- Continue feeding the birds.
Now Showing
Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, Grey Leaf Cotoneaster
This plant has so many attributes that it can be included in any number of months as a choice specimen. Located against the entrance ramp wall, this rock spray is a wonderful selection for its blue-green, wooly-like, evergreen foliage. It has a low growing mounded form with dense compact leaves. At this time of year, it develops bright red berries that complement and stand out against the foliage in anticipation of the holidays while still in the spirit of the fall season.
Geranium 'Rozanne,' Rozanne Cranebill
For a perennial that is still packing flower punch in November, check out Geranium 'Rozanne
,' the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. Our specimen is planted right at the entrance to the UT Gardens Plaza. After a season-long period of blooms, the cooler weather of fall seems to invigorate this plant, adding a fresh flush of profuse blooming in a beautiful shade of blue. This plant is anything but delicate with bold 1.5-inch to 2-inch blooms and wonderful foliage that adds a native woodland feel. This flower does best when planted in full or at least part sun.
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Devon Cream,' Devon Cream Falsecypress
As we mentioned last time, many of the conifers are starting to take on their winter foliage color. 'Devon Cream,' however, is still providing a wonderful sh
ade of blue with just a touch of white that gives it its distinctive name. Although 'Devon-Cream' maintains a pyramid, conical form, the individual branches have a slight curve that creates an added dimension of texture. As you cross over the wooden bridge, look to your right in the bed facing the donor wall, and you will be able to see this fine specimen.
Acer palmatum 'Aconitifolium,' Full Moon Japanese Maple
One of the Japanese maples that is widely available but underused is holding on into November with its wonderful fall foliage. A conitifolium or fullmoon maple has distinctive leaves unlike any other Japanese maple. These leaves are large and not quite as deeply incised, which creates a palm-like leaf. What is outstanding about this plant is its wonderful red-orange fall color and the fact that the colored leaves stay on the tree for a long time before finally dying and falling off for the winter. One of our choice specimens is "Don William's Memorial Tree" located along the gravel path in the middle garden room. If any tree deserves a picture for its fall foliage, it is this one.
Daphniphyllum macropodum, Daphniphyllum
For a
touch of tropical feel in fall and winter, this broad leaf evergreen is an outstanding choice for a shrub, small tree or screen. This plant reminds many of rhododendrons, except it does not have a conspicuous bloom. However, it does have glossy, large leaves with red petioles and mid-rib. It also produces an abundance of grape-sized berries at this time of year. It is the perfect plant to provide food and shelter for garden wildlife, while adding a touch of green as the deciduous trees begin to lose their leaves. As the weather gets colder, this plant acts even more like rhododendron since the leaves droop but stay on. Now is the best time to see this plant by the "Burning Bush" sculpture while it is at its best.
Camellia sasanqua, 'Carolina Moonmist'
Camellias are
coming into their own now and will bloom depending on cultivar throughout the winter. Our 'Carolina Moonmist' is in full bloom right now. Like the daphniphyllum, camellias are evergreen and add a nice bright green spot in the garden. Also, loaded with bright pink blossoms, this cheery plant is sure to brighten any dreary fall day.
Dr. Sue Hamilton Appointed Director of the UT Gardens
Sue Ham
ilton, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, was appointed director of the UT Gardens by Vice President for Agriculture Joe DiPietro effective November 1, 2009. Sue has served as interim director of the Gardens since July of 2008. DiPietro said he is confident she will continue to advance the UT Gardens, its programs and outreach efforts.
During Hamilton's tenure as interim, the Gardens celebrated its 25th anniversary, dedicated the Beall Famiy Rose Garden, launched the inaugural Holiday Express at the UT Gardens, and instituted a monthly e-newsletter and a bi-annual magazine. Future plans include developing a master plan for the gardens.
Holiday Express at the UT Gardens
Ten garden-scale model trains, thousands of lights and a miniature landscape
featuring rivers, waterfalls and more than 100 buildings decorated for the holidays will delight visitors young and old at the
Holiday Express at the UT Gardens, which kicks off November 25. New this year will be appearances by Santa every weekend in December before Christmas and a performance by the Akima Singers December 5 at 1:30 p.m.
