Thursday, December 17, 2009


Last Tuesday a group of folks from the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, which is a diverse group of organizations throughout the state that have come together to meet plant conservation goals, met near Toccoa to plant endangered Echinacea laevigata and other native wildflowers in North Georgia. The hard work had been done – clearing some trees on the hillsides to allow the sunlight in for these perennials to thrive and reestablish in North Georgia forests. In our group today were Heather and Jennifer, botanists from The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, A botanist from the DNR Heritage Program, a few US Forest Service biologists, volunteers from the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, who donate countless hours to help plant and monitor these populations, and me. I needed this to complete my 16 required hours of volunteer time so I can be in the second graduation class receiving a Certificate in Native Plants from the State Botanical Garden. I also needed this time in the woods and away from my to-do lists. Never mind the temperatures in the 40s and drizzly rain. I agreed with Liese – I’d take that cold, wet day over the heat and insects of July.

The 250+ plants brought with us were grown from seed collected in Georgia and grown at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia - Echinacea laevigata, Hypericum punctatum (St. John’s wort), Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia aster – a threatened species in Georgia with purple flowers in fall), and Oligoneuron (white-top solidago, which has clusters of little white flowers that look like asters or daisies, not the solidago that is commonly called goldenrod).

The first site was on a steep slope. We didn’t even need to kneel down to plant the seedlings – just lean forward a little to dig the holes and set in the perennials. Although each site access became easier that morning the weather got wetter and wetter – and colder. By the end we were pretty soaked, but feeling good about what got into the ground and the condition of the plants that were planted there before and are now established. Details were recorded and the sites will be visited to monitor the survival rate. The goal is that these plants not just survive, but reproduce and reestablish colonies throughout this area. In another county in North Georgia, native bog orchids and pitcher plants have started to reproduce on their own, a significant success for the folks of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance.

Saving the Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) is one of the original priority projects of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. Read Heather Alley’s 2002 account here.



Wet, tired and cold at the end of the excursion – but smiling!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Exercise Classes at the Garden start in early January

I don’t know about you, but it’s still 9 days away from Christmas and I’m feeling sluggish already from not enough exercise and too many holiday treats! I sure don’t want to go through 2010 feeling like this! Luckily, there are 2 very different exercise classes happening at the Garden starting in early January.
One sounds serene, yet energizing – yoga in a chapel during Monday lunch hours. I’ve taken an exercise class there before and it is not like any gym. Imagine the beautiful architecture of the Day Chapel reception room with lots of privacy and lots of windows looking out into the woodland.
Zumba! is quite the opposite, yet just as wonderful. Cora, the instructor, who’s also on the Garden’s Education staff, calls Zumba ‘Latin infused aerobics’. I’ve tried it and it is fun and challenging. These classes will be in the large tropical conservatory on Wednesday evenings, with lively Latin music.
Find out more and sign up at http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/educationalevents.html

Monday, December 7, 2009

Keep Your Birds Healthy – Keep Your Birdfeeders Clean

Create a lively scene outside your windows by inviting birds in the garden with bird-attracting plants, birdbaths and bird feeders. Providing food for birds comes with the responsibility to keep the birds healthy. Bird feeders should be cleaned periodically to help prevent the spread of disease. Some sources recommend feeders be cleaned every time they are filled; others suggest cleaning thoroughly at least four times a year.

Never use household cleansers to clean a bird feeder. Solutions made from chlorine bleach or vinegar are safe and effective cleaners. Vinegar is more gentle than chlorine, but both are safe if diluted and rinsed well. Mix a weak chlorine bleach solution (one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water). Empty the bird feeder; then rinse and immerse it in the bleach solution for a few minutes. Rinse the feeder thoroughly. Allow it to dry before filling it with birdseed. Make sure there are no sharp objects on the feeder that could cut a bird, allowing bacteria and viruses to infect the cut.

Keep seed dry and stored in a secure container to prevent mice and insects from contaminating the birdseed. Never fill a feeder with moldy, sour-smelling or wet seed. Never offer birds moldy bread. If squirrels are a problem, try one of the hot pepper additives that actually add vitamins for the birds.

