# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Dr. John Ruter, “Live and Let Die: Life in a University Trial Garden”
- **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 16 Feb, 2026 at 07:30 pm
- **Event Description**: Social Hour 6:30 PM
Presentation 7:30 PM
Visit www.georgiaperennial.org to become a member or to purchase a guest pass for the evening.

The Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia evaluate the newest ornamental plants from top breeding companies worldwide. They are the “go-to” garden for testing plants for heat and humidity adaptability. They focus on plant breeding and development, teaching, and outreach. They encourage industry professionals and home gardeners to see how plants perform in our variable southeastern climate. Data collected from their trials provide breeding companies with the information needed to successfully expand the palette of plant selections available to consumers in southern markets. And, who says research can't be beautiful, too? Tucked away on South Campus, the garden is a perfect place to escape and take a breather from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life. It has shaded benches, a gazebo, and nearby picnic tables. Whether one is a seasoned gardener, a gardening newbie, or just want somewhere to relax, one is always welcome at the trial gardens. Be on the lookout for their Spring Plant Sale. Georgia Perennial will be there!

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 Gardens 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 through advanced breeding techniques focused on improved plant aesthetics, resilience, and sustainability, as well as developing Camellia oleifera as a new oilseed crop for the United States. Dr. Ruter’s program has licensed over 50 cultivars, and his work has resulted in 30 issued U.S. plant patents, with additional domestic and international patents pending, all of which have been licensed to industry partners.

Dr. Ruter teaches classes on herbaceous plant identification and current topics in horticulture, and instructs the Trial Gardens Interns. He mentors graduate students working with diverse genera, such as Castanea, Hibiscus, Lagerstroemia, Pycnanthemum, and Salvia. He is involved in community education through outreach programs such as Experience UGA, the Trial Gardens, and other cooperative extension programs.

Dr. Ruter has been recognized by organizations such as the American Conifer Society, the Holly Society of America, 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 both the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Southern Region International Plant Propagators’ Society. Dr. Ruter is an award-winning author of four books and over 500 scientific and popular publications.

Dr. Ruter has received numerous honors, including the Julian C. Miller Senior Distinguished Research Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science, the UGA Inventor of the Year Award, the Plant Licensing Innovation Award from UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Research. Dr. Ruter was recently named a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and has received their Outstanding Graduate Educator Award. In January of this year, Dr. Ruter was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Election to NAI fellowship is the highest professional distinction accorded to academic inventors. Fellows are recognized for prolific innovation that has had tangible impacts on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/smyrna/dr-john-ruter-live-and-let-die-life-in-a-university-trial-garden/200029653998010
- **Event Categories**: Art, literary-art, Workshops, trips-adventures
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029653998010?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=smyrna-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Smyrna
- **state**: GA
- **country**: United States
- **location**: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Atlanta
- **lat**: 33.875168560996
- **long**: -84.426023606011
- **full address**: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, 4393 Garmon Rd NW,Atlanta,GA,United States, Smyrna

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Georgia Perennial Plant Association (GPPA) (https://allevents.in/org/georgia-perennial-plant-association-gppa/21203183)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/ccf0b97f9293ac8a2af05939cdf8bf8470c53336f46a6c7c1be1971872ad78a3-rimg-w1080-h1350-dcbfbcd6-gmir?v=1770877509
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/20175de54b5b110890173a135f69e2f4fc77095949701f5c743db703420edcc6-rimg-w300-h300-dcbfbcd8-gmir?v=1770877510

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Mon, 16 Feb, 2026 at 07:30 pm
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, 4393 Garmon Rd NW,Atlanta,GA,United States, Smyrna
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Georgia Perennial Plant Association (GPPA)
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** Art, literary-art, Workshops, trips-adventures
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Dr. John Ruter, “Live and Let Die: Life in a University Trial Garden” ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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