The All-America Selections Display Garden at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden won first place for design in national competition. Photo by Katie Guitreau The All-America Selections Display Garden is one of five gardens to view at the Botanic Gardens. Photo by Katie Guitreau News Release Distributed 10/31/13
BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden has received a national award for the design of its All-America Selections Display Garden. This 50-foot-by-200-foot garden features flowers and vegetables recommended by All-America Selections, a nonprofit organization.
The garden won first place in the category for AAS display gardens with fewer than 10,000 visitors per year, according to Jeff Kuehny, Botanic Gardens director.
The garden was established in 2008 and designed by Katie Guitreau, Botanic Gardens landscape manager. She changes the plantings each fall and spring, using the latest AAS varieties.
“I try to give each of the plants two chances to perform well, and if they don't after two years, I will not use them again,” Guitreau said. “Color, size and length of bloom are all major factors in my decisions. I try to do something different and more creative each year. This is important because nursery retailers will be doing the same thing.”
The All-America Selections Display Garden is located near the Ione E. Burden Conference Center and adjacent to the Children’s Garden. Other gardens to view include the Vi and Hank Stone Camellia Gardens, the Rose Garden and the Ornamental Ginger Garden.
For more information about visits and tours at the Burden Museum & Gardens, which includes the Botanic Gardens, Windrush Gardens and the LSU Rural Life Museum, go to www.discoverburden.com.
Linda Foster Benedict