UVA’s Blandy Experimental Farm: Ginkgo Trees and Fall Foliage

SOLD OUT Waitlist Available

UVA’s Blandy Experimental Farm: Ginkgo Trees and Fall Foliage – Lectures and Tours

Spend the morning learning about the history of the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm (http://blandy.virginia.edu/home). Blandy serves as a research field station for the Department of Environmental Sciences and is home to the State Arboretum of Virginia. The Arboretum, also known as the Orland E. White Arboretum, occupies the central 172 acres of Blandy Farm. Started in the 1930s, it contains over 5000 woody trees and shrubs from around the world. It is a reference garden for the Southeast Region of the American Conifer Society (https://conifersociety.org/) and includes the American Boxwood Society’s (http://www.boxwoodsociety.org/) Memorial Garden.

We will be led in discussions and tours by UVA Research Professor & Director of Blandy Farm David Carr; Robin Cardillo Director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum; T’ai Roulston UVA Research Associate Professor & Curator of Blandy Farms, and Arborist Christine Schmidt. During the morning’s program, we will discuss Blandy’s gardens and focus on the ginkgo tree, a “living fossil” with a fascinating history and great cultural significance. While taking a guided tour of Blandy’s grounds, you will visit the 300 tree ginkgo grove that turns a striking golden yellow in late autumn. This golden canopy is the highlight of the fall for the Arboretum.

If you enjoy being surrounded by beautiful fall foliage and are curious about the history behind a vibrant research community, register for this program at Blandy Experimental Farm.

If interested in arriving the day before this event, see lodging information. Visit website for details.

This program requires extensive walking to visit the gardens. We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen.

Bottles of water will be available. Lunch will be provided.

This event is #open to all alumni, parents, and friends.