The Crosby Arboretum in Picayune has been named the recipient of the American Public Garden Association Garden Excellence Award.
Crosby Arboretum Director Pat Drackett said this award is given to one public garden per year, so it is a highly coveted prize.
The award was issued based on the entirety of the arboretum and its many exhibits, and also on the arboretum staff’s commitment to utilizing the best horticultural practices.
With so many larger gardens in the nation with access to big budgets, the arboretum’s staff pride themselves on being able to accomplish so much with so few people.
“In a time when gardens have to do with less, the arboretum has been designed to need minimal maintenance,” Drackett said.
Drackett said this award comes at a historic time, the 30th anniversary of the local attraction. Additionally, being recognized for their achievements fits right along with the arboretum’s first director’s master plan, which will be on display this spring in the local attraction’s gallery. Ed Blake Jr. was the director when the facility opened in 1986. His other works will also be on display, including sketchbooks.
Visitors to the arboretum can see more than 300 native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers as they walk the many trails and visit the variety of exhibits.
Drackett said the arboretum will be presented with the award at the ceremony to be held in June in Miami, Florida.
Other recipients of the award over the past years in chronological order include the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Longwood Gardens, Springs Preserve, Bok Tower Gardens and the Smithsonian Gardens.