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.
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May Gardening Tip
Early May is a good time to cut back any woody perennials that need it, such as rosemary, rue, lavender, Santolina and Artemisia. If done before the danger of frost has passed, new growth may appear,
and a freeze can kill that new growth or even the entire plant.
Click here to read all gardening tips....
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May: Disease-Resistant Basil
Submitted by Holly Jones, horticulturist, UT Gardens, Knoxville
Have you noticed your sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants suffering from diseased leaves and
stems in recent years? If so, the chances are good that basil downy mildew (Peronospora belbahrii) is the culprit. This fungus-like pathogen has been plaguing farmers and home gardeners since it
was identified in the U.S. in 2007. Thankfully, scientists, farmers, and home gardeners now have science-based tools and advice we can put to use to save our basil.
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What's in Bloom in Your State Botanical Garden of Tennessee?
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Jackson - The iris collection is looking good
this spring!
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Knoxville - Check out our collection of Dykes Medal Iris (the highest honor awarded to a registered iris by the American
Iris Society) planted around the perimeter of our labyrinth. It's a riot of color right now!
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Crossville - One of my favorites!
Azalea Solar Glow hybrid 'QbackA' planted in Dr. Mark Windham's hardiness trial for the Southern Living Plant Collection.
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Thank You for Your Gala Participation!
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Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our 2021 Virtual Gala (and the Happy Half Hour) on April 30th! It was great to socialize, albeit virtually, and we were thrilled to honor Dr. Sue Hamilton for
her many contributions to the UT Gardens in particular and to the field of public horticulture in general. We greatly appreciate the support of those who participated in the silent auction and everyone who donated to the Gardens in Knoxville and to the Sue
Hamilton Endowment. Your generosity will have lasting impacts for our Garden!
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UT Gardens, Jackson
Thank you for Your Spring Plant Sale Support!
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UT Gardens, Jackson and Madison County Master Gardeners want to thank everyone for your continued support of our annual Spring Plant Sale in Jackson.
The 2021 sale was a huge success with more than 2000 attending over three days. Between the two sales, there were approximately 500 different kinds of houseplants, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and trees! The partnership between our programs
of Research & Extension within UTIA allows us to offer the public a unique opportunity for plant shopping and education. A special thanks goes to Master Gardeners who propagated and donated over 2600 plants for the Master Gardener portion of the sale and to
all the Master Gardeners who volunteered their time working the two sales. A special thanks also goes to our shoppers for your patience and resilience as we limited the number of shoppers in the sale areas and faced rainy weather on Thursday with a smile (and
poncho)! We hope to see you again and again!
Thanks again for all your support, and we look forward to sharing the UT Gardens with you at this year's Virtual Summer Celebration on July 8, 2021!
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Above - The sale offered selections for all growing conditions - truly something for everyone!
Right - The Renfroe family braved the rain on Thursday to shop the plant sale. Georgia (left) and Beau (right) along with their mother, Ashley, went home with a nice selection of herbs
and other plants.
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UT Gardens, Jackson
Lunch-Time Liquidation Sale
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Did you miss the UT Gardens, Jackson Spring Plant Sale?
Don't miss the Lunch-time Liquidation Sale on Wednesday, May 12th from 11am - 1pm (Central) at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center. Cash
or check only. Select plants will be 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free'. Check out the
availability list for details.
We have about 100 candlestick plants (pictured) remaining for the sale.
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Whimsical Art Comes to Children's Garden
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There are some exciting new characters coming to the UT Gardens, Knoxville that, along with the beautiful plants, are sure to brighten your day. Noted local artist Gwendolyn Kerney has offered to
loan four of her whimsical sculptures in the garden for an extended exhibit during the spring and summer. As Gwendy has stated “I lean on the colorful, whimsical, joyful side of art”. Her sculptures certainly exude this refreshing attitude.
We first became familiar with Gwendy’s work when we began our annual Art in the Garden exhibit. When she arrived with her hummingbird we knew this serious artist had a fun side when
“His Royal Highness Prince Humming” arrived complete with a crown.
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Since then she has participated every year, and her works bring top dollar at our auctions because of her bright, whimsical take on the subject matter.
In consultation with Gwendy and her partner Jim Parris, garden staff members James Newburn, Holly Jones, and Drew Bogert scoped out various locations in the Gardens. We all ultimately agreed that because
of the delightful motif of her work, in and around the Children’s Garden was the perfect location for all four. On May 7, the first of the four pieces was installed. Drew, horticulture and turfgrass manager, had prepared the concrete footing and Jim secured
the sculpture. We now have a eight-foot tall, big blue bird with red, heart-shaped wings and polka dot legs who “Dreams of Flight” peering out at the kids on the lawn. Maybe the helium balloons in his beak will give him the lift he needs. His mere presence
is sure to give all visitors the lift they need. The other sculptures are to be installed by the end of May so we invite you to enjoy this wonderful exhibit!
