The Pikeville Master Gardeners took a  2 day excursion to see some of the estates and horticulture centers that also serve as arboretums and research models for the state.  The excursion took place May 13th and 14th, using funds that had been raised by the Master Gardeners.  Due to Covid it had been couple years since the MG's were able to go look at historic gardens and gardening areas.  First stop on the trip was the Henry Clay Estate in Lexington.  They saw many different kinds of flowers and trees used in a walled garden and out on the general estate.  The garden has been maintained by the Lexington Garden Club.  The peony beds were absolutely gorgeous and we had perfect timing to see the display.  Couple of the Master Gardeners were given plants and plant material to make cutting out of.

After leaving the Henry Clay Estate, group went to UK/Kentucky Arboretum.  There we looked at a huge variety of plants and their use in the landscape.  Got many ideas to use in the home landscape.  Also, looked at some demonstration raised beds showing various vegetables and different methods of building beds.  Viewed some really great use of various plants useful in the home landscape.  From the Arboretum, we toured the UK South Farm Research Station to see some of the latest research and demonstration plots.  Toured the whole South Farm and met with the farm manager, so that he could talk about some of the research going on to benefit horticulturist in our state.  We looked at several of the Greenhouses and different High Tunnel Structures.  Saw everything from seeds to weeds.  Everything from planted in ground, greenhouses, high tunnels, and hydroponics.

Next stop was the Riverfront Gardens and Arboretum in Louisville.  Her we saw many native flowers in bloom.  Really great demonstration of using vegetables in the landscape.  Demonstrations of using the many available flowers in various uses for the landscape and for pollinator gardens,  It also includes ways to include wheel chairs in the garden.  Good use of water for displays in the garden..

From here went to the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens just north of Louisville in Crestwood, Kentucky.  At Yew Dell Gardens we saw the arboretum, the Castle Terrace, the Family Garden, Glen Garden, Kitchen Garden, Millstone Garden, Overlook Garden, the Mary F. Rounsavall Pavilion, the Jean Ohlmann Secret Garden, the Serpentine Garden, the Sunken Rock Garden., the Evaluation Gardens, and the walled garden,  Every single participant bought some flowers/plants to bring home to add to their home garden and landscape.

It was amazing to see the many varieties of flowers, trees, and various landscaping materials.  All the Master Gardeners want to go back at a different time of the year and see what we can find different to work with.