An event for the entire family, Holiday Express features garden-scale trains running simultaneously on a quarter-mile track that winds through the fictional town of Ravensford. Visitors will marvel at the elaborate landscape, which includes replicas of existing East Tennessee architecture. The hand-crafted display will be located on the Friendship Plaza at the entrance to the UT Gardens off Neyland Drive.
Event dates and hours:
November 24, sneak preview for UT faculty and staff,
Friends of the UT Gardens and sponsors.
November 25-28, 12-8 p.m.
November 29, 12-6 p.m.
December 4-January 3, Fridays and Saturdays, 12-8 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.
Christmas Day, 2-6 p.m.
December 28-29, 12-8 p.m.
Mark Fuhrman has again partnered with the UT Institute of Agriculture and the Gardens to bring his wonderland to a larger audience during this special time of the year. Fuhrman customizes each train car and building by hand with a passion and care that has resulted in one of the largest train collections in East Tennessee.
Cost is $5 per person, but children age 4 and under are admitted free. Large group viewings can be scheduled by calling 865-584-7666. The event benefits the research and educational programs of the UT Gardens.
The UT Gardens is located just off Neyland Drive behind the UT Veterinary Hospital on the Institute of Agriculture campus. From I-40 take Exit 386B onto Highway 129 (Alcoa Highway toward the airport). From Highway 129 take the exit for Highway 158 (Neyland Drive). Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn left onto Joe Johnson Drive, and right at the next light onto Chapman Drive. Visitor parking is directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens.
The Holiday Express is sponsored by the Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR and the UT Federal Credit Union. For more information, visit
http://utgardens.tennessee.edu or call 865-974-7141.
Cities Work to Make Urban Gardening Simpler
Seattle, Portland, St. Paul and Long Beach made the top 10 list of cities with the most community gardens, according to a report on thedailygreen.com. These gardens not only extol the virtues of fresh, local (and often organic) foods, they also bring communities together. Certain community gardens produce food specifically for those in need, while others have youth programs. Some have even been credited with reducing crime rates and littering. (Garden Center Weekly e-news, 10/20/09).
Pantone Forecasts Color Trends for 2010
Pantone Color Institute predicts that "Aurora," "Tomato Puree" and "Eucalyptus" will be the hot colors for the spring and summer of 2010 according to an article on
cnnmoney.com. "Aurora" is yellow tinted with green that gives off a burst of energy. "Tomato Puree" is red and can be paired with "Turquoise," another Pantone hot hue, for a retro look. "Eucalyptus" is a cool and classic hue. To see these colors go to:
http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/Pantone-FCR-sp2010f.pdf
(Garden Center Weekly e-news, 10/20/09).
Gardens Help Kids Grow to Love Vegetables
The nation's newfound love of vegetable gardening is helping children broaden their tastes, USA Today reported. Kids at one daycare center help tend a 60-foot table garden and eat much of the homegrown produce for lunch. "They eat stewed green tomatoes because they grew them," says pediatrician Laura Jana, owner of the Primrose School of Legacy and co-author of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Food Fights. "I didn't do that well with my own kids," Jana states. (Garden Center Weekly e-news, 10/20/09).
Calculate the Economic and Ecological Values of Your Trees
Have you ever wondered about the economic value of your landscape's trees? How about their ecological value? Developed by Davy Tree Expert Company and Casey Trees, the National Tree Benefit Calculator allows anyone to make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. This tool is based on i-Tree's street tree assessment tool called STRATUM. With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis. To calculate your trees' value, go to
http://www.davey.com/cms/cus/f94711556cbd4c7b/treecalculator.html.
See How the UT Gardens' Summer Trials Compared to Other Test Gardens
While field trial sites in the South sizzled under temperatures of 100°F or higher, some locations in the Midwest, Northeast and Canada experienced unseasonably cool temperatures in May and June. Rain at some sites delayed plantings and allowed some diseases to flourish. Pest problems included Japanese beetles, aphids and thrips. To see UT's report along with the comprehensive report, visit
http://www.gardencentermagazine.com/gm_1009_field_trials.aspx
(Garden Center Weekly e-news, 10/20/09).
