Botanical Gardens https://gardens.charlotte.edu College of Science Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:59:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 146013127 Sharing the loss of Dr. Larry Mellichamp https://gardens.charlotte.edu/sharing-the-loss-of-dr-larry-mellichamp/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:16:16 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11875
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our Director Emeritus of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, Dr. Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp, or, more affectionately, “Dr. M”.

Anyone influenced by Dr. M and/or his many works are encouraged to leave a tribute to him on the memorial website: https://link.inmemori.com/mDPxXH. Dr. M’s obituary, lovingly penned by Audrey Mellichamp and Paula Gross, can be found here.

A public memorial service will take place in the Gardens on the afternoon of October 30. Details of this service are available here.

I was honored to accept the Directorship of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens soon after Dr. M’s retirement. I was privileged to know him well and would like to share just a few of my thoughts about what Dr. M meant to the green heart of UNC Charlotte:

Between the beginning of his Freshman year at UNC Charlotte in 1966 and the day he passed, Dr. M spent a total of six years away from the Gardens, only separating himself from this campus to earn his Master’s and Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Michigan. He was unfailingly loyal to the Gardens where, as an undergraduate, he was involved in some of the Garden’s first plantings under the direction of his mentor and our first Director, Herbert Hechenbleikner. After over 39 years leading these Gardens, he retired in 2015. After retirement he continued to be involved in the Gardens and regularly taught classes, mentored staff, students, and the community and continued to install numerous plants in the Gardens. Dr. M was a fixture at every plant sale offering valuable information and selling excessive plant materials to people who had no idea they needed such a large collection of flora.

To me, Dr. M was the perfect predecessor. He knew when to give advice, when to allow me to make my own mistakes, and when to encourage. He pushed all of us here at the Gardens to make it a better place for everyone. He was a true botanist’s botanist and teacher’s teacher. Even after 40 years of teaching, he would still spend hours preparing for a class, collecting samples, and even experimenting with jokes. He cared about his subject and his students and it showed.  I have many memories of Dr. M from the last 8 years, but I thought I’d share the last walk that we had together because it so exemplifies the kind of person he was. In the Glen there is an area in the Southeastern corner where I don’t spend much time. I had asked Dr. M if he would walk with Ed (Ed Davis, our horticulturist) and me through this area of the Gardens to identify the more notable plant materials so they aren’t overlooked when we develop the area in the future. On July 5, 2022, about 2 months before his passing, we had planned to spend about an hour walking through the area, but that hour soon grew to two, and then three, as we traipsed through old trails, mud pits, and underbrush which exemplifies the ecosystem of the coastal plain. We tasted horse sugar, picked chinkapin, and pulled some weeds. Then we observed a rattan vine strangling another tree, observed some small but exquisite examples of devil’s bit, American hazelnut, and fairy bells – and then we really started botanizing! He was a sight to behold. It was as if the plants themselves were radiating energy at some wavelength that only he could absorb and use to glorify the Gardens. After our hike Dr. M joined our greenhouse manager, Tammy Blume, Ed, and me for a lunch at one of his favorite places, R and R barbeque. A love of good (and bad) barbeque was something that Dr. M and I shared, and our deep and passionate conversations about barbeque, appropriate sides for said barbeque, and sweet tea will be sorely missed.

Dr. M devoted his life to bringing the world of plants to people and, as these Gardens move forward, we are devoted to sustaining his rich legacy.
Jeff Gillman, Ph.D. | Director, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
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Congratulations Spring 2022 CNPS Graduates https://gardens.charlotte.edu/congratulations-spring-2022-cnps-graduates/ Mon, 06 Jun 2022 17:41:32 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11750 On June 5, 2022, we celebrated the Spring 2022 graduates of our Certificate in Native Plant Studies program.

This year’s graduates were:

Nancy Devries
Mary Duke
Sarah Dumser
Doreen Francois
April Faucette
Catherine (Cathe) Hawley
Kristina Hicks-Hamblin
Rosemary Kinch
Melanie Myers
Roger Pelz
Shelley Williams

Director Emeritus Dr. Larry Mellichamp officiated the graduation ceremony.

See more photos from the ceremony here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/k5qVT8gbNF1N7EW67

A list of all CNPS graduates can be found here

 

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New Garden Trail Opened May 21, 2022 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/new-garden-trail-opened-may-21-2022/ Mon, 06 Jun 2022 17:20:57 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11589 The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, Center for the Study of the New South, Urban Institute and UrbanCORE were proud to officially open the Carolina Garden Trail on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

Special thanks to the following people and organizations who came together to make this project happen: 

Allison Tietz, Akin Ogundiran, Ashli Stokes, Botanical Gardens Staff and Advisory Board, Byron White, Center for the Study of the New South, Charlotte Teachers Institute, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ed Davis, Janaka Lewis, Jeff Michael, Joanne Joy, North Carolina Humanities, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Shardee Williams, urbanCORE and Urban Institute Staff

This project was made possible by funding from the following organizations: 

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Twilight Garden Tours https://gardens.charlotte.edu/twilight-garden-tours/ Wed, 25 May 2022 14:19:24 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11555

Join Amy Tipton, Assistant Director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens for an early evening tour of the Gardens.

MUST Register! Click a date below to register.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, June 22, 7-8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 20, 7-8 p.m.

Wednesday, August 24, 6:30-7:30 pm

Wednesday, September 21, 6:30-7:30 pm

*NOTE earlier times in August and September.

Cost: $5 per person per walk, free for members and UNC Charlotte faculty/staff/students

Location: Meet at McMillan Greenhouse

Participant Limit: 15.

Note: In case of heavy rain or storms, walks will be cancelled.

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Memorial Sculpture https://gardens.charlotte.edu/memorial-sculpture/ Mon, 09 May 2022 15:16:44 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11432 This story was originally posted on April 28, 2022 by Meg Whalen, director of communications for the College of Arts + Architecture at this link: https://coaa.charlotte.edu/news/2022-04-28/memorial-recognizes-strength-community-after-april-30.

MEMORIAL RECOGNIZES STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY AFTER APRIL 30

close up of sculpture - stones inside steel structure

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022A sculpture designed by art professors Marek Ranis and Tom Schmidt stands in the Botanical Gardens.

