e-Newsletter | February 2020

Knoxville

Crossville

Jackson

February Gardening Tip

Postpone pruning of spring-flowering and early summer-flowering shrubs like azaleas, forsythia, spirea, and mophead hydrangea until just after they flower.

Click here to read all gardening tips....

Plant of the Month

February: Euphorbia

Submitted by Alex Smith, plant collections curator and horticulturist, UT Gardens, Knoxville

A very diverse group of flowering plants with over 2,100 species, Euphorbia belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. The genus is represented all over the world and can vary dramatically in appearance, with some species having forms that look like small cacti and others that become large, long-lived trees.

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

Knoxville - Mother Nature has tested our bog garden this week, but it has risen to the occasion (along with the water level)!

Crossville - 'Honeyhill Joy' This Helleborus hybrid is sure to please! It's one of the first flowers to arrive in the cool weather and provides a 2-month long show. You will find this little gem next to the deck, beneath the Kentucky coffee tree.

Jackson - Japanese Cornelian Dogwoods (Cornus officinalis) are flowering in the gardens. Pictured is the cultivar 'Kintoki'. The cultivar 'Sunsphere' is growing near it east of the main building. There is an additional 'Kintoki' in the west lawn of the "big house". Check them out in the gardens!

UT Gardens, Crossville

Sugar Maples Tapped

What a sight to see! If you are not accustomed to seeing tapped trees, it is fascinating. Local Mennonites tap these trees to provide pure maple syrup to the community. You can check this spring for a chance to purchase some. We offer these sales as a fundraiser for the Garden.

Now for the educational bit: this was a learning experience for me, and I am excited to share. The trees are tapped when temperatures are freezing or below at night and warm up during the day. This allows for good sap flow. It is usually late January to early February here on the Plateau. Conditions must be favorable because the bags have been emptied twice within a week. They will continue to be filled and emptied until the Maples bud. Once this happens the sap becomes bitter. So, what are these bags that I mention? The clear plastic bags seen in the photo are special bags used for tree tapping. They are attached by plugs inserted into drill holes. The plugs and drill bits are specialty items as well. Kits are available with everything included, along with a guide. Some may include tubing, but the bags here are emptied into a bucket and then into a tank. The particular tank used is equipped with a cooling system keeping the sap around 35 degrees. Otherwise it can spoil within 3 to 4 days. It is an ongoing process for the gentleman who taps the trees here. Once collected the sap is boiled and filtered before being bottled. This is a lengthy process, and it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup - something to consider when making a purchase. I am certain the value brand in my cupboard is corn syrup with flavor additives and caramel color; I look forward to having pure, local made syrup while supporting the Garden!

Support UT Gardens, Knoxville

with your Kroger Rewards Card

Supporting the UT Gardens, Knoxville has never been easier! Just shop at Kroger and scan your plus card. Here's how to enroll:

Visit www.kroger.com/communityrewards
Scroll down to find your location and click "Enroll Now"
Sign in to your online account, or create an account
Find and select "University of Tennessee Foundation - UT Gardens" and click save.

You'll start earning rewards for our organization right away on qualifying purchases made using your Kroger Plus Card! Learn more at www.kroger.com/communityrewards and thank you for your support!

UT Gardens, Knoxville and

Tennessee Tree Day 2020

Order your trees today from the Tennessee Environmental Council for Tennessee Tree Day 2020. We are one of 4 pick up sites in Knox County so you can choose the site that is most convenient for you. We will be distributing pre-ordered, pre-paid trees on Friday, March 20 from 9am to 5pm. Order your trees now until March 1, and get ready to plant! Order trees for UT Gardens, Knoxville pickup at www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show

Show Details

Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Show Hours

Friday, February 14: 10am - 6pm
Saturday, February 15: 10am - 7pm
Sunday, February 16: 10am - 5pm