Largest Green Wall in North America Unveiled
In September, PNC Financial Services Group unveiled the largest green wall in
North America. The 2,380 square foot soil-based wall consists of 602 individual 2-foot by 2-foot recycled aluminum panels that hold 24 plants each. Each panel offsets the carbon footprint of one person. Plants used in the wall include ajuga, carex, euonymus, ferns, heuchera, leptinella, lysimachia and sedum. Some of the plants will be changed out during the winter, and some will flower in the spring. The wall is a product of Green Living Technologies, and plants were provided by Plant Connection. The vertical garden will help to cool the 30-story PNC building in downtown Pittsburgh. Preliminary studies show temperatures behind the south-facing wall will be 25 percent cooler than ambient temperatures. Weighing 24 tons when fully saturated, plants will be irrigated with an internally controlled irrigation system. Plants will require 15 minutes of irrigation each week during warmer months and 15 minutes per month during colder months.(By: David Kuack, GMPRO 9/19/09).
Pumpkin Display Extraordinaire
Despite adverse weather causing a poor pumpkin crop in West Tennessee, horticulturist Jason Reeves has done it again and created an extraordinary pumpkin display to delight visitors to the West Tennessee UT AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. The Pumpkin Harvest Display is typical
ly composed of more than 70 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and winter squash. It takes several days to complete the project. Past creations have included a house of pumpkins as well as a horse made of corn stalks. Drawing hundreds of visitors to the Center, the Pumpkin Harvest Display is also an excellent outreach tool, giving UT specialists a chance to share with guests the importance of fruit and vegetable research. The display will be open daily for public viewin
g until November 29. The Center is located at 605 Airways Boulevard Jackson, Tennessee. Learn more by visiting http://westtennessee.tennessee.edu/events/PumpkinHarvestDisplay.asp.
Roofers Clash with Landscapers over Chicago's Rooftop Gardens
Rooftop gardens, like the one atop Chicago's City Hall, have roofers green with envy. They want more of the work that is being done by commercial landscapers in the booming market to install green roofs on public and commercial buildings in the Chicago area, but the landscapers are standing their ground.
The turf battle pits the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, Local No. 11 against Teamsters, Local 703, and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150. In a case involving a South Loop development, the unions took their dispute to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Last month, the board ruled in favor of Moore Landscapes Inc. of Northbrook and its employees who are represented by the Teamsters and Operating Engineers.
"We want to protect what we have historically done," said Thomas Stiede, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 703. "There is a science behind these roofs, and our people are better trained and have more experience in all those things." Roofers say they have experience with all types of systems, including green roofs, whereas a landscaper is just taught how to maintain vegetation and plants. "The NLRB will always award the work to whom the employer prefers," said Librado Arreola, a lawyer representing Roofers Local 11. "It doesn't matter which trade is more qualified or has more experience."
The labor conflict is a sign of how tough the recession has been on the building trades. Construction has nearly ground to a halt, putting pressure on unions to preserve jobs by finding new work for members. Chicago is a leader in green roofs. The city installed more than 534,000 square feet of green roofs last year, according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. Mayor Richard Daley instituted a grant program in 2006 to encourage owners of downtown structures to install green roofs. In the simplest terms, green roofs are vegetation, often sedums and grasses, planted in soil or some other lightweight mixture. The greenery decreases the environmental footprint of a building by offsetting water runoff, lowering energy costs and improving air quality. The roofs can even serve as green space.
The union flap stems from work Moore Landscapes began in April at Roosevelt Collection, a loft and retail development that is one of the largest green-roof projects in the city, totaling more than 80,000 square feet. Two days after starting the job, the roofers union filed an objection with the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council. The
roofers disputed that landscapers are responsible for planting anything above the roofing membrane including building a multilayered garden. The roofers also said there's no horticultural skill needed to lay pre-planted trays of vegetation on top of a roof, a system distinct from a layered garden. To avoid a confrontation with the roofers union and upsetting the general contractor, Moore Landscapes temporarily added two roofers. The company's unions then threatened to picket.
