Dear Fellow Gardeners,
The Brunswick County Extension Master GardenersSM Volunteer Association invites the public to its Third Annual Open House on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon. The Botanical Demonstration Garden is in the Brunswick County Government Complex at 25 Referendum Drive (next to Building N) in Bolivia, NC. Parking is in the rear of Building N where access is closest to the gardens.
A visit to the Demonstration Garden during the Open House provides the best opportunity to explore many of the plant options suitable for this area. An Extension Master Gardener will be posted in each of the garden spaces. For instance, if you have questions or need ideas about what to plant to enhance your home’s entrance, we have lots of ideas in the side-by-side Sunny and Shady Curb Appeal Gardens.
Our Edible Landscape Design Garden can also suggest plants to enhance a front yard by ‘sneaking in’ vegetables and fruits where least expected. At least one part of every plant in this garden, be it leaf, fruit, root, stem, or flower, can provide food and at the same time augment your landscape’s beauty.
Many of our gardens provide education too. If you are interested in learning more about native plants here in southeast North Carolina, you should visit the Sunny Native and the Shady Native Gardens. And our Pollinator Walk Garden not only draws butterflies and bees, but you will be attracted as well. Just across the bridge, the Discovery Garden teaches about plant identification with its ‘Bottle Trees’ and invites all to take a fun trip through its native honeysuckle tunnel.
The Micro Climate Garden provides instant understanding of how sun, shade and temperature can affect the same plant. Check out the thermometers on each side of the garden. Rain Gardens have been in the news lately, and we have two featured. Come learn how a Rain Garden can not only solve your water run-off problems but look attractive while doing it.
Many folks are told roses do not grow here in the coastal heat and humidity, but you will find more than 40 varieties in the Rose Garden, including drift roses, hybrid teas, floribundas and knock outs, many also providing outstanding fragrance. Be sure to stop and . . . well you know what to do.
For ideas and suggestions to add relaxation to your garden, be sure to stop by the Reflection Garden with its Asian-inspired waterfall and small pond. Another great restful spot is on the bench under the shade in the Live Oak Garden surrounded by hydrangeas and camellias. If you are thinking about putting in a few azaleas, the Azalea Garden has so many Encore Azaleas in bloom that your color decision will be made easier.
Occasionally you can find a small wedding under way in the Celebration Garden, but it is enjoyed year-round for its white and green color scheme. And right next door is the Fragrance Garden — full of wonderful seasonal scents to entice you to linger longer.
The Welcome Garden is in transition. Because Covid-19 affected us all, including our Demonstration Garden, the Extension office no longer has access through its back door for safety reasons. So, we needed to find a new purpose for this garden. Soon it will become the Pruning Garden and will provide a demonstration area for pruning trees and shrubs. We look forward to hosting pruning workshops again, and this garden is the perfect spot.
We look forward to hosting everyone at this Third Annual Open House. We pride ourselves on the level of information you will find available either through direct conversation with an Extension Master Gardener or by the plant identification stakes and garden signs now complete with QR-codes.
Soil sample test kits will be available, and a small selection of plants will be available for sale.
If you’re unable to attend and would like to know more about our gardens, we have videos available on the Master Gardeners You Tube channel. Or come another time during the week at daylight hours to visit the public Brunswick County Botanical Demonstration Garden.
For more information, email us at BCMGVAT@gmail.com
We hope to see you on October 22! Introduce yourself to us and tell us you are on our email list! Our Extension Master Gardeners will love meeting and talking with you!
Sincerely,
Wanda Maggart, President
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association