1. Coming Feb. 1:
Calendar Issue
Volume 14 No 8 December 2007
Silver Anniversary
Friends Committee
Posey Congleton, Chair
Dr. Joe Johnson &
Mrs. Deborah DiPietro,
Honorary Co-Chairs
Anonymous
Faye Beck
Sandi Burdick & Tom Boyd
Joe & Posey Congleton
The Knoxville Garden Club
Sandra & Henry McIlwaine, Jr.
Theresa Pepin
Dr. Jesse Poore
Kenneth Shepard &
Mary Collins-Shepard
Dr. Alan Solomon &
Andrea Cartwright
Mary & Joe Spengler
UT Federal Credit Union
Grese talk, new President’s Award
highlight 2007 Annual Meeting
presented by Frances’ sister-in-law Mary
Belle Harkness and Frances’ daughter
Margaret Lothrop Kellam to the first two
recipients: Sandi Burdick and Debbie
Allen (who was honored in absentia.)
Robert E. Grese, director of
both the Matthaei Botanical
Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
at the University of Michigan,
was the guest speaker at the
Friends of the University of
Tennessee Gardens annual
meeting Nov. 5. Grese is the
acknowledged authority on the
distinguished landscape archi-
tect Jens Jensen, whose main
body of work was conducted in
the Midwest—along with four
gardens he designed in Knoxville. Grese
talkedabout“Avisionofnature:preserving
the quiet gardens of Jens Jensen.” A
portion of one of the four Jensen gardens
in Knoxville survives, on property where
a relative of Friends co-president Mary
Spengler once lived. Known by some as
“The Van Deventer” house and garden,
the garden was documented by Terumi
Watson for her master’s thesis.
The meeting started with an enjoyable
social hour at the UT Visitor’s Center
while an exquisite slide show of the
University Gardens played in the back-
ground. During the business portion of the
meeting, a newly-inaugurated President’s
Award for Volunteer Service, created in
honor of Frances McAmis Lothrop, was
Sam Rogers, Terumi Watson, and
Bob Grese with VanDeventer blueprint
Mary Belle Harkness, Sandi Burdick, Margaret Lothrop Kellam
(continued p 2)

2. 2 3
The Friends are a
800-member 501(c)(3) non
profit founded in 1992.
Our mission is to advocate,
promote, and raise funds for
the Gardens from citizens on the
university campus, in our com-
munity and across the state.
The Gardens will celebrate their
25th anniversary in 2008.
Editorial Board
Bettie Corey
Carolyn Dean
Steve Row
The Garden Post publishes eight
issues in February, March, April,
May, June, September, October
and December, plus occasional
special issues. The deadline for
submissions is the first day of
the previous month. Questions
for “Q&A” are also welcome.
P. O. Box 51394
Knoxville, TN 37950-1394
Infoline: 865-525-4555
friendsoftheutgardens@utk.edu
www.friendsoftheutgardens.org
Executive Director
Elizabeth Burman
(continued from p 1)
The Friends then surprised former president and Friends executive director
Theresa Pepin by unveiling a new sketch of the Friendship Plaza’s marble
donor wall. In addition to permanently recognizing all our Silver Anniversary
Friends for 2007-08, the wall’s first panel will now include a special inscription
for Theresa. Without her great passion and energy, the Friendship Plaza, quite
simply, never would have happened.
Drs. Mary Albrecht and Caula Beyl also described the new Gardens director-
ship, which is currently being advertised, and gave an update on the progress
of applications.
We are thrilled to be able to tell you that for 2008,
UTFCU will be the Presenting Sponsor of Blooms
Days. Their generous gift to the Friends and the
community will be sponsored admission to Blooms
Days in our upcoming Silver Anniversary year. More
details will be coming, but we just couldn’t wait to
pass along the good news.
Please join us in thanking the credit union for this
tremendous support.
– Mary Collins-Shepard
During the Friends’ annual meeting in early
November, Sandra Leach led the unveiling of a new
sketch of the Friendship Plaza’s marble donor wall,
created specially (and on short notice) for the occa-
sion by the good works of designer Reeney Mooney
at Custom Marble and Design.
The Friends wish to thank business friend The
Flower Market (and designer Maria Loro) for the
lovely flower arrangement they provided for our
annual meeting, which Dorothy Stair won in our
drawing. We also thank local artist Peter Rose for
donating the gorgeous pottery ground hog orna-
ment for our silent auction, won by Pam Osmand (of
whose garden I believe Jens Jensen would heartily
approve.) Thanks as well to Kathy Sullivan for
volunteering at the greeter’s table.
From the Friends’ Executive Director
Elizabeth Burman
The passing of an era. I know that’s
what it feels like to many of us as
Theresa Pepin leaves her role as
executive director and turns to
other things in her many-faceted
life, while retaining ties with the
Friends as past president. And I
also know that many of you are
unsure of what will come next,
particularly with a relative stranger
now occupying the place so famil-
iarly filled with Theresa’s charis-
matic presence.
The woman in the black cardboard top hat? That would be me. This issue
goes to press one month after my start with Friends, and thus far I’ve been
hit by a big newspaper story, stung in the face by a bee, and—oh, yes—
pressed into service as Lewis Carroll’s “Mad Hatter.” I’ve also learned more
things, met more people, and worked more hours than I ever would have
thought possible.
It’s been great!
With so many good things happening in the Gardens this coming year, we have
lots of good work to do together, too. Though the Friends (and the Gardens)
are currently weathering several transitions at once, there’s a lot of sailing
to do yet before we reach our next port. I hope you’ll join me on deck here
meantime! As Kate Hepburn said in African Queen, “My, she’s yar…” Dorothy Stair wins plant drawing.
The Friends were pleased to award a certifi-
cate of appreciation last autumn to Jason and
Marianne Spence, owners of Pope’s Nursery,
for having sponsored our first scholar-intern,
Ben Blackwood. Because of the fine job Ben
did for Pope’s during his spring internship in
2006, Pope’s later hired him, and he now serves
as nursery manager. Ben has long been a familiar
favorite of the Gardens, and he now serves on
our Advisory Board.
EvaMag has highlighted Secret Garden Parties
in its community calendar listings several times
in 2007. Many thanks for helping getting the
word out.
Special thanks to Stanley’s Greenhouse
for including a statement of support for the
Friends of the University of Tennessee Gardens
in their advertisement in the October Special
Philanthropy Issue of CityView magazine.
Jason Spence, owner of Pope’s; Marianne Spence, Ben Blackwood;
Co-President Faye Beck
Many Thanks
To say we are excited doesn’t nearly begin to
describe how we feel about this announcement.
Our good friends at UT Federal Credit Union have
always had a special place in their hearts for Blooms
Days, as sponsors of both the Presidents’ Preview in
2006 and the Blooms Days Breakfast in 2007.

3. 4 5
From the UT Gardens Director
Dr. Susan Hamilton
What a year 2007 has been! As I review the accom-
plishments, outreach and awards of the UT Gardens
and its staff, I’m astounded at all that we’ve done.
I’m proud of the strides we made this year in
building our Gardens’ plant collections, creating a
UT Gardens Exhibit for community outreach events,
renovating old and constructing new garden areas,
mentoring eight student interns, supporting the
completion of three graduate students’ degrees,
and reaching and teaching record numbers of
constituents about the UT Gardens.
