Podcasts about duke gardens

Send us a textSummary: Bill and I talk about the history of Public Gardens, and the history and future of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This interview was recorded on September 20th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.________________________________________________________Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It's free if you want it to be!________________________________________________________Big Take Aways:- The connection of Public Garden to “Rural” Cemeteries.- The creation, design, and history of Sarah P. Duke Gardens- A lot of new vocab words!________________________________________________________About Bill LeFevre: Bill LeFevre is executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.  His education includes a B.S. in Landscape Design from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration as a fellow in the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware. Since being named as Duke Gardens' first full-time director in 2007, the Gardens has completed over $12,000,000 in capital projects including the Durham Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion and Pine Clouds Mountain Stream in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden, the restoration of the Roney Fountain and Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, the Piedmont Prairie, and completion of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, a pilot project of the national Sustainable Sites Initiative.  Bill is currently leading development of the proposed Garden Gateway, a $30 million capital program to redesign the main entry experience and provide much-needed facility expansion and visitor amenities.In recent years, Duke Gardens has been ranked among the top 10 public gardens in the country and been awarded Horticulture Magazine's Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association.Bill is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, previously served as executive director of Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia and managed the Parks Revitalization Project at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society following a successful career in commercial landscape construction and service in the United States Navy as a carrier-based air traffic controller. Connect with Bill: Website | LinkedInMentioned in the show:- Mount Auburn Cemetery- Chelsea Physic Garden- Bartrams Garden- PUBLIC GARDEN MAGAZINE- Allée Definition & Meaning- https://gardens.duke.edu/- The Garden Gateway Project- Join & Give________________________________________________________Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It's free if you want it to be!Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Ca

Tiffany Elder is a licensed general contractor, realtor and real estate investor/developer in Durham, North Carolina. She is the owner of Paradigm Construction (a design-build construction firm) and Paradigm Properties (a real estate brokerage firm). She also facilitates real estate ownership and investing seminars for residents. Elder joins this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution to discuss her career path, how her various roles intersect, and the challenges and opportunities she's faced in Durham. To hear more from Elder, check out her Local-Motive session “Investing in Housing Development that Strengthens Neighborhoods Without Pushing People Out.” You can join live today at noon CDT or access the recording at any time in the Strong Towns Academy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local recommendations: Bar Virgil - Downtown. Nzinga's café. Walk downtown. Duke Gardens. Tiffany Elder's TEDx Talk. Tiffany Elder (website). Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Caitlin Clineff has worked in the Green Industry for 7 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Horticultural Science from NC State, and has worked in famous public gardens such as Duke Gardens and Dumbarton Oaks, as well as being a landscape designer, project manager, and consultant. She now works at Myatt Landscaping & Construction, where she handles recruitment, retention, employee engagement, public outreach, the website, and social media. Her goal is to help drive the industry workforce toward a more diverse, sustainable future.

Visitors are not charged to see the 55 acres of gorgeous organic plantings in the heart of this major research university.

