The 9th Annual Savannah Garden Exposition April 17-19

Celebrate Savannah’s unique heritage and garden history at the 9th Annual Savannah Garden Exposition. The Exposition begins Friday, April 17th and will run through Sunday, April 19th, 2009, Rain or Shine, at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum at 601 West Harris Street. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sunday.

This year’s theme is “Our Square Roots” in honor of Savannah’s distinctive city planning and garden designs. Full-size exhibition gardens, lectures, informative demonstrations given by experts, children’s activities, and an open-air market with growers and garden-related merchandise are just a few of the featured events. Ingenuity reigns as competitors interpret the theme "Our Square Roots" by planting containers with their own distinct styles and personalities. Visitors will be able to bid to purchase the container gardens in a silent auction held throughout the weekend.

Competing in several categories, exhibition garden designers are limited only by their imaginations as they interpret our theme and design gardens that will delight the senses and showcase their talents. These gardens will inspire you whether you're an amateur gardener or an experienced gardening enthusiast!

PREVIEW PARTY
Thursday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
$100 HSF & DH members; $145 *Non-members
Join patrons and supporters of the Savannah Garden Exposition for an evening of food, fun and horticulture. Be the first to experience "Our Square Roots" and the transformation of the historic Roundhouse Railroad Museum into an extravaganza worthy of General James Edward Oglethorpe. This festive evening combines the distinctive historical site and the incredible beauty of the Exposition with the extraordinary food and talent of many of Savannah's top chefs. Don't miss this year's Silent Auction which will include rare and unusual plants, fine art, parties, trips, garden ornaments and more.

Carolyn Ross McDonald Lecture Series: Featuring well known author and speaker Tovah Martin; Vince Dooley, well loved UGA coach and Master Gardener; local entertainment expert, Bethany Hewitt; and Buddy Lee, the inventor of the Encore Azalea®.

Friday, April 17
Tovah Martin – Bringing Nature Indoors: Houseplants, Terrariums & You - 11 a.m. Free Lecture
Tovah is the author of the recent book, The New Terrarium, published in February, 2009. Tovah has authored numerous gardening books including Tasha Tudor's Garden and View from a Sketchbook: Nature through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin. Her articles can be found in many magazines, including Country Home, Horticulture and Country Living. She has been a featured speaker aboard the QE2. Tovah is a frequent guest on the PBS series "Cultivating Life". In May, 2008, The Garden Club of America awarded her the Sarah Chapman Francis Medal for "outstanding literary achievement."

Friday, April 17
Vince Dooley - Diggin in the Dirt with the Dawg - 12:30 p.m. Free Lecture
$15 Box Lunch, advance purchase required, pick up at noon.
There may be a no more decorated director of athletics and former head coach in the country than Georgia's Vince Dooley, who served as head football coach at UGA from 1963 to 1988, and as Director of Athletics from 1979 to 2004. Mr. Dooley, a Master Gardener, was instrumental in the University's campus being designated as an arboretum and was presented with the Georgia Urban Forest Council's 2001 Individual Achievement Award for significant accomplishments in promoting urban forestry in Georgia.

Saturday, April 18
Bethany Hewitt – Entertaining with Grace
11 a.m. Free Lecture & Demonstration
Presented by locally known caterer Bethany Hewitt of Southern Graces Indulgent Catering & Delicious Design, a custom design and catering company. Bethany, a talented chef and designer will share her refreshing perspective to events and food, combining southern classics with french country and a dash of whimsy, creating an end result that is nothing short of "Sophisticated Grace." Bethany will demonstrate creative ways to use fresh herbs and flowers in recipes with fabulous presentations! She will showcase some of the latest trends in cocktails, savories, and tablescapes that will include numerous items from the garden for a delightful twist on the classics.

Saturday, April 18
Buddy Lee – Evergreen Azaleas: Backbone of the Southern Garden
12:30 p.m. Free Lecture
$15 Box Lunch, advance purchase required, pick up at noon.
Robert (Buddy) Lee, the inventor of Encore Azalea®, the only azalea to bloom in spring, summer and fall, has more than 30 years experience in nursery management, breeding, propagation, and new plant development. Past president of The Azalea Society of America and past president of the Louisiana Nurseryman's Association Region III, his current role is Director of Plant Innovations at PDSI (Plant Development Services Inc.) in Loxley, Alabama specializing in bringing new innovative plants to market. He is responsible for both Encore Azalea® and the new Southern Living™ Plant Collection.

The Garden Exposition Workshops
Friday, April 17
Tovah Martin – Terrarium Workshop
2:30 p.m.
($25 for materials - advance tickets purchased by April 11).
Join us for this exciting and unique "make-it-and-take-it" workshop. Work alongside acclaimed gardener and author, Tovah Martin, as she guides you in creating your very own terrarium inspired by her book The New Terrarium published in February 2009. Tovah will inspire you with wonderful ideas for containers, plant material, color and design and take the mystery out of creating terrariums. Her delightful and easy personality will make you feel as if you are spending the afternoon with a dear friend.

Saturday, April 18
Gaye Drummond – Hand-Tied Bouquet & Table Arrangement Workshop
2 p.m.
$50 for materials (advance tickets purchased by April 11).
Gaye hails from England where she began her career selling her own floral designs on London's vibrant Portobello Road Market. Gaye's work has been the subject of features in Southern Living magazine and her floral displays have graced such events and venues as the Telfair Ball, the Savannah Yacht Club, Bray's Island Plantation and many homes throughout Savannah. The hallmark of her work is vibrancy, quality and freshness, and her inspiration remains the English country garden. Come learn how to make a hand-tied bouquet and a table center arrangement to take home and enjoy.

OPEN-AIR MARKET & GARDEN CAFÉS
Experience the bustling marketplace filled with some of the most acclaimed specialty nurseries, garden-related merchants and more. Local, regional and national retailers carefully select their most distinctive items for sale at the Savannah Garden Exposition. These dealers will offer visitors a special opportunity to purchase products not usually available. Items for sale will include high quality plants of all types, garden ornaments and furniture, gardening tools and accessories, books, botanical jewelry, unique gift items and much more! Relax and take in the garden atmosphere while enjoying coffee, lunch or a glass of wine from one of our specialty food vendors amidst the simulated ambience of Savannah's squares.

WALKING TOURS
$45 three-day NOGS* tour
Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18 - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harper Fowlkes House.
Sunday, April 19 - A forty minute guided tour beginning every 20 minutes from 1 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Savannah in the spring delights the senses. As light filters through the Live Oak branches, the eyes are filled with the soft palette of azaleas and spring flowers. Sweet smells fill the air and the warm temperatures tempt us to spend the day outside. This is the best time of the year to tour the private and public gardens that have made Savannah famous. This year's tour will be a three-day event ticket allowing ticket holders to tour at their leisure 12 gardens on Friday and Saturday. Sunday afternoon features a special tour of Forsyth Park given by The Savannah Tree Foundation. The ticket also includes a Southern Tea: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on your choice of Friday or Saturday with iced tea, cookies and sandwiches in the garden of the Harper Fowlkes House.

Fully detailed Walking Tour Maps are provided with Walking Tour tickets. $5 per ticket discount for groups of 10 or more. Transportation is not provided.

COMPLIMENTARY CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
While you shop, your children and grandchildren will be entertained with fun and educational horticulturally inspired crafts. Volunteers will closely supervise the activities with your children. You may stay and participate, or you may leave them as you enjoy the Exposition.

WINE TASTING GARDEN TOUR & FINE WINE AUCTION
Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m.
A truly memorable evening on beautiful Monterey Square. Wine lovers will enjoy sampling two different wines in each of three private gardens. Light hors d'oeuvres by Local 11Ten Restaurant will be served. After guests have toured the gardens, the evening will culminate in a fine wine auction in a private residence. Dr. Robert Tomhave has carefully selected only exceptional wines for this occasion. Due to space considerations, tickets are limited. Tickets are $100.

PICNIC LUNCH IN THE GARDEN
Sunday, April 19, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
You and your family are invited to bring a blanket to the beautiful restored Worker’s Garden in the Roundhouse to enjoy a Sunday afternoon picnic. Bring your own, or purchase lunch from any of our vendors for a relaxing and fun afternoon. Surprises and children’s activities will make this a special occasion.
Daily general admission tickets are $10, with group discounts available. A 3-day pass is available for $20. Children under the age of 12 are free when accompanied by a paid adult.
All proceeds benefit the Isaiah Davenport House Museum and the Historic Savannah Foundation.

For tickets and a complete list of events, dates, times and prices, please visit www.savannahgardenexpo.com or call 912.236.4795.

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