The Frightful Botanical: A suitably spooky journey into the macabre folklore and bizarre, dangerous plants of The Goth Garden
This event features author Felicia Feaster, who will explore the Victorian era, highlighting the early Gothic novels by Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as the sinister works of H.G. Wells. Attendees will learn about orchids from far-off lands, which have a history of trying to harm their caretakers. In the Victorian age, nature evoked both fear and admiration. In keeping with the Halloween spirit, the discussion will cover both common and rare plants, including tomatoes, angel’s trumpet, ghost pipe, and wormwood, along with their often dark histories. From rosemary’s use in ancient Egyptian funerals to political poisonings with castor bean, attendees will discover the murderous intent and dark secrets harbored by the plants in their gardens.
Felicia Feaster is a longtime art critic and lifestyle journalist based in Atlanta and the author of The Goth Garden: The Mystery, Beauty, and Lore of Dark Gardening, a collection of goth garden postcards, and a goth garden coloring book. With 11 years of experience as an HGTV editor, she spearheaded the first HGTV website focused on gardening, HGTVGardens. Feaster has received multiple awards from the Garden Writers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Fox News, Sunset, and the Associated Press for her insights on garden and design trends. She holds degrees from the University of Florida and Emory University and contributes to publications such as HGTV, USA Today, Martha Stewart, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Recently, she was interviewed by Alicia Malone regarding the goth garden in film for Turner Classic Movies.
The event is free and open to the public, with no registration required. Doors to Day Hall will open at 6 p.m. The program will be live-streamed on the Garden’s Facebook page, and a book signing will follow at the Garden’s Gift Shop. For any questions or concerns regarding this program, please contact classes@atlantabg.org.
The Philip and Elkin Alston Lecture Series is made possible by generous support from the estate of Elkin Goddard Alston.
