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Kalmia Gardens of Coker University - ''The Laurel Branch''
July 08, 2024Welcome to our e-newsletter, "The Laurel Branch."
Week in the Wild Registration is Now Closed
Week in the Wild registration is now closed for this summer. Soon, campers will explore and enjoy all the fun the Gardens offer. Camp this year has an amazing lineup of guest speakers and fun activities. We have Holly Sellers from Black Creek Wildlife Center, Master Gardener Susan Harvey, and Geraldine Cuypers from Clemson Extension coming to impart their knowledge and expertise to each of the camper's young minds. It is going to be a full week of games, crafts, exciting hikes, and so much more. If you see us on the trails, make sure to wave as we go on our merry way.Volunteer Success Day
On July 1st, Kalmia Gardens hosted a volunteer appreciation day full of good food, team-building exercises, and, most importantly, the greatest volunteers around. The Kalmia staff is comprised of only three people handling all the Gardens throws our way. A helping hand, for even a few hours each day, makes a big difference in the Gardens and the community. The saying, “many hands make light work,” has never been tested or proven as thoroughly as at Kalmia Gardens. We are so fortunate to have found these amazing people willing to share their time and diligence with us no matter the weather. These people with a heart for giving back to the places and communities they love have all become irreplaceable parts of the Kalmia family. We are so thankful for each and every volunteer that we decided it was time we had a day to celebrate the dedication and hard work they share with us each week, month, and year. If you would like to become one of our prestigious volunteers, please email Efloyd@coker.edu. We offer opportunities of all types and areas of interest in the Gardens, and we are more than happy to write letters of recommendation or be a reference wherever life may take you next.Elizabeth’s Volunteer Spotlight
The volunteer of this spotlight issue is Tatianna Rios! Summer has been turning up the heat on us all, but Tatianna has stayed cool as a cucumber in her dedication to the Gardens. The summer and spring months are the busiest here at Kalmia, and this is when volunteers become worth twice their weight in gold. Plants, both the ones we want and the ones we do not, are growing double time under the summer sun. Tatianna has never failed to be up for the task and is always a team player. Tatianna and I worked together this spring to re-plant all the pots throughout the Gardens. We let our creative juices flow with each pot. We ensured each one had companion plants that worked well together in aesthetics and needs. They turned out amazing. One thing I appreciate about Tatianna as a volunteer is that she always asks great questions and immediately puts the answers to use. No matter the task, she has a keen eye for asking about the important details to fine-tune the direction she received from Chris and me. A desire for knowledge always accompanies Tatianna’s hard work. Not to mention, she makes every project more fun. Whenever Tatianna is around, there is sure to be a smile on everyone's face. Tatianna says she started volunteering at the Gardens to get out of the house and meet new people while helping the community. We are so glad that she decided to come to Kalmia. Tatianna said, “I really love the knowledge and skills I’ve learned from volunteering, as well as the people I’ve met. There’s so much that can be done, and it’s nice to see when you’ve made a difference in the Garden so everyone can enjoy Kalmia.” If you are thinking about volunteering at Kalmia Gardens, Tatianna states, “No two days at Kalmia are the same! Volunteering is a great opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, and a couple of hours can make a huge difference. It fits nicely into my schedule. It is also very flexible with life and other things you may have going on outside of Kalmia.” I could not have said it all better myself. Kalmia is a fun, flexible way to make new friends, make a huge difference, or even get some exercise while helping the community. If you are interested in volunteering. We would love to add you to the Kalmia family. Happy volunteering.Chris’s Tip
As gardeners, we know plants need certain resources, like water and sunlight, to grow and thrive. Resources are everything! No matter what you are planting, knowledge is an irreplaceable resource gardeners and their gardens need most. Today, I am letting you in on a not-so-hidden gem to expand your knowledge base in all things gardening. Look no further than Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) hgic.clemson.edu for information on any gardening topic your heart could desire. It is a valuable asset to even the most experienced gardeners, as it can help refresh your memory and keep you up to date on the newest information in the gardening world. The website covers weed control, plant location, pest management, and everything else in between. You can access it by clicking HERE. There is no need to wonder if this site only recommends an addition to promote products or if the recommendations are fact-based. This web resource is full of the best kind of information— research-based information! You can trust your garden and your wallet to this reliable resource. This knowledge is the foundation from which the garden of your wildest dreams can truly grow and thrive. I encourage you all to take advantage of this website and see how your garden goes from good to great. Happy gardening!Dan’s Interesting Plant
The interesting plant I have chosen for this issue is none other than Hydrangea macrophylla or the French hydrangea. This plant has a place here in the Gardens to share its beautiful blooms with all of our guests. Hydrangeas are notably “dramatic” when it comes to water supply. One second too long without water, and this lovely plant will droop like it hasn’t seen a drop in weeks. This plant also has another fascinating feature related to its sensitivity. Its blooms will change color depending on the level of acidity in this soil. I find it fascinating that these blooms can tell you about the soil they are growing in just from the color of their flower. Hydrangeas planted in soil below a pH of 7 typically result in a blue bloom, while soil with a pH above 7 typically produces flowers with a pink hue. This plant is classified as a deciduous shrub that can grow up to seven feet tall and reach a span of eight feet wide. The leaves of this hydrangea can grow up to five inches long. The leaves feature distinct venation within the elliptic leaf shape. This plant blooms during the mid to late summer and early autumn. The blooms are defined as inflorescence, which refers to the fact that the flowers form in a cluster at the end of a stem or branch. This results in a flower that is stunning to look at from almost every angle. These beautiful, showy plants enjoy the partial sun with adequate water to prevent wilting. These flowers can be seen in their beautiful blue glory in many places throughout the Gardens, such as the corner of the east lawn and beside the bike path. There is even some flowering near the outdoor classroom on the trails. No matter where you seek them out, you are sure to be delighted by these unique blooms. Happy hiking!
Hydrangea macrophyllaBeautiful Plants of Kalmia Gardens Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)
Baptisia (Baptisia australis)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Coneflower, Purple (Echinacea purpurea)
Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea)
Daylily (Hemerocallis varieties)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Elderberry (Sambucus americana)
Feverbark, Georgia (Pinckneya pubens)
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
Honeysuckle, Coral (Lonicera sempervirens)
Hydrangea, Japanese Blue (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Hydrangea, Oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Jasmine, Confederate (Tracelospermum jasminoides)
Lantana (Lantana species)
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Magnolia, Southern (Magnolia grandiflora)
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Queen Annes Lace (Daucus carota)
Rhododendron, Rosebay (Rhododendron maximum)
Rose, Butterfly (Rosa chinensis Mutabilis)
Rose, Knock Out (Rosa Knock Out)
Rose, Pink Knock Out (Rosa Pink Knock Out)
Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Thyme (Thymus species)
Ti-ti (Cyrilla racemosa)
Trumpet-vine (Campsis radicans)
Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)
Wintergreen, Spotted (Chimaphila maculata)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)EVENTS:
Week in the Wild Registration is Now Closed
Rising 1st & 2nd Grades July 8-12
Rising 3rd & 4th Grades July 15-19
Rising 5th & 6th Grades July 22-26Copyright © 2016 Kalmia Gardens of Coker College, All rights reserved.
Laurel Branch
Our mailing address is:
www.kalmiagardens.orgContact:Dan Hill, Director Kalmia Gardens of Coker Universitydhill@coker.edu, (843) 383-8145
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