P.J. Berckmans influence is still seen all over the south through his work in the fruit and ornamental industry and in 1908 the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared that he had done more for American horticulture than almost any other man. Fruitlands Nursery became a world-class experimental station as well as a botanical garden which disseminated many of the most valuable plants of the southern horticulturist including Honey peaches, Kelsey plum, Japanese persimmon, hardy lemon, Amoor River privet, Berckmans dwarf arborvitae, eleagnus, wisteria and other fruits and ornamentals. Fruitlands Nursery is still at the forefront of interest in Georgia. The nursery is now known as the Augusta National Golf Club and annually hosts the Masters Golf Tournament. The Augusta National Club House is the original family home of the Berckmans.
Horticulture is one of the fastest growing segments in Georgia agriculture.
This was 8 percent above 1994 and 54 percent above 1991. Georgia has over 19,500 acres producing horticultural products and is ranked among the top fifteen horticultural producing states in nation. Georgia is home to four of the nation's Top 100 Nursery Growers and is home to the largest container nursery east of the Mississippi River. Atlanta is also corporate headquarters for the nation's number one retailer of plants through home and garden center stores. Today's horticultural community employs over 40,000 Georgians.