This past Friday, we hosted the first Advanced Training of the season right here in Griffin at UGA’s Research & Education Garden. Some of you may be familiar with this garden because you come here for classes during your MGEV training or you’ve attended some of our special events at the garden. We even held a Master Gardener picnic here at the gardens as part of Volunteer Appreciation in 2017.
The R&E Garden is a hidden gem here on our campus, used for ornamental research and breeding projects. It is open to the public during campus business hours and for some special events. There are several theme gardens, turfed areas, active research plots, and a growing urban arboretum. Several community groups meet regularly at the gardens and have added to the plantings, including these spectacular iris from the Flint River Iris Society (below). In fact, as part of the 2017 event, the Georgia Master Gardener Association gifted a dogwood tree to the gardens and it still thrives there today.
Over the years, some plants have thrived and others have faded. Some have been removed to make way for new ones. I know you understand this dynamic, as you tend your gardens at home as well as extensive demonstration gardens all over the state. As the garden expands its planting beds and makes logical connections between existing and new areas, it is in need of plants! Since this garden shares a special place in the heart of many Master Gardeners, I thought I’d share the wish list here. If you have plants left over after a project or plant sale and you’d like to share, please reach out to Alyssa Nesmith, the garden’s horticulturist. She’d love to hear from you!
UGA R&E Garden Wish List
- 5 camellias, any variety (preferably named and identified)
- Hostas, any variety
- Azaleas, any variety
