North Carolina USA Native species of the coastal plain region in natural habitats and cultivation
Edward Barrett September 2016 Table of Contents
List of figures 3
Introduction 6
Map of Areas and Places Visited 6
Spruill Farm 7
‘Big Planting Day’ 10
Building Bridges 12
The Nearby Town of Roper 14
Croatan National Forest Two Day Trip 15
Wetland Plants Nursery Inc. 21
Elizabethan Gardens 23
North Carolina Botanical Garden 24
Sarah P Dukes Gardens 26
JC Raulston Arboretum 27
Conclusion 29
Acknowledgements 30
References 30
2 List of Figures
All photos Edward Barrett unless otherwise stated Cover photo: Sunset over the Albemarle sound taken from Spruill Farm shorline Fig. 1 Taxodiom disticum split in half Fig. 2 View of the sound from the shoreline on Jack’s farm Fig. 3 The well equipped mobile home on Spruill Farm Fig. 4 Tillandsia usneoides hanging from the branches of trees Fig. 5 Fallen trees in different stages of decomposition Fig. 6 Jack spruill under a 100 year old Vitis cv. on the farm Fig. 7 Clay Coor member of the steering committee Fig. 8 Passiflora lutea Fig. 9 Callicarpa americana Fig. 10 Abnormal knarled bark of Ilex opaca Fig. 11 Woodpecker markings on the trunk of a Liriodendron tulipifera Fig. 12 Cornus florida Fig. 13 Thorny stem of Aralia spinosa Fig. 14 Melothria pendula Fig. 15 Spiraled trunk of Morus nigra Fig. 16 Ilex verticillata Fig. 17 Carya illinoinensis growing next to the mobile home Fig. 18 Typha latifolia Fig. 19 Eupatorium serotinum Fig. 20 Me holding some Basil plants with other happy gardeners Fig. 21 All hands to the village pump, working hard on the farm for the ‘Big Planting Day’ Fig. 22 Friends of Jack’s, looking out over the sound Fig. 23 Sunset over the sound at the end of the ‘Big Planting Day’ Fig. 24 Clay prunes a sapling to make room for the new bridge Fig. 25 An impressive Taxodium ascendens Fig. 26 Feeling the heat while tying the ropes Fig. 27 Fantastic base to this Nyssa aquatica Fig. 28 Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog playing dead in Clay’s hand Fig. 29 Fishing in a lively thunderstorm with Clay Fig. 30 Just another day for the robust Taxodium distichum far out in the sound with the wind and waves Fig. 31 Abandoned shop in Roper Fig. 32 Abandoned farm building
3 Fig. 33 A caved in roof on this old derelict house in Roper Fig. 34 Platanthera ciliaris Fig. 35 Liatris spicata Fig. 36 Xyris caroliniana Fig. 37 The coastal plain pine forest savannas in the Croatan Fig. 38 A charred Pinus palustris stump Fig. 39 Pyxidanthera brevifolia a characteristic plant here Fig. 40 Clay by a large Pinus palustris Fig. 41 A young Pinus palustris growing close to the ground Fig. 42 A Carolina Bay with a distinct ring of trees round the perimeter Fig. 43 The dividing line between the Carolina Bays and the savanna Fig. 44 Cryilla racemiflora Fig. 45 Smilax laurifolia Fig. 46 Magnolia virginiana re-sprouting after getting burnt Fig. 47 Dionaea muscipula growing amongst sphagnum mosses Fig. 48 Sun lit Sarracenia flava Fig. 49 Close up of a tiny Drosera brevifolia Fig. 50 Flower head of Sarracenia flava Fig. 51 Sarracenia rubra Fig. 52 Dionaea muscipula under pine needles and bark from Pinus palustris Fig. 53 Grass growing above Sarracenia flava Fig. 54 Polygala brevifolia next to a Dionaea muscipula Fig. 55 Polygala lutea more orange than yellow Fig. 56 Kalmia carolina Fig. 57 Vaccinium crassifolium Fig. 58 Sassafras albidum Fig. 59 Opuntia humifusa Fig. 60 Cenchrus tribuloides Fig. 61 Monarda punctata Fig. 62 Solidago odora Fig. 63 Pinus serotina Fig. 64 Sunset over the savanna Fig. 65 Sarracenia purpurea in car headlights Fig. 66 Ellen Colodney with a member of staff Dominique and her pet dog Fig. 67 Carex spp. growing in modular trays