It’s quiet in the garden where the new memorial stands tall among the trees. Sometimes sunlight filters through the leaves to illuminate a message of hope.

You are strong enough. Always believe. We have each other.

“It’s such an environment of peace, of seeking silence,” says senior art major Vannah Mobley. “It invites you into the space.”

Mobley is one of 42 students who have worked over the past semester to create a sculpture in the Botanical Gardens that commemorates the way Niner Nation came together in the aftermath of April 30, 2019. Designed by Associate Professors of Art Marek Ranis and Thomas Schmidt, the sculpture is itself a product of community, of many hands and hearts.

Here is the story of its creation. 


stones and flyer on table top

Almost immediately after the shooting on April 30, 2019 that ended the lives of Riley Howell and Reed Parlier, the Botanical Gardens staff “kicked into high gear,” says Assistant Director Amy Tipton. “We asked, what can we do to provide something?” After quick deliberation, they decided to invite people to write their thoughts and feelings onto small smooth river rocks and leave them in the garden. A table with stones and markers was set up in the Susie Harwood Gardens.

stones in the garden, with messages for Niner Nation

“It was really fascinating how right away we saw the stones popping up,” Tipton says. “They were just beautiful sentiments.”

drawings of sculpture

Hundreds of people came to the gardens to choose, inscribe, and place stones. Tipton, who has degrees in art as well as botany, and Botanical Gardens Director Jeff Gillman felt that the profound response deserved some kind of permanent artistic manifestation. They contacted Schmidt, who had frequently brought his art students to the garden, and Schmidt engaged his colleague Ranis. The two produced concept drawings.

students engraving stones

The 12-foot tall sculpture called for large river rocks to replace the smaller stones. To preserve the exact handwriting and drawings on the originals, Ranis and Schmidt and students in four different classes took photographs of the small stones, printed the images, and laid them on top of the large stones.

students engraving and painting stones

They then engraved the stones through the photographs, cutting the words and designs into the stones’ surfaces so that they cannot wash away. Finally they painted the engravings black so that they would appear just as they had originally. “I feel like the project did a great job of helping us remember,” says Mobley (above left), who was a freshman in April 2019. “It helped everyone remember that we were all in this thing together.”

faculty and students loading stones into the steel frame

The art professors (above left and center) donated their time, and engineering alumnus Garret Overcash, Project Engineer at SKA Consulting Engineers, prepared the structural drawings pro-bono. But materials and fabrication aren’t free. Funding for the project came from the Student Activity Fee Commission based on a request from the Student Government Association. Peachland Design and Fabrication and Heartland Construction did the physical fabrication and installation of the steel frame. Caroline Hill of Facilities Management served as project manager. “It’s built like a tank,” Ranis says. “It’s very sturdy.”

sculpture in the garden, complete

Ed Davis, horticultural supervisor and landscape architect for the Botanical Gardens, suggested the site for the sculpture: an elevated landing near the gazebo and Asian garden, encircled by benches and tulip poplars. “We call this place ‘Little Stonehenge,’” Tipton says.

“We are so thankful to the Botanical Gardens for donating this beautiful site for the memorial,” says Schmidt. “You couldn’t ask for a more serene location.”

students putting rocks in memorial sculpture

“Ultimately, every contribution to this memorial – those made back then and those made recently in our class – reflects the legacy of Niner Nation Remembers and forms connections with the school, with Riley and Reed, and with each other,” says art student and Levine Scholar Danielle Walden, who, like Mobley, was a freshman in 2019 and will graduate in May. “The sculpture becomes a beacon of hope, one that transcends the bounds of time and the circumstances of what happened, and instead applies itself to brightening negative situations.”

live selflessly, written on stone

“I hope future students can visit this site and take the time to move around the sculpture,” Walden continues. “I hope they reflect deeply on past events and it encourages them to take better care of each other and themselves in the here and now.”

Amy Tipton at memorial sculpture

A simple dedication of the memorial sculpture took place Friday, April 29, at 12:15 pm at the site. Pictured above, Amy Tipton.

For information about other remembrance activities, visit ninernationremembers.charlotte.edu.

Photos are by Lynn Roberson, Amy Tipton, Marek Ranis, Tom Schmidt, Andrew Brooks, and Wade Bruton.

Hear more from the sculpture’s creators in this WBTV News special broadcast.

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Dr. Larry Mellichamp honored with Flora Caroliniana Award https://gardens.charlotte.edu/dr-larry-mellichamp-honored-with-flora-caroliniana-award/ Mon, 02 May 2022 14:55:45 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11412
Dr. Mellichamp is pictured here holding the award, with his wife Audrey and daughter Suzanne. (Photo credit: Lynn Roberson)

On Saturday, April 23, 2022, Dr. Larry Mellichamp, Director Emeritus of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, was honored with the prestigious Flora Caroliniana Award by the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Dr. Mellichamp is the seventh person to receive this honor, given for enthusiasm and service to the preservation, restoration, and appreciation of the natural world around us.

Previous Flora Caroliniana Award recipients include:

Lady Bird Johnson for advocating for native plants and helping the North Carolina Botanical Garden launch its first fundraising campaign, “Celebrating Wildflowers.” (1988)
John Terres, naturalist and author best known for his work, From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog: The Walking Adventures of a Naturalist. (1991)
William Lanier Hunt to honor him as the Founder of the Botanical Garden Foundation. (1996)
Ritchie Bell the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s first director from 1961 to 1986. (2000)
Thomas Wright Earnhardt in recognition of his lifelong contributions to conservation. (2016)
Charlotte Jones Roe in honor of 44 years of service, tirelessly advocating for the North Carolina Botanical Garden. (2018)

Dr. Mellichamp with Johnny Randall, North Carolina Botanical Garden, and Alan Weakley, UNC Herbarium. (Photo credit: Lynn Roberson)

The award was presented by Johnny Randall, NCBG director of conservation programs, and Alan Weakley, director of the UNC Herbarium, at a ceremony at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Garden’s Mellichamp Native Terrace.

Dr. Mellichamp was recognized by several colleagues and contemporaries in the botanical field from all over the country.

Attendees honored Dr. Mellichamp at the Native Terrace that bears his name. (Photo credit: Lynn Roberson)

Paula Gross, retired Associate Director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens wrote an especially poignant speech, which can be read in its entirety below.

