Wayah Bald Plants with Larry Mellichamp - June 20, 2015

Jean reports:

It was an honor to have Larry Mellichamp come from Charlotte to give us a new appreciation of our “backyard” - Wayah Bald and surrounding trails.  He helped us see the diversity of fauna in this beautiful area with new eyes.  The native azaleas were the focus of the trip:  Rhododendron calendulaceum with its range of color from pale orange to dark red and R. arborescens with its white flowers and sweet fragrance, but as our photos show there was much else to see - and learn.  And finding Ginseng at the end of the was “icing on the cake.”’

Thanks to Larry for a wonderful day in our mountains.

Photos by Karen Lawrence:

Beard Tongue

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jean's photos 

Bowman's Root, Gillenia trifoliata

Goatsbeard, male. Aruncus dioicus

Columbine, Aquilegia

Carrion Flower, Smilax herbaceous

Sweet Azalea. Rhododendron arborescens

Wayah Tapestry

Flame Azalea, Rhododendron calendulaceum

Goatsbeard (female). Aruncus dioicus

Ginseng, Panax quinquefolios

Doll's Eyes, Actaea pachypoda

Dogbane. Apocynum cannabinum

from Kathy Stilwell

Putica grandiflora

Viburnum cassanoides

Charles H. Wharton Center with Eddi Minche, photos by Karen, David, and Jean

It was a perfect day for our trip to Wharton Conservation Center in Tate City, GA.

Our hostess, Eddi Minch welcomed us and introduced Jerry McCollum, CEO of the Georgia Wildlife Federation which manages the property.  Charles Wharton, noted conservationist, left the 129-acre property to GWF upon his death.  Plans are to develop the center into a education and research center honoring the memory of Dr. Wharton.

Eddi then led us on a beautiful walk to a magnificent 94’ waterfall - with many wildflowers along the way.  We also saw the swinging bridge that Charlie used and the house he built when he retired from teaching.

We then walked to his original cabin, had lunch on the deck and were entertained with “Charlie” stories by Jerry McCollum.

After lunch Eddie led us to another beautiful waterfall - and more wildflowers.

You can learn more about the Wharton Center at http://www.gwf.org/Portals/0/Resource%20Stewardship/Wharton/whartonbrochure.pdf

Jean Hunnicutt

                                         Karen's photos:

Beech Creek

Lunch on the porch

The cabin on Beech Creek

Dan, Jerry McCullom, and Don

Trailhead at end of road

David's photos:

Jean's photo:

Eddi Minch

Smith Gilbert Garden 2015 Trip--Photos by David Fann and Bob Gilbert

The morning began with a terrible rain storm and we all thought that our trip to the gardens would not take place!  However, the skies cleared and we had a glorious early spring trip to a beautiful gardens.
We had as our guide, Bob Gilbert, who with Richard Smith developed the gardens and restored the lovely home.  We started our trip in the house where Bob explained the history and the restoration of each room.
After our house tour, we had a wonderful box lunch in the carriage house.  During lunch, we were serenaded by a Red-shoulder Hawk.  He was so vocal that we decided that he wanted to be invited to lunch, too.
We were introduced to David,  the horticulturist for the gardens.  Although he went along with us and was very knowledgeable, Bob Gilbert was our guide through the gardens.
Along our first path, we encountered the enormous D'Or holly.  It was crammed full of yellow berries!  As we continued along the paths, we were treated to lovely blooming plants and trees: azaleas, hybrid rhododendron, green dragon, Solomon's seal, Pagoda Dogwood, and the spectacular Gray Beard.  Bob told us wonderful stories of the different sculptures and of the "Tea-House" set in a lovely rock garden and water feature.
Not to be missed was the bonsai garden!  Most of Bob's bonsai are there now.
Even though the afternoon rain cut our visit to the conifer garden a bit short, it was a lovely visit.  If you have not visited this treasure, put it on your bucket list and get there.   Nancy Davis

Rhodendron austrinum Florida Azalea 

Finge Tree

Witch Hazel

Hellebore 

Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust variety ‘Frisia’ 

Jean's Garden and Pinnacle Park Field Trip--Photos by David Fann

Plants that Work for a Living

An avid group of SAPS members attended Lisa Wagner's program on Native Plants for Pollinators at the library in Franklin.

While many of us may have been familiar with the plants suggested for use in attracting pollinating creatures, it was great to be reminded of their importance to our ecology and to our survival!

Lisa is passionate about her subject and exquisitely knowledgeable about the topic.  She gave us practical suggestions on providing a landscape which promotes diversity and sustenance for the entire food chain.  Pretty is great but pretty also has to work for a living!

Visit her website here for additional information on the subject of Natural Gardening.