It has been too long since I spoke with all of you! It has been a good winter so far. We've been getting lots of work done including planting over 5,500 bulbs commemorating the 55 years that the gardens have been here at UNC Charlotte, but the big news is the success of our annual auction and raffle this year. With your help this event brought in over $8,000 to help support the Gardens and make them a better place for the University and the people of Charlotte.
In other news, the cabin is starting to look a little bit ragged so we have been thinking about ways to get funding to fix it up. We have planted a ton of bulbs in the Gardens this winter, but thanks to a huge donation, we still have a bunch left including some really nice daffodils, tulips, and more -- and we would love for you to have some! This week we will be giving these bulbs to our visitors in return for a donation. These donations will be used by the Gardens to fix up our cabin and, if any extra money is available, other parts of the Garden. We're excited about getting these beauties to you and hope that you'll help us make the Gardens a more beautiful place! Read more about the pop up bulb event below.
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This week only! Pop Up Bulb "Sale" to benefit the Gardens |
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Fall is the best time to plant, but what do you do when you get a HUGE donation of bulbs in February? You put them in the ground! Our gardeners have planted over 7,000 bulbs in the past 2 weeks, and now we are offering the excess to our community, with a suggested donation that is MUCH less than retail value.
Join us this Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and spread the colorful Spring love!
Where: McMillan Greenhouse, 9090 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC 28262
When: Fri.-Sat., Feb. 25-26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
How much: SUGGESTED donation is $12 per bag OR 3 bags for $30. Large bulbs (tulips, narcissus, and standard hyacinths) average 50 bulbs per bag, Small bulbs (grape hyacinths, crocus, etc.) average 100 per bag.
How: Cash or check accepted on site, or credit cards accepted through our online donation site.
Why: Plant these bulbs right away for gorgeous Spring color, and support a good cause all at once! All donations support the operations of the Greenhouse and Gardens, where admission is always FREE!
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! |
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We have so many people to thank for the so many things. At times like this, it becomes so clear how much it takes a whole community to support our mission.
First, we'd like to thank the Davidson Garden Club, famous for their annual symposia, who provided the Gardens with $5,000 this year to help us continue to bring the world of plants to people. We deeply appreciate this gift and look forward to working with the club in the future.
We'd also like to thank ALL of the people who supported the Gardens through our recent auction and raffle, whether with a bid, a donation, or simply sharing the event.
We particularly want to acknowledge the generosity of the following people who donated items or experiences to the event:
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Tonya Banbury, artist
John Denti
Carrie Fawcett
Paula M. Gross
Ms. Dale Halton
Cathy Hawkins
Benjamin Hippen
David and Marcia Lovett
Larry and Audrey Mellichamp
Theresa Morr
Tom Nunnenkamp & Lib Jones, Maplewalk
Mae Lin Plummer
Tim Rogers, Cardinal Strategic Services
Price and Margaret Zimmermann
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New Classes Coming Up Soon! |
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We have so many classes coming up for everyone from beginning home gardeners to people looking to dig a little deeper into the botanical world. Check your email next week for registration for the following classes: Basic Ecology, Sustainable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening, What's Wrong with My Plant? Plant Propagation, Summer Perennials and Grasses, Fern ID, Insect ID and ecology, Smart Native Landscape Design, and more!
We also have several events over the next two weekends:
THIS Sunday, February 27: Gratitude Walk 3-4 p.m. (registration required!)
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Plant Spotlight: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
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We are at that time of year when the worst of the winter is over, but the spring isn't quite here yet. This is a particularly special time in the Glen because this is when Bloodroot appears. This perennial ephemeral only gives us a show for about a week or so, but what a week it is! The entire forest floor will be white with these flowers! And bloodroot isn't just flowers. It has amazing baseball glove shaped leaves that remain on display until next winter and, if you're willing to dig a little, it has rhizomes (underground stems) that, when broken, will actually bleed! This is a great groundcover for forested areas and a special native plant that is too good to miss! |
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That's all for now! I look forward to seeing you all in the Gardens soon. |
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Jeff Gillman, Ph.D.
Director, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
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