As we bring this busy and productive year to a
close, I have mixed emotions. For one, I’m proud of
our student interns and graduate students who have
graduated this year and have commenced upon
the next chapter in their lives. I feel good about the
education and training they received through their
time as UT Gardens staff members. But it is sad and
hard to say goodbye and let these young profes-
sionals leave the horticultural “nest.” The Gardens
have benefited immensely by the contributions of
these wonderful individuals, and they will truly be
missed. I’m proud to call them our alumni and have
them as our ambassadors. Join me in congratu-
lating Steven Wolf, Terumi Watson, Beth Willis
and Andy Pulte as they graduate and join our long
list of UT Gardens alumni. They leave big footprints
for our 2008 interns to follow.
Another emotion I feel this year’s end is joy—joy
that we are growing our Gardens’ staff with the addi-
tion of a new Gardens director in 2008. It is exciting
to me that in the 24 years that I have been part of
the UT Gardens, we are ready for a director who has
passion and expertise in fundraising, development,
strategic planning, communications and marketing.
I could not be more thrilled to move into the role
of director of horticulture and focus on my first true
passion, plants. I love teaching and mentoring horti-
culture students, too, and using the UT Gardens to
help our students grow professionally is important
to me. So as I focus on the growth of our students,
as well as our Gardens’ plant collection, I am thrilled
that we will have a new member on our staff who
has passion for the outward growth of the Gardens.
The following are some highlights from our productive year:
Outreach Impact:
Garden Volunteer Program has 35 volunteers who put in about 990 hours–a contribution to the garden worth nearly $19,000, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Several of our volunteers made over 100 hour individual contributions.
Garden Visitors–more than 50,000.
“Garden Girls” Talk Radio Show–51 shows, at about 12,000 listeners per show.
Television appearances representing the Gardens–34 , consisting of PBS “Volunteer Gardener” and WBIR “Style”
Blooms Days–approximately 2,600 attendees
UT Gardens/Community Plant Partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Sertoma Learning Center and Karns High School
Educational Impact:
Guided Garden Tours–38, including 14 Noontime-Twilight Walks, for 920 total participants.
School Field Trips–5, with 155 children/youth participants.
Books & Blooms Summer and Fall Reading Program–13 story times offered and contact with 485 children and 327 adults.
Non-Green Industry UT Gardens Educational Talks–18, with 1,025 attendees.
UT Gardens Educational Booths/Exhibits–5, representing approximately 4,200 contacts.
Blooms Days–26 educational workshops, including 14 led by Gardens’ staff members.
Research Impact:
Sponsored Plant Trials–Evaluated 350 different selections (12 commercial seed
and plant company sponsorship valued at $26,000).
Professional Green Industry Association talks–12, with about 1,500 attendees.
Creation of a UT Herbaceous Trial Web site.
Garden Collections Development–258 plants were added to the Gardens this year.
Accession # identification tag on all trees and shrubs in Garden collections.
To improve our plant collections database, undergraduate
student Jessica Booth has added accession # identification
tags on all trees and shrubs in the Gardens plant collection.
Where is she now? Susan Conlon Morgan (graduate of 2005), is now Horticulture
Manager at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Dallas, TX.
A television commerical for UT Medical Center was made in the UT Gardens by
Artistic Endeavors from New Orleans, LA
Students playing soccer during a lunchtime break in the Gardens
Volunteer Coordinator, Andy Pulte, extended appreciation to all Garden Volunteers
for their 990 hours of hands-on service at the October Volunteer Appreciation
Luncheon in the UT Gardens.
A frequent Garden Visitor, “Gordon, the Red Tailed Hawk”, so named by curator
James Newburn, helps with our Integrated Pest Management Program for rodents

4. 6 7
From the UT Gardens Curator
James Newburn
In most columns, I try to acquaint folks with the
latest specimens we have added to our collection or
mention what perennial might be in bloom or how
we have evaluated a new bedding plant. In other
words, I try to focus on the plants. In a “gifts and
talents” newsletter issue, though, I must focus on
the people who make the UT Gardens so special,
because it truly is through their gifts and talents
that the UT Gardens become beaUTiful.
As the Friendship Plaza nears completion, I’m
excited to report the beginning of the land-
scape process around it. Mark Furhman of Mark
Furhman Landscaping has again supplied a
wonderful selection of boulders placed around
the plaza in the landscaping beds. These will help
anchor the plant material that we have chosen and
provide visual continuity with the older sections of
the garden. What a talent his assistant Jeff Steele
has, too, in installing them. He managed to place
these massive boulders in just the right spots, while
steering a Bobcat through the tightest of spaces for
ideal placement. You will be amazed to see where
these are and will wonder how we got them there.
Jeff is the answer. The whole effect will be a very
naturalistic design with truly an East Tennessee feel.
The Friendship Plaza has also dictated some rede-
sign of other parts of the Gardens as well. Part of
the perennial garden has been removed and moved
to allow for access to the rest of the garden from
the Plaza. The vista that has been created by this
renovation is outstanding. I think, and others have
agreed, that the ability to overlook the entire garden
has helped to create a “WOW’ factor that will be
hard to beat. Thanks go to all the talents of the
enthusiastic participants of the Friends’ “Dig and
Divide” event that made short work of this big task.
On the other side of the Plaza, the vegetable garden
is in the process of being relocated. Thanks to the
generous gift of cooperation from Dr. Kim Gwinn,
the veggie garden will now be expanded and placed
in the fenced in area where her monarda research
plot previously was. As she finishes up her research,
we plan to create a kitchen garden that will again
highlight the All America Selections Vegetable
Winners Display Garden and our Heirloom Garden.
We also hope to add an “enabling” garden that
focuses on methods of gardening for those with
limited physical capabilities, such as raised beds,
and a fruit and nut garden in this expanded area.
Also in the Plaza area, through the efforts of Bruce
Bennett and his company, Custom Marble and
Design, a new marble sculpture will be added and
should be installed by the time this newsletter goes
to print. This will provide a beautiful focal point
for the entrance area. Another wonderful sculpture
piece is also going to be added in the lowest garden
“room”—the lush inviting area with the Japanese
umbrella pine—between the herb garden and Jacob
Drive. This will bring the number of Tennessee
marble sculptures in the UT Gardens to 11, plus the
one Williams sculpture. We are so fortunate to have
on display the works of such talented and creative
artists that do so much to enhance the visitor’s
enjoyment of the garden.
In keeping with the UT Gardens’ mission and func-
tion as a teaching garden, much of our talent, of
course, comes from the student staff provided for
by gifts raised by the Friends. New to our staff this
fall are Greg Schwartz and Amanda Plante. Many
Landon aspires to be a golf course superinten-
dent and has considerable experience from an
internship he worked at a course in New England
this past summer. He has had his hands full and
done an excellent job on installing new lawn areas
created by the Friendship Plaza construction and
maintaining and renovating our existing turf.
Unfortunately (but as always inevitably), we have
to say goodbye to our graduates. Heather Luttrell
has been instrumental in creating and main-
taining this year’s herb garden. And, if you wonder
how we have kept things watered and looking so
good in this drought look no further than Heather.
