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Published on 08/16/07

Good, bad, ugly on 'Gardening in Georgia'

By Faith Peppers
University of Georgia

Work-of-art containers brimming with bright blooms can make you wish they flanked the entry to your home. And they could. On “Gardening in Georgia” Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, learn from the designers at Georgia’s famous Sea Island resort, The Cloister.

“Gardening in Georgia” airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations across Georgia each Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Large banana trees are attractive in a tropical sort of way, mostly for their broad leaves. But a whole new class of bananas are grown for their beautiful flowers. Richard Wallace takes show host Walter Reeves on a tour of bananas that aren’t edible but definitely have appeal.

Elephant ears are big, green and gorgeous. But they’re also poisonous in some situations. Reeves shows how elephant ear grows. He distinguishes between dasheen and elephant ear and shows why an elephant ear’s sap can be dangerous.

Slimy, hammerhead worms might be the ugliest creatures you’ll ever see on TV. They’re found under damp rocks, where they prey on earthworms. Reeves explains why stomping them isn’t the way to control this odd planaria.

“Gardening in Georgia” is coproduced by GPB and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Each show is geared to Georgia soils, climate and growing conditions.

The 2007 season is made possible through an underwriting gift from McCorkle Nurseries and support from the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association. For more on “Gardening in Georgia,” visit www.gardeningingeorgia.com.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Walter F. Reeves
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