Field Trips
NFMGs, official "Friends of NFMGs", spouses, and unofficial friends of NFMGs are invited to attend our field trips. We hope you will join us! For more information contact fieldtrips@nfmg.net
2023 Field Trips
Questions or RSVP by can be addressed to our Field Trips chair at fieldtrips@nfmg.net. We will send out a list of those going on any upcoming field trips to those signed up along with phone/email and directions to the field trip location.
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Upcoming Field Trips
Friday, 3/17/23
Calling all Wildflower enthusiasts!! We're going to Shirley Miller Wildflower Walk, also known as The Pocket, located near Chickamauga, GA for our first NFMG field trip of 2023. There you will view nearly 50 varieties of wildflowers as they grow in nature! Check out their website at https://walkercountyga.gov/discover/recreation/crockford-pigeon-mountain-wildlife-management-area/the-pocket/
We will be guided by Judy Peacock and Carole MacMullan - two of our ace Master Gardeners who are well-versed in wild
flowers. In fact, the first class in the Spring Lecture Series is called "A Walk in the Woods with Spring Flowers"
which will be taught by Judy and Carole on March 5, 2023 at 2:00pm. Sign up here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_376enl9_RBSngp5gr1hkgA
It would be ideal to watch their webinar first and then come see the flowers in the wild a few weeks later!
So for now, hold the date of Friday, March 17 for this trip. We plan to meet there at 11:00 am. Also, you will need
to purchase a Georgia Lands Pass License. You will need to go to the "Go Outdoors Georgia" website to do this. The
link is: https://license.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/Licensing/Catalog.aspx
The cost is $33 and it is good for one year.
Directions: Take GA Hwy 193 to the intersection of GA Hwy 341 and Hog Jowl Road. Turn onto Hog Jowl and travel south
about 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Pocket Road. This road runs about 1.2 miles before a dead end at a parking area.
Part of this road is not paved and you may encounter a shallow stream ford just before the parking area.
If you enter "Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail" into Google Maps, it will take you right there.
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Past Field Trips
Even if you could not join us on these field trips, this will give you an idea of great gardens to visit.
On the Road Field Trip
- Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, Bishopville, SC
All about Topiary- Famous and Fantastic Garden and tips for how to start and finish topiary. PearlFryalTopiary - Plant Delights /Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Raleigh, NC
Plant Delights is a famous nursery – rare and unusual perennials with lots of natives. This is Tony Avent’s nursery (popular author, national garden speaker). Plant Delights - NC State Farmers Market, Raleigh NC
NC State Farmers Market is considered one of the nations best and most modern markets. MANY plant vendors. NC State Farmers Market
Historic Oakland Cemetery – October Atlanta, GA
Director Sara Henderson will lead tour and concentrate on plants that require little maintenance once established.Lockerly Gardens, Arboretum and Rose Hill (was cancelled but good possible trip)
Lockerly Arboretum Director Guided Tour of Gardens and Arboretum. Guided tour of Rose Hill 1852 Greek Revival house.Other opportunities near Milledgeville that day:
- Explore Historic Downtown with its many shops, restaurants Historic Milledgeville
- Visit Andalusia Farm – Tour the home of Flannery O’Conner About Andalusia
Picadilly Farms Nursery and Gardens, Bishop GA
1941 Whippoorwill Rd, Bishop GA.
About the venue: Piccadilly is an amazing place. It is a Specialty Retail and Wholesale Nursery with 5 acres of display gardens. It is the largest Hellebores Nursery in the country. But for us it may be all about the gardens and the shopping. The assortment of gardens include thousands of Hellebores, flowering bulbs and perennials, a large number of camellias and Japanese maples; natives including ferns, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees; and hundreds of types of conifers. They are designed in an informal and natural way. One of the objectives is to show mature specimen plants so you can determine if it will fit your garden . Check out the website: https://www.piccadillyfarm.com/
Wildflowers of The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain, La Fayette GA
The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain in Walker County, Georgia is considered to be among the finest areas for wildflowers in Georgia. It is a part of the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and is home to the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail. Pocket at Pigeon Mountain Facebook Page
Hills and Dales, LaGrange, GA - Historic house and garden
Completed in 1916, the 13,000 square foot home was designed to flow gracefully into its gardens—a series of dwarf boxwood parterres planted by Sarah Ferrell, which have adorned the terraces of the hill for more than 175 years and is considered one of the best preserved 19th century gardens in the country. The classic lines of the home, designed by renowned architects Neel Reid and Hal Hentz, have now silently watched over the beloved gardens for a century. https://www.hillsanddales.org/
Fern Ridge Farm, Cedar Bluff, Alabama
Fern Ridge Farms is a small specialty nursery located in northeast Alabama, not far from Rome GA. Now, they are primarily a retail operation but do sell wholesale on a limited basis. Mostly a greenhouse they currently are growing 75 varieties of Hardy Garden Ferns. This is an opportunity to purchase some very unusual ferns.They also grow native fern companion plants including select annuals,perennials. We will be able to explore the greenhouses and purchase. In addition, Eleanor Craig will give us tips to planting and growing ferns. The trip takes about 2 hours, but the drive is quite scenic going through Appalachian Foothills. http://www.fernridgefarms.com/
Georgia Tech Horticulture Tour
This is a rare opportunity to see and learn about Sustainable Landscaping on a large scale. You will be surprised at all Tech has accomplished in the development of a sustainable landscape program. Check out this link see all that they do http://www.facilities.gatech.edu/landscaping.