Of course, grad students Terumi Watson, Beth
Willis and Andy Pulte have been invaluable in the
tremendous contributions they have made over
the past couple of years. I want to thank them for
all they have done in building and maintaining
our collections and programming and being such
wonderful ambassadors through all the outreach
efforts in which they have participated. They
have all been outstanding students, a credit to
the program, and a wonderful human resource of
the gardens. All of their talents and gifts are truly
appreciated and will be missed.
We are now putting the garden “to bed” as we
approach winter. So last, but certainly not least,
I must thank the wonderful volunteer corps we
have had this past year who continue to keep the
UT Gardens the showplace they are. In this past
month and through December they have and will
be busy digging tropicals, mulching, and taking
cuttings as we close one season and plan for the
next. The UT Gardens are truly fortunate to have
such an abundance of people contributing such a
variety of talents and gifts that make our garden
so special.
Mark Furhman (r) and Jeff Stele (l) of Mark Furhman Landscaping doing
boulder work at new entrance of the Gardens’.
Mark Furhman Landscape installing boulders in the Gardens new Friendship Plaza
Amanda Plante
Greg Schwartz
of you have probably met them at “Dig and Divide”
or the Friends Fall Plant Sale or seen them working
in the garden. Greg, a junior from Oak Ridge, is in
Environmental Studies. He may look familiar as he
worked in the garden a couple of years ago before
taking time off to go to Hawaii and work for an
environmental group doing invasive species eradi-
cation. We are glad he has returned from that para-
dise to his native paradise. Amanda, a freshman
from Massachusetts who has lived in Knoxville for a
number of years now, is in Public Horticulture. She
hopes to work in a botanic garden one day, and we
hope to give her the training to help her attain that
goal.
Another student who started this past semester
is Landon Messel. He has been instrumental in
continuing and implementing our turf renovations
with the talent he has honed as a student in the
UT turf grass program. Originally from St. Louis,
Landon Messel

5. 8 9
Transitions
At the annual membership meeting, the Friends
welcomed Harriet Spiegel as our new secretary
and Joanna Partain as a member of the board.
Co-presidents Mary Spengler and Faye Beck will
continue for a second term; first vice president
Carolyn Crowder will also continue, and she is
joined by new second vice president Lucy Gibson.
Also continuing for second terms are Dennis
Superczynski, treasurer, as well as board members
Mitzi Rouse, Darby Parker, and P.J. Snodgrass.
Heartfelt thanks are due as well to outgoing offi-
cers and board members Nick Anderson, Melissa
Ferguson, Sandra Leach, Ben Blackwood,
Bunni Hood, Christine Griffin and Laura McFee
Adams.
New secretary Harriette LaVarre Spiegel has
been a volunteer for the UT Gardens and a
member of the Friends for four years. She is
the proud mother of two daughters and grand-
mother of two granddaughters. She writes: “I love
all flowers, but the blue morning glories in the
Gardens this year are one of my favorite kinds.” In
fact, she loves anything to do with outdoor exer-
cise. Harriette is a doctoral student in instruc-
tional technology at UTK; she has taught computer
literacy, technology to teachers and Spanish; she
works as graduate assistant at the Innovative
Technology Center at UTK; and she is just finishing
her dissertation on the “Experiences of Computer
Users with Visual Disabilities Using the Internet.”
A Friend since 1996, new board member Joanna
Partain has volunteered during that time in many
different capacities for the UT Gardens and the UT
Arboretum. She is a member of the Gardener’s
Forum and has been a master gardener in Virginia,
Texas and Tennessee. After earning a B.S. in home
economics at North Texas State University, she
obtained additional training in education in order to
teach and direct schools in early childhood educa-
tion. Joanna also has experience as a sales trainer
(and that training has served her in good stead at
Friends plant sales!) Other hobbies include tennis
and genealogical research. Her husband Tom is a
retired professor of finance and business.
New executive director Elizabeth Burman
completed her first newsletter grateful for the help
of outgoing executive director and immediate past
president Theresa Pepin, as well as the graciously
donated service of professional news editor
Steve Row, and also those of marvelous friend/
Friend, writer and editor Bettie Corey. The fabu-
lous Carolyn Dean is responsible for the beautiful
design and layout of the pages you hold in your
hands. Insty-Prints of Sevierville continues to do
virtually all of our printing and always works hard
to give us a good price and to have our jobs done
on time; Tracy Halvey of The Mail Station works
very hard to get our bulk mailings out for us, while
Carolyn Crowder helps keep us organized in her
capacity as administrative services coordinator,
and Ann Stierli keeps our membership database
in good order. (Have you ever managed a mailing
database? It’s about as easy as stuffing a large,
slippery octopus into a plastic grocery bag.)
Kudos
The beautiful hillside shade garden of Friends
Sandi Burdick and Tom Boyd is featured in the
December 2007 issue of Garden Gate maga-
zine. Sandi’s ability to create colorful and inter-
esting plant combinations in varied growing
conditions is outstanding. Tom’s hardscaping abil-
ities include the making of stone walls, pathways,
terraces, water features and other garden accents.
UT’s campus horticulturist Jason Cottrell, who
also manages President John Petersen’s garden
on Cherokee Boulevard, was recently celebrated in
Tennessee Today for his 556 acres of handiwork.
Among other things, Cottrell and his team maintain
all the grass and for special campus events provide
plants that he grows in a campus greenhouse. As
an example of the scale at which he works, Cottrell
will plant 10,000 tulips for the coming spring,
along with 10,000 specially-grown orange pansies
to provide UT color in the meantime. Cottrell will
oversee the planting of 60 trees to replace those
that died from the frost, drought and heat of this
past year, as well as 90 new willow oak trees down
the median of Volunteer Boulevard.
Robert Trigiano and Mark Windham, University
of Tennessee plant pathologists, are the 2007
recipients of the prestigious Wheeley Award for
Technology Transfer, which recognizes scien-
tific achievement coupled with entrepreneurial
accomplishments. Both men have been stead-
fast supporters of the UT Gardens. Trigiano and
Windham, whose work with disease-resistant
dogwood trees has revitalized the state’s nursery
industry, have developed a number of dogwood
varieties that are resistant to dogwood anthra-
cnose or to powdery mildew, two tree-killing
diseases that have limited the use of the species in
ornamental horticulture in recent decades. Hearty
congratulations to both.
Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens
reports that three UT Gardens student staff
members have received several state and national
scholarships and awards, valued at $5,875:
Amanda Hannah, Tennessee Federation of
Garden Clubs Scholarship
Terumi Watson, Tennessee Organic Growers
Association Conference Scholarship and
Southern Garden History Society Scholarship
for the 16th Conference on Restoring Southern
Gardens and Landscapes
Andy Pulte, College of Agricultural Sciences
& Natural Resources Academic Scholarship,
American Conifer Society Conference Scholarship,
College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural
Resources Outstanding Graduate Teaching
Assistant, College of Agricultural Sciences &
Natural Resources Dean’s International Travel
Scholarship, W. K. McClure Fund for the Study of
World Affairs International Travel Grant and Suntay
Ediz Scholarship International Travel Grant.
