SUMMER EVENTS Th e Calendar: Pages 5-8 History in bloom he alace A Publication of the Tryon Palace TCouncil of Friends VOLUME 6 PNUMBER 4 SUMMER 2006 Publisher: Karen O’Connell Editor: Vina Hutchinson Farmer Contributors: Fran Campbell, Vina Hutchinson Farmer, Cheryl Kite, Karen O’Connell, Nancy Richards, Amy Tattersall, Lisa Wimpfheimer Graphic Artist: Christine Farver, Farver Design Studio TRYON PALACE COUNCIL OF FRIENDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: David L. Ward Jr. Vice President: Carson Brice Board of Directors: Kittye Bailey Dr. Sidney Barnwell Anne Bradford Ellen Chance D. Hayes Clement Dr. Jeffrey Crow, ex officio Judy Easley June Ficklen John Hines Jeanette Hyde Carole Kemp Bob Mattocks, ex officio Work continues on restoring wetlands to the History Center’s waterfront. Nelson McDaniel Patricia Naumann Karen O’Connell, ex officio On the waterfront Cece Scott With environmental cleanup on the North Carolina History Center Ginny Smith Jennifer Stallings site completed, crews are now working to transform a portion of the Trent Torrey Stroud River waterfront back to wetlands as they would have appeared in Royal Alice Tolson Governor William Tryon’s day. The cost of the wetlands restoration project is Charlotte Weaver underwritten by grants from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and Dr. Zebulon Weaver III Kay Williams, ex officio the Environmental Protection Agency. This work should be completed by Joe Zaytoun July 2006. The reconstructed wetlands will provide us with an opportunity Robert Zaytoun to engage our visitors in maritime history and environmental heritage. It also The Palace is published four times a year will filter storm water runoff from about 35 acres of New Bern’s downtown by the Tryon Palace Council of Friends historic district. This combination of historical accuracy and environmental to provide information about and build sustainability has generated national acclaim for the History Center project. support for Tryon Palace Historic Sites & In 2007 a boardwalk and pier will be constructed over the wetlands to Gardens. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send correspondence to Vina facilitate public access and educational programs. The Center itself will open Hutchinson Farmer, Editor, The Palace, in 2010. P.O. Box 1007, New Bern, NC 28563. Telephone: 252-514-4936. Fax: 252-514- 4876. E-mail: [email protected]. On the cover: For more information about Tryon Palace Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens’ 14 acres of beautiful gardens offer Historic Sites & Gardens, click on our a colorful respite from daily life. Gardens are open until 7 p.m. through website at www.tryonpalace.org or call Sept. 4. 252-514-4900, 800-767-1560. 2 he alace he alace 3 TP SUMMER 2006 SUMMER 2006 TP GARDEN Q & A Historic plants that bloom all summer by Lisa Wimpfheimer, Horticulturist Garden and plant a combination Q: What are some historic of vegetables, fl owers, small fruits plants that bloom all summer? and herbs. Th is type of companion A: Th ere are numerous perennial planting reduces the damage done and annual fl owers that provide by diseases or insects moving color throughout the summer. across a monoculture or single When asking about historic plants, crop planting. the category is usually divided into Besides the newest hybrid two: native plants and those plants vegetable seeds, many gardeners imported to the United States after are enjoying heirloom varieties. a certain date. Beebalm Other great resources for Some lovely examples of fl owers heirloom varieties are seed saving found in New Bern after 1850 organizations, such as Southern can be found in the Dot Tyler Exposure Seed Exchange, which Garden next to the Museum Shop. features many unique and diverse Beebalm (Monarda sp.) with red- seeds. pink blossoms stands tall with Th e fruit trees that are most uniquely fringed petals. Known successful in this area are apples, for its attractiveness to butterfl ies fi gs and pears. Th en plant a patch and hummingbirds, it has the of herbs such as bronze fennel, sometimes undesirable habit of lemon balm or rosemary to add spreading quickly. Black-eyed Susan fragrance, fl owers and fresh Another hardy yet lovely plant is seasonings for your cooking. the old fashioned petunia (Petunia integrifolia). Th e fuchsia-colored Q: What kind of ground covers fl owers are numerous, and this grow in a wooded area? plant looks good in containers as A: In an area with lots of mature well as in the landscape. shade trees, it can be challenging Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia to bring some interest to the hirta) is a lovely, dependable native ground level. Th ose who admire plant that has been used in gardens foliage, texture and shades of green and is frequently collected and appreciate the diversity of ferns. In shared by neighbors. It reseeds and selecting hardy ferns