Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Garden Tour
Michael Dirr, Allan Armitage, and John Ruter
Time and Session Location
9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Tour
CEUs Available
Cost:
What You Will Learn:
*Max attendance is 50 tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Join us for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes Garden Tour in Athens—one of the most plant-rich and influential horticulture communities in the country. Designed for green industry professionals, this immersive day offers rare access to private gardens and research spaces guided by three of the most respected names in horticulture: Michael Dirr, Allan Armitage, and John Ruter.
Participants will travel together by chartered transportation, creating a relaxed, collegial environment for conversation, learning, and connection. The day includes guided walks through the private gardens of Dr. Dirr and Dr. Armitage—spaces rarely open to the public—followed by an in-depth tour of the UGA Trial Gardens, where new plant material is evaluated for performance, durability, and market potential.
Throughout the tour, attendees will gain practical insight into plant selection, breeding, evaluation, and real-world performance—along with the stories, lessons, and perspective that only decades of experience can provide. A hosted lunch and informal networking are built into the day, with the tour concluding back at the Classic Center in time to enjoy The Social After Hours.
This Garden Tour is intentionally limited in size to preserve access, conversation, and quality of experience. It is a rare opportunity to learn directly from the people who have shaped modern horticulture—set in the landscapes where that work continues.
Advance registration required.
More About the Presenter (s):
Michael Dirr
Dr. Michael Dirr is a world-renowned woody plant expert, horticulturist, and author, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the field of trees and shrubs. As a professor at the University of Georgia for over 30 years, he has shaped modern horticulture through his research, teaching, and groundbreaking plant breeding efforts.
Dr. Dirr played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Center for Applied Nursery Research (CANR), where he worked closely with industry professionals to advance the development of superior ornamental plant varieties. His research has led to the introduction of many improved tree and shrub cultivars, particularly within the hydrangea genus. His breeding efforts have revolutionized the industry, yielding game-changing cultivars such as Endless Summer® Hydrangea, the first widely available reblooming hydrangea, which transformed the commercial landscape of the plant market.
He is also a prolific author, with Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs and the industry-standard Manual of Woody Landscape Plants serving as essential references for horticulturists, landscape architects, and nursery professionals.
A passionate educator and speaker, Dr. Dirr is revered for his deep knowledge, keen observational skills, and direct, insightful approach to plant science. His contributions to horticulture have been recognized with numerous awards, solidifying his legacy as one of the most respected voices in the industry.
Allan Armitage
Dr. Allan Armitage is an internationally recognized horticulturist, writer, and speaker, known for his expertise in herbaceous perennials and annuals. With a career spanning decades, he has contributed significantly to plant research, breeding, and education. Dr. Armitage served as a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia for over 30 years, where he conducted groundbreaking research at the UGA Trial Gardens, evaluating thousands of new ornamental plant varieties.
A prolific author, Dr. Armitage has written numerous books on garden plants, including Herbaceous Perennial Plants and Armitage’s Garden Perennials, both considered essential references in the industry. He is also known for his engaging and humorous speaking style, making him a sought-after speaker at conferences and events worldwide.
Dr. Armitage has received numerous industry accolades, including awards from the Perennial Plant Association and the American Horticultural Society, recognizing his lifelong contributions to horticulture. His passion for plants and practical gardening advice continue to inspire professionals and home gardeners alike.
John Ruter
Dr. John M. Ruter is the Allan M. Armitage Endowed Professor of Horticulture at The University of Georgia and serves as Director of the Trial Garden at UGA. Before his current position, Dr. Ruter was the nursery crop research and extension specialist for UGA and Director of the Coastal Plain Research Arboretum on the Tifton Campus. Dr. Ruter’s research focuses on breeding and introducing herbaceous and woody ornamental cultivars and developing Camellia oleifera as a new oilseed crop for the United States.
Dr. Ruter’s program has licensed over 50 cultivars, and he has received numerous plant patents. He teaches two classes on herbaceous plant identification, Trial Garden Internship, and a course on Current Topics in Horticulture. Dr. Ruter has four graduate students working with diverse genera, such as Castanea, Hibiscus, Lagerstroemia, Pycnanthemum, and Salvia. Dr. Ruter has been recognized by organizations such as the American Conifer Society, the American Holly Society, The Garden Clubs of Georgia, The Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Author of the Year, and the Southern Nursery Association.
He is a Fellow of the International Plant Propagators’ Society and an award-winning author of four books and over 500 scientific and popular publications. In 2021, Dr. Ruter was named the Inventor of the Year for the University of Georgia. Dr. Ruter was recently named a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and has received their Outstanding Graduate Educator Award.