Mulching the area under the feeder makes it easier to clean and freshen, remove sprouted seeds and view feeders. The lack of plant cover also makes it more difficult for a preying cat to surprise the birds. When purchasing feeders, consider maintenance as well as design. It is important to keep the birds healthy as well as fed.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Lunch at the Gardenside Cafe

Whether you need a break from Holiday errands, a great place to catch up with friends, or a taste of home cooking, come to the Gardenside Café overlooking the International Garden in The State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Visitor Center & Conservatory. Sandwiches, salads, desserts and more fill the menu. Or try the delicious made-from-scratch Daily Plate Special – a main dish with sides, bread, dessert and drink for only $8.00.
Daily plate specials through December 23rd:
Tuesday: Beef Lasagna, Chicken Lasagna, Tossed Salad, Whole Kernel Corn, Rolls, Italian Cream Cake.
Wednesday: Ham, Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Green Bean Casserole, Roll, Pecan Pie.
Thursday: Turkey and Dressing with Gravy, Sweet Potato Souffle, English Peas, Roll, Red Velvet Cake.
Friday: Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Pinto Beans, Creamed Corn, Biscuits, Banana Pudding.
Saturday: Baked Chicken Marsala, Wild Rice, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce, Steamed Carrots, Roll,
Strawberry Cake.
Sunday: Roast Beef/ Marinated Chicken, Red Roasted Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans, Biscuit,
Coconut Cake.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Inviting Birds Into Your Garden

Nothing can be more satisfying in your landscape than a bird garden outside the living room or breakfast nook window. The birds' motions and colors, their songs, and the background scenery of foliage and blooms combine into an improvisational bird theater performing just for you.

Situate your bird garden under an existing tree, providing shade, a place to hang feeders, and a landing place for birds to investigate before coming closer. If you don't have a tree, plant one that is already eight to twelve feet tall. It's very important to create several layers of plants to attract birds - a tall tree (oak), a smaller understory tree (dogwood), large shrubs (oakleaf hydrangea), at least one evergreen shrub for winter cover (pieris), small shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Add spring bulbs there too, so you can enjoy the early blooms while watching the cardinals.

These different levels provide "steps" that the birds can take to the feeder, branches for the species who fly away and roost to break open the seeds, and a place for subordinate birds to wait their turn.

Water is an essential ingredient in your bird garden. You can use a birdbath on a pedestal, on the ground, or build a pond. The water should be clean and cool. Replenish the water in a birdbath daily, especially in the summer months. A fat robin can empty half the water with one lively bath.

For supplemental feeding, include the following three types of feeders:

• A hanging feeder: Birds that feed from hanging feeders include finches, titmice and cardinals. You may want to have more than one hanging feeder, to provide different seed mixtures.
• A suet feeder: A coated wire cage with purchased suet cakes is easy to find by woodpeckers. All suet feeders should be hanging. They may be homemade from onion bags, pine cones, or a hollowed-out log.
• A ground feeder: Juncos, towhees, and quail are some of the birds that feed off of the ground. I use the simplest of ground feeders: the ground. By spreading out the food, there is less competition when several birds try to feed at once. Some bird watchers build a slightly elevated table. You may want to use a shallow pan or a flat stone in your garden. White proso millet and cracked corn are favored by ground feeders.

These three feeders will take care of almost all the birds that come to your garden. If you like, you can add other feeders to your garden, like a hummingbird feeder, or a thistle feeder to attract finches.


What do the Birds do for You?

Besides the entertainment value of the actions, songs, and colors of the birds that come to your garden, they will eat vast quantities of insects. Your garden's best defense against insects is a healthy bird population. Over half of a chickadee's winter diet is comprised of aphid eggs. Some birds also eat rodents and baby snakes, helping to keep these populations in check.


Things to keep in mind:

• Over two million birds a day are killed by raccoons and house cats. Cats are one of the few animals that hunt for the thrill of it - it doesn't matter how much you feed Kitty. Hawks are another feared predator. This creates a puzzle. The shrubs in your bird garden that provide cover and protection from hawks also provide great hiding places for a stalking cat.
• Choose feeders that are easy to clean and clean them regularly with a solution of vinegar and water. Do not use household cleaners or bug repellent on bird feeders. Throw away any moldy feed that could give bacterial infections to the birds.
• Keep chemicals away from your bird garden. The birds are your best method of insect control.
• Use an organic mulch with no black plastic underneath. Pine needles, shredded bark or leaves have a natural look and texture that encourage wildlife. Several birds, including quail, like to scratch around to look for insects and seed. This habit has rarely damaged any of my plants.
• A well-illustrated book can help you identify and learn more about the birds that visit your garden.


