University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture

Congratulations to Horticultural Sciences alumni Miranda Woodcock, Lecturer Sammie Lyle, and Assistant Extension Professor Cindy Finneseth on their recent publication in HortTechnology!🪻

Check out their article in the link below:
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05855-26

We have a fascinating collection of carnivorous plants in our teaching greenhouses, including a few species of pitcher plants. As seen here, pitcher plants secrete a sweet smelling and very sticky nectar to attract their prey.

Once insects land on the pitcher, they typically fall to the bottom and are eventually absorbed by the plant’s digestive enzymes. We love to highlight these interesting plants on our greenhouse tours. 🪰🌿

Join UK Horticulture and Grow Appalachia for a seed farming & entrepreneurship workshop in Jackson (Breathitt County) on Thursday, July 9, starting at 9:00 am.

We will cover the basics of seed production as a farm enterprise, including considerations before growing seed crops, field production basics, and more. We will be in the Wood Utilization Center (130 Robinson Rd, Jackson). The workshop will have hands-on demos of equipment for cleaning and processing.

The workshop is free! Register now at: bit.ly/seedfarming2026

Students from the .uk and their advisors returned from an incredible trip to Costa Rica late last week. 🇨🇷

They explored several regions of the country and visited production systems of many agricultural and horticultural crops, including sugar cane, cacao and coffee, tropical fruits, and medicinal plants. The club also visited several natural parks and biological stations to witness countless species of local flora and fauna. 🦜🐸🦥

Members of the Horticulture Club can volunteer for the club’s plant sales during the school year to help offset the costs of these educational trips. They had a blast!

Spring 2026 Horticultural Sciences graduate Katie Taliaferro recently was awarded two scholarships through the National Garden Clubs.

Katie was selected as the Kentucky Garden Club Scholarship winner and also received the National Sandra Robinson Scholarship. Nor graduated, Katie is off to for a year-long internship in land stewardship and ecology. Congratulations, Katie!

Several faculty and staff members coordinated horticulture events for ‘s Field Day 2026 today. Over 250 high school students from all over the state participated in the Floriculture event (led by Sammie Lyle and Chloe Hinton) or the Nursery event (led by Cindy Finneseth, Shari Dutton, and Tara Watkins Vaughn).

What a great opportunity to give students exciting experience with our industry! 🌱

Graduate student Luize Lessman will be presenting the results of her Master’s research next Thursday, April 16th. Please join us for her seminar!

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has named Michael Wall as director of The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. He will begin his role on June 1.

Wall brings more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning research institutions, museums and nonprofit organizations, with a career focused on connecting science, education and public engagement.

“I am honored to join the University of Kentucky and to serve as director of The Arboretum,” Wall said. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff and the community to strengthen The Arboretum’s role as both a living laboratory and a place where people can connect with science and nature in meaningful ways.”

Read more about Wall's background and The Arboretum: https://bit.ly/3NXz7Pm

The Mathews Garden, located at the corner of South Limestone and Washington Avenue, is home to more than 350 plant species and dates back to 1900. The garden was designed by Clarence W. Mathews, a professor of horticulture who became UK's first dean of agriculture.
"After many years of cultivating and preparing the site, the garden stands today with an impressive biodiversity of native Kentucky plants and more. From holding all the native Kentucky hydrangeas to a rare reproducing American elm, this site has a Horticultures textbook worth of knowledge on these plants. The Mathews family initially maintained this space, and then the University of Kentucky community championed the site and fought for its preservation."
https://cwmathews-garden.createuky.net/the-garden/

The Horticulture Club had a very successful First Bloom Fundraiser last week. Thanks to all in our community here who came out to support them!

Participating in the Horticulture Club gives students valuable experience in plant production and retailing for a wide variety of plants. Hours spent volunteering with the Club can be credited towards costs associated with educational opportunities, like a professional conference or the club’s annual trip in May. 🌱💙

Photos by Sabrina Hounshell
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment