The Bullington Board

Summer 2023

With the end of schools for the summer came the long awaited annual BOOST competition. This year was much like other years in which the students came up with unique and creative ways to present their garden designs. Given a blank slate of a 4’x 18’ garden bed, the students came up with a design, purchased seeds to propagate in the greenhouse over the winter, built their structures with found materials, installed their gardens according to their plan, and presented it to about a hundred people. Erica Piela, who has been part of Bullington’s Horticultural Therapy and Educational programs for the past 6 years, headed up this year’s event. The winning high school was North High, with the design theme of ‘Entering the Moon Gate’. These tenth grade students learn the lifelong skills of cooperation, the ability to complete a task on budget, horticultural skills, project management, and public speaking. We’re so very proud of all of them.

Spring also brought about 600 little feet to the garden from Bruce Drysdale, Hillendale, Dana, Upward, and various home schooled students. K-5 students learned about the importance of pollinators, vegetables that grow above and below ground, and how plants survive, as well as learning how to plant marigolds to give for Mother’s Day.

Our signage in the gardens got an upgrade as Green River Bee Company added educational signs about the importance of pollinators and ways to encourage them in your gardens. These three new signs were added as a part of June’s Pollinator month, along with weekly Friday Walk and Talks about our Pollinator Plants. Look for the honeycomb structures as you visit.

Adult education classes have been a big hit this year, and have focused on sustainability, medicinal plants, floral design, four season garden design, and identification of plants. Several more are scheduled for late summer and fall, so we hope to have something for all gardeners. 

And the Fairies have returned to the gardens, along with squeals of delight and the oohs and ahhs of amazement. Our Fairy Sponsorship doors were completed over the winter by Bullington Staff and Volunteers and are works of art. These doors, as well as our Tropical Fairy Village under the weeping elm allow for visitors with limited mobility to enjoy the magic as well.

The access to the new bathrooms was completed, thanks to the very generous donation by Wheels in the Woods (see article with more details) and TDA. It has already been put to good use and has allowed visitors to have a clean, safe and accessible restroom.

In looking forward, we are preparing for our much loved dahlias again this year. Brian Kiillingsworth’s memory lives on through the hard work of the dahlia team, and this year is no exception. Within weeks, over 600 different dahlias will be in bloom. Those wishing to enjoy an after-hours evening in the gardens with friends and family can take a look at our Wee Wine and Dahlias event, in which groups of 8 and up to 20 can sign up for a private party, complete with two bottles of wine, cider, water, and a bouquet of fresh picked dahlias.

Perhaps the best news of the day is the news that our search for an Education Coordinator is complete, and we’re ready to welcome Rosie Reeves to the garden in the beginning of July. Rosie comes with a wealth of knowledge about plants and education and a focus on mental health. She also comes with two bee hives, so she should fit right in with our apiary team.

We genuinely hope that your dog days of summer bring you to the gardens for a little respite to a sometimes busy schedule, and that you enjoy the fruits of our many volunteers’ labors.

Special thanks to Rachel Meriwether, Steve Pettis, Betty Montgomery and Aaron Cook for offering their expertise in Bullington’s classrooms. Everyone who attended their classes learned so much and had a great time!

Wheels in the Woods

As you stroll the length of our new, accessible paved walkway to the new restrooms,  please give a "mental thanks” to Elisabeth Chiboucas who generously funded this path, and also a good portion of the accessible restrooms recently added.  

Elisabeth’s late husband, whose mother loved gardens but also needed a wheelchair, had started “Wheels in the Woods”, a foundation whose very name tells us what that foundation is all about. Her husband had installed many accessible paths through their own gardens so his mother could enjoy them and then established “Wheels in the Woods” to help others who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the woods and gardens. Elisabeth said her purpose in continuing the foundation is to follow her husband’s wishes to make natural areas accessible to folks needing wheelchairs.  

