e-Newsletter | August 2021

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.

August Gardening Tip

Order spring-flowering bulbs in August and September to be planted in October and November.

Click here to read all gardening tips....

Plant of the Month

August: Scarlet Rose Mallow

Submitted by Celeste Scott, UT Extension Madison County

Nothing is more refreshing in the droughty heat of summer than spotting a wild stand of Hibiscus coccineus scarlet red blooms towering above the vegetation of ditches and other low-lying areas. With its bright red flowers and preference for moist sites, this plant claims a variety of aptly descriptive common names: Scarlet Rose Mallow, Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow and Swamp Hibiscus just to name a few.

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

Jackson - Planted in late June, this bed near the flagpole is putting on a show! Plants include Tidal Wave® Silver petunia, Vermillionaire® cuphea, 'White Flame' salvia, 'Purple Ruffles' basil, 'Prestige Scarlet' celosia, 'Big Duck Gold' marigold, and candle stick plant in the center.

Knoxville - We are loving the contrasting colors and textures of this Solar Tower™ Black sweet potato vine, 'Wasabi' coleus, and 'Thailand Giant' elephant ear in our Color Garden sponsored by Ball Seed.

Crossville - This eye-catching perennial is sure to please with its brightly colored blooms. Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Sunset Spice' is also a magnet for butterflies! It can be found in our Four Season Sensory Garden.

UT Gardens

Upcoming Annual Membership Drive

The UT Gardens Annual Membership Drive will begin Monday, August 23! Now more than ever, your new or renewing membership is a vital part of growing the UT Gardens, your State Botanical Garden of Tennessee. We'll be sending out several emails over the course of the drive to highlight the benefits of membership, and the importance of membership to the Gardens in Knoxville, Crossville, and Jackson. We hope you'll consider supporting the Gardens in this way!

Join or Renew Now

Learn More About Membership

UT Gardens, Crossville

Fall Gardeners' Festival

UT Gardens, Crossville

Mum Fundraiser

Help support the Gardens by purchasing some locally grown, HUGE mums!

They will be ready for pick-up beginning Tuesday, August 31st at the Fall Gardeners' Festival. For those unable to attend this amazing event, other arrangements can be made. We look forward to seeing you and appreciate your support!

Click here for order form. Follow instructions on form to place order.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Plant Sale and Art Auction in September

We're excited to be planning an in-person Fall Plant Sale that will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 9am-2pm (with a members-only Preview Sale on Friday, September 24 from 4-7pm). Stay tuned for more information on our featured plants (like the Invincibelle Garnetta® smooth hydrangea pictured here), as well as a list of all the choice selections that will be available for purchase.

We will also be auctioning off the fabulous bird houses that were created by local artists for the Home Sweet Home: A Birdhouse Exhibit that is currently on display in the Gardens. The online auction will open on Monday, September 13 and close on Wednesday, September 22. Winning bidders will be able to pick up their items at the Fall Plant Sale.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Welcomes New Staff Member

Matt is a Research Horticulturist and Collections Manager in the UT Gardens. He is originally from Lebanon, Tennessee and began working at the UT Gardens in August of 2021. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Plant Science with a focus in Golf Course and Landscape Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2016. He then went on to complete his master’s degree in Agronomy with a focus in Turfgrass Science and Culture from Mississippi State University in 2019. He has had several internships - one being at Walt Disney World where he was a horticulture intern. After being out of the agricultural industry for several years, he is thrilled to be back fulfilling his dream in plant science as a Research Specialist at the UT Gardens.

UT Gardens, Crossville

Cheekwood Trip

We had a wonderful behind-the-scenes tour of Cheekwood Botanical Garden as an educational venture with our summer intern, Chloe Jaquish.

Thanks to Dr. Sue Hamilton for providing contacts to set this up, and to Peter Grimaldi and Shanna Jones for the lovely tour! They were very accommodating and allowed me to bring some of our valued Master Gardeners: Vicki May, Linda Glenn, Ernie Wood, and Erin Fletcher Conley (photographer).

UT Gardens, Crossville

Master Gardeners Project

Pictured from left to right: Elaine Peters, Rhoda Hiller, Julia Wood, Connie Farley, Sue Maruska, and Connie Taylor. Not pictured: Linda Ferris

These lovely ladies did a wonderful job painting these adorable pots for our KinderGarden. Thank you Cumberland County Master Gardeners!

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Friday Fun Day

Friday Fun Day: Flower Walk

Date: August 20, 2021

Time: 10am-12pm

Cost: $10 members/$15 nonmembers

Join us for a fun walk through the garden to learn how to make observations using our five senses. We will smell flowers and herbs, look for butterflies and other garden creatures, and maybe even taste something from the garden. This program is designed for children between the ages of three and five, but all children are welcome.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Home Grown Home School Program

Dates: Second Friday each month

August 13 (past)
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

Time: 10am-12pm

Cost: $10 members/$15 nonmembers

Our Home Grown Home School Program will resume this August with a focus on climate resilience. We will cover topics this semester including plants and the role they play in the environment, how people impact the climate, and things we can do to have a positive impact on the Earth. This program is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 10, but all children are welcome. Parents or guardians must stay during the program.

UT Gardens, Crossville

It's Bluebird Time in Tennessee!

These hungry babies are the third batch of hatchlings from this bluebird box. We are proud to be a part of the bluebird monitoring program and have several boxes on the property. Look for them along the fence row, in the Gardens, as well as the daylily plot. Also, be sure to check out Cumberland County Bluebird Club's educational exhibit at Fall Gardeners' Festival on Tuesday, August 31.

For additional information about bluebirds and the Tennessee Bluebird Society visit www.tnbluebirdsociety.org.

UT Gardens, Knoxville

Kroger Community Rewards

Did you know that the UT Gardens, Knoxville is part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program? It is the easiest way to raise funds for the Gardens - with NO cost to you! Simply link up your Kroger card to the UT Gardens and a portion of your purchases from Kroger will automatically be donated directly to the UT Gardens, Knoxville. If you've signed up for this in the past, you need to re-register every August. Thanks for your support!

The Last Word

Summer Watering Tips

When the heat of the summer settles in, water is in high demand. Here is some science-based information from our friends at UT Hort on keeping your turf hydrated, being water wise in your home garden, and getting ahead of the heat with proactive mulching to retain soil moisture.