Click here for photos from our trip: Georgia Tech Trip Photos
Wilkerson Mill, Palmetto, GA - Hydrangeas
Check out their website - www.hydrangea.com
Click here for photos from our trip: Wilkerson Mill Trip Photos
Lyndy Broder's Garden, Stockbridge, GA - Clematis
We were very fortunate to be able to visit this private garden and privileged to have Lyndy to lead our tour. She is an internationally recognized clematis expert who successfully grows more than 200 varieties of clematis in her Stockbridge, Ga. garden. She will share her garden and her knowledge of clematis and how to coax them to thrive in Georgia’s heat. A Master Gardener since 1997, Lyndy is a leading international authority on clematis and currently vice president-USA of the International Clematis Society. She wrote the section on Clematis for Allan Armitage’s book on Vines & climbers. “Although I now have several hundred clematis, my favorite clematis are the North American natives,” she says in her bio on the International Clematis Society website. I have painstakingly collected a dozen different species mostly from the Southeast.”
Cox Arboretum, Canton
Private estate with over 4,000 plants representing one of the largest private collections of temperate flora in the US. Part is an old growth southern deciduous hardwood forest containing some which are more than 100 years old. Also a large collection of conifers collected from all over the world. www.coxgardens.com
Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens, Hiawassee
A botanical paradise with dogwoods, tulip magnolias, native azaleas, wildflowers and one of the largest collections of hybrid rhododendrons in the state. Located on the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/rhododendronfestival.php#aboutGarden
University of Georgia Trial Gardens, Athens
The primary functions of the Gardens are research, teaching and introduction of new crops. The Gardens are an important resource for breeders, growers, retailers, landscapers and consumers. The newest varieties of annuals and perennials from all over the world are tested to find those that stand up best to the heat and humidity of the Southeast. For annuals the performance ratings are based on the number of flowers, color of leaves, uniformity of flowers and habit, resistance to disease and insects, and overall appearance.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens, Kennesaw GA
Smith-Gilbert is a collector's garden with a wide variety (more than 3000 species) of plant material, including different outdoor contemporary sculptures and the historic Hiram Butler House. Prior to being acquired by the city of Kennesaw, the estate was owned by Dr. Robert Gilbert, who purchased the home in 1970. During the next 35 years he and Richard Smith added the gardens and extensive sculpture collection. Unified by woodland paths, the Gardens consists of separate groupings with individual elements of fascination including the Bonsai exhibit, rose garden, conifer display, perennial
garden, tea house and waterfall area. Each area is complimented by thoughtfully positioned sculpture. A guided tour will include the Hiram Butler House ca 1880.
https://smithgilbertgardens.com/
The Kinsey Farm, Gainesville GA
The Kinsey Family Farm is designed and operated to provide an enjoyable and exciting atmosphere for families located throughout north Georgia. They are a family owned operation growing trees, shrubs, Christmas trees and pumpkins.
During the autumn months the farm bustles with activity as they celebrate the fall harvest. These activities not only include daily educational field trips for local schools, but also hayrides throughout the farm, fish feeding, pumpkins, and a fantastic variety of fall harvest crops to wade through. https://www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com/
Georgia Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden, Decatur GA
This garden contains over 4000 species of native, rare and endangered to the Southeast and other areas of the US. In addition is a section “Ferns of the World” that contains the largest selection of temperate zone ferns in the US. George Sanko developer, current CEO and leading expert in native and drought tolerant plants will guide us on our tour of the garden. gpcnativegarden.org
Massee Lane Gardens, Fort Valley, GA
Home of American Camellia Society and over 1000 camellias. This will be peak season for blooming. A short course on Camellia Care will follow the tour. www.camellias-acs.com
South Carolina Botanical Garden, Clemson, SC
Home to an official American Hosta Society Display Garden, a 70 acre arboretum, butterfly garden, wildflower meadow and specialty gardens which include many native plants. This will also be the first day of their native plant sale. www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/
Southern Highlands Reserve, Lake Toxaway, NC
Southern Highlands Reserve is dedicated to sustaining the ecosystem of the Blue Ridge Mountains through preservation, cultivation and display of native plants of the area in their gardens. At 4500 feet the flora emulates that found in the southern mountains. Visit the web site to learn more about the specific gardens. www.southernhighlandsreserve.org/