2nd Annual Bluestems & Bluejeans Native Plant Sale and Family Event

Adding to your garden this fall? Consider adding native plants to your garden. They are well suited for the area, are an important food source for birds and pollinating insects, and can add color and beauty to your garden. The perfect place to find these special plants is the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens) on Saturday, October 5. The Bluestems & Bluejeans Native Plant Sale will be held from 9 am to 2 pm. But this free event is much more than a plant sale. There will be an opportunity to tour the Garden’s new Piedmont prairie area and tour the Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies, plus there will be special activities for children from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information call 706-542-9353. To help you with your shopping list, the Garden has posted the list of over 200 species that will be available at this sale at www.botgarden.uga.edu. More information on this event can also be found at this website.

Gold in Your Garden Symposium and Plant Sale at State Botanical Garden of Georgia

The biennial Gold in Your Garden symposium will be held from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia on September 12, 2013. Four speakers will be teaching participants how to design with and grow Georgia Gold Medal Plants, a palette of beautiful, reliable, easy-to-grow plants for Georgia gardens. “Designing with Gold: Creating a Garden for Year-round Interest” will be the keynote talk by Erica Glasener, who received the Garden Media Award from the Perennial Plant Association and an “Award of Excellence” from the Garden Writers Association of America for her work on HGTV’s A Gardener’s Diary. Glasener has authored and co-authored many gardening books, including books specific to gardening in Georgia. Dottie Myers, of Dottie Myers and Associates, Decatur, will speak on “Favorite Gold Medal Plants and Their Best Use.” Myers has grown Georgia Gold Medal plants in many client gardens in the Atlanta area and will share experiences, design and culture advice for specific plants. Horticulturist Mike Sikes of Athens will speak on “New Cultivars of Past Winners,” updating the audience on the latest cultivars of proven Gold Medal winners. Sikes discusses these cultivars with breeders, growers, fellow garden writers and Master Gardeners and travels to nurseries and gardens around the world to stay up-to-date on the horticulture industry. Matt Whiddon, President of Columbus in Color in Columbus, GA, will discuss “Color in the Garden” and how to use Georgia Gold Medal Plants to add life to your landscape. Cost is $60 in advance or $70 at door and includes lunch. The plant sale will be from 10:30 to 3:00 in front of the Callaway Building and is open to all, whether or not attending this symposium. Find out more about the Georgia Gold Medal Symposium at www.botgarden.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-1244. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located at 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens.