Hendersonville – Bullington Gardens, a 12-acre nonprofit horticultural education center at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail in Hendersonville, has recently been given a grant and a donation to upgrade and improve their facility. More visitors can enjoy the incredible dahlia garden, therapy garden, shade garden, butterfly garden, perennial borders, native woodland garden, pumpkin patch, herb garden, and delightful fairy garden trail.
The Tourism and Development Authority (TDA) has agreed to build new restroom facilities for Bullington Garden visitors. This grant was made in conjunction with gifts from Mary Louise Corn and Ray McKenzie-Wilson, longtime board members, as well as Wheels in the Woods, and will allow guests to enjoy modern and accessible facilities. The new restroom facilities were designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind and will be open by April 2023. The facilities will also be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to ensure that all visitors can access them.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from TDA,” said Annie Higgins, Administrative Director of Bullington Gardens. “These new restroom facilities will greatly enhance the experience for our visitors and allow us to better serve our community”. In addition, The Perry Rudnick Foundation has donated $17,050 to Bullington Gardens to increase and improve parking, which is needed due to increased visitation. “We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Perry N. Rudnick Foundation, a component of the Community Foundation of Henderson County,” said Annie Higgins, Administrative Director of Bullington Gardens. “Their gift will help us to add much-needed parking spaces and improve drainage in our existing parking lots.” The Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund is dedicated to supporting organizations that promote the arts, education, and community engagement. The Foundation’s gift will help improve visitor experience and add to safety during events, classes, and workshops. The Fairy Trail often requires guests to park on the grass. This new addition will offer guests new and better parking areas instead. “We are pleased to support Bullington and the important work they do in the community,” said McCray Benson, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Henderson County. “Their commitment to horticultural education and environmental stewardship is essential, and we hope our gift will help them to continue to grow and thrive.”
Spring Plant Sale April 27-April 29, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The annual plant sale offers a wide selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Here is an opportunity to find unusual varieties that are often not found in a local store. As you shop, Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions. All proceeds from this sale go to Bullington’s mission to inspire children and adults in horticulture, the natural sciences, and integrated disciplines. This year, Bullington has paid special attention to balancing the reliability of tried-and-true varieties with the novelty of new offerings. Bullington’s horticultural experts aspired to grow unusual trees that have a proven history in Western North Carolina, such as the Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). This understory tree once grew widely in North America and Europe before becoming extinct. Since 1865, it has been grown in specialty nurseries, arboretums, and gardens. The species Bullington offers, C. japonicum ‘Claim Jumper,’ has golden, heart-shaped foliage and matures to 30 feet high and 15 feet wide. Its special bonus is the delightful cotton candy smell it produces in the fall.
Perennials are always welcome in a garden as they come back year after year. Some of the reliable, favorite perennials are making a comeback with new and improved cultivars. ‘Ultraviolet’ phlox, ‘Pink-a-Blue’ pulmonaria, and ‘Ballerina Pink’ salvia from the Fashionista Collection are new introductions this year. Unique herbs and vegetable starts, such as Poamoho Dark Eggplant, Chocolate Pear tomato (a perfect size for snacking), and Jimmy Nardello pepper, will also be available.
As a partner with Bee City USA, Bullington Gardens promotes native plants for the health of pollinators. As many know, worldwide pollinator populations are shrinking at an alarming rate, and all gardeners are being asked to respond to this crisis. It is vital that they garden to help the pollinators survive. The plant sale will feature Callicarpa (beautyberry), Calycanthus, Aronia, and Rhododendron, plus many other native perennials that benefit bees and butterflies.
In fact, a Pollinator Exploration Kit for educators, camp counselors, childcare professionals, and summer pro 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.ram leaders is available and can be picked up at Bullington Gardens. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Numerous Gardening Events
Perhaps some of you have heard that many of the landscape methods in common practice have negative environmental repercussions. Pollinators could easily be helped if only gardeners would change their ways, and some of the suggestions are quite surprising. Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show, Steve Pettis, is offering a couple of hours on environmentally friendly landscaping on May 4th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Other events include Plant Propagation for Beginners on May 24th, Identifying Trees and Shrubs on June 8th, Floral Design 101 on June 13th, and Gardening for Pollinators on July 13th. Steve Pettis will discuss the importance of beneficial insects and pollinators and how to garden for their benefit. Then he will lead a pollinator walk through the Bullington Garden grounds.
The Delightful and Unique Fairy Garden Trail
This popular attraction that brings thousands of visitors to the Bullington Gardens is open from June 1 through August 31, 2023, with no entry fee. The whimsical, winding Fairy Trail brings smiles to all ages as they view the “wee” little houses and the tiny creatures nearby or inside the home. Once you’ve been on the trail, you can easily understand its charm. One must keep in mind that the winding path is on natural, somewhat hilly ground, making it difficult for rolling carriages.
A unique fundraising event is taking place this year that allows visitors to bid on ten specially designed fairy doors. The Interactive Sponsorship Doors have been embellished by volunteers, staff, and fairy ambassadors and feature a variety of whimsical and creative designs, including drawbridges, country cabins, nature themes, and unicorns. Visitors will have the opportunity to bid on their favorite fairy door or buy it outright if they fall in love with one and have to have it. The Virtual Fairy Door Auction provides an exclusive and exciting way for visitors to take home a piece of the Fairy Trail and support the project financially. For more information, visit bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104.