A Half Dozen Great Bird Plants:

The best plants for birds offer food and protection for the birds, plus beauty and structure for your garden.
• Blueberry (Vaccinium) – This native provide berries that birds love, plus spring blooms and fall color for your landscape.
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa) – Massing this native plant at a woodland edge provides a thicket for birds, plus a ‘step down’ from tall trees into your landscape. The bright magenta berries are loved by birds and contrast beautifully with the golden fall foliage.
• Dogwood (Cornus florida) – We’re the ones that enjoy the beautiful spring blooms and russet fall color, but the birds appreciate the winter berries and the chance to use this small, native tree to step down from treetops to bird feeders.
• Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) – This evergreen native can reach 10’ or more and is available in a weeping form. The dense, twiggy structure is perfect place for nesting or sheltering from winter winds. The red berries provide food for the birds.
• Junipers (Juniperus) – There are many beautiful and fun varieties of junipers now available, including sculptural small trees. Junipers provide evergreen protection and berries for birds. Other conifers also offer protective cover.
• Viburnums – This large genus includes several with twiggy growth, evergreen foliage and/or berries.
Other plants that attract birds include barberries, crabapple, coneflowers, figs, grapes, grasses, hawthorns, hollies, honeysuckle, mahonias, maples, oaks, pines, pyracantha, roses that produce hips (seed pods), serviceberry, spruces, sumac, sunflowers, and yew

Friday, November 20, 2009

A Special Invitation for December 3rd, benefiting the new Horticulture Complex

Andrew Downs & Company
Invite you
To commence the Season
With a Celebration of Ornamental Trees,
Decorated Wreaths, Holiday Arrangements,
And Flowers of the Season

Benefiting
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Thursday December 3, 2009
10 am to 7 pm
Seasonal Spirits will be served in the afternoon

Admission $15

All proceeds will benefit the new
Horticulture Complex at the Botanical Garden

Let the Holidays Begin!

1737-B South Lumpkin St. 706-549-9325

adownsandcompany@bellsouth.net

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Save the dates! - Symposia on Native Plants, Garden History

Two all-day Symposia
at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens

2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30605
Pre-registration required.
Call 706-542-6156 or register online at www.uga.edu/botgarden.


Native Plant Symposium
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
8:45 am - 3:30 pm
Garden Club of Georgia, Terrace Room
Friends members $45; non-members $50 (lunch included)
Co-sponsored by The Garden Club of Georgia and The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Native plants are uniquely adapted to local conditions, having co-evolved with other plants, animals, pollinators, and soil biota. Therefore they require little maintenance and withstand temperature and moisture extremes. Most importantly, native plants provide diverse sources of food and shelter for a wide variety of insects and birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, etc. in the complex web of life. Join us for a day-long program that considers gardening with wildflowers and other native plants along with related conservation issues. Learn how to incorporate your appreciation of these plants into your home landscape plan.

Agenda
8:45 Welcome and Announcements
9:00 Landscape Design for Planet-Friendly Gardens
10:00 Break — Plant Sale
10:30 The Right Plant for the Place: Natives in the Landscape
11:25 Native Perennials
12:00 Lunch
1:15 Promoting Natives: From Ecology to Heartstrings
2:15 Break
2:30 Botanical Illustrations of Southeastern Native Plants--A Walk Through the Calendar Year

2010 Southern Garden Heritage Conference
Friday, February 19, 2010
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Callaway Building Auditorium
Friends members$95; non-members $110
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is pleased to host the Southern Garden Heritage Conference, which brings an audience from throughout the Southeast. Robin Salmon will open the conference with a lecture about garden sculpture and close the conference with a presentation about Brookgreen Gardens, one of America's finest sculpture gardens. Sue Burgess will provide a brief history of efforts to save the historic Root House in Marietta and create a garden of the period. Keyes Williamson will provide an update on work being done to preserve the Elizabeth Lawrence Garden in Charlotte. John Waters and Jim Cothran will provide a look into the architecture and gardens of Savannah and their interrelationships. And Gerard Krewer will speak about some of Georgia's rare and unusual fruits-some familiar and some unfamiliar. Amateurs and professionals alike are sure to find this conference interesting and informative.

