FOLLOWING WHAT FLOURISHES, with AMANDA HANNAH
- Jennifer Jewell
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Amanda Hannah is the Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture at Holden Forests & Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio.
Amanda’s path into horticulture has taken her from the agricultural landscapes of Idaho and Utah to studying in Argentina, living in Seattle, and moving through the Longwood Fellows Program.
This week, Amanda and Cultivating Place Host, Abra Lee, dive into plants, the role of public gardens, conservation, and how following an unexpected passion can transform the course of a life.
From Abra: Today I’m so excited to welcome Amanda Hannah, horticulturist extraordinaire and public gardens leader. As Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture, Amanda oversees plant collections and helps shape the future of one of the country’s leading public garden organizations. But you would have never guessed, her path to horticulture definitely wasn’t a straight one.
From her upbringing in the agricultural landscapes of Idaho and Utah, to a life-changing nudge from a mentor at the University of Tennessee, to experiences in Argentina and the renowned Longwood Fellows Program, Amanda's journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, persistence, and saying yes to new
opportunities.
Cultivating Place family, please join me in giving a warm welcome to Amanda Hannah!
Follow Amanda & Holden Forests & Gardens online:
and on Instagram:
All photos courtesy of Amanda Hannah. All Rights Reserved
If you enjoyed this program, you might also enjoy these
The Hidden Histories Of Garden Legacies, with Rose Vincent, Resource Librarian NYBG
JOIN US again next week: As Gardeners, we love sharing our bounty with others. As a Gardener/businesswoman, Susan Greutman, does too. The owner of Sunchoke Farms, an urban farm and micro bakery in South Bend, Indiana, Susan cultivates plants, place, and community and she joins host Ben Futa on Cultivating Place this week to share more, listen in! ... That's right here, next week. Listen in!
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Thinking out loud this week...
Hey, y'all, it's Abra—
Talking with Amanda has me reflecting on the unexpected paths that lead us to the work we’re meant to do. From her early experiences growing up around agriculture in Idaho and Utah, to being encouraged by a mentor to pursue
horticulture, to taking opportunities that carried her across the globe, Amanda’s story is a reminder that our passions often reveal themselves one step at a time.
This week, I invite you to think about a plant that has become meaningful in your life. Maybe it’s a favorite houseplant, a tree you've watched grow over the years, or a flower that reminds you of someone special. Spend a little time noticing what draws you to it and what it might be teaching you about patience, resilience, or care.
Because cultivating your place isn't only about tending gardens. Sometimes it's about paying attention to the things that inspire us, following our curiosity, and allowing new possibilities to take root and grow.
One thing I keep thinking about from my conversation with Amanda is the incredible diversity of the plant world. From the remarkable collections at Holden Forests & Gardens to the many peperomias she grows in her own home, Amanda reminds us that plants come in an astonishing variety of forms, each with its own story, adaptations, and beauty.
So this week, I invite you to spend some time getting to know a plant a little better. Maybe it’s a houseplant you've had for years, a new plant you've been curious about, or a specimen growing in a local botanical garden or public
landscape. Learn its name, where it comes from, and what conditions help it thrive.
The more we learn about plants, the more connected we become to the larger living world around us. And often, that connection begins with something simple: curiosity, observation, and a willingness to look a little closer.
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Cultivating Place is a co-production of North State Public Radio, licensed to Chico State Enterprises. Cultivating Place is made possible in part listeners just like you through the support button at the top right-hand corner of every page at Cultivating Place.org
The CP team includes producer and engineer Matt Fidler, with weekly tech and web support from Angel Huracha, weekly communications support by Sheila Stern and Carley Bruckner, and regular hosting by Founder, Jennifer Jewell, as well as Abra Lee in Atlanta, Georgia, and Ben Futa in South Bend, Indiana. We’re based on the traditional and present homelands of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Chico Rancheria. Original theme music is by Ma Muse..
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