We are celebrating our Horticultural staff and getting to know them a little better through our new series Gardener Profiles! Today we meet Emily Allsop, our resident Bromeliads expert. Emily was also recently featured in a Pacific NW Magazine article about the Conservatory, read it here.

How long have you been working at VPC?

I just celebrated by 4 year anniversary! I've been with the Parks since 2012.

Do you have a specialty or concentration at VPC?

I work with the Bromeliads and Tillandsias. In the Fern House I deal with the propagation and care of the tropical plants that go into those displays. Also I prep several months in advance for the Chrysanthemum exhibit in fall which is a progressive plan beginning with propagation in February.

How did your love of horticulture begin?

My family has always dealt with horticulture in some form or other.  Growing up we always planted and maintained a large family garden and my grandmother influenced me with her love of perennials and herbs. In my younger days I owned over 300 houseplants and was always looking for the next plant of interest.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Just the fact that my 'office' space is a serene tropical setting filled with all plants imaginable, humbles me.  My career led me to this!   I am grateful that I have this responsibility to safeguard and perpetuate the existence of the Conservatory and its collections.

Do you have a favorite VPC collection specimen?

There are so many but I still get goose bumps when I see the Jade vine flower or the Solandra gets its first giant yellow waxy blossom. Every new burst of growth seems to trump the previous one and leaves me in awe.

What do you do for fun outside of work at VPC?

Salsa dancing use to be a big part of my life as well as metal smithing/jewelry making. But with a new home I had set goals of landscaping my garden and remodeling my interior that I have little time for any of that now.  

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