AGENDA
9:00 - 9:15 Opening Remarks
9:15 - 10:00 A Brief History of American Garden Sculpture
10:00 - 10:30 Break
10:30 -11:15 The Root House, A Mid-Nineteenth Century Middle Class Merchant’s Home: Challenges of Recreating the Historic Southern Landscape in a Hostile 21st Century Urban Environment
11:15 - 12:00 The Elizabeth Lawrence Garden
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:45 The Architecture and Gardens of Savannah
1:45 - 2:30 Rare and Unusual Fruits of Georgia
2:30 - 3:00 Break
3:00 - 3:45 Brookgreen Gardens Past and Present
3:45 - 4:00 Closing Remarks

Monday, October 26, 2009

Gardenside Café Opens!

The State Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the opening of Gardenside Café in the Visitor Center & Conservatory, overlooking the International Garden. The café will be open Tuesday through Sunday whenever the building is open, with lunch served from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch includes sandwiches and salads, as well as a daily lunch special. “I call our daily special ‘Grandmother’s food’, because it is a taste of home cooking. All the recipes are old-fashioned recipes that I modify to my tastes,” explains café manager Jerry Warren, who also owns and operates Countryside Catering in Winterville, Georgia.

The Gardenside Café reflects the botanical garden surrounding, offering shade-grown coffee and serving with plates and spoons made from eco-friendly bamboo and sugar cane. The entrance to the café wanders through a tropical conservatory. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available and the café has wireless Internet connection. The Garden is located one mile south of the Loop on South Milledge Avenue; parking and admission is free. The menu is designed to quickly serve both lunch-hour patrons who want to escape the office for a few minutes in a garden and Garden visitors who would enjoy a break while visiting the Garden.

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Lunch served 11:00 – 2:00
Sunday 11:30 am – 4:30 pm Lunch served 11:30 – 2:00
Closed Mondays and all UGA Holidays
Café Phone: 706-542-6359

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Music Sunday in the Garden




I think the best weather all weekend was during the 2 hours that 5 UGA music students were playing throughout the Garden. Music and nature blend beautifully! There were plenty of blooms in the Garden, especially in the International Garden just below the cafe terrace. Here are a couple photos from last weekend. Ernest "Bubba" Beasley and Jason Royer will be performing as a jazz duo again at the January 28, 2010 Twilight Toasts and Luther Enloe will perform classical guitar for an Evergreen Concert in early March.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Live Music in the Garden today!

Music Sunday in the Garden
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens
Sunday, October 18, 2009 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

We are pleased to offer these talented musicians, all UGA students, to add to your pleasure while exploring The State Botanical Garden of Georgia on this beautiful fall afternoon.
This afternoon of music is made possible by a grant from the UGA Parents & Families Association.

Ernest "Bubba" Beasley graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a major in geology and a minor in jazz studies. He is currently a geology masters student at UGA and is taking classes in the UGA jazz department.

Luther Enloe moved to Georgia at the age of twenty, to study the guitar at the University of Georgia with John Sutherland. He has subsequently received a BM and an MM, graduating with distinction, under Mr. Sutherland’s tutelage. Continuing his studies at UGA, he is presently pursuing a DMA in music performance with a minor in musicology. As a soloist, Luther Enloe has distinguished himself by winning awards in the Georgia Music Educators Association Competitions including the Award of Excellence in 1996 and 1998. Mr. Enloe was a chosen recitalist at the 1998 Christopher Parkening master class at Montana State University. Concurrent with his academic studies, Mr. Enloe maintains an active performance schedule and has appeared as a guitar soloist with many ensembles including The Montana State University Chorale, The Dekalb Choral Guild, and Peachtree Symphonic Winds. Luther Enloe has served on the faculty of Berry College in Rome, Georgia since 2007. At Berry College Mr. Enloe maintains a thriving guitar studio in addition to teaching courses in music. He and his wife, Victoria, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Rachael Eubanks is a fourth year Music Education major at the University of Georgia. She began playing the violin at the age of twelve and has been immersed in music ever since. Her post-undergraduate goal is to find a teaching position where she can expose countless children to the wonders of music.