Admission

Adults: $10 per day
65+ and Veterans: $8 per day
12 years and younger: Free

There's something for everyone at the Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show - including us! We'll be at the Knoxville Convention Center February 14-16th. Come see us on the concourse and then stick around to meet with the top vendors in home improvement, interior design, appliances, and more - all under one roof! More info and tickets here.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Wild Bird Eggstravaganza

Date: Saturday, March 28

Time: 12 - 3 pm

Cost: $8 per child

The start of spring brings one of our most anticipated events - Wild Bird Eggstravaganza! We will have the annual egg hunt, fun prizes, and, of course, lots of great information about birds. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon in the Gardens. This will be a great event for families with children 12 and under. Each participant will make bird-related crafts and will take home seeds to plant. The Easter Bunny might be found hopping around the garden, too! Wear your favorite spring clothes, bring a basket and camera, and come ready for fun. This is a food-allergy friendly event, meaning it is food-free - sponsored by Allergy and Asthma Affiliates, University of Tennessee Federal Credit Union, and the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET). Pre-registration is required.

3rd Annual Art in the Gardens

Dazzling Dogwoods Project

We're excited to announce that our Art in the Gardens theme for 2020 will be the dogwood bloom! This fun and whimsical project will serve to raise awareness and support for the UT Gardens, Knoxville. Local artists are asked to decorate, and then donate, pre-fabricated dogwood blossom silhouettes which will be displayed in the gardens during the summer for all to enjoy. Pieces will then be auctioned in September 2020 with all proceeds benefiting the UT Gardens, Knoxville.

Amateur and professional artists are encouraged to participate. More information and an on-line registration form are available at tiny.utk.edu/dogwoods. Entry fees are: $20 small (approx. 21" diameter); $30 large (approx. 36" diameter); and $45 pair (one of each size).

Save the Date for the

Eighth Annual UT Gardens Gala!

Join honorary hosts Crissy and Bill Haslam for the 2020 UT Gardens Gala, which will be held on Friday, April 24, in Knoxville. This year's spectacular event will 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. Tickets are now available here.

Upcoming Classes - Knoxville

Winter/Spring Book Club Series

Date: varies, held monthly

Time: 1 - 4 pm

Cost per session: $30 member/$45 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.

February 21 - Second Nature by Michael Pollan

Home Garden Boot Camp

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

Time: 6 - 8 pm

Cost per session: $35 member/$40 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.

February/March sessions:

Feb 11 - Soil, Part 2 by Andy Mehringer
Feb 25 - Garden Design by Dr. Sue Hamilton
Mar 3 - Pests and Diseases by Amy Haun and Cathy Carpenter
Mar 17 - Pruning by Drew Bogert
Mar 31 - Rain Gardens by Dr. Andrea Ludwig

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

Upcoming Classes - Crossville

Family Bluebird Class

Date: Saturday, February 15

Time: 10 - 11:30 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.

Attracting and Raising Bluebirds from A to Z

Date: Wednesday, January 19

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

Cost: FREE

Class limited to 60

Join Don Hazel of Cumberland County Bluebird Club to learn all about area Bluebirds. We are just ahead of nesting season, the perfect time to learn about nesting boxes, how to maintain them, and how to get successful fledglings. For those interested, this is the place to become a regular monitor and continue the restoration of our native Bluebird population.

Landscape Design

Date: Friday, February 28

Time: 10 am - 12 pm (Central Time)

Cost: FREE

Class limited to 60

A well-designed garden is much more than just pretty plants. Learn about the Fundamentals of Landscape Design to design like a pro. Garden coordinator Shalena Durkot will share lessons learned and some tips and tricks of the trade.

Fruit Tree Pruning

Date: Saturday, February 29

Time: 9 - 11 am (Central Time)

Cost: FREE

Class limited to 60

Get your fruit tree off to the right start and learn the basics about pruning. Cumberland County Agricultural Agent Gregg Upchurch and Master Gardener Fred Mullen will teach you what you need to know about timing, technique, and how to achieve the best fruit production.

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 per session: Garden member $12/ nonmember $15

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.