Visit from
Martha Stewart Living
The UT Gardens frequently hosts interesting
and even distinguished guests, and September
brought a particularly interesting one: Stacey
Hirvela, associate garden editor for Martha
Stewart Living, was squired around town by
both Lucy Gibson and Theresa Pepin, and
thanks to Theresa’s enthusiastic coordination
efforts, Stacey was treated to a whirl-wind tour
that lasted all day and well into the evening.
Stacey wanted to see gardens in the East
Tennessee area that represented collections
or ones that demonstrated a solution to a
garden problem. In addition to visiting the
UT Gardens, she also was able to visit briefly
the garden areas of such Friends as Howard
and Anna Luttrell, with their extensive hosta
and azalea plantings; Faye Beck, with her
outstanding collection of unusual plants; Sally
and Ken Abbas, with their lovely shaded
garden; Pam Reddoch, with her extensive
naturalized garden on a wooded hill; Rosalind
Hackett, with her exquisite garden and patio
area tucked into the side yard of her home;
Mary and Joe Spengler, with their beautiful,
manicured yard with many plant specimens
from when she was in business; Drs Louis and
Ruth Browning, and their newly built garden
facing the Tennessee River; Lucy Gibson, with
her collection of daylilies; Sandi Burdick, with
her most interesting rock lined gardens and
lake; John Coykendall at Blackberry Farms,
with his outstanding vegetable garden, and the
well-known Rosewood Gardens of Kay and Ed
Chapman in Sevierville.
Ms. Hirvela said that she would certainly come
back at a future date with a camera crew. Bear
in mind that there is a two-year lead time for
any published article.
– Lucy Gibson

6. 10 11
In the News
Liz Etnier, a Friends member and volunteer at the
UT Gardens, is a wildflower enthusiast who has led
informal wildflower hikes for fellow UT Gardens
volunteers, as well as for hiking groups and friends.
Her recent hiking book, Day Hiker’s Guide To
All The Trails In The
Smoky Mountains,
features a photograph of
a wildflower at the begin-
ning of each chapter
and more than 30 color
photographs of the
Smokies. The book can
be purchased directly
from Liz (dipnet@utk.edu)
or from most area outfit-
ters and bookstores.
Outgoing board member Christine Griffin will lead
a garden tour in France next May, and still has spots
available. For more information, please call or email
Christine: 865-525-1321 or clgriffin@ntown.com
Strong friend-
ship with the UT
Gardens resides
in the DiPietro
household. Dr.
Joseph DiPietro,
UT’s vice presi-
dent for agricul-
ture, is a staunch
Friend of the UT
Gardens, and
his wife Deb will
serve as honorary
co-chair of The
Friend’s Silver Anniversary Committee. Deb also did
a marvelous job leading a recent Books and Blooms
event for young children in the Gardens.
Dr. DiPietro also says “people are beginning to
accuse me of being passionate,” because of his
enthusiasm over the UT Institute of Agriculture’s
new Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, a project to
model a sustainable bioeconomy based on the
production of ethanol from plants and other
biomass as an alternative fuel. In July, the state
legislature awarded UT more than $70 million
to fund this project. As part of the initiative, UT
will construct a biorefinery, and local farmers will
initially be paid incentives to produce switchgrass
for the refinery, while a comprehensive research
and support program aims to help both farmers and
project succeed for the long term. For more infor-
mation, visit http://www.UTBioenergy.org/.
Tennessee Today points out some of the potential
benefits of implementing the Biofuels Initiative busi-
ness model:
4,000 new jobs in rural Tennessee counties.
$400 million in new state and local tax collec-
tions annually.
Satellite plants with 3,000 jobs and $1 billion
in annual revenue from products useful in other
manufacturing processes.
$100 million annually in new farm revenue to
about 20,000 of the state’s producers.
The plant will be about one-tenth the size of a
commercial production facility, allowing researchers
to fine-tune operations before the system is
expanded across the state in coming years.
Tammy Algood of the University of Tennessee
Agricultural Extension Service recently demonstrated
for HGTV audiences a clever way to clean, main-
tain and store gardening tools. She recommends
combining a bottle of motor oil with sand in a large
plastic bucket, mixing until all oil is absorbed. Tools
can be stuck into the oily sand which will help clean
and prevent them from rusting, and the mixture will
last forever. Algood also recommends using sand-
paper to remove any existing rust before storing
tools in the bucket. Sandpaper can also be used to
smooth away any splinters on tool handles, which
can then be coated with spray-on rubber (also avail-
able as a dip) to prevent further wear and tear.
Garden Flowers used in Karns High lab
Karns High School biology teacher Tami Russell
recently used flowers donated to her class by the
UT Gardens so that her students could study plant
morphology. Ms. Russell sent these photos for our
newsletter so she can post it for her students on
their bulletin board.
Yet another reason to contribute to the UT Gardens: they matter to so many people.

7. 12 13
Our first Books & Blooms program of the fall was
well attended, despite the unpredictable weather. We
enjoyed five successful programs between Sept. 13
and Nov. 8, with an average attendance of 30 chil-
dren and 20 adults. We thank volunteer storytellers
Allison Roberts, Beth Willis, Deb DiPietro, and
Dottie Stamper. I led the final event in November.
In place of the summer’s “sprinkler time,” chil-
dren enjoyed various activities and craft projects
after the storytime. For Sept. 13, I invited Greg
Wiggins and Renee Follum from the Entomology
& Plant Pathology Department. They both work
for Dr. Jerome Grant, who provides the popular
insect petting zoo on Blooms Days every year. They
brought a large collection of insects for the chil-
dren to observe and touch, after they heard some
bug stories from Allison, who is a librarian at the
UT Ag.-Vet Library. Beth, a UT grad student, led us
on Sept. 27 with seed stories and a seed scavenger
hunt in the Gardens. Children and parents enjoyed
a beautiful fall walk as they learned about different
plants and seeds we have in our Gardens.
Gardens with their orange masks on. For our final
event, I told squirrel stories, and we made squirrel
maracas with acorns to go with the squirrel song
that I taught them.
Dottie Stamper
Dottie Stamper
Successful Fall Books & Blooms 2007
By Terumi Watson
Deb was back by popular demand Oct. 11 with fun
apple stories. She is widely experienced in environ-
mental education and naturally great with children.
After her stories, children finger-painted their own
colorful apple trees. Our long-time favorite story-
teller, Dottie, enchanted us with Halloween stories
Oct. 25, and everyone made and took home a scary
pumpkin mask. The children were very creative,
and it was fun to see them playing in the UT
Children’s happy faces always say it all. The Fall
Books & Blooms was definitely a huge success.
We thank Dr. John Hodges for allowing us special
parking privileges in the construction area for each
event, so that the parents didn’t have to worry
about parking on our busy college campus. Thanks
to all the student garden staff for helping with
Books & Blooms this year, and thanks as well to the
many families and Garden Friends who attended
and supported Books & Blooms.
I have created an e-mail list for future children’s
activities in the UT Gardens, and many parents have
already signed up. If you would like to be added to
the list, please email me at tsaito@utk.edu.
Dr. Susan Hamilton in the news
Pink Muhly Grass
For the gardener on your gift list
The many contributions of Gardens Director Dr.
