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Learning Lots this Next Week!

Connie Cottingham • July 8, 2009

I’m taking a day off work Friday to spend time at the Cherokee Garden Library ( http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/ ), one of the top horticulture research libraries in the Southeast. I love listening to podcasts on my new IPod, but there is nothing like holding a 100 year old book. I look forward to meeting with Staci, the Library Director, to learn more about this rich resouce.

Saturday morning (July 11th) I am working at the UGA Trial Garden Open House on the UGA Campus in Athens, Georgia. There are many amazing plants to see there, plus a book sale, plant sale and tours led by Allan Armitage. Read an article about it here.

Next weekend (July 16-18) I will be in the Specialty Ornamentals booth at the Joy Garden Tour Gift Shop in Cashiers, NC. What a great chance to learn more about conifers, hydrangeas and more from the very knowledgeable Flo and Joe Chaffin ( http://www.specialtyornamentalsretail.com/ )!

It all sounds great, but I will be so glad to come home to my husband and pets!

The Rose On My Doorstep

By Connie Cottingham • December 16, 2024
My first Black Friday purchase was an order of four roses from Heirloom Roses, which arrived on my doorstep this week. I ordered two ‘Belinda’s Dream’ roses, one of the most carefree everblooming roses to grow, for two planting beds I am creating in my back yard now.

Lessons learned from my first year in the new kitchen garden

By Connie Cottingham • January 7, 2024
2023 was my first full year in my new home and my kitchen garden on the west side. This is a sketch of my garden plan, with the beds and posts built as my fence was being installed. Overall, I am thrilled with the design and decision. I thought I would share some of the […]

Stunning, dark leaves on Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea

By Connie Cottingham • January 5, 2024
I met First Editions® Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea when Bailey Nurseries hosted a tour and evening at their headquarters in St. Paul, MN, during the 2023 GardenComm (garden communicators) conference. I had never toured a growing location at that scale before. Each attendee was given an Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea to take home and trial. But I also was able to […]

How to shop a plant sale. This works for buying plants at local nurseries too.

By Connie Cottingham • April 25, 2023
With a little thought and preparation you will come home with the best plants for your garden. 1. Know where you need plants. This helps you target one area of a sale instead of distracted wandering (blooming plants are like puppy videos – totally hijacking your focus). 2. Research the plant sale. Some sales post […]

10 tips to help you enjoy holiday light shows in public gardens

By Connie Cottingham • November 21, 2022
'Tis the season for holiday light shows in public gardens. Here are a few tips to make sure you have a fun evening among the lights. Happy Holidays!

No Mow May

By Connie Cottingham • May 16, 2022
In late April, clover was in full bloom in our backyard and my biweekly lawn service was scheduled. So I dragged out a few outdoor chairs, the dolly, a planter.. then took pink string and wound it around the circle. When the mowers arrived, I stepped outside and communicated with the leader on the loud […]

How to shop a plant sale.

By Connie Cottingham • March 27, 2022
These tips will help you make sure you are prepared and have what you need for a plant sale.

Summer can truly be a trial at The Trial Gardens at UGA in Athens, Georgia

By Connie Cottingham • March 23, 2022
“If you want to see a trial garden in Georgia, come in July and August - that’s when the plants are really tested.” Allan Armitage

Biltmore Concerts in Asheville, NC

By Connie Cottingham • March 23, 2022
Outdoor concert includes early access to stroll the gardens at Bilmore. Accessible seating was amazing!

Microclimates 101

By Connie Cottingham • March 23, 2022
Within your garden are many microclimates.
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