Paula Gross speaking at the ceremony. (Photo credit: Lynn Roberson)

“Many of you know me, but for those who do not, I had the honor and adventure of working with Larry for 18 years here at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, and co-authoring two books together. I’m so pleased to be standing here in a garden co-created with Larry, Ed Davis, Johnny Massengale, and the entire staff, donors, and volunteer community of the Botanical Gardens. A place nourishing to body, mind, and spirit, bearing a very special name – Mellichamp.

I know Larry well and yet in preparing to say a few words I did go back and read his CV. If you’re interested in reading it yourself, I suggest packing a lunch. The word prolific comes to mind, not invasive, but prolific! He has written about – whether in books, scientific papers, treatises, or newsletters – nearly 1000 different species. Seriously – , it took HOURS to count them all!

This award, this honor, is well placed on his mantle. And yet, doubt may still surface – even in someone as accomplished as Larry Mellichamp. When you think about it, Perhaps he’s done too much! I mean, what might he have accomplished as a taxonomist had he not consulted on art projects, created garden brochures, gotten the giant image of a Venus Fly-trap plastered on U-haul trucks, and transformed historic home landscapes with his bare hands! Think of all he could have done had he not traveled to Sydney, Wuhan, Cape Town, and even Belmont to present at Botanical conferences? Writing 7 books, directing a Botanical Garden, and teaching thousands of students. Yeah, that can get in the way of field work. What if he hadn’t shared so much knowledge and passion with Fern, Orchid, and Rock Garden Societies- Homeowners, Nurserymen, and Beekeepers. Perennial Plant, Rhododendron, and Carnivorous Plant Societies. County and State parks, Foresters, Arborists, Botanical Gardens (of course!), Horticultural symposia, and let’s not forget Native Plant and Wildflower Societies!

Well, I, for one, am grateful that he followed his passions wherever they led. Because wherever they led, you can be sure that a depth of knowledge was mined, ored, and polished. And then, – and this is the important part – it was SHARED, widely and generously. You can’t spend an hour with Larry without learning something! And it’s not just that he holds a wealth of knowledge, It’s that a spirit of learning and of creating is in the air around him. And those of us who breathe it in
are eager to keep up – and to create exciting new things. Whether crouching down together to see the first sprouts of an “ungrowable” plant – or standing tall to shake the hands of native plant studies graduates – hearing Larry exclaim that something you have done is “Fabulous! Just Fabulous!” has boosted the minds and hearts of so many of us in this green tribe. And the world
needs this. It needs US, with our green hearts open, strong, growing, and more than ever – SHARING. For each and every one of us are deeply interconnected. And sharing is the very fiber of Dr. Mellichamp.

Larry, without a doubt, as a botanist you’ve been graced with a deeper knowing, endless curiosity, and an inner mandate to share. You were born an acorn, even if at times you may have longed to be an orchid seed. And the web of YOUR life – the community within and without you – helped to disperse, water, and only very occasionally prune you.

“Pick a flower from my garden, Larry, just for you.”
“Go outside and don’t come back until dinner – hmmm, think I’ll go see what’s in that pond across the street.” “I’ve got a board here in the garage, I’ll paint you a sign, and you may sell your plants to the neighbors”.
“Come along with me to the mountains, to the coast – you can carry the plant press” “I’ve got a few plants I’d like you to help me put in the ground, down here by the creek – I’d like to see if this rhododendron will grow.”
“Let’s hunt morels and pick the sweetest wild berries, she said with a smile” …. And the acorn sprouted. And grew. And never stopped growing.

And now we’re all gathered here for the mighty oak. As I look upon my friend the oak, I wonder, “Does it know its stature?”

Does it feel the tingle of thousands of fungal life-threads radiating from its roots? Does it hear the rustle of its own leaves as they fall and slowly, but surely feed the forest? Does it laugh as squirrels run rough-shod up its trunk? and does it blush when hawks create new life among its branches?

Today, we are tapping on your trunk Larry, and draping the highest of awards across your branches. It is a beautiful and well-deserved honor. May you bask in it! Your community is vast and varied, diverse and evolving. I am proud to stand with all these others and celebrate you.”

And my wish for you, in the afterglow of this morning, is to find time to close your eyes and feel the tingle and exchange of life through the threads of your being – to hear the rustle of so many falling leaves in the forest around you. To feel the gentle weight of birds on your branches and the reflexive spring as they open their wings and fly off, acorns in beaks.”

– Paula Gross, speaking at the Flora Caroliniana Award Ceremony, April 23, 2022


More information about the award be found here:

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Exam Week Gratitude Walks https://gardens.charlotte.edu/exam-week-gratitude-walks/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 20:28:54 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11299

The Botanical Gardens offer free Gratitude in the Gardens meditative walks once a month. These walks are open to students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

For Exam Week 2022, we will have three drop in Gratitude Walks exclusively for the UNC Charlotte community. The schedule for this year is below. Drop in, no registration required!

Monday 5/2 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Gratitude Walk: Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Expressing gratitude is proven to help individuals experience more positive emotions, improve their mental health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Take time to complete this scavenger hunt; think about each object you find and the positive role it plays in your daily life.

Tuesday 5/3 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Gratitude Walk: Art in the Gardens – Painting Rocks

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can help individuals of all ages express oneself, explore emotions and instill hope and empowerment.

Rock painting – Rock painting is a rewarding wellness ritual that can help one heal and connect with others. The idea is to find a pebble or small rock within the space, leave an artistic mark or positive note on the surface and leave it in the same space for others to enjoy. The person who finds your surprise gift may experience a surge of mood-boosting emotions, since having a sense of community is foundational for feelings of safety and security.

Wednesday 5/4 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Gratitude Walk: Art in the Gardens – Mandalas

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can help individuals of all ages express oneself, explore emotions and instill hope and empowerment.

Mandalas – Mandalas are a geometric design pattern that offer several mental and emotional benefits. Mandala, which means “circle” in Sanskrit, is a sacred symbol that is used for meditation, prayer, healing, relaxation, and art therapy for both adults and children. We will utilize elements available within the gardens to enjoy this activity.