We are grateful to Elisabeth for her extraordinarily generous gift to Bullington Gardens. So, please, as you enjoy the new path, perhaps with a friend who, up until now, hasn’t been able to navigate the mulched path or old gravel parking area, give a nod of thanks to our generous benefactor. We are so fortunate that she found us.   

Thank you Green River Bee Company for the installation of new Pollinator signs and for offering pollinator talks during the install. The new signs are beautiful and getting a lot of compliments.

As most of you know, many hands make light work. Our ‘champions’, who have taken on the responsibility of managing certain gardens deserve a little recognition.   

Jane Davis has championed many of the gardens at Bullington for decades and now focuses on the shade garden. New plantings this year include Polemonium 'Golden Feathers', Fire Island' Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', and Rodgersia. With dry shade from the many trees in this garden, plants that can compete with tree roots do best. A new arbor built this winter welcomes visitors to sit on a memorial bench dedicated to Jane’s mother.  

Pollinator Garden champion Connie Smith grew many pollinator annuals from seed to add to the pollinator plantings and new educational signage by Green River Bee Company will give visitors information about which plants and pollinators are found in the gardens. As you know, many of our best pollinator plants, like mountain mint and garden phlox can be bullies in the garden, so Connie and her sidekick Marc Singer have their work cut out for them. 

Nancy Gilchrist championed the entrance garden and added a touch of color with Heuchera, and new containers of color by the kiosk.  Edging to contain some of the vinca and to keep it from  extending its reach into the Pennsylvania sedge (Carex Pensylvanica) andother parts of the garden was also added.        

Stan Rogan has jumped into managing the perennial garden and perhaps gets the award for taming the wildness. Rugosa rose and shore juniper were removed and replaced with Duke’s Garden Plum Yew, Spiegelia 'Little RedHead', and Chaste Tree 'Vitex agnus castus' for color. His team has organized and replanted many volunteer seedlings, giving a little much needed order.

Sally’s Garden has been taken care of by Liz Spratley. She has taken the ‘gardening by extraction’ to heart, and has tamed the Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ and has artfully rearranged existing perennials. An old redbud had to be removed, while a magnolia soulangeana ‘Mercury’ was added to the entrance of this garden. The whole garden looks fresh and well tended. 

The gardens are getting good use from summer visitors, and are looking lush after a springtime of ample rainfall. Bob Bullington would be proud. 

Wee Wine & Dahlias 2023

Bullington Gardens invites you to experience the epitome of exclusivity with their new and exciting offering - twilight parties in the enchanting gardens. Now accepting reservations, this is your chance to indulge in a truly magical evening with your own private group of eight. From August 15 to October 14, 2023, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30p.m., immerse yourself in nature's wonders while delighting your palate with locally-sourced wines and cider, all in the company of the resplendent Dahlias in full bloom.

Picture this: you and your closest companions, relishing the serenity of the gardens, sipping on delectable beverages, and taking leisurely strolls amidst the breathtaking flora. To ensure an intimate experience, each group of up to eight will have their own private party. Whether you prefer the charming pavilion or the festive tents, the choice is yours. And fear not, for even if the rain tries to dampen the mood, the horticultural therapy greenhouse is ready to shelter you.

With only two groups accommodated each evening, you'll have the pleasure of enjoying your own secluded space. Each group's table will be beautifully set in separate venues, adorned with fresh floral arrangements that you can take home as a keepsake. As the host, you have the opportunity to curate a culinary masterpiece by bringing your own hors d'oeuvres or even an entire meal. Imagine the delight of savoring delicious food amidst an unparalleled view, creating an unforgettable private party.

The cost for a table of eight is $300 per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. If you're interested in elevating your involvement, consider a sponsorship level of $500. By participating in this extraordinary event, you will not only create cherished memories but also support the Educational and Horticultural Therapy programs dedicated to children and adults with special needs.

To secure your spot for the Wee Wine & Dahlias evening of your dreams, reserve below or give us a call at 828-698-6104. Remember, availability is limited, so make sure to secure your reservation early. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of enchantment at Bullington Gardens!

August 15th through October 14th, 2023. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

New Classes Added!

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!