Editor’s note: You see the results of our horticulture staff’s work every time you visit the Arboretum, so we want to introduce you to the team who inspires our organization. Each month, we highlight a different member of our horticultural team in our new “Growing with” series. This month we’re Growing with Jeffrey Johnson.
If you’ve visited the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in the peak of spring lilac season the past 14 years and been overcome with the scent and beauty of the flowers, you can thank the impeccable maintenance of Landscape Gardener Jeffrey Johnson. Johnson specializes in trees and shrubs at the Arboretum, and maintains the Hueg Lilac Collection, Pillsbury Shade Tree Exhibit, Bailey Shrub Walk, Haggerty Pine Walk and Isaacson Oak and Nut Collection, in addition to other tree collections along Three-Mile Drive.
Johnson started working at the Arboretum in August of 1986 as the Tree Fruits Gardener/Orchardist at the Horticultural Research Center, and his work at the Arboretum isn’t just “work,” it’s a part of his life mission. “I believe horticulture has an essential and vital role in a civilized society and through the transitions with which we are now involved,” Johnson says. “I think it is critical we somehow instill the sense of awe, spirituality and sacredness for our relationships with the environment. I think the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has a vital role if we grow to our potential as a significant cultural force for the region.”
What is your earliest memory of gardening (and/or nature)?
My earliest memories of gardens and gardening are of my mother’s garden in a very small city lot in the Frogtown area (Dale St. and Thomas Ave.) of St Paul. She grew mostly annuals. I have early recollections of having dreams of converting the tiny yard into some sort of wildlife habitat, with a pond, turtles, fish and birds.
Growing up in the 1960s, I had a lot of freedom. My friends and I rode bikes to Como Park and the magnificent grounds and conservatory (later known as the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory after renovations in the late 1990s through early 2000s).
Do you have a home garden? If so, tell us about it. What do you like to grow in it? What is your favorite plant in it?
As with many horticulturists, I have an eclectic garden. My wife has indulged me to landscape primarily for wildlife habitat. It is a mixture of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials, mostly North American native plants.
My favorite shrub in our yard is a Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). It reminds me of a time at St. Croix State Park fishing with my daughter and son at the canoe landing along the St. Croix river. Upstream was a Buttonbush on the bank in full bloom with many different insects swarming around the flowers.
Who taught you to garden? Share a story about them.
Hmmm, I cannot think of one individual who taught me to garden, but rather many different people who influenced my development.
My mother was somewhat influential, although we had very different styles and priorities. And she let it be known it was her garden, not mine.
Dr. Bob Mullin, Dr. Gus Hard and Dr. Bert Swanson and Professor Deborah L. Brown were influential teachers of mine at the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Tom Brinda was the first person to introduce me to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum when we were in a study group struggling to get through plant physiology and organic chemistry.
Les Potts was my boss on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus, where I worked before coming to the Arboretum. He taught me a lot.
What garden do you work in primarily? What do your job duties involve?
I maintain five ‘High Priority’ areas: the Hueg Lilac Collection (oldest collection in the Arboretum), the Pillsbury Shade Tree Exhibit, the Bailey Shrub Walk, the Haggerty Pine Walk and the Isaacson Oak and Nut Collection. I also maintain most of the tree collections around Three-Mile Drive, plus the long-term tree evaluation plantings on the perimeter of the Arboretum.
My maintenance work involves recommending to the Curator of Collections additions to the gardens and collections, planting, staking, watering, mulching, pruning, weed control, other pest control, and removal within areas for which I am responsible. I also interact with our Integrated Pest Management specialist on specific tree and shrub pests. I am the lead worker on a crew that assists in these tasks. I also recruit, train, retain (hopefully) a great group of volunteers, which is essential to maintain areas at a high level.
What is the most challenging plant you work on at the Arb, and why?
The biggest challenge for me as a trees and shrubs specialist is maintaining the marginally hardy trees and shrubs. Winter injury can be significant. To have the plants look acceptable, we often have to wait until plants leaf out and resume growth, then prune injured parts off. Then, sometimes the injury will not express itself until later in the summer, whereby we do our best to have specimens look acceptable. Most of the time the pressure is self-imposed though.
Do you have any favorite gardening tricks or tips you’ve picked up along the way?
Develop a sharp mind; keep a sharp eye, and properly sharpen tools.
I am an advocate of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, and the implementation of those 7 Habits in environmental horticulture. The 7 Habits are: be proactive; start with the end in mind; first things first; think win:win; seek first to understand; synergize; sharpen the saw.
I am known for the saying, “The work is endless; we can do only one thing at a time; it’s all a matter of priorities.” It keeps me relatively sane.
Share a favorite memory when your work at the Arboretum impacted a member/visitor in a meaningful way.
My favorite memories are of working with volunteers and student workers eager to learn and contribute. Many professionals in the field who were interns or MAST Students [an international exchange program offered through MAST International at the University of Minnesota] give me some credit for their professional development. That is incredibly gratifying. Many of the volunteers whom I have worked with have become lifelong friends; also, incredibly gratifying. I am blessed.