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This week only: Pop up BULB “sale” to benefit the Botanical Gardens https://gardens.charlotte.edu/this-week-only-pop-up-bulb-sale-to-benefit-the-botanical-gardens/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 15:28:17 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11288

UPDATE!: WOW what a great turn out. We are “sold” out with just a few yellow tulips bulbs left. We will be closing the event and Greenhouse at 2 p.m. Thank you to all who attended for your support of the Gardens!

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 to our $55 for 55 donors! https://gardens.charlotte.edu/thank-you-to-our-55-for-55-donors/ Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:45:21 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11155

You did it!! Thanks to you, we raised $5,179 for our 55 for 55 campaign, shooting way past our $3,000 goal and receiving the full $3,000 matching gift for a grand total of $8,179! Thank you so much for your support. Although this campaign is now over, you can donate any time at go.charlotte.edu/GiveGreen 

Thank you for allowing us to continue to share the world of plants with our community!

For more information about how you can support the Botanical Gardens and our mission, visit gardens.charlotte.edu

See our upcoming events and programs here

$55 for 55 Donors:

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

Kevin McCorkle
In Honor of Dr. Cone, Dr. Hechenbleikner, Ralph VanLandingham Jr. & Dr. Mellichamp
$55.55

Katherine (Merry) Chambers
$55.55

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

George Koraly
In Honor of All your great garden volunteers
Undisclosed Amount

Cynthia Beane
$55.55

Anonymous
$55.55

Yvette Huet
$20.55

Polly Brockway
$100.55

Albert Benshoff
In Memory of Zella K. Benshoff
Undisclosed Amount

Gary & Elizabeth Broome
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

Lib and Tom Jones-Nunnenkamp
In Honor of Dr. Larry Mellichamp
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
$55.55

Julie Smith
In Memory of Rusty Page
$55.55

Anonymous
In Honor of North Carolina Native Plants
Undisclosed Amount

Richard Lejk
$200.55

Judy Walker
Undisclosed Amount

Patrick Ambrose
$55.55

Carla Vitez
In Honor of UNCC BG staff
Undisclosed Amount

Glenda Steel
$55.55

Roger Callaway
$55.55

Patrick Reinbold
In Memory of Ellie
$100.55

Theresa Morr
In Honor of The wonderful and dedicated staff and volunteers at the Botanical Garden
$55.55

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
$20.55

Dave Frantzreb
$55.55

Bronwyn Jarsocrak
Undisclosed Amount

Christina Wright
In Memory of Betty Wright
$100

Debra Smith
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
In Memory of Elizabeth Jacobs
Undisclosed Amount

Tim Rogers
Undisclosed Amount

Moira Klein
$55.55

Richard Hechenbleikner
In memory of my late father, Herbert, and in honor of Larry Mellichamp
$100.55

Trevor and Mary Duke
$100.55

Annette Dean
$55.55

Heike Biller
$55.55

Beth Boaz
$55.55

Debarati Dutta
In Honor of Our farmer and gardener friends who nurture our bodies and souls
$55.55

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

Benjamin Leder
$55

Christen Hoover
In Honor of Meredith Hebden
$20.55

Lee Ann Parker
$55.55

Anonymous
$55.55

Cathy Nechin
In Memory of John Applegit and Anne Close
$55.55

William Donaldson
$55.55

Curt Walton
$100.55

Shawn Villalpando
In Honor of TLM
$300

Nancy Gutierrez
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
$55.55

Larry and Audrey Mellichamp
$100.55

Anonymous
$100.55

Anonymous
Undisclosed Amount

Charles Pinkston
In Honor of Central Lake Norman Golden Boys
$30

Louis Eubanks
$100.55

Kathryn Jones
Undisclosed Amount

Anonymous
$250

John Denti
$100.55

Richard Lejk
$100.55

Tatia Prieto
$20.55

Trina Rumfelt
In Memory of Nikkie Seabolt, for always showing the beauty of a garden
$20.55

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – November 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-november-2021/ Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:18:25 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=11126
From left to right: Chinsoy azalea (Azalea x satzuki ‘Chinsoy’), Nandina (Nandina domestica), Camellia ‘Bert Jones’ (Camellia sasanqua ‘Bert Jones’), Camellia ‘Mine-No-Yuki’ (Camellia sasanqua ‘Mine-No-Yuki’), Sweetheart Tree (Euscaphis japonica), Camellia ‘Shishi Gashira’ (Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishi Gashira’), Camellia ‘Pink Icicle’ (Camellia japonica ‘Pink Icicle’), Fatsia (Fatsia japonica)
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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens: August 9, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-august-9-2021/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 13:30:49 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10810

From left to right: Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Pentas (Pentas lanceolata), Blanket flower (Gaillardia), Monkey grass (Liriope), Chinese abelia (Linnaea chinensi), Anemone (Anemone), Cestrum (Cestrum), Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana).

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Volunteer at the Barton Creek Native Meadow https://gardens.charlotte.edu/volunteer-at-the-barton-creek-native-meadow/ Mon, 09 Aug 2021 13:23:10 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10807

Join us this Saturday, August 14, at the Barton Creek Native Meadow, a partnership with the NC Native Plant Society and University City Partners. Adults and teens are welcome to volunteer to pull weeds and mulch!

Sign up required. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d4ba9ab2babf49-barton1

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What’s Blooming in the Gardens: July 30, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-blooming-in-the-gardens-july-30-2021/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:45:26 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10785
From left to right: Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Zinnia (Zinnia elegans), Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), Sweetheart tree (Euscaphis japonica), Nodding onion (Allium cernuum), Mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeeana)
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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – July 19, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-july-19-2021/ Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:07:10 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10743
From left to right: Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Ruby Spice Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’), Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Narrow-leaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), Phlox (Phlox)

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Flower Encounters: Online Botanical Art Exhibit Winners Announced https://gardens.charlotte.edu/flower-encounters-online-botanical-art-exhibit-winners-announced/ Wed, 07 Jul 2021 19:14:01 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10657

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2020-2021 Bigleaf Magnolia Art and Garden Festival‘s online botanical art exhibit: “Flower Encounters.”

You can see all accepted entries in the online exhibit by clicking this link.


