Nestled near the University of Georgia campus in Athens is the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia. It's an excellent place for home gardeners to learn about plants, gardening and a host of related topics." /> Nestled near the University of Georgia campus in Athens is the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia. It's an excellent place for home gardeners to learn about plants, gardening and a host of related topics." />

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State Botanical Garden a great place to learn

Volume XXIX
Number 1
Page 33

By A. Jefferson Lewis III
University of Georgia

Nestled near the University of Georgia campus in Athens is the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The botanical garden serves first the interests of the university community. But it's also a public garden. It's an excellent place for home gardeners to learn about plants, gardening and a host of related topics.

The garden offers many educational programs, including seminars, workshops, lectures, demonstrations and field trips. Some of these are indoors in classrooms. But many are outdoors, providing hands-on experience.

Looking at a plant in a book is one thing. Actually seeing it growing in the landscape is another. Being there lets you examine form, size, texture and other characteristics that determine whether a plant is suitable for a particular area or use.

Flowers galore

Wildflowers, native plants, pruning, organic gardening and floral design are but a few of many topics offered. The garden hosts the popular Master Gardener program for the greater Athens area, too.

The garden doesn't just cover plant and gardening topics. Changing art exhibitions explore the beauty of flowers, plants and nature. Classes in watercolor and other media are offered occasionally, too.

Special exhibitions such as the recent Frabel glass flower exhibition and Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition, "Exploring Garden Transformations 1900-2000," explore special topics.

Fruits, veggies, too

While "gardening" means flowers and ornamental plants to many people, to others it means fruits and vegetables. The diversity of fruits and vegetables grown in the Southeastern United States is almost as endless as their cultural requirements. The Heritage Garden contains a number of older, heirloom varieties.

Cooking classes that involve herbs, edible flowers and other culinary topics round out a full range of gardening topics.

The garden has many programs for children, too, including after-school programs and summer camps. It's a favorite destination for field trips.

It also offers teacher training workshops. These enable teachers to take programs such as "Monarchs (butterflies) in the Classroom" and "Endangered Plant Stewardship Network" back to their own classrooms.

Unintended education

Much of the learning that goes on at the Garden is passive. Many visitors don't come with learning in mind. They just want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Interpretive signs and other information are placed throughout the theme gardens, special collections, nature trails and conservatory. They enable visitors to learn about plants, plant hunters, horticultural and botanical milestones, endangered habitants and historical plants as they enjoy the Garden.

To learn about programs, special events and other opportunities at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, write to 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30605. Or call (706) 542-1244, e-mail garden@uga.edu or visit the Web site (www.uga.edu/botgarden).

(Jeff Lewis is the director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia near Athens, Ga.)

Jeff Lewis is the director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia near Athens, Ga.
Experts/Sources:
Jeff Lewis
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