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Home Sweet Home Birdhouse Exhibit
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Opening - Friday, June 4, 2021
6 - 8pm (Eastern)
Free and open to the public
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We're so excited for this year's Art in the Garden display! You may recall that a few months ago we announced the theme for this year would be birdhouses.
We recruited local artists, both amateur and professional, to complete 56 houses as they saw fit. And I must say, they have outdone themselves!
Home Sweet Home: A Birdhouse Exhibit will be installed in the garden soon. We will open it on Friday, June 4th with a socially-distanced in person reception. The exhibit will remain in the Gardens
throughout the summer for your viewing pleasure. In early September, the birdhouses will be available for purchase at auction, so come pick out your favorites now!
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UT Gardens, Crossville
Classes in the Garden
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Each Thursday in May
10:00am CDT
Free to attend (on Zoom)
You don't want to miss our 'Thursday Morning Timely Topics'. This month's lineup includes: Interesting and Fun Container Plantings, Heirloom Vegetables for
the Tennessee Garden, and Ferns, Spleenworts, and Clubmosses.
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Upcoming Adult Classes
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Upscale Your Pots
Date: Saturday, June 12, 2021
Time: 10am - 12pm (Eastern)
Cost: $30 Garden member/ $35 nonmember
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Come learn creative ways to use spray paints to make beautiful pots for your garden. We will use plastic garden pots and show you how to use spray paint to transform them into a thing of beauty. You
will learn various techniques of using spray paints to create attractive textures and designs on your pots. Each participant will get two pots, but feel free to bring a pot or two of your own to embellish. Since this is a hands-on workshop using spray paint,
please wear old clothes and bring a mask (due to the paint fumes).
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Upcoming Kids Classes
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Friday Fun Day: Nature Arts and Crafts
May 21, 2021
10am-noon (Eastern)
Cost: $10 Garden members/ $15 nonmembers
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To make nature art, we use natural materials. These can be berries, sticks, leaves, or anything we can find. During this program we will make leaf art, berry splatter paintings, and more using all
things that might be found in a garden. Be sure to wear your crafting clothes because this program will get messy!
This program is designed for 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, but all kids are welcome. Parents or guardians must be present with participants during the program.
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UT Gardens, Knoxville
Summer Camp
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Summer camps are filling up quickly here at the UT Gardens, Knoxville! Be sure to reserve your spot soon.
We have availability in our Theater in the Garden camp, Nature Art camp, and both Lil Gardener's sessions. Some scholarships are available. Feel free to contact
Whitney with any questions or scholarship inquiries at
[log in to unmask]. We are looking forward to a great summer in the Gardens!
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UT Gardens, Crossville
It's Bluebird Time in Tennessee!
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Reflective streamers have been attached to all bluebird boxes with nests to protect them from House sparrows. So far, this experiment has proven to be effective. The bluebirds don't seem to mind, and
we have sweet little hatchlings. The end of April monitoring report showed 23 completed nests, 12 with eggs, and 5 babies.
For additional information about bluebirds and the Tennessee Bluebird Society visit www.tnbluebirdsociety.org.More photos and findings will be shared
each month throughout the summer. Happy bluebirding!
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Carol's Corner
Are Your Ears Bigger than Your Neighbors?
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Many southern gardeners grew up with an “ordinary” green elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) in the landscape, hardly worth a second glance.
As more savvy gardeners became aware of the roles foliage textures play in a well designed landscape, plants with large leaves were more appreciated. The movement morphed into a deservedly popular theme of creating a landscape with a bold tropical feel, and
new forms of elephant ear began to appear in the marketplace. Even in colder parts of the country folks were willing to dig them and store in protected sites during winter, or simply purchase them new each summer, so breeders responded with a surge of cultivars
displaying foliage of black, chartreuse, or even variegated. Most are not hardy beyond zone 8, but a few have demonstrated their hardiness through zone 7 unless the winter is particularly severe.
Read more...
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2021 Community Partners & Sponsors
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Many thanks to our 2021 Community Partners for their support of the Gardens!
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Our sponsors have supported the Gardens through generous donations of their products and/or services!
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We also want to thank all of our members, volunteers, and visitors who support the Gardens! We couldn't do it without each of you!
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Mailing Address:
UT Gardens
Room 112 Plant Biotech
2502 EJ Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-7324
Fax: (865) 974-1947
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