Magnolia’s Plant Collections Manager Featured by IrisBG

We’re thrilled to share that Mike Brewer, Magnolia’s Plant Collections Manager, was recently featured in a spotlight article by IrisBG, the plant collection management system used by leading gardens around the world. The piece highlights Mike’s inspiring journey — from his early career in the music industry to his current role managing one of the South’s most historic living collections here at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

In the interview, Mike talks about his path into horticulture, his mentors at Naples Botanical Garden, and his growing expertise with Magnolia’s extensive camellia collection, which includes cultivars dating back to the 1800s. He also shares insights into how IrisBG supports our work in documenting and preserving the garden’s plant records — an essential part of Magnolia’s ongoing stewardship of this living history.

We’re proud to see Mike’s work and Magnolia’s collections recognized by a platform that connects botanical institutions worldwide!

👉 Read the full feature on the IrisBG website: From Rock and Roll Dreams to Camellias and Cacti: Mike Brewer’s Path into Horticulture