Plant & Garden Events in Athens,GA

Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Athens, especially for garden enthusiasts. You can enjoy the blooms at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the gardens of Athens' four historic house museums, a wide variety of nurseries, and the fascinating horticulture Trial Gardens at UGA.  and several exciting events. This April will provide added inspiration for your own garden. Here are a few ideas that hopefully will spark your interest. 

Plantapalooza: April 14

Gardeners are expected to travel to Athens from throughout the state to attend the  Plantapalooza plant sale from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Held at the State Botanical Garden, the UGA Horticulture Club and The Trial Gardens at UGA, a wide array of garden plants will be available at each location, combined with horticulturists, volunteers and Master Gardeners to help with plant selections. Gardeners who participate in the 2012 Plantapalooza will be able to explore two gardens, chat with horticulturists, and choose from a large selection of plants at the three venues. All the plants are selected to thrive in Southeastern gardens.

Plantapalooza Stop 1:

• The Trial Gardens at UGA, which grows and tests the newest annuals and perennials from plant breeders throughout the world, will focus on offering unique plants that are difficult to find anywhere else. They will also offer Athens Select Plants, plants that have successfully survived and thrived in the hot and humid climate. Dr. Allan Armitage will be available to sign his books (which will be for sale) and lead tours of the Trial Garden. Profits from all sales help fund the continuation of the Trial Gardens research and student employees in the gardens. The Trial Gardens are located at: 1111 Plant Sciences Building at the University of Georgia,Athens, GA 30602

Plantapalooza Stop 2:

• The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, headquarters of the Georgia Gold Medal Plant Program, will have Gold Medal plants noted among its broad selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, and more. This sale will also offer many native plants grown at the State Botanical Garden, which has a successful Certificate in Native Plants program and has recently launched a Native Plant Initiative. The Garden Gift Shop, with a large selection of books and locally crafted items, will be open.The newest building at the State Botanical Garden is the Garden Club of Georgia State Headquarters.  Both the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Garden Club of Georgia are headquartered at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This garden can be found at the following address:  2450 South Milledge Avenue  Athens, GA 30605

Plantapalooza Stop 3:

• The UGA Horticulture Club will be selling a wide range of garden and landscape plants near the intersection of Riverbend Road and College Station Road.  Profits from all sales fund projects for students in the Horticulture program.

Piedmont Gardener's Garden Tour

Another event perfect for plant enthusiasts is the 19th Annual Piedmont Gardener's Garden Tour. This spring garden tour features an inside look at the Athens area's most inspired private gardens. Five gardens will be featured on April 21, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. A variety of plants will be found at each garden. These gardens are not usually open for visitors to tour. This event will help visitors enhance garden skills and knowledge. More information about the gardens participating in this event can be found here. 

With all of the Spring Plant Sales in full bloom, make your visit a weekend getaway! There are several beautiful hotels, shops, and dining locations around Athens,GA. For more information about events taking place in Athens, along with special offers and discounts on accommodations, activities, shopping and dining, visit www.VisitAthensGA.com/spring  or contact the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4430. 

What about the Spring Plant Sales are you looking forward to?