The Bullington Board

Spring 2023

Tender plants were not the only thing that Bullington lost this winter. Our Educator, Tracy Calla had some difficult family news and needed to put all else on hold as she left to lend a hand. We were able to adjust with our Exceptional Children and Boost classes and fill in the gaps. We’ll miss the vibrant energy that Tracy brought to Bullington but wish her and her family the best in the upcoming months. We’ve kicked off the new Educator search and hope to find a replacement by summer, just in time for the Summer Nature Camp. In the meantime, longtime Bullington educator Erica Piela has been teaching the tenth grade Boost Classes and they are well on their way to installing their yearlong project gardens for the annual competition at the end of May. The Exceptional Children classes have been learning about frog lifecycles and getting a first-hand look at our pond residents.

While many were hibernating this winter, the Bullington projects were definitely in full swing. Last year, Bullington received grants to build a new and much needed restroom, to add new parking, and to add a new walkway. The new bathroom was completed about a month ago and the new parking a couple of weeks ago. Supply chain issues are holding our walkway up, but we hope to have it in before the plant sale in late April. Other improvements that jazzed up the gardens were the painting of the buildings and replacing an old arbor to the shade garden. Our deepest gratitude goes out to volunteers Stan Juczak and Ron Rich for building this arbor. 

The warmer weather has brought out our Garden Champions, our volunteers, and visitors. Our greenhouses are filling with new plants promising to become a part of someone’s veggie garden, annual containers, or home landscape. We’ve also put together a line-up of amazing speakers for the spring, summer and fall. 

Bullington will lead over 500 Henderson County students on spring field trips in the next six weeks. Our educational programs are a popular supplement to traditional classroom learning.

ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE-APRIL 27-29, 9AM-4PM

Friends of Bullington Gardens shop early!

Look for your exclusive email with your shop early date.

I wanted to take a minute away from planting to tell you about some new additions to the plant sale this year. Some are tried and true, while others bring new disease resistance with superior flavor. As usual, all of Bullington’s plants, trees, shrubs, herbs and veggies are chosen and grown with the utmost care.

POLLINATOR MONTH-JUNE 2023

June is Pollinator Month - a celebration of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and other species that help pollinate more than 1,200 crops and about 90% of all flowering plants that rely on pollinators for the survival of their species. Pollinators also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, and support other wildlife. During June, people of all ages can learn more about the interdependence between humans and pollinators. Especially in our agricultural area, this is a subject of interest related to the food we eat and the economically important crops we raise.

Pollinator Month activities range from gardening tips, free seeds, honey-tastings, walks along nature trails, and valuable information about bees and beekeeping.

A complete schedule of events is available at: Here.

For questions about Pollinator Month or to volunteer, contact Patrice German.

Fantastic, Fanciful, & Fabulous Fairy Doors

Auction going on now!

The Fairy Door Auction is a unique fundraising initiative that allows visitors to bid on ten specially designed fairy doors. The 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.

The Fairy Trail is a popular attraction that sees 13,000 visitors annually from all over the world. Upon entering the Therapy Garden, visitors are greeted by whimsical fairy doors complete with inspiring family-friendly messages. The interactive introduction to the Fairy Trail fascinates kids of all ages.

The collaborative effort from volunteers, staff, and fairy ambassadors adds a personal touch to the project and makes it more meaningful for all involved.

Friends of Bullington Gardens Membership

We appreciate and thank you for your support. You’ve been there from the beginning and it has allowed us to grow so much in our 30+ years of existence. Guided by John Murphy and dedicated volunteers, Bullington went from an unkempt and neglected garden to an educational center, to Bullington Gardens and to the only public garden offering Horticultural Therapy in Henderson County. Now led by Administrative Director, Annie Higgins, Bullington is growing even faster!

We still rely on our many volunteers and donors for the majority of our Horticultural and educational programs. We hold plant sales and classes, apply to all applicable grants, and look for local and national funding opportunities whenever possible. Like most non-profits, our most important base of funding is you; through your word of mouth advertising, donations, and volunteering.

Please consider renewing your membership, becoming a member or making a one-time donation. Thank you for your support, kindness, generosity and time. We couldn’t do this without you!