The starting hourly wage for a landscape installer is about $16 an hour, compared with $30 an hour for a roofer, according to the unions. Meanwhile, an arbitrator at the trades council awarded some of the installation work to the roofers union. The company asked the NLRB on June 25 to intervene. Pedersen Company, a St. Charles landscaper, also is involved in a similar labor dispute over its roof work at two Chicago Public Schools. The NLRB has yet to rule in the Pedersen case. At a two-day hearing in July, Moore Landscapes showed that it is industry practice to hire landscapers to install green roofs. Since 2002, landscape contractors have completed more than 100 green roofs, including 20 by Moore Landscapes, according to the company. (Garden Center Magazine; 10/23/2009)
New to the Gardens
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Horvath to the Gardens' staff. Jennifer comes to us through an Americorp program, Appalachia CARES, where she is a volunteer serving on the Education and Conservation Team. Her efforts support a new partnership between the UT Gardens and The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge for children's environmental educational programming to be done at both the gardens and the museum. As a result of this partnership, Jennifer splits her time between the Gardens and the Museum on a weekly basis.
Jennifer will be responsible for environmental programming at both locations and oversight of the new children's outdoor teaching and learning garden being constructed this winter at The Children's Museum. Some of the programs Jennifer is working on include starting a Junior Master Gardener Program, starting an after-school program where children work week-to- week on various plant science experiments and projects, identifying grant opportunities and expanding the UT Gardens' Books and Blooms program to the Museum!
Jennifer lives in Knoxville with her husband, Dr. Brandon Horvath, a turf-science professor in the UT Plant Sciences Department, and their three children. Jennifer and her family moved to Tennessee this spring and are thoroughly enjoying the area and all that it has to offer! If you would like to volunteer and help Jennifer with educational programming or work in the new children's garden at the Museum, please e-mail her at jah91172@yahoo.com.
Knoxville Garden Club Supports Development of the UT Gardens
The Knoxville Garden Club has given a $3,500 grant towards the construction of a new xeriscape/water-wise garden in the UT Gardens. With the addition of the new Beall Family Rose Garden and the Helping Hands Teaching and Learning Kitchen Garden, the existing water-wise xeriscape garden was dislodged leaving the Gardens with no special garden to use in water conservation and sustainable landscape education. The garden was very popular among garden visitors, teachers and students because of the unusual plant species and the educational opportunities it presented.
The proposed garden is designed similar to a rock or skree garden, utilizing a natural slope that exists in the garden. It will mimic many of the dry rock outcroppings seen in the natural areas of East Tennessee. Many of Tennessee's native plants that thrive in these conditions will be featured along with plants from other regions that expand the gardener's plant palette These include alpine plants, Southwestern desert plants, Australian-Asian plants, and conifers. This garden will have significant appeal to a wide audience of gardeners, plant collectors, environmental educators, and sustainable practice advocates. Thank you Knoxville Garden Club for supporting the addition of this important garden!
Garden Trials
We're wrapping up another successful trial season this month! Our trial program provides a unique opportunity to see firsthand how a variety will perform in our region. I hope each of you had a chance to visit the gardens this summer to see our annual beds - we had some beautiful varieties on display. For those who weren't able to make it by, or anyone who needs more information, we are compiling our annual Best Plants Report. It serves as a fantastic resource in planning your landscape or garden for next year, and it will be available soon on the UT Gardens Web site.
We are already looking forward to next summer's trials, which will include several new companies that have not trialed with us before. In the meantime, we'll be planting our fall trials this month with some interesting pansy, viola and kale varieties. These cool-season annuals are a wonderful addition to the home landscape to add color through the long winter months when so many plants are dormant. Be sure to stop by and see how the varieties are performing!
Garden Volunteers
As of last month, the UT Gardens' volunteers had logged an impressive 2,400 hours in the Gardens for 2009, and they're not done yet! They're still busy cleaning out beds, removing tropicals to the greenhouses and even planting fall trials. It's not too late for you to join them! Volunteering at the Gardens is a fantastic way to learn more about gardening and spend time with like-minded people. Volunteers will continue to join garden staff every Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon for directed work sessions through November and possibly into December (depending on weather). If you are interested in becoming a UT Gardens Volunteer, please contact Beth Willis at ewillis2@utk.edu or 865-974-2712 for more information.
Holiday Gift Idea for the Gardener in Your Life
We have several 'frost proof' ceramic containers for sale in a variety of shapes and colors that have all been planted for winter interest. Come spring, the winter annuals can be replaced with summer annuals making the container great for year-round interest. Prices range from $100 to $400.
