The summer ended setting many records. The fairies continued to delight with their trail magic and many visitors reported seeing glimpses of the fairies darting about the trees. In 2020, we had roughly 6,000 visitors to the fairies. By 2021, that number grew to 8,000. This year saw over 12,000 visitors to the gardens from June through August. Those visitors came from 25 different countries and within the US from 44 states. Our new Garden Gift Shop opened on the second weekend of June and offered unique garden and fairy gifts, as well as limited plants. It had been in the plans since 2012, and this year was the right time to make it happen.

The social calendar opened from mid-August until mid-October and offered guests the opportunity to have private events under the pavilion. These ‘Wee Wine and Dahlia’ events gave supporters the chance to enjoy the gardens after hours, and there was even a family reunion that gathered. The dahlias were the perfect backdrop to their family photos under the setting sun. This year's dahlias were lovingly cared for in honor of the late Brian Killingsworth, who led the dahlia team for years. 

A festive Volunteer Appreciation Social, complete with live music, dinner and drinks offered all of the volunteers who lovingly gave their time over the year a chance to sit back and be appreciated. Volunteer Barbara Qualls organized the festive event. A big thank you to the community partners who donated the food. 

For the first time since 2007, Bullington was gifted a Downtown Bear. The bear was purchased by Kathy and Tom Snell for their new mountain top home. When they lovingly named the bear Flora, they didn’t realize the significance of the name being that of Bob and Sally’s Nursery, Flora Knolls.

Along with celebrations, Bullington had losses. Longtime volunteer and supporter, Ken Plummer. You can read more about him in Steve Pettis' article in this newsletter. He was an avid volunteer and supporter of Bullington and the Cooperative Extension, and will be missed by those who knew and worked alongside him. 

And now, we look forward to our last event of the year, our annual holiday sale. Once again, we’ll offer local trees, garland and unique hand-decorated wreaths. We’ll also have an in-person event that features the most popular Bullington Christmas Gnome. We hope to see you all in person to wish you and yours the happiest of holidays.

Special thanks Kathy and Tom Snell (donors of the bear), and sponsors Gayle Cinke, Beverly and Jack Maniscalco, and Walt Slagle.

Sponsor of Wee Wine & Dahlias

Wild Birds Unlimited

St. Paul Winery

And Mr. Ken Plummer for his kindness, love, and generosity. Rest in Peace, Ken.

My Friend and Long Time Master Gardener, Ken Plummer

By Steve Pettis

The first time I really got to spend any time with Ken was at the Flat Rock Playhouse Gardens plant sale in 2018. I learned Ken was from New Jersey and had spent a career as a VA nurse. His long-time partner had passed away years earlier.

Ken spent his time designing and building homes in the Hendersonville area, living in one for two years then moving on to his next build. Each home build got more and more grand and his last home was on a mountain top in Dunroy. This he considered his crowning architectural achievement.

Ken was a dedicated Master Gardener. He loved his Master Gardener family and spent many happy days volunteering at Bullington Gardens. Ken made generous contributions to the organizations he loved, putting his money where his heart was before his passing. Once Ken came into our office and said, "That flagpole outside is a disgrace. It is leaning!" Every time he came in after that he mentioned the wonky flagpole.

After being diagnosed with cancer, Ken continued coming into the office to answer gardening calls, still complaining about the flagpole. One day, after working quietly in the Master Gardener office he came out with a receipt and announced that he had bought a new flagpole and asked that we make sure the county installed it. Happily, the county employees knowing time was of the essence, got the pole installed quickly. Ken was very proud of his flagpole and it was dedicated by County Commissioner Rebecca McCall and County Manager John Mitchell. Our office purchased a plaque to memorialize Ken's generosity.

Ken Plummer was a good man. My family became friends with Ken, too. Ken even hired my son Calvin to do some landscaping for him.

 Ken was diagnosed with cancer and he never once complained. Well, except for the prices of medical care! He just went through his treatments stoically and was an example to me how to face adversity. Ken passed peacefully recently and will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his ever present smile, his lighthearted manner and his generosity.

With the lack of rain this summer and fall, many of the plants here in the gardens showed their displeasure, and were slow and stunted in growth.  Wilting and drooping in plants like hydrangeas is common, but we also saw wilting.  Many o our plants also shed leaves early, turning yellow before they fell off. It isn’t to say that these plants won’t make a hearty rebound next year, but going into the winter, they’re weakened. 

Many plants in the garden are nearing the end of the growing season, and like us they begin to turn their attention towards next year’s seeds.   Showy seeds in our gardens include blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis). The Paperbush, (Edgeworthia) are just putting on their buds and we’re promised winter blooms.

The therapy gardens were changed out for the season and include Bailey’s Red Twig Dogwood, which we’ll plant after the winter, along with mums, red ‘Spring Matrix Rose Blotch’ pansies, and bulbs.  The bulbs, Glory of the Snow (Chionoxa luciliae) and Miniature ‘Tete a Tete’ Narcissi will emerge in early spring between the pansies and dogwood. Look for our tropical theme for next year’s summer garden. 

The amaryllis holiday bulbs are growing and will be ready for sale on December 2 & 3. Our two varieties, ‘Olaf’ and ‘Picasso’ will offer either a deep red or a white with soft pink edges for your winter centerpiece.

The fall has offered us a perfect time to replant areas of the gardens that have become unruly. Look for updates in the perennial garden, removing the Rugosa rose and juniper and replacing it with Duke's Garden Plum Yew and Dwarf Chaste shrub (Blue Diddley).