Originally from Ringgold, Georgia, Rachael Fischer began her violin studies at the age of four. She was named the winner of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association’s Concerto Competition in 2000, and the winner of the University of Georgia Concerto Competition in 2004. Rachael has also been an active performer in many ensembles including the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Athena Grand Opera Company Orchestra, and Macon Symphony Orchestra. She is also an active chamber musician, and has had extensive coaching sessions with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and the Juilliard String Quartet. Rachael completed her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at UGA in 2005, studying with Dr. Michael Heald, and the Master of Music degree at Arizona State University in 2007 under the tutelage of Dr. Katherine McLin. She is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance at UGA.

Jason Royer is a music major at UGA with a concentration in bass performance. In addition to being the upright bassist for the UGA jazz band, he plays with the UGA Philharmonic and a number of small jazz combos.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Music Sunday in the Garden October 18th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Discover a variety of live music as you enjoy a stroll through The State Botanical Garden of Georgia on a perfect fall Sunday afternoon. UGA music students will be playing in the Garden from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Funded by a grant from the UGA Parents and Family Association, these talented students will be stationed throughout the Garden. Information on these UGA students and their music will be available at the front desk of the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory.
This is an ideal weekend to stroll the gardens or nature trails, wander with a camera, or share a bench with your friends, laptop, book or just with nature and your thoughts. Admission and parking at the Garden, located a mile south of the Loop at 2450 South Milledge Avenue, is free.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

So Much Happening at the Garden Today.

Wow! The Garden is filled with beautiful plants and, we hope, lots of gardeners at the Fall Plant Sale from 8 am-2pm. I was really impressed with the large edgeworthias with fat flower buds and the tables filled with pitcher plants, euphorbias, heucheras and more. What a great way to shop for plants - in a garden, surrounded by folks to help you choose from a great selection. These staff members and volunteers get so excited about plants that they are growing in their gardens.
Also there is a class that is part of the Native Plant Certificate Program. This program filled up immediately when it first started, but now there is space to take new people into the program. Find out more at www.uga.edu/botgarden.
Then in the new classrooms, about 3 dozen graduate students are part of a charette to come up with fresh, innovative ideas for SBG's Children's Garden. This sounds like a first step, but actually the Garden's Education staff have been considering the educational programming of the Children's Garden for many years and are excited this project is moving forward.
You will pass a construction site as you drive into the Garden. This will be our new Horticulture Complex - the engine that drives the Garden. This is where the greenhouses, growing areas, equipment, Horticulture staff offices and more will be located. This location near the entrance will reduce the amount of traffic in the Garden.
Keep posted - very soon we will tell you about the new cafe opening in the Garden.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Fall Plant Sale at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Hey folks! This weekend will be a great time to work in the garden - the weather will be cool and soil softened by the recent rains is easier to weed. While you are in your garden, look around and see where you could use new plants, because the following weekend is the Garden's Fall Plant Sale.

Saturday, October 10 - 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory
2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30605
Free admission

Celebrate Fall planting season with new plants to enhance your landscape. Fall truly is the best time for fall planting of trees and shrubs. Since roots develop best in cooler weather, planting now allows several months for root establishment before next year’s new spring growth and summer heat. Shop the Fall plant sale for a broad selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, native plants and more. The SBG Horticulture staff will be on hand to assist in your selection and answer questions, as well as Garden volunteers and Master Gardeners.

