History of Botanica

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1992- The Beginning 
In the fall of 1991, three local plant societies planned an educational event for the general public that would feature local home gardening experts and would offer quality iris, hosta, and daylily plants for sale to the general public.  "Panorama" was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of Kentucky, and the event was held in June of 1992 and 1993 at Akin's Back Farm in LaGrange.

1993- New Beginning
Following the 1993 Panorama event, the directors determined that the group should expand its mission and change its name to better reflect its new goals: being an umbrella organization for the local gardening community; and offering quality programs to educate the general public in home gardening.  The name "Botanica" was chosen to more closely reflect its new mission.

1994- Programs
Botanica began bringing nationally and internationally known speakers to Louisville two or three times each year, and became known as a sponsor of educational events for gardeners.  These events, which included book sales and plant auctions, were very successful in offering a greater knowledge of plants and gardening to the public.

1995- Directory
Responding to a need for a centralized source of information about local gardening groups, in 1995 Botanica compiled and published the first "Kentuckiana Directory of Horticultural Societies, Garden Clubs, County Extension Agents, and Professional Horticultural Associations."  This annually updated Directory is widely distributed as a resource for both new and longtime Kentuckiana residents.

1996- Nonprofit Status
Botanica applied for its IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit designation in 1995 and received its final approval in March 2000.

2001- Garden and Conservatory
In 1999 Botanica was notified that it was the beneficiary to a trust set up by Helen Harrigan, a local gardener, whose dream was for Louisville to have a botanic garden.  The income from Helen's trust made it possible for Botanica to hire Bravura, Inc. to begin a study for a Horticultural Center and Gardens.  This has now evolved into a Master Plan for a center with a Conservatory and Gardens and is well into its third phase.  The site now under consideration is near Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville and will be a tremendous asset for the region.

2002- 1st Fleur de Lis Festival
In the fall of 2001, Jefferson County Commissioner Dolores Delahanty asked Botanica to be a sponsor of the first Fleur de Lis Festival to be held at Waterfront Park.  Other sponsors were Commissioner Russ Maple; Alderman Dan Johnson, Cyril Allgeier, and Greg Handy; Sheriff John Aubrey; the LG&E Foundation; and the Louisville Area Iris Society. There were twelve vendors of miscellaneous items, entertainment, an art contest for children, and food.

2002- Fleur de Lis Gardens
Botanica was asked by the Waterfront Development Corporation to design, plant, and maintain nine raised concrete planters located at the top of the Great Lawn where the Fleur de Lis Festival was held.  A local professional landscape designer donated the design, and planting of the first four beds by Botanica volunteers began in the fall of 2002.  The five remaining beds were planted in 2003 and a crew of volunteers continues to maintain these beds, now known as the "Fleur de Lis Gardens."

2003- 2nd Fleur de Lis Festival
Commissoner Delahanty asked Botanica, as a nonprofit organization, to produce the annual Fluer de Lis Festival, and the 2003 event had over forty vendors of garden related items, love music on stage, garden experts and floral design demonstrations, and wonderful foods.

2004- 3rd Fleur de Lis Festival
The festival theme was centered on celebrating gardening in our community and featured vendors of all things having to do with this fast-growing hobby.  Live entertainment on stage lent a festive air and wonderful food was available.  Gardening and plant experts were available to answer questions and other aspects of gardening were featured.