Botanical Gardens offer a chance to reconnect with nature. Like bears, it sometimes feels that we spend the majority of winter inside hibernating. There is no reason for this. Even in winter, there is much to appreciate in a southern garden – berries, bark, structure, and even flowers. Botanical gardens allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature even in these colder months. In an effort to help us appreciate what Mother Nature provides us, I thought I'd list several of the gardens in the Charlotte region:
- The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens on the banks of Lake Wylie is featuring its Orchid Spectacular through March 14, 2011. While the orchids are on display at the conservatory, there is also an exhibit of Jamie Kirkells paintings, Jewels on Silk through March 5th. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.dsbg.org/
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens (McMillan Greenhouse) features nature trails, a large rhododendron collection, a winter garden, and a greenhouse with an orchid collection. On February 27, 2011, they will hold a Winter Walk and Plant Sale. And it's free. For more information, see below or access their website at http://gardens.uncc.edu/.
- The Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary off Ridgewood Avenue in Charlotte was initially the private gardens of Elizabeth Lawrence and Eddie and Elizabeth Clarkson. Together they made Ridgewood Avenue one of the most famous addresses in Southern garden history. Wing Haven features three acres of formal gardens and controlled natural areas with focus on attracting birds; roses, wildflowers, herbs, ferns, and a woodland garden. For more information, see the website at http://www.winghavengardens.com/.
- The Hezekiah Alexander Homesite
features a period 18th century-style herb and weavers gardens on the grounds of the Revolutionary War era home that is Mecklenburg County's oldest surviving structure. http://www.charlottemuseum.org/
- The Historic Mill Hill Plantain Gardens are another group of period-style gardens in Concord featuring a formal garden, a white garden, a secret garden, an Anglo-Chinese garden, and a historic plantation home. For more information, call 704-786-3990. It is located at 7117 Stirewalt Road (Hwy. 136) in Concord.
Even if plants are not your passion, it is still nice to take the time to decompress and relax among the tranquility (and beauty) that nature can afford us. Keep in mind that these gardens are more than just flowers. Most offer exhibits, events and workshops guaranteed to enrich the lives of budding horticulturists everywhere. So don't let winter keep you inside. Check out these gardens. You never know, maybe it will inspire us for spring! It's just around the corner!
Thanks,
The AA Tex Lawn Team
