens also works closely with the Oleander Society. There are at least 90 to 100 varieties of oleanders on the grounds. "A lot of the old-named varieties that you can no longer get in nurseries are grown here," says Terry.
There are meandering walking trails throughout the grounds that are free to the public. And as always, parking is free. Garden tours are available by request, for organizations such as Master Gardeners, Scout troops and the like. A butterfly garden will open this spring near the entrance to the Discovery Pyramid. The difference between this butterfly garden and the previous butterfly attraction in the Rainforest is that this butterfly garden will contain native butterflies, nectarous feed plants, and host plants for them to eat and lay their eggs on. So, there will be all stages of butterfly life year round.
With Terry's education (Masters in Anthropology and a Master Horticultural Therapist), plus her years of gardening experience, she is a natural who fits like a glove with the rest of the crew. Coupled with Donita's education in horticulture and ornamental floriculture, and John's B.A. in botany and M.S. in forestry, no wonder the plants are thriving. They all agree that they love what they do ("beats sitting in back of a desk all day"). They arrive at work to the sound of birds singing and the smell of fragrant blooms. When not communing with Mother Earth, they speak to organizations, present slide programs, propagation workshops and whatever is needed to promote this jungle built on an island. But, oh what a grand jungle it is.
So, the next time you go out to Moody Gardens, perhaps you will look at all those plants, shrubs and trees a little differently. Don't forget about the terraces and other beds surrounding every single structure on the premises. An array of scalloped and sculptured greenery abounds, all carefully planned and sketched before being planted into the ground by a team of behind-the-scenes caretakers. No matter how many times you've driven into the entrance or even if this is your first time to go, pay attention to the enormous palms, the side beds overflowing with pittosporum, firs, pines, hibiscus, asparagus fern, oleanders, geraniums and blooming ground cover. Without them, the canvas would be bare - for nature truly provides the best artists we could ever hope for.
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