Georgia Magazine - January 2013 - (Page 32)

The UGA Trial Gardens enjoy international renown By PAmelA A. Keene T hirty years ago, it was a mere gleam in Allan Armitage’s eye. Today, the Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia are world-renowned, sought out by plant breeders from around the globe. It’s also a self-perpetuating economic engine for the UGA School of Horticulture, supported by plant industry leaders who send their plants for evaluation and testing. Yet it is also consumer-friendly with several keynote events annually. And it’s open seven days a week all year long for self-guided or prearranged tours. COURTESY OF ALLAN ARMITAGE / UGA TRIAL GARDENS Georgia’s gardening treasure Left: Horticulture professor, lecturer and expert Allan Armitage shows off some seedlings in the Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia. Above: Renowned in the world of plant research and testing, the Trial Gardens were the brainchild of Armitage and fellow professor Michael Dirr. “The Trial Gardens are a public place, and we encourage people to come and visit,” says Armitage, a prolific writer who has authored dozens of academic papers, hundreds of industry and consumer articles, and 13 text and reference books. “Here COURTESY OF ALLAN ARMITAGE / UGA TRIAL GARDENS COURTESY OF ALLAN ARMITAGE / UGA TRIAL GARDENS they can see the next generation of plant products, all being evaluated in Georgia growing conditions.” The brainchild of Armitage and fellow professor Michael Dirr, the Trial Gardens is slightly smaller than an acre. However it packs a big punch in the world of plant research and testing. “We don’t solicit breeders and growers; they come to us,” Armitage says. “And our research doesn’t pass judgment on plants that we test here; we rate the plants but leave it to the industry to draw their own conclusions.” UGA’s Trial Gardens are among the top university-associated in the nation. You’ve got to be there For die-hard gardeners, a couple of events make the “must-do” calendar—Plantapalooza, set for April 6, at three locations in Athens, and the Trial Gardens Public Open House, scheduled for July 13. “You’ll be able to see—and purchase—all kinds of plants that you won’t find anywhere else but will grow in Georgia,” Armitage says. “But GEORGIA MAGAZINE Though the Trial Gardens are open year-round to the public, Plantapalooza, set for April 6, at three locations in Athens, features plant sales sponsored by the UGA Trial Gardens, the UGA Horticultural Club and the State Botanical Garden, all on the same day. 32 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2013

Georgia Magazine - January 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Liberty Notes
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar of Events
The 2013 Readers' Choice Awards
Currents
Bird Dog Capital of the World
'A whole new stratosphere’
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - January 2013