Brian came to Hendersonville in 2012(I believe) recently retired from his dahlia farm in Elijay, Georgia. Somehow Joellen found out and contacted him about the possibility of starting a garden at Bullington. How perfect was that! This would have been his 10th year growing dahlias at Bullington.

Brian had a long and lasting love of dahlias which began decades ago when he was stationed in Germany. After seeing a garden in the center of the small town they were living in he became intrigued and somewhat obsessed with dahlias. He brought that passion to Bullington and cultivated a stunning array of blooms every summer and fall. He enjoyed answering questions, encouraging gardeners and visitors to try growing them offering up lots of advice. Brian was always ready to share his knowledge, unhurried and thorough when talking dahlias. He was patient, inspiring and determined in teaching his “crew" and became affectionately known as the Dahlia Lama.

 As much as he loved dahlias he also loved Bullington. He believed in the mission, educating children and adults, the value and importance of gardening, the beauty of nature and the healing it provides. He would often say that being in the garden was like church for him, bringing him peace, beauty, wonder and comfort.

Just a few days before his passing Brian came to Bullington to sit in the warmth of the greenhouse surrounded by clumps of dahlias, his daughter Tory and many dear friends. Even though he was tired and weary he was uplifting and encouraging saying it was going to be a fine, beautiful garden this year. That was Brian. 

He is so missed but remembered with love and gratitude.

Kim Biggerstaff

Hello, All –

Bee City USA-Hendersonville kicked off fall with our “pollenteers” at the annual Apple Festival. Sharing a booth with the Henderson County Beekeepers and the NC Ag Extension Office, we heard many folks expressing their concern for our honey bees and native bees. With the falling of the leaves soon at hand, we emphasized that caring for these small keystone species does not end with providing flowers in the spring and summer. These tiny animals need us to “Leave the Leaves” and hollow stems (minimum length of 6 inches!) in which they pupate and overwinter. Many do, and some bees hibernate underground. Blow or rake leaves to an area where they can remain all winter so they can protect and allow cocoons, chrysalids and even some adult insects to complete their life cycles. Better yet to leave the leaves in place, wherever you can!

Bee City USA-Hendersonville also hosted with Blue Ridge Community College the film screening on October 20 of My Garden of a Thousand Bees. This imaginative documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Dohrn will take you on a surprising journey into the micro-world of native bees. During the lockdown in 2020, Martin rigged his extensive camera equipment to get up close and capture in slow-motion the bees in his tiny garden in Bristol, England. The story that unfolds is not to bee missed.

Introducing the film was Phyllis Stiles, Founder and Director Emerita of Bee City USA. She spoke to us about the film and the importance of our role in protecting these important invertebrates. Brannon Basham and Jill Jacobs of Spriggly’s Beescaping were on hand to field the question and answer session after the film. Carolina Bee Farm provided a honey-tasting, and folks enjoyed SkyTop Orchard cider as they visited Conserving Carolina, the Henderson County Beekeepers, Spriggly’s Beescaping and Bee City information tables. Door prizes of native plants were a big hit! If you were not able to attend the screening, you may access the video at: www.mygardenofathousandbees.com.

Bee City USA-Hendersonville will take a break from tabling events in November and December, to enjoy the holidays, family and friends. We will need volunteers for events next year, so please consider joining in for Garden Jubilee, the Apple Festival or maybe one of the farm markets. Bee City Leadership Team is always looking for new energy and ideas and is open to the community. If you are interested in learning more about us please email me at beecityhendersonville@gmail.com.

Bee blessed this holiday season and keep safe and warm!

Patrice German, Program Coordinator

How did you get involved with Bullington Gardens?

Bullington was one of the choices for new Master Grdeners to volunteer. I contacted Joellen and was invited to come and help out in the Fairy Garden.

Why do you volunteer?

I like people and I like to help. I’m a problem solver and love being involved.

Why do you choose to donate your time to Bullington? 

Bullington is so pretty and the people are wonderful. Gardening and learning about different plants is fun.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Bullington Gardens?

Once I started helping out at Bullington I met so many beautiful people and enjoy interacting with them and with the public, especially the kids who come to see the Fairy Garden.

What is a memorable moment about your work with us?

A few years ago I was invited to learn about the Christmas sale and the challenges presented. Then Covid hit and I was asked to be in charge of the online market and putting everything together for the orders. It was a fun gig but challenging because I had to make sure the inventory was available. If Jen hadn’t been here to help, I would have had a difficult time.

What do you find most challenging about volunteering at Bullington Gardens?

Knowing who to go to for the answers and learning everyone’s names!!

What do you wish other people knew about Bullington Gardens?

I think it’s important for everyone to understand the mission of Bullington and to know that we are a non-profit and are trying to grow.

When you are not volunteering, what are some of your hobbies or commitments? What did you do in your previous life?

I’m a military wife who has had challenges all over the world. I was known as the “Polaroid Hostess” in Germany because my hubby’s job meant that we entertained often and sometimes he would call me in the morning and tell me we needed to have a cocktail party for 30 people that evening. Once his assignment changed, I went to work for a chain of video stores as their Director of Operations.

After we retired I studied Interior Design and part of the classes I had to take were art. I have a background in bookkeeping and business so art was a different entity altogether. But I fell in love with it and now I paint watercolors and take online classes in drawing and watercolor.

I’m a Grandmother to 12 kids, most of whom are grown now and Great-Grandmother to two sweet little ones. I’ve always done crafts and enjoy gardening as well.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Bullington Gardens?

You won’t find a nicer or more caring group of people to volunteer with. Bullington is a great place to volunteer and you will get a great sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.