Hot take: should botanical gardens cut back on exotic plant collections to focus on native species only?
I saw the big greenhouse at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus last weekend and half the plants were from Madagascar or Southeast Asia, which made me wonder if that is actually helping anyone. Are we supposed to keep collecting pretty plants from everywhere or go all in on local stuff that supports bees and birds?
Franklin Park's palm house is honestly one of my favorite spots in Columbus, so I get the pull of those faraway plants. But you're asking a real question, and the bees and birds around here could sure use more help than a Madagascar palm ever will.