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e-Newsletter | January 2020

Knoxville

Crossville

Jackson

January Gardening Tip

As long as the ground is not frozen, you can continue to plant new trees and shrubs, just tuck them in with a 2- or 3-inch layer of mulch. Remember to keep the mulch away from the trunk.

Click here to read all gardening tips....

Plant of the Month

January: 'Cayenne' Silky Dogwood

Submitted by Jason Reeves, research horticulturist, UT Gardens, Jackson

I was first introduced to "red-twig" dogwoods by an elderly gardening friend about 25 years ago. She pointed out a large, multi-stemmed shrub growing out in the middle of her lawn called a red-twig dogwood. I had never heard of such and thought to myself "what a strange looking dogwood." It was mid-summer and it did not look all that appealing to me, but I was so plant hungry at that time that I took any plant offered to me. She dug two suckers from the plant, and my mother and I planted them on the fence row at the farm. Wow, was I surprised come winter! The stems turned a beautiful red. I fell in love and wanted more.

What's in Bloom in Your State Botanical Garden of Tennessee?

Jackson - Winter scene at the UT Gardens, Jackson made from cut trees and branches and potted plants stuck in the ground. You can check out this video of the project if you would like more information on how to do this in your own landscape.

Knoxville - Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun' is providing some beautiful color in the garden right now. But that's not all it's doing - look closer! It's also hosting some active honeybees today - not something you typically see in mid-January in Knoxville. We count 3 busy bees in this photo!

Crossville - Evergreen conifers are a staple of the winter landscape, but not all stand out the same. Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' is a prime example. Although most gold-colored plants will grab your attention, the multi-tonal colors of this shore juniper is a favorite of mine. Come see for yourself - this beauty is located near the main entrance of the Garden.

James Newburn named Interim Director

With the retirement of Dr. Sue Hamilton as director of the UT Gardens, Dr. Tim Cross - Senior VP and Senior VC of UTIA - announced that James Newburn will serve as Interim Director of the UT Gardens. James is a familiar face in the UT Gardens, having been with the Gardens for 26 years. We welcome James in his new role at the Gardens!

Jason Reeves recognized as

Influential Horticulturist

Jason Reeves, curator of UT Gardens, Jackson, will be one of four influential horticulturists traveling with the National Gardening Bureau to the California Spring Trials this year. The goal of this sponsored trip is to connect the originating breeder and broker side of the industry with consumers via public gardens and retailers.

By his own admission, Jason "lives and breathes plants," and he is honored to be one of the NGB's special guests this year. James Newburn has dubbed him the UT Gardens' resident 'plantanista' (a trendsetting plant expert) for his outstanding plant knowledge and his focus on keeping up with the latest cultivars and introductions.

Congratulations, Jason!

UT Gardens, Jackson

Greenhouse Crew Volunteer Luncheon

This year the Madison County Master Gardeners volunteered over 3,500 hours at the UT Gardens, Jackson - invaluable help to the work that we do. The "Greenhouse Crew" is a group of core volunteers who have given 100+ hours of their time individually to the Gardens. In 2019, their collective service hours comprised more than 50% of the total hours served by all Master Gardeners in the UT Gardens, Jackson. To show our deep gratitude, the Gardens hosted a wreath making seminar and luncheon on Dec. 19th. Each member was able to design and make their own Christmas wreath out of greenery from some of the very same plants that they worked with throughout the year. They also enjoyed food, fellowship, and a small gift that they can use in their own gardens. The event was great fun and only a small token of our appreciation. Jason and Carson made cranberry apricot cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then followed with a lunch of: turnip green soup, Italian chowder, tomato basil bisque, toasted pecan pimento and cheese sandwiches, and cheddar cheese cornbread muffins. The meal wrapped up with three kinds of pie: cranberry, French coconut, and sour cream apple.

Greenhouse Crew pictured (left to right): Don & Charlotte Jaquet, Nancy Blair, Marie Kyper, Diane Griffin, Virginia Stewart, Celeste Scott (Master Gardener coordinator), Jason Reeves (UT Gardens Curator), David Barnhill, Dick Thompson, Kayo & Helen Mullins, Celeste Pope, Jean Webster, Kathy Gilliam, and Rose Byrum. Also in the Greenhouse Crew but unable to attend was Debra Fain.

Save the Date for the

Eighth Annual UT Gardens Gala!

Hosted by former First Lady of Tennessee Crissy Haslam, the 2020 UT Gardens Gala will be held on Friday, April 24, in Knoxville. This year's spectacular event is one you won't want to miss. Join us as we recognize Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens, who is retiring after more than thirty-five years of service to the people and plants of Tennessee. With the theme of "Grow Big Orange," the evening is sure to be a fun one, complete with music, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, a seated dinner, and live and silent auctions to benefit the beautiful State Botanical Garden of Tennessee in Knoxville.