Grand Prize Winner (awarded $300 and a Family Membership to the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens):

Look for the Rainbow
36×48 inches, Oil
Natalia Leigh

About the artist:

Natalia Leigh is a contemporary realist painter who lives and works in Kannapolis North Carolina. Her distinctive personal style emanates love to the nature and optimistic attitude to life. Natalia likes to paint with oil on canvas, sometimes on black canvas. Most of her paintings look like a view from the window. As the artist explains, “I am a storyteller, I invite you to look out of the window of your soul and see how beautiful the world around is.”

Natalia was born in Europe and drew pictures from her childhood. She started to paint in oil on canvas since 1990. In 2005 she moved to USA for a better life and started to display her Art in local Art Galleries of North Carolina since 2016.

Natalia’s artwork has been shown in her solo exhibition in Mooresville Art Gallery, Yadkinville and Morganton North Carolina. She is award winner of several local art contests and shows. In December 2018 Natalia Leigh received President’s Choice award for outstanding work in the visual arts from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Presently Natalia works as a nurse and painting pictures in her spare time in her own studio in Kannapolis.

You can visit Natalia’s website here.


Merit Awards (awarded a Family Membership to the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens):

Sphinx Moon
17×12 inches, Discarded herbarium sample, colored pencil, watercolor
Amy Wendland

About the artist:

Amy K. Wendland received her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, and an MA and MFA in Graphics from University of Wisconsin, Madison. Amy worked commercially as an artist and designer, with projects ranging from book covers and advertisements to logo design and museum exhibit drawings. After a decade of freelancing, Ms. Wendland switched her focus to fine art, concentrating on mixed media works on paper and sculpture. Her artwork typically utilizes a combination of humor, offbeat materials and obsessive craft. Ms. Wendland lives in Durango, Colorado where she serves as an Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Art at Fort Lewis College.

You can see Amy’s website here.

Summer Prelude
21×31 inches, Soft Pastel 
Toni Lindahl

About the artist:

Toni Lindahl holds a Masters Degree from New York University and has resided in North Carolina for forty-six years. Her pastels have won numerous awards in national and international juried exhibitions. She is a member of Women Artists of America, The Degas Pastel Society, a signature member of The Pastel Society of North Carolina and was awarded the title of Master Pastelist from the Pastel Society of America. She has been included in Who’s Who in American Art and her work has been published in The Best of Pastels, Portrait Inspirations, and Floral Inspirations by Rockport Publishers. Her work was featured in Pratique Des Arts in France. Her paintings are in numerous private and corporate collections including Glaxo, R.J.R. Tobacco, Steelcase, Sheraton and Hilton Hotels, Lowe’s Companies, and Duke University.

You can see Toni’s website here.

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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens, July 6, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-july-6-2021/ Tue, 06 Jul 2021 14:23:13 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10643

Pictured above (from left to right): Firecracker plant (Cuphea platocentra), Endless Hydrangea ‘Bloom Struck’ (Hydrangea macrophylla), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Shrubby St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum), Whiteflower leafcup (Polymnia canadensis), Plum leaf azalea (Phododendron prunifolium), Stokes aster (Stokesia laevis ‘Color Wheel’), Dwarf oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Sikes dwarf’)

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Update- Now FULL: Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day 2021 – September 18 Guided Tour https://gardens.charlotte.edu/smithsonians-magazines-museum-day-2021-september-18-guided-tour/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:39:03 +0000 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=10610

**Update 9/7/21: Please note this tour is now FULL. To join the wait list, email Christen Hoover at choove10@uncc.edu **

Join April Faucette for a free guided tour through McMillan Greenhouse and the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens to celebrate Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day 2021. Tour is limited to 20 participants. MUST register beforehand by emailing Christen Hoover at choove10@uncc.edu.

All participants will meet at McMillan Greenhouse, 9090 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC 28262 at 9:45 a.m. to begin the tour.
Parking is available in the 5 spaces adjacent to the Greenhouse, or guests can use the free weekend only parking in East Deck 1 or Lot 5.

For more information about Museum Day, visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2021/

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Director’s Report May 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/directors-report-may-2021/ Wed, 02 Jun 2021 18:21:46 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10525

Read news from Dr. Jeff Gillman HERE!

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Director-s-Report-May-2021.html?soid=1104539806581&aid=8Qukk3kX4Yc

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What’s In Bloom 5-26-2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-5-26-2021/ Wed, 26 May 2021 17:07:42 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10478
Top row (from left to right): Lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), White zinnia (Zinnia linearis), Flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)
Bottom row (from left to right): Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica)

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Polly Rogers Memorial Sensory Garden Now Open https://gardens.charlotte.edu/polly-rogers-memorial-sensory-garden-now-open/ Wed, 26 May 2021 14:48:39 +0000 https://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10475

The Polly Rogers Memorial Sensory Garden officially opened to the public on Saturday, May 22, 2021. To learn more about Polly and her garden, click here: https://gardens.uncc.edu/polly-rogers-memorial-sensory-garden/

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Spring Sale Now Open to the Public! https://gardens.charlotte.edu/spring-sale-now-open-to-the-public/ Mon, 05 Apr 2021 11:27:03 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10401

Shop now through 4/12: https://ecom.uncc.edu/C21561_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=234&SINGLESTORE=true

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Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow https://gardens.charlotte.edu/barton-creek-greenway-native-meadow/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 17:07:29 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10363

Looking for a way to get outside and volunteer? Come join us October 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow!

This community native plant project is a partnership between the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens (design, plant acquisition and coordination), the University City Partners (funding, coordination and leadership), and the North Carolina Native Plant Society – Southern Piedmont Chapter (installation).

This volunteer opportunity is for adults and teens (accompanied by a legal adult guardian only). Bring your own personal gloves, small shovel, trowel, kneeling pads, and wear comfortable gardening attire. Plan to park in one of the large parking lots at Shoppes at University Place.

Please note- All participants must sign a release with Mecklenburg County to assist. We are also currently requiring in-person volunteers to be fully vaccinated and complete a vaccination attestation form. 

Can’t make it this time? We’ll have more opportunities like this coming up, so check back for similar projects in the future along the Greenway here!