for this area, is drought tolerant, looking lovely Kitchen Garden note that the Southern wood or in a mass. Th e perennial form of shield fern (Th elypteris kunthii) is this fl ower (R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) repeats each summer one of the best for moderate sun, drought and summer from the previous year’s clump. heat. Th e East Indian holly fern(Arachniodes simplicior For a list of what is blooming at Tryon Palace Historic ‘Variegata’) has glossy evergreen leaves and an interesting Sites & Gardens during any week, visit our website at yellow variegation. And the unique tricolored fronds of www.tryonpalace.org, then click on “gardens” under the Japanese painted ferns (Althyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’) “explore” tab. will make them a delightful standout. Q: How can I fi nd new vegetables to grow in my Lisa Wimpfheimer, horticulturist and head of the Garden garden? Services Branch at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, A: Th e fi rst thing to ask yourself is, “What do I like to directs the planting and care of the site’s 14 acres of gardens eat or cook?” Th en draw inspiration from the Kitchen and has been a plant pest consultant. 2 he alace he alace 3 TP SUMMER 2006 SUMMER 2006 TP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Volunteer opportunities at Tryon Palace by Fran Campbell, Volunteer occur during the school year, this is guides. Academy guides are asked to Coordinator a fun way for school and civil groups volunteer two shifts of their choice ith summer here, to earn community service credits. monthly as their schedules will allow. Tryon Palace Historic • Youth Leaders: Leaders of Sites & Gardens’ Scout troops, church youth groups Christmas in July needW for volunteers is as strong as and civic clubs may contact the Volunteers and paid staff are ever. Volunteers are a vital part of Volunteer Coordinator for more already planning 2006 Candlelight our operations – they contributed information about volunteer Tours at Tryon Palace Historic Sites over 13,000 hours last year, and we programs at TPHS&G. We off er & Gardens. Plans call for having all depend on them to provide even challenging volunteer opportunities guides and character interpreters in more this year. Come join the team! for groups and individuals at such costumes, and we need experienced events as Girl Scout Saturday and seamstresses of all ages to make it Youth volunteers Home School Days, as well as happen. If you can sew by hand or TPHS&G is truly interested in summer, holiday and day camps. use a sewing machine, give us a call! involving young people, 15 years Youth volunteers are needed to Fabric and patterns will be provided and over, in volunteer programs. teach art skills, serve as storytellers, as well as examples of costumes Being a volunteer gives young demonstrate crafts, and work as already made. Your help with our people opportunities to test junior counselors. Help us as we “Christmas in July” will make the their career interests in historical continue our mission to make 2006 Candlelight Tours colorful and fi elds while having fun in a safe history accessible and fun. exciting. environment. Youth under the age of 15 may volunteer if a parent or Fall garden season Young Sprouts Leaders guardian volunteers or works on site Maintenance of the gardens at Th e Young Sprouts Program has with them. Here are just a few of the TPHS&G is an ongoing task. Youth been revised to meet the standards opportunities available: and adults interested in becoming in the 3rd grade curriculum. Th e • Recreation: Th e New Bern profi cient gardeners are most updated program kicks off in fall Academy Museum is a wonderful welcome to join our volunteer/staff 2006. Adults and/or college students place for visitors of all ages to team. Th e Kitchen Garden is one are needed to provide the leadership enjoy activities on the Academy that requires constant care during for this popular school program. Green. Costumed youth volunteers the summer months. Join us, set Training will be off ered in late are needed to demonstrate and your own schedule, and help us summer for both experienced and recruit visitors to participate in make our gardens a “must see” for new leaders. You do not have to be a old-fashioned games of Graces, local, national and international horticulturalist to volunteer for this Horseshoes and Bowles, as well as to garden tourists. program – you only need an interest lead tours of the exhibits. in plants, enjoy working with • Admission clickers: Imagine New Bern Academy Museum children and like being outdoors. bright, smiling young people as In April 2006, the New Bern admission clickers at the gates of Academy Museum became part of To volunteer or for more information, TPHS&G. Volunteers staff the the New Bern Trolley’s morning call Volunteer Coordinator Fran gates when the gardens are open and afternoon tours.