We also will be selling beautiful, choice winter-interest plants during the Holiday Express event at the entrance to the Gardens. We have grown some stellar selections that you will not find just anywhere. November through March is a perfect time to plant trees and shrubs and a wonderful time to see just how the addition of these great plants can brighten your landscape. They would be ideal gifts for the gardeners in your life! Prices range from $15 - $25.
If you have questions or need more information, e-mail Sue Hamilton at sueham@utk.edu or call 865-974-7972.
South African Garden Adventure - October 13-24, 2010
Andy Pulte and Jason Reeves, from UT Gardens Knoxville and Jackson respectively, invite you to join them for the ultimate garden lovers experience and discover the best of South Africa! On this tour, you'll explore the lush gardens of Johannesburg, South Africa's stunning national parks and the "spring time" gardens of Cape Town. In addition you'll discover the dramatic landscape of the Cape of Good Hope, visit South Africa's premier wine region and stay in the Dutch colonial town of Stellenbosch. From the Bakubung Bush Lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park, you'll venture into the bush in an open 4X4 safari vehicle with African rangers to view South Africa's lions, leopards, rhinos and elephants. Post-tour adventures to Botswana and Victoria Falls are also available. This 12-day, 11-night adventure is limited to 24 garden lovers. Friends of the Gardens receive up to $250 off. For trip details and costs, contact Andy Pulte at pulte@utk.edu or 865-974-8820.
Noted Gardening Author and Botanical Illustrator Peter Loewer to Speak at Friends of the Gardens Annual Membership Meeting
Don't miss the Friends of the UT Gardens annual meeting on Sunday, November 8
at 2 p.m. at Ijams Nature Center where author and artist Peter Loewer will talk about his latest book, "Loves Me, Loves Me Not." The book details the secret language of flowers, which was first developed by women of a Turkish harem back in the 1600s. A jealous sultan forbid the ladies to learn how to read and write, so they resorted to a secret language of trading flowers. Each flower held a different meaning, and cleverness won out in the end. Then in the mid-1800s, the more romantic Victorians picked up the definitions, and you can guess the rest. Loewer will also present 50 slides of his original artwork for the book. He has written more than 30 books on gardening and natural history, including the award-winning "The Wild Gardener" 
and "Thoreau's Garden." He is also a well-known and honored botanical illustrator. Loewer lives in Asheville and gardens on the shores of Lake Kenilworth, working on an acre of land featuring natural trails and a formal perennial garden. Many of the rare and more unusual plants in his garden are grown from seed, usually supplied by membership in the American Rock Garden Society, the Royal Horticultural Society in London, and from trading with other gardeners. In 2002, Timber Press re-released his classic book on night-blooming and night-fragrant plants, "The Evening Garden." His other works include "Native Perennials for the Southeast" and "North Carolina Gardens." Loewer hosts a radio show on public radio in North Carolina called "The Wild Gardener," and he is the contributing editor to the magazine Carolina Gardener.
Calendar of events:
Sunday, November 8 (2 p.m.) Ijams Nature Center
Event: The Friends of the UT Gardens Annual Meeting with special guest speaker Peter Loewer
Holiday Express at the UT Gardens
Event dates and hours:
November 24, sneak preview for UT faculty and staff, Friends of the UT Gardens and sponsors.
November 25-28, 12-8 p.m.
November 29, 12-6 p.m.
December 4-January 3, Fridays and Saturdays, 12-8 p.m. and Sundays, 12-6 p.m.
Christmas Day, 2-6 p.m.
December 28-29, 12-8 p.m.
Cost:
$5 per person, but children under age 4 are admitted free
Directions:
The UT Gardens is located just off Neyland Drive behind the UT Veterinary Hospital on the Institute of Agriculture campus. From I-40 take Exit 386B onto Hwy 129 (Alcoa Highway toward the airport). From Highway 129 take the exit for Highway 158 (Neyland Drive). Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn left onto Joe Johnson Drive, and right at the next light onto Chapman Drive. Visitor parking is directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens.
Conifers for Gardeners
Saturday, February 27, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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.