4 Fig. 68 Pulling out the Nymphaea odorata Fig. 69 A turtle found in with the Nymphaea odorata Fig. 70 Sorting through the plants being sent out Fig. 71 A view of the nursery Fig. 72 The storm water pond in the nursery Fig. 73 A traditional knot garden Fig. 74 a view along a wooded path Fig. 75 Two large Magnolia grandiflora Fig. 76 Nephrolepis exaltata Fig. 77 The piedmont habitat Fig. 78 A Pinus palustris being used in a pot display Fig. 79 The coastal display controlled fires but on a really small scale Fig. 80 The Carnivorous Plant Collection with raised beds Fig. 81 A mix of the characteristic plants as seen in the Croatan Fig. 82 Some Sarracenia spp. Fig. 83 Sarracenia minor var. minor Fig. 84 Dionaea muscipula with Vaccinium crassifolium amongst much else Fig. 85 View of Historic Terraces and Fish Pool Fig. 86 Will in the Piedmont prairie Fig. 87 A view of a small stream in the Native Plants area Fig. 88 Zanthoxylum clava-herculis trunk Fig. 89 The weeping branches of a Taxodium distichum Fig. 90 Alternately arranged pinnate leaves on a Cladrastis kentukea Fig. 91 A guided tour by Tim with Will and Clay Fig. 92 The Perennial Border Fig. 93 Me next to one of the large Lagerstroemia spp. Fig. 94 One of many impressive Passiflora cv. flowers Fig. 95 Tim next to an Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Shock Treatment’ Fig. 96 Gaillardia aestivalis in the Roof Top Terrace Fig. 97 The only Fagus grandiflora ‘White Lightning’ Fig. 98 The largest Lagerstroemia spp. outside Japan
5 Introduction I first became interested in visiting North Carolina while volunteering at Chelsea Physic Garden. Here I met Jack Spruill who, would talk about the interesting plants, beautiful scenery and wildlife on his farm and surrounding areas in North Carolina, and recommended visiting any time. It was therefore a straightforward choice to make when considering my proposal for the travel scholarship as part of my apprenticeship course at Kew. The coastal plain region in the east of North Carolina where Jack’s farm is situated, has a huge range of different habitats home to many native and unique plants. I wanted to learn about the different habitats in this region, and the flora and fauna it supports. I especially wanted to see various carnivorous plants like Dionaea muscipula, which have always fascinated me. Then visit a nursery and various gardens devoted to the native species and see how they are grown and displayed. The generous financial support of the Merlin Trust and John Scott Marshal made it possible for me to visit this stunning region for two weeks and achieve my goals.
Map of Areas and Places Visited
5 4 1 Western 6 Region Piedmont i 3 Region Raleigh
Eastern Region 2
1 Spruill Farm and Wetland Plants Inc 2 The Croatan National Forest 3 The Elizabethan Gardens 4 North Carolina Botanical Garden 5 Sarah P Duke Garden 6 JC Raulston Arboretum
6 Spruill Farm Conservation Project The first port of call when I arrived in North Carolina was a five day stay at Spruill Farm. This is a working sustainable farm shared with 1,600 feet of undeveloped shore on the Albemarle Sound, the largest freshwater sound in the world. The Spruill Farm Conservation Project is an effort to preserve and enhance the110 acre farm in rural Washington County which will lead to the farm being donated for perpetual conservation of plants and wildlife, education, gardening, sustainable farming and low impact public access. Here I studied the native plants, worked on a plant list on an online database and assisted with ongoing conservation projects. I also used the farm as a base for a further five days to go on a botanising trip, visit a local plant nursery with work experience, and visit a public garden on the east coast. I had my own room in a well equipped mobile home. The mobile home is used by Jack when staying on his farm.
Fig. 1 Taxodiom disticum split in half Fig. 2 View of the sound from the shoreline on Jack’s farm I arrived at the farm during a fierce thunderstorm which was triggered off by the heat and humidity. Once this blew over, I took a walk down to the shoreline. I was immediately impressed with the view of this vast body of water and the Taxodium distichum and Nyssa aquatica growing from the banks, stretching way out into the sound. It was clear I was a long way from home, with the sounds of crickets, cicadas and frogs, the Tillandsia usneoides hanging from the trees, large insects and lizards all around me as well as large turkey buzzards flying over head. The shoreline was made up of sand which is ever changing with the hurricanes that come up from the tropics. The most recent hurricane called Hermine, had gone through a week before and had caused some damage to the trees like a large Taxodium distichum split in half.
