The University of Georgia horticulture department and
State Botanical Garden of
Georgia will offer a tour of research plots, ornamental plant
evaluations and gardens Friday, Sept. 28 in Athens, Ga.

At the horticulture farm, see the latest research on landscape
amendments. These include poultry-litter compost and products
called stalite and zeolite.

UGA Professor Mike Dirr will discuss the woody ornamentals in his
plant evaluation program. At the new College Station Road shade
garden, you’ll see Dirr’s collection of Calycanthus, camellia,
Cephalotaxus, fothergilla, gardenia and more than 80 hydrangea
cultivars.

The annual and perennial trial garden on campus is always a
favorite tour stop. Viewing an extensive evaluation of the newest
annuals and perennials, you’ll want to make notes of those still
doing well in the late-summer heat.

Talk With Faculty

The tour will offer time to talk with UGA faculty from the
Athens, Griffin and Tifton campuses. Lunch will be in the new
Heritage Garden at the State Botanical Garden. The garden staff
will be on hand to answer questions.

Buses leave promptly at 9 a.m. from the upper parking lot of the
State Botanical Garden at 2450 South Milledge Ave. (It’s about 1
mile outside the Athens Bypass). The tour will end at 4 p.m.

The $20 fee covers the lunch and bus ride. The deadline to sign
up is Sept. 21. Mail a check to “Georgia 4-H Foundation” to
Extension Horticulture, Attn: Open House, 205 Hoke Smith Bldg.,
University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.

Driving directions to the State Botanical Garden are on the
Internet at www.uga.edu/
~botgarden/ConDir.html. To learn more, phone (706) 542-2861,
or e-mail Angela Anderson at ama@uga.edu.