Erin Presley BIO
A lifelong Wisconsin girl, Erin Presley grew up in the rural center of the state and has a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked as a boots-on-the-ground gardener for more than two decades, both in the private sector and as a horticulturist at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison since 2014. Her interests include native woodland plantings, sedges, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant gardening styles, recycling woody debris, and all things related to herbs, vegetables, and cooking. In addition to teaching at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Erin loves talking plants and collaborating with herb societies, master gardeners, and local community organizations. Never shy when it comes to sharing the joy of gardening, she has appeared on the nationally syndicated podcast Cultivating Place and Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk and is a contributor publications such as Fine Gardening and Edible Madison. Learn more about Erin by visiting her Instagram @presleyspreferredplants, listening to her interview on Cultivating Place, interviews on Garden Talk with Larry Meiller, the PBS presentation with Rita Peters, and visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
SHOW NOTES
Erin’s youth in rural central Wisconsin which fostered her love for nature from an early age
Central Wisconsin, where she grew up, is in a tension zone with a unique mix of plant species and interesting glacial geology
Her involvement in 4-H and landscaping projects as a kid and realizing horticulture was a career path in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Erin emphasized the importance of building a professional network in horticulture
Erin’s time as a professional gardener in the private sector and lessons learned about plant resilience, client attitudes toward gardening, and the importance of persistence and transformation in gardening
Erin current role at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a 16-acre public garden in Madison, Wisconsin, which includes outdoor gardens and a tropical conservatory
Olbrich Botanical Gardens was founded by Michael B. Olbrich to ensure public access to green spaces as Madison's lakeshore was developed
Erin manages the herb garden, a native shade garden, pond garden, and one of the earliest gravel garden installations in the Midwest
Elements that Erin would teach in a masterclass on gardening including making gardens relatable to visitors, showing practical techniques, and incorporating cultural elements
Culturally relevant gardens at Olbrich, including those focusing on Ayurveda, indigenous food practices for the Ho Chunk Nation , and gardens for Hmong culture, including a theme on the Plain of Jars
Erin emphasized adding elements of fun and whimsy to gardens to engage visitors and make gardening seem accessible and enjoyable
She believes in showcasing unique and eye-catching plants to surprise and educate visitors, such as Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink) and Euphorbia marginata (snow-on-the-mountain).
The dichotomy of working in public gardens, balancing the enjoyment of nature with the hard work it entails.
Making the herb garden interesting all year by incorporating strong plants with winter interest for off-season appeal, utilizing colorful bark of willows and dogwoods, using formal hedges to provide structure and contrast, and pruning fruit trees in espalier style for strong visual elements
The practice of recycling woody debris to create garden structures and support for vines and leaving perennial debris to benefit native insect populations
The story of a decaying crab tree turned into a garden centerpiece supporting wildlife
The importance of using garden materials for a sense of history and character
Techniques for starting hügelkultur beds with woody debris and organic matter to enhance soil quality without disturbing soil microbiology
Engaging with indigenous cultures like the Ho-Chunk Nation through garden projects
Establishing cultural gardens with input from community members like Rita Peters
The importance of trust, authenticity, and being culturally aware in creating culturally relevant gardens
Public engagement through events like milkweed soup sessions
Using food as a means of engaging and educating the public about cultural traditions like the Hmong cucumber drink
Learning from interns with strong cultural heritage
The oral history of the Hmong people and its richness in stories and traditions
Listening to non-gardeners for fresh ideas and inspiration
Observing people's reactions and conversations for new gardening insights
The woodland garden at Olbrich was planted in the mid-1990s and has grown into a fantastic collection of ephemerals, supporting a range of specialist pollinators.
The insect scouting group that monitors bugs throughout the garden and records their findings in iNaturalist and helping to bolster the garden’s ecosystem value.
Managing invasive species at Olbrich like Epipactis helleborine (broad-leaved helleborine)
Gravel garden experts like Jeff Epping, Roy Diblik, and Cassian Schmidt
Details on the gravel gardens including using a thick layer of quartzite-based gravel and drought-tolerant perennials.
The importance of self-care, professional networking, paying attention to how people interact with garden spaces, and exploring nature to cultivate oneself as a horticulturist.
Writing about plants involves making the information accessible, keeping the tone friendly, and providing practical takeaways, while also watching the word count.
Erin’s favorite horticulture book is Wisconsin’s Natural Communities by Randy Hoffman, which offers insights into plant communities and serves as a guidebook for exploring natural areas in Wisconsin.
A garden myth Erin wants to bust is the belief in plant spacing tags on perennials, advocating for denser planting to create a more natural and community-like environment.
How to propagate more horticulturists by educating the public, having internships or camps, engaging with professional gatherings, and treating people fairly
Learn more about Erin by visiting her Instagram @presleyspreferredplants, listening to her interview on Cultivating Place, interviews on Garden Talk with Larry Meiller, the PBS presentation with Rita Peters, and visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens