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Kalmia Gardens - The Laurel Branch
January 13, 2025
Welcome to our e-newsletter, "The Laurel Branch."
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025! Kalmia Welcomes Our New Assistant Director
Say hello to Kalmia Gardens’ new Assistant Director, Lucy Contreras. Lucy joined the Kalmia Gardens’ team in early December and is excited to start working with the rest of the talented staff. She is most looking forward to working in the gardens and on programming, but can’t wait to dig in to everything Kalmia.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Lucy has been a resident of Myrtle Beach for almost nine years and joins us from Brookgreen Gardens. Lucy’s time at Brookgreen spanned from working as a Horticulturist to becoming the Manager of Horticulture Education and Plant Collections. Her experiences range from working in the garden, to managing the plant records database, to creating and presenting educational programming, and plenty in between!
When it comes to what plants Lucy finds the most rewarding to work with, she easily lands on native plants. “Native plants play such a crucial role in our ecosystem and supporting the environment. I’ll be the first to tell you that I used to dislike native plants and thought they were boring, unattractive, and commonplace. I couldn’t have been more wrong!” Lucy shared.
On your next visit to Kalmia Gardens, make sure to say hello to Lucy – she can’t wait to see you!
Open House Wrap-Up
It was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, and the Hart House was decorated with care by the Darlington County Master Gardeners and friends in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there. Guests were having baked goods while admiring the decorations as friends and families scurried about. Suddenly, there was a shout, “It’s Santa!” was shouted in glee, and before you knew it, there were children on his knee. They had lists, they had gifts, and they had stories to tell…and Jolly St. Nick, he listened well. While the children patiently waited in line, Mrs. Claus read to them, time after time. She read this book, she read that book, and all the kids would agree: this was a great way to wait to sit on Santa’s knee. After the last list was read, Santa spoke to the Gardens’ staff, and this is what he said, “You all do an amazing job keeping up the Hart House and surrounding land, for this Santa gives you a great big hand, for I give presents out once a year but folks can get one every day if they just come here.” Soon after he spoke, he and Mrs. Clause were gone in a dash, in a puff of smoke! Let this little story be a lesson for you. Be sure to visit whatever you do, but also come next year and join our holiday cheer.
Oyster Roast
The Gardens’ Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser is just around the corner! Mark your calendars; this year’s event is on March 15th from 4 -7 p.m. Tickets are $75/person and include food and beverages. There will be a diverse variety of foods, beer, and wine for all to enjoy. Like most years, this event will sell out, so a great way to get tickets while supporting the Gardens is to become an oyster roast sponsor. Sponsorship levels, as well as individual tickets, are available on our website under the “Events” tab.
Tickets are also available from Board members or by calling the Gardens. Remember, this is one of our biggest fundraisers, so please come out and help support Kalmia Gardens.Chris’s Tip
I received this tip from Carmen Ketron, a Master Gardener friend of mine, and I wanted to share it with you all.
Cold temperatures, freezing rain, and even snow can significantly harm plants in South Carolina. Winter poses many challenges, from freezing temperatures that rupture cells to desiccation caused by dry winds. Learn how to identify typical cold damage, such as bark splitting and frost cracks, and discover practical strategies to protect your plants, such as choosing hardy species, insulating roots, and avoiding late-season pruning.
Preparation is key—ensure your garden is ready:
1. Deep Watering: Water in-ground plants thoroughly before a freeze to insulate cells and reduce the risk of rupture.
2. Disconnect Hoses: Remove hoses from bibs and install hose bib insulators if possible.
3. Snow as Insulation: Leave snow on plants—it acts as an insulator and provides nitrogen.
4. Delay Pruning: Avoid cutting plants back until spring; damaged branches may still provide insulation.
5. Harvest Early: Pick leafy greens, citrus, and tender crops before frost hits.
6. Use Proper Covers: Wrap perennials with frost cloth, burlap, or cloth—not plastic. Ensure covers reach the ground to trap heat from the soil.
7. Protect Small Plants: Fully cover with pine straw or loose mulch to protect crowns. Use plastic pots weighted with rocks to shield smaller plants from frost.
You may want to familiarize yourself with a few factsheets:
Cold Damage in Plants: Identifying damage, tips to avoidance
Watering Before a Freeze Inground and Potted Plants: How to keep perennial plants safe during a freeze (Important read for our current drought)
Winterizing Lawns: Lawn care in times of cold and drought (currently the Pee Dee)
Winter Irrigation: Winterizing irrigation systems
Protecting Evergreens from Ice and Snow
The staff at Kalmia is grateful for Carmen and all of the Clemson Extension agents out there. Remember, the agents and the website are great resources for good science-based information. Stay warm!Dan’s Interesting Plant
The interesting plant I have chosen for this issue is the Flowering Apricot or Prunus mume. This is one of Chris’s favorite plants. Late winter to early spring is when this tree produces flowers in various colors ranging from a subtle red to a pink or white shade. The blooms make a very sweet and unique fragrance, which is part of the reason the Kalmia Team is such a fan of this tree. The tree can produce fruit that starts small and green and turns a pale yellow when ripe. The leaves of this tree are oval and serrate with a pointed tip. The leaves can be as large as four inches in length. The leaves appear after the blooms fall from the tree in the spring. It is a deciduous tree that can grow to heights of 30 feet, given favorable conditions. This tree generally has a main trunk and a rounded silhouette to its branches. The bark of this tree is textured and appears to be medium brown or light silvery brown. You will often smell this tree before you see it with its iconic fragrance. Next time you visit the Gardens during the blooming season, follow your nose to visit this lovely tree.
Beautiful Plants of Kalmia Gardens
Alder, Tag (Alnus serrulata)
Apricot, Flowering (Prunus mume cvs.)
Camellia (Camellia japonica cvs.)
Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Holly, American (Ilex opaca)
Mahonia, Leatherleaf (Mahonia bealei)
Maple, Coral Bark (Acer palmatum cvs.)
Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)
Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria)EVENTS:
Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser, Saturday, March 15, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tickets available now!Find Us On Facebook
If you are on Facebook, make sure you “like” Kalmia Gardens. It’s a great way to hear about events, stay updated on what’s happening, and view some nice pictures. We look forward to seeing your “thumbs up.”
Copyright © 2025 Kalmia Gardens of Coker University, All rights reserved.
Laurel Branch
Our mailing address is:
www.kalmiagardens.org
Contact:Dan Hill, Director Kalmia Gardens of Coker Universitydhill@coker.edu, (843) 383-8145