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June 2017 Director’s Update – Ponds, Carnivals and Carnivorous Plants

News, Events and Interesting Tidbits from the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Director’s Update

Here at UNC Charlotte we follow an academic calendar rather than the calendar year, and what a great academic year it has been! We just finished putting together our Annual Report and can now say that we had almost 40,000 visitors walk through the Gardens this year. From the University over 15 classes used the Gardens in one way or another including a class on Romantic Poetry, German classes, Hydrogeology and many others. We connected with children through displays and programs on topics like wildflowers, carnivorous plants and hydroponics. In the Gardens themselves all kinds of new work has been going on such as installing a new door for the cabin in the Glen and some wonderful new modifications of the pond which will make it a better place for people to meet, talk, and take a break from the rigors of University life. A new display area for our carnivorous plants in the greenhouse courtyard is also in the works as are new plantings all over. This is an exciting time to be involved in the Gardens!

Jeff Gillman Ph.D.
Director, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

 

The Carnival is Back! 

 

  

We strive to make memorable experiences for everyone who visits these Gardens, but there is one unique event we started last year which really makes an impression on our youngest guests. Our Carnivorous Plant Carnival on June 24 is a one of a kind experience where kids get to meet man-eating plants face to face! There will be crafts, displays, plant feedings, and most of all the chance to see what meat eating plants are all about. Join us for the experience! More information can be found here: https://gardens.uncc.edu/special-events/  

 
As Long As We’re Discussing Carniverous Plants…..

I don’t think I’m stretching reality too far when I say that the first thing that comes to mind for most people when you mention carnivorous plants is the Venus flytrap. But how much do you really know about this little guy? Where is the Venus flytrap native to? What is the biggest thing we’ve ever seen caught by a flytrap? How difficult are they to take care of?

Venus flytraps are actually easy to take care of, but they do need frequent watering. They are bog plants that thrive in plenty of water, so drying out is a danger and the most common reason why they die when they’re kept in a pot on someones back porch. They don’t like to be fertilized much and prefer to get their nutrition from the insects they eat. The biggest critter we’ve ever seen caught by a flytrap? Just look to the right of this article. These plants aren’t odd exotic species from Africa or the Amazon either. They are native to North Carolina, particularly the area around Wilmington, but they are a protected species so don’t go picking them out of the wild. If you want one for your plant collection come to the Carnivorous Plant Carnival to learn about caring for this cool species and then purchase one for you and your family to enjoy!