News Release
For Immediate Release — June 1, 2009
20th Annual UT Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show
is Sure to Sizzle
Thursday, July 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
With the theme "Sedums & Succulents" visitors to the 20th Annual Summer Celebration can soak up information about the many varieties of heat and drought tolerant plants.
Visitors to Summer Celebration enjoy outdoor gardening talks and demonstrations as well as indoor seminars.
JACKSON, Tenn. — For almost two decades people from across the mid-south have been celebrating the summer season with trees, shrubs and lots of flowers. Each July the University of Tennessee Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show draws thousands of visitors who are eager to soak up creative horticultural tips and peruse the dazzling garden displays that seem to grow more elaborate each year. This summer’s show, which features plants that love the sun, is sure to be no exception.
The 20th Annual Summer Celebration takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center. Dozens of plant and garden experts will be on hand, presenting information on topics that range from “Layer Cake Gardening” to “Roses that Rock Your World.” Numerous local vendors will be selling plants, and UT specialists will staff a Plant Diagnostic Center where they can identify the pests or disease attacking plants you bring in for help.
New this year, however, is an admission fee. To help offset rising costs and expenses, event organizers must charge a modest admission of $5.00 for this full day of events.
The theme at this year’s Summer Celebration is “Sedums and Succulents.” These are plants that can withstand the heat, love sunlight, but require little watering. With their unique textures and colors, these plants will be artfully featured throughout the gardens. You will see an entire kitchen scene composed of sedum. And just imagine what can be done when you combine succulents and several satellite dishes. One of the featured speakers is a well-known sedum expert, and a wide variety of these fascinating plants will be offered for sale.
A traditional favorite at Summer Celebrations is a wagon tour over the fields of the West Tennessee Center. The guided tour gives visitors a chance to see more of the exciting agricultural research taking place at the facility, including studies in biofuels, crops and forestry. The wagon tours run all day, with the last tour group departing at 6:00 p.m.
The West Tennessee Research and Education Center is located at 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, Tenn. For more information on Summer Celebration, including detailed directions, visit the Web site http://west.tennessee.edu. We hope to see you on Thursday, July 9!
The West Tennessee Research and Education Center is one of 10 unique research facilities operated by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.
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Contacts:
Dr. Bob Hayes, Director, West Tennessee Research & Education Center, 731-424-1643, rhayes1@utk.edu
Ginger Trice, UTIA Marketing and Communications Services, 731-425-4768, gtrice@tennessee.edu
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West Tennessee Research & Education Center