May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
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Viola Alpine Summer2007 Winter annual trials<strong>The</strong> research aspect <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Gardens</strong> continuesto run at full speed. We will complete the wintervariety trial evaluations this month, which includeda variety <strong>of</strong> pansies, violas, snapdragons, cabbagesand kales. Our annual variety trial program is infull swing this month, with everything transitioningfrom the greenhouses to the <strong>Gardens</strong>. We continueto work with leading plant breeding companies toidentify the best plants for commercial greenhouseand nursery producers, commercial landscapers,and home gardeners to use.Although many people are involved in makingour trial program a success—from sowing seedsto transplanting to planting in the <strong>Gardens</strong> tolabeling—one person is critical in getting all <strong>of</strong> thedata recorded and compiled into a final report.Betty Tipton continues her work with our staff andme on evaluating plant performance, taking photographsand launching all <strong>of</strong> this information intoa final report. Betty, a recent Plant Sciences graduatewho contributes to the <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong> by volunteeringher evaluation services, will again create theWeb information and photos <strong>of</strong> our winning plantson the <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong> website. Betty evaluates thehundreds <strong>of</strong> plants in our <strong>Gardens</strong> three differenttimes over the course <strong>of</strong> the summer, which lets usdetermine the best plants for use. Jason Reeves,curator <strong>of</strong> the West <strong>Tennessee</strong> <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong>, collectsthe data from our Jackson <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong>, but Betty isthe one who creates the wonderful finished productthat is useful to so many people. If you see Betty inthe <strong>Gardens</strong>, thank her for her wonderful efforts inmaking our trial program a success.Pansy Panola Rose PicotteePanola Yellow Blotch<strong>The</strong> staff was busy during April talking about the<strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong> and the wonderful plants we identifyas being ideal for growing in our region. Among themany places where we either had an educationalbooth about the <strong>Gardens</strong> or we spoke and taughtothers about the <strong>Gardens</strong>:• <strong>The</strong> Great Smoky Mountains National ParkWildflower Pilgrimage• Sevier County Flower & Garden Show• East <strong>Tennessee</strong> Earth Fest• Knox County Public Library Garden HeritageFestival• Blount Mansion “Victorian Revival Garden”Also, Curator James Newburn and graduatestudent Beth Willis have made a wonderful andinformative poster about the <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong> for displayat events.Don’t forget that there are many ways you can volunteerin the <strong>Gardens</strong>. From watering and labelingplants in the gardens to mulching, weeding, andplanting, we can use your help. If you’d like to volunteer,contact Andy Pulte, our volunteer coordinator,at 865-974-8820 or email at pulte@hotmail.com.