3rd Annual Art in the Gardens Project

Call to Artists Will Go Out Soon

We're excited to announce that our Art in the Gardens theme for 2020 will be the dogwood bloom! More information and the Call to Artists will be released soon. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Classes - Knoxville

Winter/Spring Book Club Series

Date: varies, held monthly

Time: 1 - 4 pm

Cost per session: $30 member/$45 nonmember

Cost per series: $145 member/$220 nonmember

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." (Cicero) This book club is for those folks who love plants and books and even books about plants (or nature in general)! At each meeting, we will provide you with lively discussion, a new plant, tea, and snacks; you will provide your own copy of the book.

January 23 - The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
February 21 - Second Nature by Michael Pollan
March 20 - A Golden Weed by Drew A. Swanson
April 17 - The Overstory by Richard Powers
May 15 - A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryerson

Home Garden Boot Camp

Date: varies, held bi-weekly (January - May)

Time: 6 - 8 pm

Cost per session: $35 member/$40 nonmember

Cost per series (10 sessions): $330 member/$375 nonmember

Create the garden you've always dreamed of! This ten part series will give you an in-depth understanding of the most important aspects of gardening so you can create your very own back (or front) yard oasis. We will teach you the basics of gardening and some unique things, too. All of the classes will be taught at the UT Gardens and many will lead you through them. Each series-long participant will receive a manual to fill up with information from each session. During some of the classes we will utilize the greenhouse and will send you home with a plant or two! You may register for the series as a whole or for individual classes.

January sessions:

Jan 14 - Soil, Part 1 by Marsha Lehman
Jan 28 - Propagation by Alice Kimbrell and Amy Haun

A full list of sessions and their descriptions can be found here.

Upcoming Classes - Crossville

Familiar Mammals of the Cumberland Plateau

Date: Wednesday, January 22

Time: 10 - 11:30 am (Central Time)

Cost: FREE

Class limited to 60

Join Environmental Columnist and Nature Enthusiast Don Hazel for an educational talk about our local wildlife. He will focus on familiar mammals, such as black bears, elk, bobcats, flying squirrels, and more.

So, You Want to Grow Fruit...

Date: Saturday, January 25

Time: 9 - 11:30 am (Central Time)

Cost: FREE

Register for this class at Extension Office 931-484-6743

Class limited to 60

Cumberland County Agricultural Agent Gregg Upchurch will present his first class of the Tennessee Fruit Series. This class will be a general overview of all considerations for growing home fruit. Learn about site selection, soils, successful production, and more.

Pinecone Extravaganza

Date: Saturday, February 1

Time: 2 - 4 pm (Central Time)

Cost: FREE

Class limited to 25

Introducing the first class of our new 'Family Edition Series'. In honor of National Bird Feeding month, join us in making pinecone bird feeders, frosted and packed with nutritious seeds. Make one for yourself to take home and one to hang in the UT Gardens.

More family fun to come in the year ahead... Rock Painting, Scavenger Hunt, Butterflies, and Pumpkin Painting!

Family Bluebird Class

Date: Saturday, February 15

Time: 10 - 11 am (Central Time)

Cost: $2/child

Class limited to 25

Bring your kids and learn about Bluebirds and how we can help them. Local members of the Bluebird Society will share photos and discussion about this beautiful native bird. Each child will receive a suet log feeder to be filled in class, as well as a recipe to take home.

Classes held at Plateau Research and Education Center

320 Experiment Station Rd, Crossville, TN

Contact Jennifer to sign up! Phone: 931-484-0034

Email: [log in to unmask]

UT Gardens - Knoxville

UT Employee Wellness Program

In partnership with the University of Tennessee Center for Health Education and Wellness, we will be offering three gardening workshops again this spring. These sessions will focus on gardening and wellness. These sessions will be free but are only available for UT employees. If you are an employee of the University and want to attend click here for more information and to register.

UT Gardens - Knoxville

Registration for Summer Camp Now Open

We are excited for another great year of summer camp here at the UT Gardens, Knoxville. Join us as we explore the garden, look for pollinators, and participate in our very own summer Olympics! You won't want to miss out on the fun! To see our full list of camps and to register, visit us at tiny.utk.edu/gogardencamp.

UT Gardens - Knoxville

Home Grown Homeschool Program

The Nature Connection by Clare Walker Leslie is an excellent workbook that encourages kids to learn outdoors. We will use this book to facilitate outdoor learning experiences in the garden throughout the year. Each month we will do a different set of activities from the corresponding month is the book with the exceptions of June and July when summer camp will be going on. Each participant should purchase their own copy of the book and bring it with them to each session.

Cost:

Cost per session: Garden member $12/ nonmember $15

Cost for full series (10 classes): Garden member $115/ nonmember $145

Cost for a semester (5 classes Jan-May or Aug-Dec): Garden member $60/ nonmember $75

For more information, including monthly session dates, and to register please click here.