John Ruter, professor of horticulture, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and inventor of many novel ornamental plants, serves as director of the Trial Gardens at UGA, where plants and sees from across the world are evaluated and bred. In 2016, Ruter received several awards recognizing his expertise in and educational efforts with ornamental plants. He was honored with the Service Award from the American Conifer Society, named a Fellow of the International Plant Propagators Society, and was the recipient of the Student Career Development Award from UGA and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Green Industry Association for his distinguished and unselfish service to the horticulture industry in Georgia. Read More.