Fig. 3 The well equipped mobile home on Spruill Farm Fig. 4 Tillandsia usneoides hanging from the branches of trees 7 The winds had pushed the sands up over the herbaceous low growing plants up to about 6m from the shoreline and into the swampy area behind. High winds are a regular occurrence here evident from the amount of fallen trees dotted about the shoreline in different stages of decomposition. Jack soon arrived after and we quickly got to work identifying the shrubs trees and herbaceous plants growing on the farm. Fig. 5 Fallen trees in different stages of decomposition He uses an online database called iNaturalist to build on a list of findings of plants, animals and fungi on the farm for the conservation project. It proved to be a really useful tool which we used as an app through our phones. It stores all the information taken including the genus/species, photographs, and location, and then broadcasted to a large community of users who can assist with the identification of unknown entries. While on the farm I made 67 entries including Passiflora lutea which had yet to be identified there. Some of the entries of interest to me were; Aralia spinosa, Callicarpa americana, Cornus florida, Ilex opaca, Ilex verticillata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia grandiflora, Melothria pendula, Morus nigra and Vitis labrusca. Fig. 6 Jack spruill under a 100 year old Vitis cv. on the farm
A member of the steering committee for the conservation project Clay Coor, arrived two days later. His plant knowledge was excellent and he was a real asset to my trip showing me interesting plants and identifying a number of species.
Fig. 7 Clay Coor member of the steering committee
8 Photos of some of the interesting plants on Spruill Farm.
Fig. 8 Passiflora lutea Fig. 9 Callicarpa americana Fig. 10 Abnormal knarled bark of Ilex opaca
Fig. 11 Woodpecker markings on the trunk Fig. 12 Cornus florida Fig. 13 Thorny stem of Aralia spinosa of a Liriodendron tulipifera
Fig. 14 Melothria pendula Fig. 15 Spiraled trunk of Morus nigra Fig. 16 Ilex verticillata
Fig. 17 Carya illinoinensis growing next to Fig. 18 Typha latifolia Fig. 19 Eupatorium serotinum the mobile home
9 Big Planting Day A bi-annual event known as the ‘Big Planting Day’ was set for the Saturday. People from the surrounding towns come to help sow seeds on a small devoted section of the farm, which is maintained and harvested by them. As well as helping out the community, this day also helps to publicise the farm and the efforts being made with the conservation work and sustainable farming practices, which is written about in the local paper.
Fig. 20 Me holding some Basil plants with other Fig. 21 All hands to the village pump, working hard on the farm for the happy gardeners ‘Big Planting Day’ We worked on getting everything ready for the day, I helped gather the tools, and organize the eating and drinking areas. The farmer Joey ploughed the field in preparation which left the sandy soil a bit cloddy in places but mostly suitable for sowing. We consolidated the ground, marked out rows using labels with what was being sown and then broadcast the seeds on the surface. Despite this rough and ready approach, good results had been achieved previously when using this method.
I enjoyed the day and talking to the people that came and helped out, everyone was interested hearing about my trip to the area. We chatted about the differences in horticulture between England and the USA amongst many other topics. There were about 20 of us in total and we got the sowing finished before lunch time. A barbeque was put on for everyone which took place by the shoreline. While eating we got a great sighting of a Bald Eagle which was perched in the top of a Taxodium out over the water. Fig. 22 Friends of Jack’s, looking out over the sound Clay said it had been nesting here earlier in the year.
10 Later into the evening we fished next to a fire to keep the mosquitoes away which proved not especially effective. Even while being bitten from head to toe it didn’t detract from the incredible sunset over the sound, and the sighting of 17 ospreys congregating over the water close by. A snake swam up to the bank where we were fishing with a catfish in its mouth and proceeded to swallow it right under our feet completely oblivious to us taking photos. It was a really eventful end to a great day and made me aware how important this environment is in supporting a real diversity of wildlife. I thought about Jack’s efforts to protect the land by the sound and the obvious reasons he’s so passionate about it.