Today we celebrate the man who wrote extensively about the history and flora of Germantown and... We'll learn about the 11-roomed garden created to honor the tobacco magnate James Buchanan Duke. We'll hear some beautiful thoughts on nature by an English Victorian author who was born on this day in 1819. We Grow That Garden Library with an adorable old book on topiaries. I'll talk about foraging for a Yule Log, and then we'll wrap things up with a friendly post about November strawberries from 1843. But first, let's catch up on a few recent events.     Gravel Bed Garden Design: Tips On Laying A Gravel Garden  | @gardenknowhow By: Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden   I love gravel beds in gardens. I don't see them very often, but when I do, they definitely get my full attention. I especially love it when they are enhanced with a water feature like an urn fountain or a rain chain. Becca suggests incorporating: "Ornamental grasses, herbaceous perennials, and even trees or shrubs may be suitable. Install plants into the soil. Add any hardscape features such as benches, water features, clay pots, or tin planters. Large boulders complement the gravel garden construction." If you're thinking about installing a gravel bed in your 2020 garden, check out this post.     The Ultimate List of 30 Best Perennials for Landscaping | Richard Spencer @rs_garden_care Secretsofgardening.com recently updated this comprehensive post. I love how Richard starts this post out: "When choosing plants for your yard for the first time, it can be overwhelming without a lot of experience to try to find the best perennials for landscaping and the ones that give the highest value for your money. As we are visual creatures, we tend to pay at first more attention to external things, and that’s not always the right way to go." This is where advice from a seasoned expert comes in handy, and Richard's list is an excellent place to start.      Now, if you'd like to check out these curated articles for yourself, you're in luck - because I share all of it with the Listener Community in the Free Facebook Group - The Daily Gardener Community. There’s no need to take notes or track down links - the next time you're on Facebook, just search for Daily Gardener Community and request to join. I'd love to meet you in the group.       Brevities   #OTD  Today is the birthday of the Germantown historian, botanist, and writer Edwin Jellett who was born on this day in 1860. The town of Germantown owes such a debt of gratitude to Edwin Jellett, who devoted himself to capturing the history and the flora of the area now part of Northwest Philadelphia. He was a font of knowledge about the area, and he was beyond generous with his research and time, happy to help anyone with a question or a mystery about Germantown. Edwin had a column in the local paper that appeared for forty weeks during the year 1903. It was charming, and it was pretty extensive, and it covered his minute and astute observations and thoughts his two main passions: history and botany. Every entry concluded with a list of all the plants shared in the post, along with both the Latin and common names. Often, those lists featured upwards of 30 to 40 different species. Recently, the Awbury Arboretum republished Edwin's entries online in honor of its centennial in 2016. Here's what the Chair of the Awbury Arboretum Association, Mark Sellers, wrote about Edwin's final entry, which was published on December 4th, 1903. I think Mark perfectly captures Edwin's love for the area. "To trace his path in this last article is to watch as a magician pulls one improbable thing after another from a hat that appears too small to hold them... Hemlock boughs bend under the weight of the snow and ice, and as Edwin stops to inspect a bird’s nest that was occupied during his last visit, but now only contains snow. It is apparent Edwin knew this was his last column. He reached as far into his memory and his understanding of what was beautiful around him... While Edwin’s observations have significant historical and botanical value to the student of horticulture in Philadelphia, what makes them interesting reading is his joy. Joy at seeing and knowing, joy from watching the seasons change and seeing the landscape and recognizing its significance. “On rocks or on exposed banks, speedwell - never in a hurry - waits, and in thickets, green ropy runners of smilax, and the more refined bittersweet may be seen climbing over banks... On trunks of trees nearby, are alabaster projecting seats fit for elves or fairies... Lichens, liver worts and mosses which escaped us earlier become conspicuous, the greater volume of light admitted to the woods exposing their hidden retreats. On hills and dry banks club mosses... prominently appear, and on damp rocks, where water trickles, marchantia, an exceeding odd plant, will be found carpeting many an exposure, and, like all hepaticaae, bearing unique flowers. Keen as may be the interest in summer stars, far greater is the interest of winter ones, because of the presence of a number of planets, and the enhanced brilliancy of the heavens.  So the never-ceasing procession continues, and forever when day departs or seasons die galaxies of stars, constellations of indescribable beauty, and a moon whose splendor we can never fully know, course before us for observation and wonder.”     #OTD  On this day in 1900, an article ran in The Indianapolis News called Science and Flowers: Study of the One Does Not Destroy the Love of the Other. "Can people dip at all deeply into the real science of botany, and yet enjoy flowers because of their beauty, because of the delight of finding them in lovely spots on lovely summer days, and because of their dear associations? Must the scientific sense blunt the aesthetic one? Often, ... this will be the case. Pistils and stamens, nectaries, and receptacles - these things will not always go well with artless talk about sweet blooms and bright berries, or even with the simple, very English names given by the unlearned to flowers. But on the other hand, there are many lovers of nature and field naturalists ... will still care for the flower because of Its beauty, because It grows in the best places at the best time of year, because It vividly recalls to them the glad, sorrowful days of childhood, or the tender passages - of true love. Flowers, apart from the science of botany, are inextricably woven about human life. When will the artist be tired of painting the children in the meadows with their laps full of cowslips or celandine? Let the botanist classify and name,... but let him be careful not to do anything to bring into contempt the love of flowers,... lest we rightly call him dry-as-dust and blind to beauty. Finally, let him help to keep up the old names as well as the new ones. We must always have our Sweet William, Kingcup (Marsh Marigold), Sweet Cicely, Loosestrife, Heartsease (Wild Pansy), Codlins-and-Creams (Hairy Willowherb), and Feverfew. All [these] names [have] stories and meanings, whose loss would be a loss to the language; their very mention turns our thoughts to the gardens and, the pasture lands of summer gone but coming again."     #OTD   Today is the birthday of the billionaire tobacco heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke who was born on this day in 1912. When Duke was 46, Duke created an exotic public-display garden called Duke Gardens to honor her father, James Buchanan Duke. Drawing inspiration from DuPont's Longwood Gardens, the eleven interconnected gardens followed various themes focusing on a particular country or period. Duke Gardens took visitors into an Italian courtyard, which featured a replica of Antonio Canova's sculpture, The Three Graces. Next came the Colonial Garden of the American South featuring camellias, azaleas, magnolia, and crepe myrtle. Then came the ferns and orchids of the Edwardian Garden, followed by the French and English gardens. There was an exceptional Elizabethan knot garden, an American Desert, a Chinese Garden, A Japanese Garden as well as an Indo-Persian Garden which featured a Persian rose garden. The final gardens were Tropical and Semi-Tropical featuring vines, papyrus, and Bird of Paradise. Clearly, Duke used what she had seen from her travels to design the elements in her displays, and Duke personally designed and installed the garden - sometimes working up to 16 hours a day. She donated the property to the Duke Foundation in 1960. In 2008, sentiments about the gardens changed as some folks felt that the gardens "[perpetuated] the Duke family history of personal passions and conspicuous consumption." The gardens remained open until May 25th, and then they were dismantled. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation said that, "The day of the display garden is past. [The gardens] consume an inordinate share of financial and staff resources, they would require a very expensive modernization, and they no longer reflect the vision of Duke Farm’s future. A video record has been made for archival purposes." With the closure of Duke Gardens, another arm of the Duke family legacy, the Duke Farms Foundation created new indoor and outdoor display gardens as part of Duke Farms, which opened to the public on May 19, 2012.     #OTD On this day in 1963, Japan's Emperor Hirohito, an accomplished amateur botanist and zoologist, published his fourth book. The book was a 24-page supplement to "The Plants of Nasu (pronounced "Na-soo"), a book he had published in the previous year.     Unearthed Words   Today is the 200th birthday of the English Victorian author George Eliot, who was born on this day in 1819.   George Eliot was the pen name for a woman named Mary Ann Evans, and her many works like Silas Marner and Middlemarch are packed with images from the garden.   To Eliot, plants were the perfect representation of faith - both required care and feeding to grow and flourish.    On October  1st, 1841, Eliot wrote a letter to her old governess, Maria Lewis. She wrote:   “Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love - that makes life and nature harmonise. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one's very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."     My favorite quotes from Eliot are about her love of roses. She wrote:   "I think I am quite wicked with roses. I like to gather them, and smell them till they have no scent left."   And, Eliot wrote this little poem about roses:   "You love the roses—so do I. I wish The sky would rain down roses, as they rain From off the shaken bush. Why will it not? Then all the valleys would be pink and white, And soft to tread on. They would fall as light As feathers, smelling sweet; and it would be Like sleeping and yet waking, all at once. Over the sea, Queen, where we soon shall go, Will it rain roses?"   This concept of raining roses was something Eliot wrote about several times.   This last quote about roses is the one she is most famous for:   "It never rains roses; when we want more roses, we must plant more... "     Today's book recommendation: Herb Topiaries by Sally Gallo This is such a cute and useful little book. It's old; it came out in 1992.   Sally covers topiary basics, before going into the plants that are perfect for topiaries: Victorian Rosemary, Lemon Verbena, Scented Geraniums, and Dwarf Sage, just to name a few.   And, Sally reminds us that gardening in pots - working with topiaries - offers all the pleasures of gardening on a larger scale. Of course, the epitome of this pastime is training fragrant, potted herbs into traditional topiary shapes. Sally walks us through it all.   Sally's book is delightfully illustrated, and she gives us the history, lore, and culture of a dozen favorite herbs ideal for topiaries - which is another thoughtful feature of this book.   You can get a used copy and support the show, using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for about $3.       Today's Garden Chore Forage for a Yule Log for your Thanksgiving table. I'm speaking about this little idea on an upcoming local TV segment for the American Heart Association. It's a great way to connect with nature and reduce stress, which can be a contributor to heart disease and stroke because it increases blood pressure. At the same time, you can enjoy a tradition that is centuries old. In the early 1600s, the yule log was a symbolic pillar meant to sweep away mischief and ensure a happy new year. People would go out and forage for a simple pine log. Often, the log was selected up to two to three years before it was used, so that on the big day, the yule log would undoubtedly burn "long and brightly." And it was essential to save a piece of the log to light next year's Yule log - it was considered bad luck not to do so. During the Elizabethan times, people didn't have Christmas trees. Instead, they followed the Scandinavian tradition of a Yule Log. Robert Herrick wrote: Kindle the Christmas brand, and then Till sunset let it burn; Which quench'd, then lay it up again Till Christmas next return. Part must be kept wherewith to tend The Christmas log next year, And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend Can do no mischief there. Once you start reading about it, there are so many charming traditions behind the Yule Log. After you find a specimen that fits your table, you can decorate it - using the yule log as a base for evergreens, florals, natural elements, dried fruit, spices, and fragrant oils.     Something Sweet  Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart On this day in 1843, the New England Farmer out of Boston shared a little update called Strawberries in November. It highlighted a little friendly competition between two strawberry growers: Mr. Brandegree of New London and Simeon Marble of Boston. Here's what it said: "The New London Advocate noticed the fact that strawberries had been picked from the garden of Mr Brandegree and asked, "Who can beat this ?" [But then] Mr Simeon Marble yesterday presented us a bunch of ripe strawberries, just plucked from the vines in his garden, in this city. They were of two varieties, red and white. The New London folks will please to consider themselves beaten."     Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Clarissa enjoyed walking around Duke Gardens. She wanted to tell you about it.

Michelle Wallace, Horticultural Agent, Durham County, and Bobby Morttern, Director of Horticulture at Duke Gardens, share tips to creating texture to your landscape.

Michelle Wallace visits the Duke Gardens to get insights on growing ornamental grasses in North Carolina. Michelle interviews Bobby Mottern, Director of Horticulture at Duke Gardens, to get his opinion on growing ornamental grasses near ponds.

In our part of North Carolina you find old tobacco barns on the edge of just about any old field. Their design tells a story about our past. Dan Mason explains the architecture of these barns as we tour the tobacco barn in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden at Duke Gardens in Durham, NC.

Bill Lord visits the Charlotte Brody Educational Garden-Duke Gardens to interview Kavanah Anderson, the Education Program Coordinator. Bill and Kavanah tour the garden to show the garden’s beautiful flowers.

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