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What’s In Bloom: March 12, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-march-12-2021/ Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:14:52 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10359
Top row (from left to right): Edgeworthia chyrsantha, Camellia japonica, Witch-hazel.
Bottom row (from left to right): Hellebore (Lenten rose), Bloodroot, Hellebore (Lenten roses)

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What’s In Bloom – February 25, 2021 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-february-25-2021/ Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:14:15 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=10297

What’s blooming? Hellebores! Check out our Instagram account for the most recent pictures of what’s blooming in the Outdoor Gardens. This is a four season garden, and there’s always something new to see each week!

Come discover the magic yourself: the Outdoor Gardens are open from sunrise to sunset every day and admission is always FREE!

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Director’s Report – August 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/directors-report-august-2020/ Mon, 17 Aug 2020 15:58:02 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9935

Click here to read news from Dr. Jeff Gillman : https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Director-s-Report-August-2020.html?soid=1104539806581&aid=LhRv1lci63I

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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens and Glen – March 25, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-and-glen-march-25-2020/ Wed, 25 Mar 2020 17:11:07 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9537

Top row (from left to right): Euphorbia, Rhododendron, Redbud

Bottom row (from left to right): Columbine, Mountain silverbell, Red buckeye

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Coronavirus Update https://gardens.charlotte.edu/coronavirus-update/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 23:55:44 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9468
(UPDATE 5/12/2020 – The grounds of the Gardens remain open. Please follow all local regulations and recommendations for traveling outside of the home, and maintain proper social distancing in the Gardens. The McMillan Greenhouse is CLOSED until further notice. There are no indoor facilities or restrooms open at this time.)


Friday, March 13, 2020

Good afternoon, 

At this time, in accordance with University decisions regarding COVID-19 and social gatherings, we are putting into place the following plan to be implemented on Sunday, March 15, and lasting through Monday, April 16. 

The health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and community friends remain UNC Charlotte’s top priority. As the situation around coronavirus rapidly evolves, the Botanical Gardens’ leadership will continue to work thoughtfully with University administration to determine next steps and will update this plan each Monday as necessary. 

Visitors and Group Tours
– The grounds of the Botanical Gardens will remain open as a restorative place of beauty.
(UPDATE 3/16/2020- the McMillan Greenhouse is CLOSED until further notice)
– Group tours that are currently booked will be rescheduled or refunded.
– Groups can still request tours for future dates at https://gardens.uncc.edu/visiting-the-gardens/group-tours/

Volunteers
– Gardens’ volunteering opportunities are suspended until further notice.  

Classes 
– (UPDATE 3/17/2020 Classes through May 14 will be postponed and/or will be delivered remotely. Registrants will be contacted with more details.) 
– Any students registered for a postponed class will be notified of the change and their registration will automatically carry to the new date(s)
– Any students registered for a cancelled class will be notified of the change and be given the option of full credit for a future class or a full refund.
– For students who choose to withdraw from a class (either original dates or postponed dates), we are changing our normal 21 day cancellation policy for classes, to a full refund with 3 days notice of cancellation. 
– If any currently registered student wishes to cancel their registration for any reason, they may do so up until the day of the class and receive full credit towards a future class. 
– If you are exhibiting symptoms of a cold or the flu, please stay home.

Events
– All Gardens’ events are cancelled through April 16. 
– We are working diligently to determine how to successfully modify later events, including our Plant Sale, to keep our visitors’ health and safety our top priority.
– We will release details about these events as decisions are made.

Photography Sessions and Ceremonies
– We are still accepting photography and ceremony reservations for future dates through the form on our website at https://gardens.uncc.edu/visiting-the-gardens/photographers-and-ceremonies/

Thank you for your patience and continued support of the Gardens as we navigate this rapidly changing situation. We will share further updates as they are available. 

Sincerely, 
Jeff Gillman, Director, Botanical Gardens

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – March 13, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-march-13-2020/ Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:55:44 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9475

From left to right: Hellebore, Sunset Witchhazel, Saucer magnolia ‘Little Girl,’ Andromeda ‘Temple Bells,’ Camellia ‘Night Rider,’ Fothergilla Gardenii, Giant Enkianthus, Camellia ‘Governor Mouton’

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What’s in Bloom in the Greenhouse – March 6, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-greenhouse-march-6-2020/ Thu, 05 Mar 2020 15:04:18 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9337

Top row (from left to right): Jade (Crassula ovata), Bush lily (Clivia miniata), Amaryllis

Bottom row (from left to right): Orchid (Brassia Digbyana x Cattleya Picasso) Bulbophyllum orchid (Bulbophyllum picturatum), Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium thyrsiflorum)

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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens – February 28, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-february-28-2020/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:03:52 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9331

From left to right: Camellia ‘Professor Sargent,’ Buttercup Winterhazel, Hellebore, Camellia ‘April Remembered,’ Witchhazel, Bridalwreath Spirea, Camellia ‘Edith,’ Stachyurus

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What’s Blooming in the Greenhouse – February 21, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-blooming-in-the-greenhouse-february-21-2020/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:45:49 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9298

Top row (from left to right): Paphiopedilum Winston Churchill ‘Indomitable’ x Paphiopedilum California Girl ‘Free Spirit,’ Degarmoara Shibumi ‘Purple Rain,’ Paphipedilum Berenice

Bottom row (from left to right): Dendrobium nobile Hagaromo ‘Spring Fuji,’ Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium San Francisco ‘St.Donald’

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – February 14, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-february-14-2020/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:35:43 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9295

From left to right: Camellia ‘Empress Supreme,’ Pink Spirea, Camellia ‘Chandelier Elegans,’ Primavera Witchhazel, Camellia ‘Night Rider,’ Andromeda ‘Temple Bells,’ Camellia ‘Carters Sunburst,’ Hellebore

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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens – February 7, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-february-7-2020/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:33:27 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9291

From left to right: Camellia ‘Professor Sargent,’ Japanese Cornel Dogwood, Flowering Quince, Camellia ‘Grace Albritton,’ Okame Flowering Cherry, Fragrant Paperbush, Camellia ‘Adeyaka,’ Witch Hazel ‘Jelena’

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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens – January 31, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-january-31-2020/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:30:18 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9288

From left to right: Camellia ‘Crimson Candles,’ Hellebore, Camellia ‘Governor Mouton,’ Japanese Andromeda ‘Temple Bells,’ Camellia ‘Higo,’ Fragrant Paperbush, Camellia ‘Tama-no-Ura,’ First Lady Cherry

