2008 April Master Gardener Atlanta Tour

Clay County Master Gardeners are planning a Bus Tour to visit three gardens Saturday April 26.

First stop will be George Sanko's Native Plant Botanical Garden located in South Dekalb County, GA on campus of Perimeter College. Sanko's garden was founded in the 80s and is maintained by volunteers under the supervision of DeKalb County Master Gardener Kathryn Gable. This tour will provide an excellent opportunity to study labeled shade gardens, sun gardens, a fern garden, a bog garden and both dry and wet areas. This is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the value of incorporating native plants in your landscape. These plants have survived the heat and drought conditions that have prevailed in Georgia this past year.

Plants will be available for purchase from the garden volunteers. A box lunch from the Cottage Deli will be available or participants may bring their own. Soft drinks and bottled water will be provided. Picnic tables will be placed in the garden for use by tour members.

In the afternoon we will visit two fantastic private gardens in Stone Mountain. The first is the native plant garden of Master Gardener Renee Hopf who also owns a summer retreat in Hayesville. Renee and Denny solved the problem of a steep hill descending right down to their back door by terracing. This terraced native plant landscape exhibits a wonderful waterfall ending at the patio outside the back door of their home. For those of us residing in the hills of Western North Carolina we can envision the perfect solution for those ever troublesome steep slopes around our homes. Hopefully Renee will speak at the Library June 21.

The second garden we will visit belongs to designer, author, speaker and radio and TV celebrity Tara Dillard. This garden is a prime example of a small space providing year round beauty from all windows in her home. She, like Margaret Moseley, has a four season garden with something blooming anytime of year you visit. In February Tara was stationed in the bookstore at the Southeastern Flower Show autographing the five books she has published. Tara will be our guest speaker at Moss Memorial Library June 26.

Tour Price is $40 (not including lunch). Departure time 8:00 from Nantahala and Citizens First Banks. Space Limited. Payment required for reservation. For information and reservation call: Jan Waldron 747-463-8944 or Clay County Extension Service (Donna or Silas) 828-389- 6305.