Dr. Andrew King with Cornus angustata.
January 14, 2025 - The Smith County Master Gardeners are launching their 2025 Master Gardeners at the Library lecturer series with an engaging presentation by horticulturist Dr. Andrew King titled “Hot New Plants for East Texas… and Some Others We’ve Forgotten About.” This free event will be held at 11:30am on January 17, 2025, in the Taylor Auditorium of the Tyler Public Library, located at 201 S. College Avenue, Tyler, TX.
Dr. King, an Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Overton, Texas, will explore exciting new plant introductions that are specifically adapted to thrive in the challenging climate and soils of East Texas. Whether you’re looking to refresh your landscape with the latest innovations in horticulture or rediscover reliable plant favorites that have fallen out of the spotlight, Dr. King’s lecture promises to offer practical and inspiring ideas for local gardeners.
As East Texas gardeners know, selecting the right plants for the region’s often extreme conditions is key to achieving a successful and sustainable landscape. Dr. King will discuss plants that not only survive but thrive, making them excellent choices for both new and seasoned gardeners. His expert insights are sure to help participants create more resilient and beautiful outdoor spaces.
This lecture marks the beginning of the Smith County Master Gardeners’ 2025 Library Series, which will continue monthly with presentations on a variety of gardening and environmental topics.
Future programs include discussions on tree stress management, beekeeping fundamentals, gardening for butterfly caterpillars, and the importance of preserving oak savannas.
- February 21 lecture features Luke Alfaro, Urban Forester for the City of Tyler, presenting “Urban Tree Stress.”
- March 21, Dr. Garett Slater will share “Getting Started with Bees: The Fundamentals of Beekeeping.”
- April 25, Dawn Stover’s session on “Gardening for Worms! Host Plants for Butterfly Caterpillars.”
- May 16, Greg Grant lecture on “Saving Savanna: Our Disappearing Oaks.”
The Smith County Master Gardeners are committed to providing educational opportunities that empower the community to garden successfully and sustainably. Each lecture is designed to inspire and inform, offering attendees the chance to learn from experts and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. The Smith County Master Gardener are volunteer educators coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Mark your calendar for January 17 and don’t miss this opportunity to kick off the new year with fresh ideas for your garden. For more information about the 2025 Library Series, contact the Smith County Master Gardener Help Desk at 903-2994, email them at SmithMGHelpDesk@gmail.com, or visit their website or Facebook page.
Greg Grant, PhD, is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