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – January 17, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-january-17-2020/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:27:20 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9157

From left to right: Camellia ‘Tricolor Red’, Fragrant Paperbush, Camellia ‘Tamo-No-Ura’, Japanese Apricot, Camellia ‘Fashionata’, Texas Scarlet Quince, Camellia ‘Chalers’ Elegans’, Witchhazel ‘Jelena’

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens – January 2, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-january-2-2020/ Thu, 02 Jan 2020 20:14:37 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9088
Camellias! From left to right: Professor Sargent, Willie Hite, Cherries Jubilee, Egao Corkscrew, Adeyaka, Debutant, Beckett’s Red, Governor Mouton.
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What’s in Bloom in the Greenhouse – January 2, 2020 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-greenhouse-january-2-2020/ Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:50:29 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9082
Top row (from left to right): Flame bush (Calliandra tweedii), Catasetum orchid (Catasetum ‘Dapper Dots’ sanguineum x pileatum), Orchid (Brassocattleya Maikai ‘Louise’)
Bottom row (from left to right: Cymbidium orchid (unknown variety), Orchid (Laelia rubescens), Jewel orchid (Ludisia discolor)

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What’s In Bloom in the Gardens and Glen 12/5/19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-and-glen-12-5-19/ Thu, 05 Dec 2019 18:53:24 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=9036
From left to right: Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide,’ Morella cerifera ‘Dons Dwarf,’ Camellia japonica ‘Willie Hite,’ Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick ( Corylus avallena ‘Contorta’), Camellia sasanqua ‘Beckett’s Red,’ Camellia x ‘Winter’s Star,’ Yellow-berried American Holly (Ilex opaca ‘Fallow’), Camellia sasanqua ‘Misty Morn’
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What’s Blooming in the Greenhouse 11-21-19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-blooming-in-the-greenhouse-11-21-19/ Thu, 21 Nov 2019 17:58:38 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8917
Top row (from left to right): Blue Ginger (Dichorisandra), Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus speciosus), White Desert Rose (Adenium)
Bottom row (from left to right): Vanda Orchid (Vanda ‘Josephine Van Brero’ x Vanda ‘Kultana Ruby Red‘), Vanda Orchid (Vanda ‘Sansai Blue’), Cattlya Orchid (Cattleya ‘Bowbell x Snowberry‘)
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What’s in Bloom in the Gardens November 14, 2019 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-gardens-november-14-2019/ Thu, 14 Nov 2019 20:28:04 +0000 http://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=8839
1. Azalea ‘Autumn Royalty’
2. Goldenrod
3. Camellia ‘Midnight Lover’
4. Coastal Tickseed
5. Camellia ‘Pink Icicle’
6. Mums
7. Camellia ‘Yuletide’
8. Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’
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What’s In Bloom in the Greenhouse November 7, 2019 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-greenhouse-november-7-2019/ Thu, 14 Nov 2019 20:25:34 +0000 http://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=8836 Top row (from left to right): Purple passion plant (Gynura aurantiaca), Grass of Parnassus (Parnassus caroliniana), Mussaenda (Mussaenda philippica ‘Queen Sirikit‘)

Bottom row (from left to right): Brazilian shamrock (Oxalis bowiei), Pink quill plant (Tillandsia cyanea), Million Dollar Oncidium orchid (Oncidium Sweet Sugar ‘Million Dollar’)

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Director’s Update September 2019 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/directors-update-september-2019/ Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:24:18 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8604
Director’s Report – September 2019: News from Dr. Jeff Gillman. Click image for full report.
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What’s in Bloom in the Greenhouse 9-19-19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-in-the-greenhouse-9-19-19/ Mon, 23 Sep 2019 18:34:42 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8592 Top row (left to right): White bat flower (Tacca integrifolia), Stanhope orchid (Stanhopea x jenishiana / nigroviolacea), Dark star orchid (Miltassia dark star ‘Darth Vader’)

Bottom row (left to right): Starfish flower (Stapelia gigantea), Habenaria orchid (Habenaria rhodocheila), Hildos orchid (Oncidium Mendenhall ‘Hildos’)

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What’s In Bloom 8-16-19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-8-16-19/ Mon, 26 Aug 2019 14:36:21 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8470 Top row (from left to right): Patrinia (Patrinia scabiosifolia), Pentas (Pentas lanceolata), Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Bottom row (from left to right): Rose Mallow / Swamp Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), Brown eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

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Featured Article: “A Visit to the Gardens” by UNC Charlotte Journalism Student Ariyanna Smith https://gardens.charlotte.edu/featured-article-a-visit-to-the-gardens-by-unc-charlotte-journalism-student-ariyanna-smith/ Tue, 30 Jul 2019 12:55:37 +0000 http://gardens.charlotte.edu/?p=8363 A Visit to the Gardens
by Ariyanna Smith

A gravel path swoops down a steep hill to the main entrance of the Susie Harwood Garden, where a smooth dirt trail replaces the rocky path. A four-foot tall sky blue hydrangea plant in full bloom greets guests at the entrance, luring them further into the garden with its beauty. A patch of pink, heart-shaped flowers look so bright they could be glowing. Metal name tags of the plants jut up from the dark soil; the pink flowers are called Caladiums. From here, the garden turns into a maze of facts and color awaiting discovery.

The gardens are split into three separate sections: The Susie Harwood Garden, The Van Landingham Glen and The McMillan Greenhouse. The Glen is the oldest of the three, founded in 1966 by UNC Charlotte’s founder, Bonnie E. Cone, and Herbert Hechenbleikner, a biology professor. There are tributes to these pioneers inside the woodland. Cone’s ashes are buried within the woods and a small log cabin near the north entrance is dedicated to Hechenbleikner.

Large ferns line the paths in the Glen. Cardinals fly from tree to tree above while squirrels forage on the ground below. Beams of light shine down on the trails, between the canopies of treetops. The area is almost entirely composed of trees and plant species native to the Charlotte region. The striking, violet Rhododendrons are the only exception, which were introduced to The Glen during its formation. There are several hammock stands, benches and picnic tables scattered throughout this garden.
The Harwood Garden is composed of several small exhibits stitched together with rambling flower beds. It is located on the other side of the gravel path. The first major section is the Water Garden which houses aquatic plants nurtured by the expansive pond located in the center of the garden. A Bigleaf Magnolia can be spotted in the area, a rare tree with deep green leaves 10 inches in length. A lean, stone bench rests on an incline above the pond offering a view of the water and the surrounding vegetation. This is one of Director Jeff Gillman’s favorite places in the Gardens.

