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Published on 09/24/15

UGA hosts 2015 Ornamental Horticulture Field Day on Oct. 2 in Watkinsville

By Merritt Melancon

The University of Georgia Department of Horticulture will host an Ornamental Horticulture Research Field Day at UGA’s Durham Horticulture Farm in Watkinsville, Georgia, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.

This biennial showcase will cover a wide variety of topics, from pollinators and native plants to hardy hibiscus and herbicide trials. Gardeners and landscape professionals will also gain a behind-the-scenes look at new plant varieties being developed by UGA researchers.

“Quite honestly, if you’re a plant geek of any kind, you are going to enjoy this field day,” said Matt Chappell, field day organizer, associate professor of horticulture and greenhouse production specialist with UGA Cooperative Extension.

Researchers will cover topics to include hardy ornamental hibiscus breeding, selection of flowers for pollinator protection, adaptation of native species to managed landscapes, new ornamental plants for Southern landscapes, new woody ornamentals and ornamental herbicides, new ideas on the care of boxwood shrubs, organic weed control for watermelon, and pumpkin and watermelon breeding and high-tunnel production.

The Durham Horticulture Farm, located at 1221 Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville, is a 90-acre research farm just 10 minutes from UGA’s main campus in Athens, Georgia. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and tours will start at 9 a.m.

The $25 registration fee covers the field day at the Durham Farm, lunch and parking passes for the Trial Gardens at UGA, located on UGA’s main campus, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia on South Milledge Avenue in Athens.

For more information about the field day, please visit http://tinyurl.com/OrnamentalFieldDay2015 or call 706-542-2471.

Merritt Melancon, a public relations manager for the UGA Terry College of Business, previously served as a public relations coordinator for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Authors:
Merritt Melancon
Experts/Sources:
Matthew Chappell
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