Susan Hamilton keep appearing all over town. We
saw that the Tellico Garden Club was handing out
a sheet of Sue’s landscape design tips at a recent
meeting, and we also saw her featured in a recent
Knoxville News Sentinel article about helping
your plants survive the winter after all the heat and
drought they suffered through last summer and fall.
Along with county extension agent David
Vadergriff, Susan reminded East Tennesseans to
keep watering, especially evergreens that never
go dormant, and younger woody plants and trees
which are particularly vulnerable after the drought.
Three to four inches of mulch will help retain mois-
ture if placed after the ground is well watered.
(Susan recommends soaker hoses, which can be
left under the mulch for ongoing watering.) It’s also
best to postpone pruning or dividing plants if you
can this year, to avoid stressing them further. Susan
also recommended a few drought-resistant plants
for the home garden:
Perennials in sunny gardens — lavender, daylily,
catmint, sedum, rosemary or salvia
Ornamental grasses — blue fescue, maiden grass
(miscanthus), pampas grass
Shrubs — Yucca, butterfly bush, juniper
Perennials for shade — hosta, ajuga, lady’s mantle,
sweet woodruff
Deciduous trees — Amur, silver and tatarian maples;
redbud; smoke tree; ginkgo; flowering crabapple
Evergreen trees — Leyland cypress, Chinese or Nellie
R. Stevens hollies, Chinese juniper, loblolly pine
Give her or him a gift membership to the
Friends of the UT Gardens. Every member in 2008
will be part of our exciting Silver Anniversary Year,
supporting the Gardens and receiving all the special
benefits that membership provides, including 10
annual issues of The Garden Post, which is packed
with news and gardening tips, as well as insider
information on the Trial Reports from the Gardens,
outlining all the best new plants for East Tennessee
Gardens, as well as where you can buy them.
Individual memberships: $35; Family Memberships:
$50. Send your check with name of recipient
to: Friends of the UT Gardens; P.O. Box 51394 ;
Knoxville, TN 37950-1394. For more information,
please call our infoline (865) 525-4555. You also
can use a credit card to purchase gift memberships
online at www.friendsoftheutgardens.org.
Botanical prints from the Don Williams
Collection also make fabulous holiday gifts. There
are 12 prints in this series, with successive releases
2003-08. Each year, a new set (issued at two per
year) is released to benefit the Gardens at Blooms
Days Garden Festival and Marketplace, a two-day
event held in the University Gardens every year on
the fourth weekend in June. All prints are made on
a heavy stock, sized to be easily mounted in a stan-
dard 8x10 frame. Each pair can be purchased for
$25 plus $3 shipping and handling. All proceeds
benefit the University Gardens. To purchase, call
865-525-4555, email friendsoftheutgardens@utk.
edu, or visit our Web site www.friendsofthegardens.
org and use PayPal to buy with credit card. You may
also view all of the prints online.

8. 14 15
Gifts for the
gardener’s library
Compiled by Sandra Leach
Darke, Rick. The
Encyclopedia of
Grasses for Livable
Landscapes. Portland,
Ore.: Timber Press,
2007
Taking a broad view of
gardening with grasses…
1,000 photographs
illustrate grass family
members, from grasses
and sedges to rushes, restios, and cattails.
– Alice Joyce, Booklist
DiSabato-Aust, Tracy. The
Well-Tended Perennial
Garden: Planting &
Pruning Techniques.
Portland, Ore.: Timber
Press, 2006
It should be for gardeners
what Joy of Cooking is for
cooks: every new gardener
gets a copy and learns from
it over a lifetime. – Patricia
Jonas, Plants & Gardens
Ondra, Nancy J. Foliage: Astonishing Color and
Texture Beyond Flowers. North Adams, Mass.:
Storey Publishing, 2007
Ondra suggests that gardens based only on blooms
leave something to be desired, but foliage adds
visual interest no matter what the season or the
weather. The qualities that make foliage attrac-
tive are essentially the same as those that apply to
flowers: shape, size, texture, and color… This infor-
mative guide is filled with sumptuous color photo-
graphs by Cardillo. – George Cohen, Booklist
Fell, Derek. Encyclopedia of Hardy Plants :
Annuals, Bulbs, Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs,
Trees, Vegetables, Fruits & Nuts. Richmond
Hill, Ont.: Firefly Books, 2007
An award-winning garden designer shares his
considerable expertise and helps gardeners find
hardy plants for their specific locales.
– Books in Print
Harper, Pamela J. Time-Tested Plants: Thirty
Years in a Four-Season Garden. Portland, Ore.:
Timber Press, 2000
Harper, a highly respected garden writer whose
books are mostly out of print, surveys the plants
that thrive in her Virginia garden. In sections on
spring, summer, autumn and winter, she profiles
notable plants in categories such as bulbs, vines,
grasses and ferns, autumn flowers, berries. She is
opinionated in her preferences (nix to buddleia,
yes to chartreuse leaves) but informed and
discriminating as only a reigning garden expert can
be. – Beth Clewis Crim, Library Journal
Horst, R. Kenneth, and
Raymond A. Cloyd.
Compendium of Rose
Diseases and Pests. 2nd
ed. St. Paul, Minn.: The
American Phytopathological
Society, 2007
A must have for any rose
grower, from casual gardener
to serious rosarian. The
Compendium of Rose Diseases and Pests (second
edition) is thoroughly updated, expanded, and given
a new format with color throughout.
--- www.muckbootsonline.com
Rodd, Tony and Geoff Bryant. The Plant Finder:
The Right Plants for Every Garden. Richmond
Hill, Ont.: Firefly Books, 2007
This massive tome is over two inches thick, with
profuse color illustrations and tiny print on glossy
pages, with basic descriptions and growing condi-
tions for more than 5,000 plants, with a focus on
the temperate zones … Sections are color-coded
for easy navigation, and beginning gardeners as
well as plant fanatics may find this comprehensive
volume an indispensable midwinter reference for
yearly garden planning, as well as a useful outdoor
planting companion come spring.
– Publishers Weekly
Cutler, Karan Davis, and Barbara W. Ellis.
Burpee—The Complete Flower Gardener: The
Comprehensive Guide to Growing Flowers
Organically. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons
Inc., 2006.
Information on everything from creating gardens and
borders, to composting, flower design and garden
maintenance. -Books in Print
Kingsolver, Barbara. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:
A Year of Food Life. New York: Harper Collins
Publishers, 2007
This book tells the story of how a family was changed
by one year of deliberately eating food produced in
the place where they live. Barbara Kingsolver wrote
the central narrative; Steven’s sidebars dig deeper
into various aspects of food-production science and
industry; Camille’s brief essays offer a 19-year-old’s
perspective on the local-food project, plus nutri-
tional information, meal plans and recipes. – Bunny
Crumpacker, Washington Post Book World
Besides being a Friend and out-going board
member, Sandra Leach is also head of the
Pendergrass Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Library.
Q&AQ: I was visiting the UT Gardens the other day
and noticed the cutest little animal-shaped moss
topiaries. Where did the Gardens get these?
A: These wire topiary forms, sold with or
without sphagnum moss stuffing, can be found
in a number of places online. Rittenhouse, one
of many suppliers, points out that one can save
time by placing the topiary form over the top of a
shrub or bush, and trimming the bush to the form.
