Everyone who attended the 2024 National Convention in Cincinnati has had the experience of exploring at least a small part of this 180-year-old Garden Cemetery. We were awed at the age and extent of the conifer genus and species available for examination at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. There are at least 18 genera, 74 species, and hundreds of varieties throughout 450 landscaped acres of 750 acres total. Most of the arboretum specimens are in solitary plantings, however, there is a Garden Courtyard which is the primary location for the Dwarf Conifer Garden. Dave Gressley, Director of Horticulture, was responsible for applying for the Reference Garden status just before his retirement. Now, Brian Heinz is the Director of Horticulture and Arboriculture and will be continuing the ACS relationship in conjunction with ACS Member Sponsors Byron Baxter and Chris Daeger who live in the area. Dave Gressley stated: “Each accessioned plant is mapped and cataloged as part of Spring Grove’s plant record program. Although the slip tag accession labels can be lost, the map and catalog record of each specimen is permanent. Unique plant specimens have a metal photo display label mounted on a stake, looped with insulated wire around a branch, or screwed into the main leader. The latter practice is no longer practiced.” For a brief history of Spring Grove’s origins, in the 1830s and 1840s, Cincinnati experienced a cholera epidemic. Local small church cemeteries were overcrowded. To alleviate this problem, members of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society formed a cemetery association in 1844. They searched for a location to create a picturesque park-like rural cemetery close to the city but rural enough to allow expansion. The www.springgrove.org website, states: “In 1987, Spring Grove officially changed its name to "Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum" to include the expansive collection of both native and exotic plant materials as well as its State and National Champion Trees and its Centenarian Collection.”' Spring Grove is open seven days/week from 7 am - 6 pm except from Memorial Day to Labor Day when Monday and Thursday it is open from 7am - 8 pm. Be sure to check out https://www.springgrove.org/arboretum/ before your visit. Plan to visit every season for different views of your favorite conifers and the many blooming deciduous trees and shrubs. The spring azaleas are amazing!!