News Release Distributed 04/11/14
HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to noon on May 2.
The event will feature guided tours from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. of the sun garden, piney woods garden and the Margie Jenkins azalea garden at the station, said resident coordinator Regina Bracy.
The sun garden features newly planted varieties of bedding plants, along with roses, new shrubs, ornamental grasses and more. The newer piney woods garden is home to many unique new ornamental trees and shrubs including Japanese maples, abelia, new bald cypress, ornamental fruit trees, a collection of Louisiana iris, hollies, and additional plants. The azalea garden is the oldest research garden at the station and contains azaleas along with companion plantings of native trees and shrubs.
“This is a great opportunity to see what’s new in the plant world – all in one location,” said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings. “You can also get great ideas on landscape bed layout, construction, companion planting and landscape design.”
LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill will give a presentation on Louisiana Super Plants at 11 a.m.
The Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners will have an information table at the event, where residents of Tangipahoa Parish can obtain information on this fall’s Master Gardener class.
“We want people to visit the station and see for themselves what we have to offer,” Bracy said. “The open house will provide visitors an opportunity to identify plants they may want to plant in their own landscapes.”
The Hammond Research Station focuses on landscape horticulture research, extension and outreach for industry professionals, Master Gardeners and home gardeners. It is located on Louisiana Highway 1067 approximately 6 miles east of Hammond.
More information about this event is available at 985-543-4125. RSVPs are not needed, and no registration fee is required.
An invitation-only Master Gardener Appreciation Day is scheduled at the station on May 9.
Rick Bogren