Similarly, one could train vines to grow over your
form. Alternatively, you could grow many different
types of plant into the moss substrate in an effort
to create varying colors and textures mirroring
those found in the actual creatures. In fact, you
can use your topiary frame even in winter without
any plants at all.
Q:I love the marble sculptures in the Gardens.
Someone told me that they are for sale. Is this
true?
A: Yes, these sculptures, all created by local
artists using Tennessee marble, are indeed for sale,
with a portion of the proceeds going to support the
UT Gardens. These pieces were created as part of
the “One Ton Show,” a collaboration of The South
Knoxville Heritage Center and Custom Marble and
Design, in which the ancient tradition of inscribing
tall upright stones was revived. The results are now
on display (and for sale) in the Gardens.
Q:Okay – a little embarrassed to ask, but what
exactly do people mean when they refer to “the
Green Industry?”
A: The environmental horticulture industry is one
of the fastest-growing segments of this country’s
agricultural economy. Also known as the “Green
Industry,” it includes wholesale nursery and sod
growers; landscape architects, designers/builders,
contractors and maintenance firms; retail garden
centers, home centers and mass merchandisers
with lawn and garden departments; and marketing
intermediaries such as brokers and horticultural
distribution centers (re-wholesalers).
Back by popular demand:
Month-by-month
Gardening Guides
Our popular Gardening Guide is a month-by-month
perpetual guide, the result of a two-year collabor-
ative effort by the Friends of the UT Gardens and
the Knoxville Water Color Society. For December
only, we will send one free Gardening Guide to any
member who joins or renews at the $100 (contrib-
uting member) level.
Or, in December only, you can purchase two
Gardening Guides for $30, and with the Friends
throwing in free holiday shipping, you’ll save a
whopping $12 over the regular price. What a deal,
and these offers are only available for orders placed
during the month of December.

9. 16 17
Secret Garden Party Reports
That kind of determination and drive is reflected
in Dr Solomon’s masterful, hands-on construc-
tion of hundreds of feet of stonework at GATOP,
the extraordinary nature sanctuary where he has
lived for many years. The stone walls define and
encircle areas abundantly filled with wildflowers and
ferns. The sound of water and the rhythm of well-
measured steps are artfully balanced with specimen
conifers and sculptures in bronze, stone, stainless
steel and copper.
On the terrace of the distinctive Craftsman home
overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains and the
Tennessee River, guests enjoyed wine and cheese
offered by Dr. Solomon’s wife Andrea Cartwright
and stepson Michael Cartwright. The beautiful
late September day allowed guests to converse
and ramble throughout the ridges and valleys of
this stunning property. Also on hand to answer
questions were Jim Cortese and Sam Adams of
Cortese Tree Specialists, who have done much of
the careful and exacting work on the towering trees
in this extraordinary woodland garden.
As guests reluctantly left at sunset, the sounds of
singing from a nearby chapel served to bless the
ending of a perfect Sunday afternoon.
– Theresa Pepin
Beechwood
The Secret Garden Party at Lucy Gibson and John
Lounsbury’s home at Beechwood June 30 was a
wonderful, well-attended event on a beautiful sunny
day. Almost 100 people came to see the daylilies
that were in full bloom and the many other flow-
ering perennials, as well as an array of different
shrubs and trees. There was a lot to see, because
the gardens start at the top of the hill, extend all
along the sides of the long sloping driveway and
extend all around the house, culminating in a
gorgeous view of Lake Loudon.
Lucy had been long puzzled by one flowering plant
that originally showed up in the garden from a bag
of wildflower seeds. She challenged all her visi-
tors to identify it. Kudos to Ann Lamb who recog-
nized it as Monarda Citiodora, a 3 ft tall plant with
multi-stemmed, multi-layer lavender-colored flowers.
Having come back now for several years, this
Central-Texas wildflower seems quite happy here in
Tennessee.
Hors d’oeuvres on the Terrace
A very special thanks to Ruth and Louis Browning
for their generous spirit in opening their charming
and beautiful home one perfect September
evening. Guests arrived via the unique yew-
enclosed parking court that is cleverly divided
by an allée of elms. Making their way to the front
entrance flanked with large, overflowing, decora-
tive containers and welcomed by the warm glow of
gas lanterns, guests passed by the boxwood knot
garden that surrounds a gorgeous antique French
limestone fountain.
Ruth Browning and Sherry Chobanian-- Party Hosts
Chelsey & Aaron Rieman [Aaron works with our Business Friend ,Out of Eden
Garden Center in Maryville, and is a UTK Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape
Design graduate].
Host Alan Soloman and Henry McIlwaine
Business Friend Sam Adams [Cortese Tree Specialists] gave party guests tours of
the property
Because Beechwood was open all day long, the
morning guests (who started arriving very early to
avoid the summer heat) were treated to a Mimosa
brunch with pastries, ham yeast rolls and fresh
fruit. Then the afternoon guests were glad to come
inside to enjoy a variety of cheeses, hors d’oeuvres,
dessert and wine. Many thanks to Mary Gibson,
Karen Dypolt and Carolyn Crowder, who took
tickets at the gate, as well as kitchen hostesses
Sandra Goss, Nancy Larson, Gina Buffam, Lucky
Vogt, Susan Fowlkes, and most of all to Sally
Joerger, Lucy’s life-long friend from Atlanta who
came to Knoxville to coordinate the kitchen crew
so effortlessly. The Beechwood event gave people
a chance to see lovely gardens, make new friends
with people who also enjoy plants, and enjoy some
luscious food and drink.
– Lucy Gibson
GATOP (God’s Answer to Our Prayers)
Longtime Friend Dr. Alan Solomon was recently
honored by the University of Tennessee for winning
yet another five-year extension and establishing
a record for one of the longest active research
grants in the history of the National Institutes of
Health. The grant program he leads at the UT Health
Science Center Graduate School of Medicine has
amounted to $12 million in research funding from
the NIH over the last 42 years.

10. 18 19
An unexpected treat waited just inside: the oppor-
tunity to simply wander through this wonderful
home on the way to the party in progress outside.
The flagstone infinity terrace backed by fragrant
pink “The Fairy “ roses and containers once again
overflowing with flowers, herbs and ferns overlooks
the Tennessee River to the cattle grazing beyond on
the opposite bank. Espaliered apple trees graced
a side wall. This was truly an idyllic setting for a
Secret Garden Party.
Everyone enjoyed fabulous fare that was exquisitely
presented by Ruth’s sister, Jane Maddox, owner of
The Church Lady Catering, with the able assis-
tance of Sabra Martin. Gourmet goodies abounded
and Spanish wines complemented the array of deli-
cacies perfectly.
– Sherry Chobanian
Osmandia —The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
The dry fall weather was good, at least, for mudless
romps along paths that wound through the hidden
glades and gardens of Pam and Alex Osmand’s
“Osmandia;” in one clearing, co-host Terumi
Watson had created a most inviting hat-making
station that attracted adults and children alike.