The soothing swoosh of the waterfall isn’t the only thing that draws him to this spot. Gillman is a horticulturist who is more interested in the people who visit the garden than the plants. He explains that he enjoys watching visitors interact with the gardens and seeing which plants they are attracted to and how they react to certain arrangements. Referring to his favorite areas in the gardens, he says, “there are places where I can sit and see what’s going on. I like to just sit and watch people move through… I really enjoy those places.” His personal mission is to strengthen the relationship between people and plants. According to the gardens’ website, its mission is to “Inspire a love for plants and nature through programming, classes, and botanical displays.” The two goals are certainly compatible. He and his team have come up with a variety of ways to accomplish this mission. He says slyly, “sometimes you have to hide the plant in there, it’s not always about putting it right in front of a person.”

Programming and educational courses are instrumental. Staff members teach courses on a range of topics including native plant studies and gardening for adult learners. For the younger crowd, upcoming events like, “Stories in the Woods” and the “Carnivorous Carnival” intend to spark children’s interest in plants. Social media, along with a regularly updated podcast called “The Plants We Eat,” keep the community engaged on a digital platform.

A narrow wooden bridge connects the Water garden to the third section, the Asian Gardens. The winding dirt path is replaced by square rock slabs embedded in the ground. The cluttered rows of plants and vines disappear beyond the Moon Gate, a circular stone structure. A sign at the entrance of the garden states, “the Asian Gardens are an expression of ancient beliefs about the nature of the world and the human place in this world.” This area mimics the style of Chinese, Japanese and Korean gardens by evoking yin and yang through the use of vegetation, stone and water. Large, grey sculptures made from stacked boulders are juxtaposed with the lively, lime-colored leaves of a Japanese Bonsai tree. Small, tan rocks are crammed together in a meandering pattern to mimic a river running through the display. Harmony is the guiding principle; trees and stones are presented as complementary elements instead of opposites. This portion of the garden is a community favorite.

In the summer months, the number of visitors to the gardens fluctuates without the steady flow of students on campus. Michael Grogan is one of the few people browsing the Harwood garden on this quiet Tuesday afternoon. He spent the majority of his visit snapping photos of the rock sculptures in the Asian Garden. He says his favorite area is the gazebo because, “It allows me to view everything from an elevated vantage point.” This is his first visit to the gardens in 27 years. He attended UNC Charlotte in 1988, but an illness forced him to drop out during his senior year in 1992. He finally returned to school this summer and decided to take a stroll through the gardens in between his classes, curious about how it has changed. He struggles to find the words to explain his feelings, overwhelmed by the growth. He manages to compliment the design of the trails saying, “They make the gardens feel less confined.”

While Grogan reflects on the past, Gillman is across the street in the Greenhouse classroom writing grants to secure the gardens’ future. “Money is the biggest issue,” he says, “We have a very small operating budget.” Fortunately, his staff knows how to do a lot with a little. Two new projects are currently in development. The Polly Rogers Memorial Sensory Garden will be an interactive garden geared toward children with autism. The garden is named after Polly Rogers, a UNC Charlotte student and aspiring special education teacher who died last spring. The second project is the Heritage Trail, a showcase of crops grown in the Carolinas from the pre-European era to present day. The Urban Institute and Dr. Ashli Stokes from the communications studies department are teaming up with the gardens’ staff to create this exhibit. There is no official opening date for either project yet.

The Glen and the Harwood Garden include relics of the university’s past and showcase a burning desire to brighten the future. A trip to the lush gardens is a must for anyone visiting the campus.

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What’s In Bloom 6-20-19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-6-20-19/ Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:55:52 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8274 Top row (from left to right): St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Bottom row (from left to right): Black stem hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’), Double flowered Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’), Brown Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)

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Contest Winners Announced! https://gardens.charlotte.edu/contest-winners-announced/ Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:34:13 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8243 Bigleaf Magnolia Art and Garden Festival 2019

We are pleased to announce the winners of our “Through Butterfly Eyes” Macrophotography and Garden totem contest!

See the full lists at the links below:

Click here to see 2019 Photography Contest Winners

Click here to see 2019 Garden Totem Winners

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What’s In Bloom 5-30-19 https://gardens.charlotte.edu/whats-in-bloom-5-30-19/ Thu, 30 May 2019 17:38:07 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=8201

From left to right: Pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) , Orange Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Bishop’s Weed (Houttuynia cordata), Horse Mint (Blephilia ciliata), Blanket Flower (Gaillardia), Phlox (Phlox), White Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

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Remembrance Stones https://gardens.charlotte.edu/remembrance-stones/ Mon, 06 May 2019 16:17:41 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=7905

Beginning Monday, May 6, and continuing through Sunday, May 19, space and materials will be available for the UNC Charlotte community and the general public to leave messages, artwork, memories, and prayers on river stones in the Gardens. The materials for creating these remembrance stones will be at the entrance to the Susie Harwood Gardens.

These stones can be left along the edges of the Gardens’ paths.

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Update- Gardens reopened https://gardens.charlotte.edu/gardens-closed-wednesday-5-1/ Wed, 01 May 2019 11:44:22 +0000 http://gardens.uncc.edu/?p=7879

Edit 5/2: The Gardens and Greenhouses will reopen today, Thursday, May 2, and resume normal operating hours. Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. We are working on ways to memorialize Riley and Reed. In the meantime, we hope that #NinerNation and the Charlotte community will find solace and healing here in the Gardens.

(Pictured here: a memorial we found by the pond in the Susie Harwood Gardens this morning)

All of us at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are heartbroken by yesterday evening’s horrific events. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and also with #NinerNation as we all grieve and process.

The Gardens will be closed today, Wednesday, May 1, along with the rest of the University. All scheduled events through Sunday will be postponed. Continue to check in here for further information on affected hours.

We believe that nature is a great healer, and as soon as we can reopen, we will welcome you all to bring your broken hearts in to be comforted by the beauty and peace of this place.

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