John M. Ruter Allan M. Armitage Professor & UGA Trial Gardens Director; Emphasis: Ornamental breeding & production Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Portrait of John M. Ruter
Contact Information ruter@uga.edu 706-542-9059
Mailing Address Athens, CAES Campus 327 Hoke Smith Bldg., Athens, GA 30602

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Portrait of John M. Ruter

UGA Athens Campus
Office: 327 Hoke Smith Building
Laboratory: 1104 Miller Plant Sciences


Prior to 2011, Dr. Ruter served as the Nursery Crop Research and Extension Specialist on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus. Classes taught include Environmental Issues in Horticulture and Herbaceous Plant Identification.

Research activities are focused on 1) herbaceous and woody ornamental plant breeding and selection, and 2) nursery crop production. Current research objectives for plant breeding and selection are:

  • To develop and evaluate new plants for southeastern landscapes which have unique horticultural characteristics or improved environmental tolerances.
  • Conversion and evaluation of polyploid conifers and herbaceous plants
  • Development of Camellia oleifera, Tea oil, as a new oil crop for the southeastern United States. Tea oil is a heart healthy oil for cooking that also has industrial and pharmacological uses. View summary article.

Appointments

  • 25% Teaching
  • 60% Research
  • 10% Extension
  • 5% Service

Teaching

  • HORT 3500 Herbaceous Perennials I
  • HORT 3500L Herbaceous Perennials I Lab
  • HORT 4990/6990 Current Issues in Horticulture

Education

  • B.S., Ornamental Horticulture, California Polytechnic State University., San Luis Obispo, 1984
  • M.S. Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, University of Tennessee, 1986
  • Ph.D., Horticultural Science, University of Florida, 1989