Geraldine Adamich Laufer

Geraldine Adamich Laufer is an American horticulturist and writer, best known for her research on Tussie mussies.

Early Life and education

Laufer graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and worked in educational research. Along with her husband, made A Tour of major European gardens and museums in 1974, and returned with the RESOLVE to pursue plant science. She enrolled in Rutgers University, graduating with a Masters degree in horticulture in 1978.

Biography

Laufer started her career as a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service as a county agent in Cobb County. In 1981, she was the founding president of The Herb Society of America's Chattahoochee Unit, serving on its board for the decade following. She served on the board of trustees for Atlanta Botanical Garden from 1980 to 1998. She conducted a research into the history of carried and worn flowers, collecting out-of-print volumes on floral symbolism and language of flowers. Her research at the Folger Shakespeare library, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, among others, led to collaboration with two photographers to interpret the tussie mussie form for modern day themes. This effort culminated in the publication of Tussie Mussies, which is used in many floral design curricula, widely regarded as the leading publication on this floral form.

She worked as a public relations manager for Atlanta Botanical Garden from 1998 to 2009. In 2009 she opened an independent public relations consultancy and continues to lecture widely AbOUT the horticulture. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines.