Due to overwhelming demand, this year we will be traveling to Massachusetts and Connecticut to visit four gardens and nationally known retail operations. Leaving the Horticulture Research Center in So. Burlington (behind Heritage Ford off Rte. 7 south) at 8am Wednesday August 23, we'll travel down I89 with pickup sites if desired in Montpelier and White River Junction. At all pickup sites cars may be left overnight. New or select videos of English Gardens will help break up the bus ride on both days. We’ll then continue to the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA (near Worcester) where we’ll have a box lunch and time to wander their various gardens and gift shop. This relatively new garden of the Worcester Horticultural Society features various specialty gardens, perennials, unusual annuals, walking trails, views, a gardening library and more.

We’ll then continue on to the well-known established firm of Logees Greenhouses in Danielson, CT. On previous tours, this stop of several classic greenhouses with hundreds of small potted specialty plants was a favorite. Lots to buy here! We'll end the first day with lodging at the historic Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, CT.

The second day will begin just down the road from the inn with a personal tour of White Flower Farm by David Smith-- former Director of Horticulture there since 1954. The tour will include areas such as propagation to production greenhouses, growing fields, large cooler and freezer holding areas, order processing, and display and trial gardens-- all not normally open to the public. Time will be available to browse and buy! Then we'll continue up the road to the Norfolk area and Hillside Gardens. We'll have a personal tour by owners Fred and Mary Ann McGourty. The McGourty's are well-known as authors (whose perennial books you can buy there and have autographed), speakers, and as instrumental in the Perennial Plant Association. You'll see and can buy many new and unusual perennials at their nursery, with time for a box lunch, before the trip home retracing our route. This will likely be the last year Hillside Gardens will be open to the public and for tours.

I hope you'll be able to join fellow perennial enthusiasts and professionals to this selection of diverse perennial operations representing some of the best the Northeast and country have to offer. Reserve early as spaces are limited and will likely fill fast.

clip here----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perennials Tour Registration—August 23-24, 2000

Firm (if applicable)__________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________ phone _______________________

Attendee names: (please indicate roommates, if applicable)

____________________________ ________________________________

____________________________ ________________________________

____________________________ ________________________________

Special food/lodging needs: ___________________________________________________

Site pickup: ___Burlington ___Montpelier ___White River

Enclosed is my check (payable to "UVM") for ___persons at $169 per person, for a total of $_______. (Add $50 for a single room.) Tour cost includes luxury motor coach, refreshments throughout the trip, lunches, lodging (double occupancy), continental breakfast, site admissions and tour costs, and handouts. Registrations will be confirmed and further details provided prior to the trip. Return registrations by August 14 to: Leonard Perry, Hills Bldg--UVM, Burlington, VT 05405. For questions contact Dr. Perry at 656-0479, FAX 656-4656, email leonard.perry@uvm.edu.