Also at the Garden on October 10th:

Photography Exhibit: Intimacy
Don Byram, Photographer Visitor Center Lobby
September 27 to October 18 free

Native Ferns and Mosses
Certificate in Native Plants Elective Course
George Sanko, Georgia Perimeter College, Ferns
Jim Allison, Interpretative Ranger, Davidson Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 10 Visitor Center, Classroom 2
8:30 am -12:30 pm Members $40; non-members$45
This course will be broken into two segments. George Sanko will cover the first two hours with woodland and xeric ferns of Georgia. This portion will be an introduction to the reproductive life cycle of ferns as well as apogamy—asexual reproduction found in most xeric ferns. Students will learn to identify ferns by learning the physical characteristics of some native ferns in Georgia and becoming familiar with common terminology. Jim Allison will cover the second two hours with mosses and their relatives. There will be a brief presentation covering bryophytes, their diversity
and distinction from other plants. The remainder of the class will be spent at Rock and Shoals Natural Area, focusing on the ecology and field recognition of mosses and their relatives. It is recommended that participants bring their hand lens or a strong magnifying glass to the program.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

You’re invited to Insect-ival!

at
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 South Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA

Saturday, September 19
9:30am – 12:30pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory
$3 per person; $10 maximum per family
Children under 2 years of age admitted free

Join us for this creepy, crawly, and definitely fun Family Festival. Discovery stations, roach and beetle races, puppet shows and lots of live insects highlight this year’s event. Children can complete a series of discovery station activities to receive a special insect prize. At 11:00am we will host a butterfly release on the lawn of the International Garden. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to view dozens of native butterflies flap their wings above your head. These native butterflies are reared locally and sustainably. Insect-ival is sponsored by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, UGA Lund Club, UGA Department of Entomology, and the Georgia Museum of Natural History.

For more information, please contact the Garden’s Education Department at 706-542-6156 or sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Symposium and Plant Sale Thursday

Join us Thursday, September 17 from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm for a one-day symposium focusing on Georgia Gold Medal plants. There will be plenty of information and inspiration, plus a Gold Medal plant sale, silent auction and a few door prizes. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The $40 cost includes lunch.

The plant sale runs from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm. You do not have to be registered for the symposium to visit the plant sale, so make plans to stop by during your lunch break. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Get Inspired for Fall Planting

...with award-winning plants and inspiring speakers.

Spend a day in the Garden – The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, that is! – and learn about designing and gardening with Georgia Gold Medal plants. The low $40 fee (discounts for Master Gardeners) includes lunch, speakers, plant sale, door prizes, and more! Find out more at www.georgiagoldmedalplants.org or www.uga.edu/botgarden.

Gold in your GardenA one-day symposium focusing on Georgia Gold Medal Plants,
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm in the Callaway Building.

Gold Medal Plant Sale (open to the public) 10:30 am - 3:00 pm on Callaway Building front plaza.
Register Online Here >>

Friday, August 21, 2009

Grogus - Outdoor Concert in the Garden!

Sunflower Concert Tuesday Night
Tuesday, August 25
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Grogus
Caribbean and Latin Jazz

We’ve enjoyed two concerts in the Flower Garden this summer. Join us for our final Sunflower Concert of the season and hear Grogus! Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and $5 for children ages 6 – 12. Ticket prices include beverages and light snacks.
Please feel free to bring a blanket and picnic, lawn chairs, however, are not allowed.
Call 706-542-1244 or go to www.uga.edu/botgarden for more information or tickets.
Tickets also at AthensMusic.net and Schoolkids Records.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Flea Market Saturday, August 22

Friends’ Gigantic Flea Market
Friends of The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is hosting their annual flea market on Saturday, August 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Visitors Center and Conservatory. Admission is free. Not only is this a great opportunity to find treasures, but a good place to donate books, jewelry, decorations, purses, accessories, tools, toys, baby items, household items and gardening items (no clothing, shoes, or magazines please). So clean out that closet! Organize that jewelry box! Go through the kids toys! We will be accepting donations through Friday at the Visitor Center & Conservatory at the Garden (2450 S. Milledge, one mile south of the Loop in Athens). Then come back and shop Saturday morning.
Donation forms are available. All proceeds benefit The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Unsold items will be donated to a charitable organization.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

New Sod in the International Garden

The International Garden, just downhill from the Visitor Center, has a fresh new look thanks to sod laid last week. We think the green sod around newly mulched beds, blooming plants, and a bubbling stream (of recirculated water) is a beautiful sight. The bog garden within the International Garden is undergoing restoration, laying fallow for a few weeks to ensure as many weeds as possible are out before it is replanted with pitcher plants and other bog plants.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Sunflower Concert on YouTube