Fig. 23 Sunset over the sound at the end of the ‘Big Planting Day’
11 Building Bridges The next day we built a small floating bridge over a channel of water which cuts off some of the shoreline on the farm for access. It was made from two floats connected by two lengths of timber tied up to nearby trees to prevent it floating away.
Fig. 24 Clay prunes a sapling to make room for the new bridge
It was stiflingly hot and humid which made working rather arduous. I was shown an impressive Taxodium ascendens by Jack while having a break. It’s the only one on the Fig. 25 An impressive Taxodium ascendens farm, with no one knowing how it came to be growing there, almost certainly predating the 100 year old farm.
Fig. 26 Feeling the heat while tying the ropes
Fig. 27 Fantastic base to this Nyssa aquatica Fig. 28 Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog playing dead in Clay’s hand
12 Later that day Clay and I fished in the sound for that evenings dinner. A lively storm came in and quickly changed the smooth water into crashing waves led by a strong wind. It soaked us both through which was quite welcomed considering how hot the day had been. As the lightning got closer we decided to abandon the fishing and get back to the safety of the mobile home. The weather changes very quickly in this environment and the thunderstorm gave me an idea of the harsh conditions the trees on the shoreline have to endure. Fig. 29 Fishing in a lively thunderstorm with Clay
Fig. 30 Just another day for the robust Taxodium distichum far out in the sound with the wind and waves
13 The Nearby Town of Roper While driving through Roper where Jack grew up, he told me about this once busy farming community becoming a very quiet rural town, showing me many abandoned, rundown houses, farm buildings and shops.
Fig. 31 Abandoned shop in Roper Fig. 32 Abandoned farm building
Jack suggested the reason for this was because of the agricultural practices becoming streamlined over the years, with larger plots of land and modern machinery leading to a lack of work for lots of people. I thought about the contrast this was to England where housing is really valued (no matter where it is) because of the restricted space.
Fig. 33 A caved in roof on this old derelict house in Roper
14 Croatan National Forest Two Day Trip Clay arranged a two day botanising trip to the Croatan National Forest in the coastal plain region of the state. He planned the trip to take in the coastal pine forest Savannas and the mysterious Carolina Bays, which would lead us to see many plant species including some carnivorous plants which had been allocated on previous trips. We drove from the farm down to Hackers Island where we would stay that night. On the way we encompassed many vast waterways including the Pamlico, and went over long bridges seeing pelicans smashing the surface of the water with their beaks. We navigated through the Croatan National Forest stopping many times on the way to look at interesting plants spotted from the car. Some of the road side plants we saw were; Platanthera ciliaris, Xyris caroliniana, Liatris spicata, Quercus virginiana, Ilex vomitoria and Chamaecrista fasciculate.
Fig. 34 Platanthera ciliaris Fig. 35 Liatris spicata Fig. 36 Xyris caroliniana
The SatNav we used to navigate had a sea level reading which hovered a few feet either side of zero through most of the journey. The area is predominately boggy with a high water table. We got to the pine forest savannas and set out identifying the plants and taking in the surroundings. The day was really hot and sunny around 32 Celsius. We could not stay out in the sun for too long and kept the car close by which was equipped with much needed refreshments.
Fig. 37 The coastal plain pine forest savannas in the Croatan
15 Fig. 38 A charred Pinus palustris stump Fig. 39 Pyxidanthera brevifolia a characteristic plant here The pine forest savannas are managed with controlled periodic fires.This replaces the natural process of fires being started by lightning strikes. The fires reduce the amount and size of trees and shrubby vegetation, therefore maintaining an open sunny environment allowing other low growing and herbaceous species to grow. The main vegetation was grasses and sedges of several species along with Pyxidanthera brevifolia and Vaccinium crassifolium . The grasses and sedges get burnt back to the ground preventing them from colonising the landscape and pushing out other species which grow low to the ground escaping the worst of the flames. The keystone species in this environment is Pinus palustris, the state tree of North Carolina. It has evolved to withstand this frequent burning with thick bark which is charred black, protecting the living wood beneath. It also starts low to the ground developing an extensive root system, then grows up as quickly as possible to prevent getting its crown burnt. This tree is a vital habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. A conservation program is in force in North Carolina to increase the Pinus palustris population which has been superseded by the common Pinus taeda originally grown for its fast growing timber.
