The University of Tennessee Gardens
See also : Visitor Information : Garden News and Events
The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Their mission is to foster appreciation, education, and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs, and research trials. Some 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses are evaluated each year. Both gardens are TN Certified Arboreta. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. For more information visit http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/ and http://westtennessee.tennessee.edu/ornamentals/.
Conifers for Gardeners
A 1-Day Symposium on how to grow and use conifers in the mid-South
Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:30 – 5:00
Location: University of Tennessee Visitor Center and the UT Gardens, 2712 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996
For directions: http://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/visit/directions.shtml
American Conifer Society Members $40; UT Gardens Members $40; Non-members $45. Register on line at https://web.dii.utk.edu/agStore/pc-2709-2412-conifers-for-gardeners-symposium.aspx or call 865-974-8265.
Come and learn about some of the most beautiful and low maintenance plants you can have in your garden. The day includes educational seminars teaching you how to grow and design your garden with conifers combined with a guided walk through the UT Gardens conifer collection. This exciting symposium will conclude with an exclusive conifer plant sale of some of the most beautiful and choice selections for the mid-South.
- Symposium includes lunch, education, tour and sale. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- The UT Gardens are an official American Conifer Society Reference Garden
- An ACS Reference Garden Grant provides funding in support of this symposium
- For more information call 865-974-7972 or e-mail sueham@utk.edu or http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/
8:30 Welcome – Duane Ridenour
8:45 "Go Cone Crazy: A Craving for Conifers” - Flo Chaffin
9:45 Break
10:00 “Great Conifers Worth Knowing from the ACS West TN Reference Garden” - Jason Reeves
10:45 “Great Conifers Worth Knowing from the ACS East TN Reference Garden” – Andy Pulte
11:30 Buffet lunch
12:30 “Hiding From the Neighbors: Green Privacy Screening” – Hugh Conlon
1:15 “How To Use Conifers and Companion Plants in the Landscape” - Sue Hamilton
2:00 Break
2:15 Guided walk thru the UT Gardens Conifer Collection – Sue Hamilton, Andy Pulte, Jason Reeves and Duane Ridenour
3:00 Conifer Plant Sale
Optional on-your-own tours for Sunday to ACS members private gardens of Alan Solomon and Sue Hamilton
Extension is celebrating its 100th year in Tennessee!
What better time to join Extension and become a Master Gardener!
Who are Master Gardeners? Master Gardeners are an active and vibrant group of volunteers who are passionate about gardening, want to make a difference in their community, and have completed 40 hours of classes and volunteering. They represent the University of Tennessee and Extension in our community.
What do Master Gardeners do? Since 1985 the Knox County Master Gardeners have played an active role in the community by providing education and assistance in gardening and horticulture. Last year alone, our volunteers helped more than 3000 people and donated nearly 5000 hours of service, impacting the lives of Knox County residents for the better. Along with Neal Denton, they even had a chance to present at the Frank R. Strang Senior Center, twice!
What are some of the benefits of becoming a Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are eligible for advanced gardening workshops, educational garden tours, and have the opportunity to network with advanced gardeners and horticultural professionals. After this year’s training we look forward to touring Jefferson’s gardens at Monticello!
How can I become a Master Gardener? If you have an interest in gardening and giving back to the community, the next Master Gardener Training starts March 1st and ends April 12th. Classes will be held on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon and will cover a range of horticultural topics. The cost for the training is $95.
For more information or to apply for the upcoming training, please contact Emily Gonzalez, Extension Agent, at 705-9946.
UT Garden monthly e-newsletter now available online:
You don't want to miss out on receiving our monthly eNewsletter! To subscribe and receive our newsletter click on the icon ("Receive our eNewsletter") at the right. Click here to view recent archived newsletters.
Books and Blooms has ended for 2009. It will resume in May, 2010 so stay tuned here for updates.
If you would like to be put on an email list to receive a weekly reminder about Books and Blooms when it resumes in 2010, please email Beth Willis at: ewillis2@utk.edu
Noon and Twilight Tours have ended for 2009. Watch this page for our next year's events!
American Garden Award
was a new competition that enabled you to vote for your favorite flower! The first year's winning varieties have been announced: Rudbeckia 'Tiger Eye Gold' came in first, followed by Petunia 'Baby Duck Yellow' in second place and Pentas 'Northern Lights Lavender' in third. Each of these varieties will be available to the public next year, so don't miss your opportunity to add one or more of these prize-winning plants to your own garden.
The University of Tennessee Trial Garden was one of only 17 prestigious gardens invited to participate in 2009. If you didn't get a chance to cast your vote this year don't worry - the UT Gardens will be participating in 2010 as well.
UT Gardens Volunteers
The UT Gardens Volunteer Program is continuing to work with staff each Tuesday morning from 9-12 and each Thursday afternoon from 1-4. Session will continue through November and possible into December (depending on weather.) To learn how you can join in these work sessions, contact Beth Willis at ewillis2@utk.edu; 974-2712
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Garden Girls Takes Break
The Garden Girls Show, which has aired for 5 years on WNOX in Knoxville, said goodbye with a final show on October 3, 2009. Garden Girls Sue Hamilton and Beth Babbit along with host Andy Pulte have given gardening tips and sage wisdom over the years. After a break, they will be seeking a new home for the show.
Corona is the official tool sponsor of the UT Gardens.
Contact The UT Gardens
UT Gardens
Department of Plant Sciences
252 Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-8265
Fax: (865) 974-1947
Email: utgardens@utk.edu
