Category: Field Trips

UGA Trial Gardens and GA Botanical Gardens Field Trip – May 2011 As a new Intern, I decided to make the UGA Trial Gardens and Georgia Botanical Gardens my very first garden tour.  Although I did not know what to expect, other than perhaps learning about some interesting plants, I eagerly anticipated the day.  The group met at the Extension Office at 8:15am.  I volunteered to drive, but when George Nash tried to fit his lanky frame into the back seat, we knew we had to resort to plan B.  George offered to drive, so Jeannine Nash, Terry Russell and I navigated.  Terry talked about her farm and menagerie, including rescued roosters. Jeannine and George explained how the Hydrangea festival started over 15 years ago when folks wanted to come see their hydrangeas.  George and Jeannine decided to make it an official event and hence the birth of the Nash…

To welcome Spring 2011, Gwinnett Master Gardeners boarded the County van and multiple carpools from around the County for a field trip to Piccadilly Farm and Specialty Ornamentals.  Piccadilly Farm is a tradition and a wonderful adventure and owner Sam Jones led us along the paths to explore and learn. The gardens and nursery featured hellebores, perennials, native flowers, camellias, unusual shrubs, and dwarf conifers.  Following the tour, the shopping began!  After a break for a picnic lunch we loaded our treasures and traveled on to Specialty Ornamentals.  Flo Chaffin, owner, identified new and unusual plants that are not easily found in the trade and answered our many questions about getting the right plant in the right place! Following the tour we purchased our “must haves” to bring year round interest and enjoyment to our own gardens.  It was a relaxing, beautiful spring day in the gardens with fellow gardeners! …

Gwinnett Master Gardeners enjoyed a beautiful February day at the 2011 Camellia Festival at Massee Lane Gardens, the historic home of the American Camellia Society and their camellia collection. Our tour began with an informative demonstration on propagating camellias for our own gardens by Horticulturist Douglas Ruhren. After a catered picnic lunch, our guide led us through the botanical garden which has been designated as “A Garden of Excellence” by the International Camellia Society. We soaked in the sun and the knowledge and took advantage of the opportunity to purchase many of the outstanding camellias and companion plants.  What a wonderful way to spend a February day!