Fig. 40 Clay by a large Pinus palustris Fig. 41 A young Pinus palustris growing close to the ground
16 Clay pointed out dense shrubby areas which had a different range of species within the savannas. These were the Carolina Bays which are semi-circular depressions in the ground, frequent along the east coast. They are given this name because the majority are found in the Carolinas and because of the bays (common name for Magnolia spp.) which are frequently found growing within. It is a mystery how they came to be and there are two main theories: one says they were created by forces within the Earth, the other suggests that they were gouged out by an astronomical event. There is a very clear divide between the Carolina Bays and the surrounding pine forests because of the sudden drop in ground level creating boggy conditions for most the year. This makes the fires hard to spread through allowing the shrubs and woody plants to grow tall and dense. These areas are host to a large diversity of flora and fauna. Some of the plant species we found growing here were; Smilax laurifolia, Magnolia virginiana, Ilex coriacea and Cryilla racemiflora. Fig. 42 A Carolina Bay with a distinct ring of trees round the perimeter
Fig. 43 The dividing line between the Carolina Bays and the savanna Fig. 44 Cryilla racemiflora
Fig. 45 Smilax laurifolia Fig. 46 Magnolia virginiana re-sprouting after getting burnt
17 Within the dividing line between the two areas is a perfect environment for the carnivorous plants to grow. This being boggy, nutrient poor soil devoid of dense cover from shrubs and trees. The species found in this dividing area were; Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia rubra, Drosera brevifolia and Dionaea muscipula.
Fig. 47 Dionaea muscipula growing amongst sphagnum mosses
Fig. 48 Sun lit Sarracenia flava
Fig. 49 Close up of a tiny Drosera brevifolia
Fig. 50 Flower head of Sarracenia flava Fig. 51 Sarracenia rubra
18 A lot of the plants were hard to spot amongst the thick sphagnum mosses and tufts of grass which had increased through the season, according to Clay. He said they were more extensive earlier on in the season with a carpet of flytraps difficult not to step on.These may have dried up in the height of the summer which had reached the high 30s (Celsius) for prolonged periods.
Fig. 52 Dionaea muscipula under pine needles and bark from Pinus palustris Fig. 53 Grass growing above Sarracenia flava
Other plants found here were Hypericum reductum, Polygala lutea, Polygala brevifolia and Vaccinium crassifolium.
Fig. 54 Polygala brevifolia next to a Dionaea muscipula
Fig. 55 Polygala lutea more orange than yellow
Fig. 56 Kalmia carolina Fig. 57 Vaccinium crassifolium
19 We went to other pine forests and saw many species including Sassafras albidum, Ilex glabra, Cenchrus tribuloides and a random small patch of Opuntia humifusa.
Fig. 58 Sassafras albidum Fig. 59 Opuntia humifusa Fig. 60 Cenchrus tribuloides
The last pine forest we went to was a lot boggier overall, here we found further Dionaea muscipula along with a splendid Monarda punctata and the only Pinus serotina sighted that day.
Fig.61 Monarda punctata Fig. 62 Solidago odora Fig. 63 Pinus serotina
Fig. 64 Sunset over the savanna Fig. 65 Sarracenia purpurea in car headlights
It got dark all too quickly and the last sighting was of a Sarracenia purpurea found within a ditch off a small mud track and was aided by the car headlights. We set off back to the farm leaving in total darkness feeling tired and hungry but talking spiritedly about the day’s events.
