LISTSERV 16.5 - TMG Archives

e-Newsletter | May 2020

Knoxville

Crossville

Jackson

We are aware of the current challenges related to coronavirus (COVID-19). UT is closely monitoring the situation and the Gardens will follow UT policies and changes regarding travel, classes and events. We will post updates via social media and websites in the event of any schedule changes or adaptations. For updated information, please visit https://utia.tennessee.edu/state-botanical-garden/ where you can connect to any of our three statewide sites.

May Gardening Tip

Prune spring-flowering shrubs (azaleas, flowering quince, Forsythia and Loropetalum) soon after they finish flowering, but only if they need it. To keep them from looking like a meatball, follow the taller branches down into the shrub and cut just above a joint.

Click here to read all gardening tips....

Plant of the Month

May: 'Warrior' Onion

Submitted by Jason Reeves, research horticulturist, University of Tennessee Gardens, Jackson

The 'Warrior' onion is not just a plant for the dinner table.

A 2016 All American Selection winner, 'Warrior' onion has become one of my favorite plants for its beautiful blue spiky foliage that stands out all season long.

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

Knoxville - Sure, everyone has dogwood blooms in the spring, but we're going to have dogwood blooms in the Gardens this summer! We're prepping the artists' unique creations for our Dazzling Dogwoods exhibit and will be installing them soon. If you aren't able to come to the Gardens to enjoy them in person, we'll have a wonderful video walk-through of the exhibit available in early June.

Crossville - There is no shortage of plants to feature in this month's newsletter! ...iris, peonies, clematis, hosta, heuchera, and more! I chose to feature this beautiful combination,since 'Sun King' Aralia is 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year. It is especially eye-catching with the vivid blooms of Rhododendron 'Violetta'. This Glen Dale hybrid is known for its cold hardiness,making it perfect for the plateau.

Jackson - Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire' is all aglow in the garden! This native tree goes by the common names black tupelo, black gum, and sour gum and is known for its mix of yellow, orange, scarlet, and purple fall colors. The new growth on this 'Wildfire' cultivar is a beautiful red that persists well into the summer.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

National Public Garden Week

May 8 - 17

National Public Gardens Week is underway, but there's still time to participate!

May 8-17 is National Public Gardens Week, a week-and-a-half celebration of public gardens across the United States. This year, the Knoxville location is participating in various virtual ways to connect you with the State Botanical Garden of Tennessee. We are participating in Random Acts of Nomenclature, which is an effort to teach the community about scientific names, hosting a virtual tour of the gardens, and providing examples of ways you can get out into the community and enjoy nature. Find more information on our social media outlets!

UT Gardens, Crossville

Spring Plant Sale Cancelled

This year's plant sale was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, we are so thankful for the support of our members who participated in the pre-order option. We were able to provide the plants ordered and shipped back in February. A big "thank you" also goes out to the Master Gardener volunteers who helped facilitate this new operation.

Upcoming Classes - Knoxville

Best Summer Vegetables for Backyard Gardens (online)

Date: May 15, 2020

Time: 1 - 2:30 pm

Cost: Free

There's nothing like a fresh summer vegetable picked straight from your garden! Join local garden author John Tullock for a look at some of his favorite warm season vegetables like green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, sweet potatoes, and peppers. He will share tips on growing as well as harvesting and variety selection.

John Tullock is the author of numerous books including Grow Food at Home: Simple Methods for Small Spaces, Appalachian Cooking, Succulents at Home, and Pay Dirt: How to Make $10,000 a Year From Your Backyard Garden. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

This class will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive a meeting link upon registration. The class will also be recorded and stored on our website for future access.

UT Gardens, Jackson

Art and Garden Lecture Series

We have changed the method of delivery to enable us to continue on with our Art&Garden Lecture and Demonstration Series hosted by University of Memphis at Lambuth Art Department in partnership with UT Gardens, Jackson and UT Extension. We invite all to join us each Thursday in April and May at Noon (Central Time) for a Lunch & Learn Zoom session on a variety of horticulture topics. The complete schedule is available here and here.

Follow this link to join all meetings:

https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/829482156

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Summer Camps Now Online

UT Gardens Summer Camps are moving online for 2020! Participants will receive a Garden Camp Kit with supplies and materials for activities. Each day of camp will begin and end with a collaborative Zoom meeting to allow campers to share what they learned and worked on during the day. See our website for more details and information about the available camps.

UT Gardens, Crossville

Bluebirds

It's Bluebird time in Tennessee! Coming soon: be on the lookout for video footage on UT Gardens, Crossville facebook page. Don Hazel, president of East Tennessee Bluebird Society, was kind enough to allow us to record some of the boxes monitored at Plateau AgResearch and Education Center.

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!