Dodd Ferrelle, warm up act before Modern Skirts in June, posted a couple videos of their performance on stage in our Flower Garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQND04KiSs0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpcrGoMny5Y&feature=related

Our last Sunflower Concert on August 25th will feature 2 hours of lively music by Grogus. During our first two concerts many folks, young and old, kicked off their shoes to enjoy the lush grass while dancing to the music; others enjoyed the concert by spreading out a picnic on a quilt. Come discover the beautiful new concert venue in the Garden!

Sunflower Music Series:
For the 9th annual Sunflower Music Series three well-known Athens bands will play outdoors in the new Flower Garden from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (inside in wet weather). Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and $5 for children ages 6 – 12. Season tickets for all three shows are also available. Ticket prices include beverages and light snacks. Please feel free to bring a blanket and picnic, lawn chairs, however, are not allowed. Call 706-542-1244 for more information or tickets.
June 23: Modern Skirts (power-pop quartet)
July 14: FiveEight (three-piece rock band)
August 25: Grogus (Latin jazz, salsa, Afro-Caribbean jazz and reggae)

Moon and Stars Watermelon

This is an heirloom variety of watermelon named 'Moon & Stars' growing in the Heritage Garden. Notice the yellow moon and many stars on the rind. The netting protects it from browsing deer.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Free Concert Sunday

All American Brass Concert
The Athens Brass Choir
Sunday, August 2 3:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory Free
The Athens Brass Choir returns to the State Botanical Garden Conservatory with "All-American Brass", a concert of American music including Copland fanfares, Sousa marches, music from the movies, and more. Come join the Athens Brass Choir’s celebration of the diversity of our nation's musical heritage.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112474849338&ref=nf

Construction Begins on the State Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Complex

Construction begins this week on The State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s new $2.5 million horticulture complex, a facility that will support the 313-acre public garden. This facility will include outdoor growing areas, greenhouses, spaces for repair and storage of equipment and offices for the Horticulture staff. “This behind-the-scenes facility is essential to the collections and displays throughout the Garden,” explains Interim Director Shirley Berry. “Moving these facilities to this new location is another step in enriching the visitor’s experience and safety in the Garden. Although the initial impact will be visible, soon this area will be screened with plantings and maintenance equipment and delivery trucks will no longer need to intrude into public areas to reach the horticulture complex.” Construction of the horticulture complex is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

In the International Garden, bog garden restoration and lawn resodding are taking place this week. The outdoor Sunflower Concert Series moved from the International Garden to the new 5-acre, terraced Flower Garden this summer. The Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory renovation is nearing completion. Updates include new classrooms and a redesigned café.

For more information, call Connie Cottingham, Publicity and Special Events, at 706-542-6014.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Twilight Toasts in the Athens Banner-Herald

Click here to read the article on Geoffrey Garland, who will be playing at Twilight Toasts this Thursday.
Click here to read the article on Plant a Row, featured at Twilight Toasts.
Call 706-542-1244 to purchase your tickets for this great event!

Twilight Toasts in the Garden
Thursday, July 23, 2009 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory $10 Friends members/ $15 non-members
What a combination: a warm summer evening in the Garden, live music that suits the weather, light hors d’oeuvres, and new wines to sample. Our horticultural segment will be information about Plant a Row for the Hungry, a small idea that has grown into a nationwide movement where community groups and backyard gardeners help their neighbors. Wine tasting by The Healthy Gourmet in Athens. Light hors d’oeuvres by Trumps Catering. Live music by Geoffrey Garland, a very talented classical guitarist. Come join the many that have found out that this eclectic after-work event is the place to gather, relax and enjoy the Garden.
Presented by Athens First Bank & Trust and Athens Area Health Plan Select in cooperation with FRIENDS of the Garden, The Healthy Gourmet and Trumps Catering.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

FiveEight Performing July 14th

Well-known Athens band FiveEight will be performing at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia for the Sunflower Concert on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. They have toured with REM (fall 2004) and were featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered (link to broadcast here). Read their Wikipedia article here.