Later, we all met in another beautiful and sun-
dappled space for a proper tea party and indulged
in enchanting chocolate tea cups—yes, really—
and heavenly cupcakes, all generously donated by
Debra Dean of Bella’s Farm, while a trio from the
Educational Programs in the UT Gardens
Friends courses at UT–early 2008
“Planting for Winter Interest in the Home Landscape”
Knoxville Recorder Society played merry garden
music. Many thanks to Wendy Syer, Kate Riggsby
and Ann Myers who were great sports to play along.
Our gracious hosts, the Osmands, not only
provided their home, large bottles of myste-
rious “drink me” potions and several platters of
cucumber sandwiches, but also (gratis) a handful
of agreeable old dogs and contented chickens who
wandered amiably among us, while in the near-
distance several heirloom turkeys regularly punc-
tuated the mad festivities with their own crazy
laughter. Several of the guests arrived in fine
tea party splendor, and a number volunteered
to “perform” readings of Lewis Carroll’s poetry.
“Bea-OOO-tiful Soup!” was a big highlight!
The children wore their finished hats to tea, and each won a special prize.
Board member Nick Anderson, along with wife Britt
and baby Ian, were tireless and additional cohosts.
(Ian won the “bunniest hat” prize.) Ian Watson
(Terumi’s husband) took fabulous photos. Theresa
Pepin and husband Kenneth Pace provided much
guidance, as well as a very intriguing door prize
and at least half the garden furniture. (For those
who might like to order their own special cupcakes,
check out Bella’s Farm for customized wedding
cakes, unique party favors, corporate gift boxes and
holiday baking. Highly recommended by delighted
party-goers of all ages. 865-335-5156)
– Elizabeth Burman
from l-r: Ann Myers, Wendy Syer, and Kate Riggsby
Britt Anderson, and baby Ian helped host the party and took part in the fun.
Past president Karen Petrey led a workshop Oct.
20 for a captivated audience called “Plants Alive!
Keeping Gardens and Containers Awake in Winter.”
It was another glorious day in the UT Gardens, and
many thanks to Karen for all the terrific tips.
Selecting plants for winter beauty might be easier
than you realize. Learn ways to add color to your
winter landscape by selecting plants with four-
season interest. Your garden does not have to be
dull and dreary in the winter months. Many plants
are even more attractive when the light is not harsh
and they display winter colors that are more notice-
able than their summer characteristics.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 9, l0-11:30 a.m.
Location: Hollingsworth Auditorium, Ellington Plant
Sciences Bldg.
Instructor: Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT
Gardens
Course #282598
Fee: $39
The Friends offer educational programs through UT Outreach & Continuing Education Professional & Personal Development.
Call 865-974-0150 to register or order a catalog, or see www.outreach.utk.edu/ppd to register or for additional details.
Our popular “Dig and Divide in the Gardens,”
held this year Oct. 13, was filled to over-capacity.
Fortunately, the need to reconfigure part of the
Gardens to make way for the new entrance through
the Friendship Plaza enabled the Gardens to accom-
modate an extra-large class this year. The end-yield
was an abundance of plants for the hard workers
to take home with them, as well as a lovely new
view of the Gardens. If you haven’t already done so,
please stop by and see how the new entrance area
is shaping up. We suspect you’ll find it as exciting as
we do.Karen Petrey’s Workshop October 20
Dig & Divide in the Garden Oct 13 Dig & Divide in the Garden Oct 13

11. 20 21
Sango Kaku–Japanese Maple
By Terumi Watson
Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku,’ widely known as
Coral Bark Japanese Maple, puts on a winter show
like no other plant in the garden. As the name
implies, Coral Bark Maple has brilliant, coral-
colored stems and branches when all other garden
plants seem to rest during the gray winter months.
The leaves are not as colorful as the stems, but
the seasonal color change adds garden interest by
emerging with a red tinge which turns to green in
the summer. In the fall, they change again to yellow
with a hint of red. You can find Coral Bark Maple
in the UT Gardens in the south end of the garden,
visible from Neyland Drive. As you drive by, you
can’t help but notice the bright coral branches of
this maple from a distance. You also will find it
for sale at Beaver Creek Nursery, Out of Eden
Garden Center, Thress Garden Center, Pope’s
Garden Center and Stanley’s Greenhouses.
Growth Habit: Coral Bark Japanese Maple grows upright
with multiple stems, from 20 to 25 feet tall and 18 to 22
feet wide. It is not as heat-tolerant as other cultivars, and
some stems may die back from the heat in Zones 7 and 8.
Growing Conditions: Acer palmatum grows well in
sunny location, but it performs best in dappled shade in
our zone where the soil is moist, well-drained and rich in
organic matter. It requires adequate watering in summer
months because it is not drought-tolerant, especially in
its younger stage. The mature plant seems to adapt better
to a variety of growing conditions. Japanese Maple is also
ideal as a specimen plant in a large container with well-
drained soil. The young leaves in early spring are sensitive
to a late frost and may require protection with mulch and
shelter from cold weather.
Landscape Merit and Use: Coral Bark Japanese Maple
can be used as a magnificent specimen plant or accent
plant in front of large evergreen trees or dark-colored
plants, which will highlight its coral colored stems. It
also makes a showy mass-planting in shrub borders.
This maple adds artistic and architectural texture to any
garden.
Snapdragon
By Morgan Sharp
UT undergraduate student in public horticulture
Snapdragons are native to the Mediterranean
region, and you’ll find them growing wild in such
countries as Spain, Portugal and Turkey. The botan-
ical name of snapdragon is Antirrhinum majus,
meaning “nose like.” The French often call the
flower “wolf’s mouth.” You can make the flowers
“snap” or open and close by putting your index
finger and thumb into the rounded petals and
moving them like a hand puppet. You can find snap-
dragons in nearly every color except true blue, and
single and double flower selections are available.
Successful cultivars that have been grown in the
University of Tennessee Gardens include such
dwarf cultivars as “Floral Showers,” “Chimes,”
“Tahitti,” “Montego,” “Floral Carpet Mix” and “Bells.”
Semi-dwarf cultivars include “Sonnet,” “Liberty,”
“Robbon” and “La Bella.” A good choice for a tall
snapdragon is “Rocket.” You can find snapdragons
as winter annuals at Stanley’s Greenhouses,
Pope’s Garden Center and Out of Eden Garden
Center.
Growth habit: Snapdragons can be found in three
distinct heights—dwarf varieties grow from six to 12
inches high, semi-dwarf selections grow from 14 to 24
inches, and tall varieties grow up to 36 inches. Dwarf
varieties are best for bed borders, mass planting and
containers. The tall varieties are best as a backdrop of the
flower bed or for cut flowers.
Growing conditions: Just like pansies and violas, snap-
dragons make a great winter annual in Tennessee land-
scapes. They fizzle in summer heat but put on quite a
show from fall through spring. For best performance with
a colorful show of flowers through spring, plant in mid to
late fall. Plants will thrive in full-sun and a moist but well-
drained soil. Snapdragons are generally low maintenance
plants, but they do make some minor demands. Once the
plant is two to four inches tall, pinch off the stem tips if
you desire shorter and more abundant flower spikes. This
process delays flowering but encourages a fuller looking
plant. It is important that snapdragons do not go without
water for too long. They wilt and perish easily if the soil is
not moderately moist.
