Join Garden Tour at MU Extension in Kirksville July 23

By Blake Jackson

The University of Missouri Extension Center in Adair County invites the public to a free garden tour at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23. The event will be held at the center’s All-America Selections (AAS) display garden, located at 503 E. Northtown Road in Kirksville.

The AAS is the only national nonprofit organization in North America dedicated to trialing new, never-before-sold plant varieties for home gardeners.

MU Extension horticulturist Jennifer Schutter, who coordinates the Kirksville display garden, explained that, “After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticulture professionals, only the top garden performers are given the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance.”

These display gardens, like the one in Kirksville, offer the public a chance to view the latest award-winning varieties in a professionally maintained environment.

According to Schutter, “All-America Selections display gardens give the public an opportunity to see the newest AAS Winners in an attractive, well-maintained setting.”

AAS display gardens are commonly found at public botanical gardens, universities, municipal spaces, and garden retailers. Some also offer educational programs during the growing season.

This year, the Kirksville site is one of four MU Extension locations in Missouri showcasing an AAS display garden. Schutter encourages attendance, saying, “The plants in our garden look amazing.”

For details, call 660-665-9866.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-johnbraid