See Amazing New Plants at UGA Trial Gardens Open House

Whenever I am in Athens, I always look forward to checking out what’s “hot” at the UGA Trial Gardens where new

annuals, vines, tropicals and perennials are introduced and tested to see how well they will thrive in our southern climate. The plants are graded on a scale of one to five based on tolerance to heat and humidity, resistance to disease and insects, ease of propagation, production time, and cutting efficiency. Those that score the highest are then sent to growers or are introduced under the Athens Select brand. You can’t go wrong when purchasing some of these recommended plants for your own garden.

The Trial Gardens were started in Athens in 1982 by horticulture super stars, Dr. Allan Armitage and Dr. Michael Dirr. These two experts also helped Former UGA Football Coach, Vince Dooley, turn his Athens garden into a national showcase.

I visited the Trial Gardens on a steamy day in August – it was over 100 degrees – and so I did not stay too long. I got some great photos of spectacular bloomers that were not at all bothered by the extreme temperatures and humidity. While I was wilting, these plants were thriving! The beds were filled with geraniums, hydrangeas, roses, petunias, SunPatiens, salvia, angelonia, verbena, lobelia, coreopsis, calibrachoa, sweet potato vine and much more!

If you would like to enjoy the gardens during cooler temperatures, don’t miss the Open House on September 16 at 5:30 p.m., hosted by Dr. Armitage himself!  You will enjoy music, wine and a tour of the garden and you’ll leave with recommendations for the best plants to add to your own garden space. For more information about the Open House, call the Trial Gardens at (706) 542-2471.

Every year, the Trial Gardens staff selects the best performing plants and honors them with the Classic City Award.  For a list of the 2009 winners and photos of these gorgeous plants, check out: Classic City Awards 2009