Landscape merit and use: A great way to use snaps is to
interplant spring flowering bulbs such as tulips or daffodils
between them in your landscape beds. Plant the snaps 6-12”
apart in staggered rows for a showy display, and plant your
bulbs in the alternating rows between the snaps. The bulbs
will grow up between the snaps and add a fresh burst of color
in spring. Then, as the bulbs begin to die down, the snap-
dragons continue to flower and disguise the senescing bulbs.
Business Friends
Modern Design Aquascaping will host an open
house in its beautiful Friendsville water gardens
Jan. 26 from 4 p.m. to just after dusk. Trained staff
will be on hand to answer water gardening ques-
tions. Also planned: a choice of mini-seminars (avail-
able upon request), a lighting display at dusk, light
refreshments and a drawing. No charge.
For more information call (865) 995-1234 or
www.MDAquascaping.com for directions.
We continue to be grateful to our Business Friends
who help support the Gardens with their member-
ships. We encourage you to support them in turn
by patronizing their shops for gift and gardening
purchases. Be sure to thank them for their member-
ship in the Friends and for all the ways they support
the Gardens. If a favorite merchant is not on the
following list, please suggest that she or he join us.

12. 22 23
New and renewing members
INDIVIDUAL FRIENDS
Margo Akerman
Michelle Arrants
Craig Behling
David Butler
Ms. Keith L. Carr
Betty Christian
Sara Clem
Donna Corley-Johnson
Janet Dowlen
Lori Emery
Joan Galbraith
Elizabeth A. (Connie) Greene
Rosalind Hackett
Rebecca Harmon
Bob Hendricks
Delia Kimmett
Suzanne Kurth
Howard Luttrell
Ginna Mashburn
Pam Milner
Laura A. Muckenfuss
Janice Peterson
Ginger Quarles
Kathy Riordan
Cheryl Rucker
Lynda Schilling
Ray & Mae Sims
Becky Stout
Tara Sturdivant
Mary Sullivan
Betty Tipton
Barbara Tourtelotte
Nanci Travis
Valerie Widgren
Todd Witcher
STUDENT FRIEND
Jenny Pfeffer
Andrew Pulte
DONATIONS
Dixie Highway Garden Club
PATRON FRIEND
Natalie Haslam
BUSINESS FRIEND
Mouse Creek Perennial Farm
SPONSORING FRIENDS
Christine G. Hayworth
Lisa Lemza
Tom McAdams & Family
GARDEN CLUB FRIEND
Town & Country Garden Club
CONTRIBUTING FRIENDS
Candy Brownlow
Caroline Buckner
Elizabeth Burman
Bettie J. Corey
Deb & Joe DiPietro
Susan & Tom Galligan
Anne Dean McWhirter
Alice Mercer
Dick & Suzanne Ott
Marnie Page
Dr. & Mrs. John Petersen
William & Virginia Schall
Carol C. Schmid
Jennifer Stokes
John Z. C. Thomas
FAMILY FRIENDS
Stuart & Mary Bartholomaus
Jerry & Norma Black
Mike Blankenship
Maggie Carini
Dr. & Mrs. Kent Farris
Whitt Fugate
Joe Finucane & Christine Griffin
Steve & Jane Harb
Kathy & Hal Johnson
Joan & Don McMullen
Pat Rimmer
Jeanie & Edward Sims
Becky Tate
Alex & Lynn Taylor
Emily & Jerry Vreeland
IN HONOR OF
Brian Davis by the Knoxville Garden Club
Faye Beck by the Knoxville Garden Club
Mary Spengler’s Birthday by Marnie Page
IN MEMORY OF
Frances Lothrop by Melinda Davis
All new or renewed annual member-
ships at the level of $250 and above are
listed on the annual giving board in the
Gardens prepared for the Friends Annual
Report in late December.
Silver Anniversary Friends at the level
of $2,500 and above in 2007-08 will
be permanently recognized on the new
marble donor wall in the Friendship Plaza.
You may join the Friends or donate online
(with a credit card) at
www.friendsoftheutgardens.org,
or mail your check to Friends of the UT
Gardens, P.O. Box 51394, Knoxville, TN
37950-1394
Beaver Creek Nursery
Bearden Garden Center
Complete Landscape Services
Cortese Tree Specialists
Custom Marble & Design
Ellenburg Landscaping
Emery’s 5 & 10
Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm
Exterior Design Service
The Flower Market
Impromptu Home & Garden Access
Meadow View Greenhouse and Garden Center
Aquascapes by Modern Design
Mouse Creek Nursery
Oakes Daylilies
Out of Eden Garden Center Inc.
Pope’s Garden Centers
Ridge Greenhouse and Florist
Riverdale Nursery
Stanley’s Greenhouses
Sweet Pea
Volunteer Lawn, Inc.
Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping
Our Business Friends not only offer excellent prod-
ucts to gardeners, but also support the University of
Tennessee Gardens with a philanthropic investment
in the future of students in the field of public horticul-
ture. These Friends also offer a service to the citizens
of the community, who benefit by having the Gardens
open and free for their use every day of the year.
Business Marketplace

13. P.O. Box 51394
Knoxville, TN 37950–1394
THE GARDEN POST
Return Service Requested
Volume 14 No 8 December 2007
865—525—4555
friendsoftheutgardens@utk.edu
www.friendsoftheutgardens.org
In this Issue:
Annual Meeting — pp 1-2
From the Friends’ Executive Director — p 2
Many Thanks — p 3
From the UT Gardens Director — pp 4-5
From the UT Gardens Curator — pp 6-7
Transitions — p 8
Kudos — pp 8-9
Visit from Martha Stewart Living — p 9
In the News — p 10
Garden Flowers in Karns High Lab — p 11
Successful Fall Books & Blooms 2007 — p 12
Dr. Susan Hamilton in the news — p 13
For the gardener on your gift list - p 13
Gifts for the gardener’s library - pp 14-15
Month-by-month Gardening Guides - p 15
Question & Answer - p 15
Secret Garden Party Reports - pp 16-18
Educational Programs in the UT Gardens - p 19
Friends courses at UT–early 2008 - p 19
Best & Beautiful — pp 20-21
Business Friends - pp 21-22
Marketplace — p 22
New and Renewing Members and Donors — p 23
Non–profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Knoxville, TN
Permit No. 204
Coming Up On The Calendar:
Saturday, Dec. 8. . . . . . . . . . COURSE. . . . . . . Holiday Wreaths with Greenery, from the Gardens
Call 865-974-0150 to register or
see www.outreach.utk.edu/ppd for details.
Deadline: December 1. UT PPD #281600
Tuesday, Jan. 1. . . . . . . . . . .DEADLINE . . . . . . First Garden Post issue of 2008 (Feb. 1 Calendar Issue)
Friday, Feb. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .DEADLINE . . . . . .March 1 Garden Post (Best Plants Report Issue)
Saturday, Feb. 9 COURSE “Planting for Winter Interest in the Home Landscape”
(details inside)
More Volunteers Needed!
We need YOU! Though our current board members, officers, volunteers
and staff are all particularly strong and good looking, they still could
use additional help from time to time. If you are willing to lend a hand
for a specific task, or are willing to be an on-call list for a future need,
please let us know. You may call the Infoline at 865-525-4555 and
leave a message, or e-mail us at friendsoftheutgardens@utk.edu.