06/03/2026
The following article appeared in The White County News on May 7, written by Headwaters Master Gardener Phyllis Landstrom. Thank you, Phyllis! 🌹🌻🌸🌼🪻
“On Thursday, April 23rd, the Headwaters Master Gardeners Association (HMGA) sponsored a Lunch and Learn that was open to the public at Babyland General. HMGA is a nonprofit community group dedicated to sharing horticultural knowledge and supporting gardening programs that enhance the quality of life for residents of Habersham, Rabun and White Counties in northeast Georgia. Headwaters MGs are trained and certified annually by the UGA Cooperative Extension Program. They assist and support our county extension agents in providing practical, research-based information and resources from the University of Georgia.
The speaker Dale Berrong, has a 200-acre garden in Danielsville, GA. He propagates most of the 2000 to 5000 plants that he adds to his garden each year. Dale is active in a number of plant organizations including The American Rhododendron Society, The Azalea Society of America, The Maple Society, and The American Camellia Society. He has published articles on propagation in the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society and the Azalean, a publication of the Azalea Society of America. He is the defacto expert on how to propagate Azaleas. 2026 is called the Year of the Azalea.
A delicious lunch was served on the veranda by Wolf Creek BBQ, conveniently located at Babyland General, Official Home of Xavier Roberts Cabbage Patch Kids. After lunch there was a guided tour of the extensive gardens located on the grounds of Babyland. The gardens were created as a tribute to Eula Roberts, Mr. Robert’s mother. Xavier enjoys cross pollinating different varieties of native azaleas, irises, daylilies, amaryllis and more presenting new flowers with characteristics, which are revealed as nature’s surprise! The highlight of Eula Gardens is the deciduous native azaleas in spring. The tour also included many trees such as; sugar maples, dogwoods, cherries, apple, oak, and Japanese maples. At BabyLand, there’s always something in Bloom. Thank you to Megan and Austin from Babyland for the insightful and historical tour assisted by White County Extension Agent, Nathan Eason.”
Written By: Phyllis Landstrom, MG
Photos by: Rick McIntyre
