Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery lost thousands of plants to December freeze

The freezing weather in December killed thousands of plants at Oakland Cemetery. (Courtesy of Historic Oakland Foundation)

Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery is in recovery mode after the deep freeze in December. The cemetery, which is also the city’s oldest park, lost thousands of plants to the cold, and its greenhouse was damaged.

As cemetery staff take stock, they are estimating about $75,000 in plant losses and infrastructure repairs. The Historic Oakland Foundation, which manages the cemetery, is fundraising to help restore what was lost.

“Plants are resilient; they really do try to hold on to the end,” said Abra Lee, director of horticulture at the Oakland Cemetery.