Sunflower Music Series:
For the 9th annual Sunflower Music Series three well-known Athens bands will play outdoors in the new Flower Garden from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (inside in wet weather). Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and $5 for children ages 6 – 12. Season tickets for all three shows are also available. Ticket prices include beverages and light snacks. Please feel free to bring a blanket and picnic, lawn chairs, however, are not allowed. Call 706-542-1244 for more information or tickets.
June 23: Modern Skirts (power-pop quartet)
July 14: FiveEight (three-piece rock band)
August 25: Grogus (Latin jazz, salsa, Afro-Caribbean jazz and reggae)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Maybe for the first time in a few years you are enjoying a bumper crop in your garden – beans, melons, tomatoes, zucchini, berries and more. We certainly hope so! If your garden harvest is good this year, you’ll want to know about two events happening at the State Botanical Garden this month that will give you ideas on what to do with all that healthy, fresh produce.
Brenda and BJ will teach a class on canning beans and tomatoes on July 16 - they have a lot of experience growing and canning both. The relaxed class setting allows for lots of comments and questions.
Twilight Toasts in the Garden is a popular quarterly wine tasting that includes live music and light hors d’oeuvres, plus Master Gardeners on hand to explain Plant a Row for the Hungry, a people-helping-people program that encourages gardeners to grow a little extra to donate to food pantries. Take home a row marker for your garden and information on where to take that extra zucchini.

Canning the Summer Garden
Brenda Beckham & BJ Garrett, Athens Area Master Gardeners
Thursday, July 16 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Callaway Building Auditorium members $12; nonmembers $14
Beans and tomatoes coming out your ears? Freezer full and neighbors no longer answering the door? Join Brenda and BJ for an introduction to the pressure cooker method of home canning. Learn the basic tools and techniques used for canning fruits and vegetables from your garden. Sterilizing jars, peeling tomatoes, and assuring jars are sealed correctly will be covered. This marvelous teaching team will also cover how to make jams and jellies. Pre-registration required.

Twilight Toasts in the Garden
Thursday, July 23, 2009 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory $10 Friends members/ $15 non-members
What a combination: a warm summer evening in the Garden, live music that suits the weather, light hors d’oeuvres, and new wines to sample. Our horticultural segment will be information about Plant a Row for the Hungry, a small idea that has grown into a nationwide movement where community groups and backyard gardeners help their neighbors. Wine tasting by The Healthy Gourmet in Athens. Light hors d’oeuvres by Trumps Catering. Live music by Geoffrey Garland, a talented classical guitarist. Come join the many that have found out that this eclectic after-work event is the place to gather, relax and enjoy the Garden.
Presented by Athens First Bank & Trust and Athens Area Health Plan Select in cooperation with FRIENDS of the Garden, The Healthy Gourmet and Trumps Catering.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Lotus photo



The lotus by the International Garden are blooming beautifully today - truly a treat to see. The Garden is a great place to spend time with your camera.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

July 4th Weekend at the Garden


Following the UGA holiday schedule, the State Botanical Garden will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 - but the Garden will be open Sunday, July 5th and we will have a great, free, indoor concert!

Classic City Band Concert
Sunday, July 5
3:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory
Free admission

What better way to celebrate this summer holiday weekend than with a concert in a garden? With lively music, free parking, and chairs inside our air-conditioned Conservatory, this is the concert you will want to attend this weekend.

Our first Sunflower Concert in the new Flower Garden


Over 300 people gathered for an enjoyable summer evening in the new Flower Garden for our first Sunflower Concert of the summer. Picnics, blankets, friends, families and dancing children filled three terraced lawns overlooking the Flower Garden stage to listen to Modern Skirts. If you'd like to see more photos, several were posted on Were You Spotted? at onlineathens.com.


Don't miss our next two Sunflower Concerts!

- FiveEight on Tuesday, July 14

- Grogus on Tuesday, August 25


Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and $5 for children ages 6 – 12. Ticket prices include beverages and light snacks. Please feel free to bring a blanket and picnic, lawn chairs, however, are not allowed. Concerts will be inside the Visitor Center & Conservatory in wet weather. Call 706-542-1244 for more information or tickets.