20 Wetland Plants Nursery Inc. The nursery is the leading example in North Carolina which grow wetland native plants for commercial use to be used mostly as Storm water ponds for businesses, government entities and nonprofit organizations. Storm water ponds are depressions in the ground planted up with suitable vegetation for the location and bogginess. The plants used, act like a sponge soaking up runoff rain water from developed sites and filter out contaminates like fuel, preventing excessive rain and pollution from entering watercourses. It is now the law to allocate an area of land in close proximity to any new development to catch run off from storm water. The nursery is owned by a friend of Jack’s, Ellen Colodney. I asked to spend two days helping out. She was very knowledgeable about the native plants she worked with and passionate about the work she did which clearly had a great influence on everyone there. Ellen started the nursery many years ago working by herself collecting seeds from the wild. She now has a team of 8 staff. The nursery was very mindful of waste and everything was re-used or recycled as much as possible. Fig. 66 Ellen Colodney with a member of staff Dominique and her pet dog
The main plants grown there were sedges, with about 9 different Carex spp. These were growing in long shallow troughs. The plants were standing in water in modular trays. There were many other aquatic plants like Nymphaea odorata which on my first day there, I was given the task of cleaning up the individual plants before being stock checked. Everyone seemed to be working hard and enjoying themselves and I enjoyed helping out. Fig. 67 Carex spp. growing in modular trays
Fig. 68 Pulling out the Nymphaea odorata Fig. 69 A turtle found in with the Nymphaea odorata
21 When I arrived the next day, they were getting a delivery out and really appreciated the extra pair of hands. We were grouping plants into 50, bagging them up without the containers so they could be planted at the other end quickly with no rubbish left. The modules would be cleaned then reused.
Fig. 70 Sorting through the plants being sent out
Fig. 71 A view of the nursery
Before leaving I looked around their own storm water pond which was planted a number of years ago and appeared to be thriving with hundreds of frogs, snakes and insects supported by the dense vegetation. Some of the plants I spotted which I had seen growing in the nursery were Iris versicolor, Peltandra virginica, Acorus americanus and Carex comosa.
Fig. 72 The storm water pond in the nursery
22 Elizabethan Gardens This was set up in the 1950s on Roanoke Island on the site of “The Lost Colony”, which was a colony founded by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 16th century as an attempt by Queen Elizabeth I to establish a permanent English settlement. The colony disappeared without a trace.
Fig. 73 A traditional knot garden Fig. 74 a view along a wooded path
The first sight when entering the garden was a period knot garden. The rest of the garden generally had a woodland feel to it apart from a few more open areas like the rose garden and a lawn in the middle surrounded by some large Magnolia grandiflora.
Fig. 75 Two large Magnolia grandiflora Fig. 76 Nephrolepis exaltata
The plants seemed to be mostly a mixture of natives with Asian ornamental cultivars used nicely around the garden. Hydrangea quercifolia, Nephrolepis exaltata, Farfugium japonicum ‘Aureomaculatum’, Thujopsis dolabrata, and many Lagerstroemia cv. to name a few. There was very little in the way of unusual native flora which was mostly aimed towards a tourist audience with a large statue of Queen Elizabeth I along the way. It was enjoyable to look around none the less.
The next day I drove from the farm west to Raleigh the capital of North Carolina. Here I planned to visit North Carolina Botanical Garden, Sarah P Dukes and JC Raulston, in what the locals call the triangle, an area made up of the three neighboring cities Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham. I met up with Will Hemree who I knew from working with at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens while he was an intern. He is studying a Horticultural Science masters degree at NC State University. He invited me to stay at his house in Raleigh for the remainder of my trip and would join me on my garden visits too.
23 North Carolina Botanical Garden The botanical garden is within the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is a collection of different sites which began development in 1903 and now comprises of more than 1000 acres with arboretums, natural areas and display gardens. I visited the Display Gardens and Education Center which has many different areas including; Garden of Flowering Plant Families, habitat display gardens that interpret the plants and vegetation of North Carolina and a Carnivorous Plant Collection, among much else.
Fig. 77 The piedmont habitat Fig. 78 A Pinus palustris being used in a pot display
The botanical garden was very impressive, it had good interpretation about the plants and habitats, the plants looked healthy and it was all well maintained. I liked the way the different regions found in the state were laid out and depicted. The areas were coastal, piedmont and mountainous habitats, they used the characteristic native plants found in these areas together with rarer species.
Fig. 79 The coastal display controlled fires but on a really small scale
The coastal display was of particular interest since I had seen the natural habitat in the Croatan a few days before. It used a range of plants and was managed in the same way with controlled fires but on a really small scale which was excellent.
24 Fig. 80 The Carnivorous Plant Collection with raised beds
The carnivorous area was a highlight. It was presented well with individual raised beds illustrating different regions where they grow. I really liked the Atlantic coastal plain bed which had a similar feel as the margins of the Carolina Bays I saw, where they naturally grow. The same plants were used as found in that habitat, along with some rarer plants I had not seen like Sarracenia minor var. minor.
Fig. 81 A mix of the characteristic plants as seen in the Croatan Fig. 82 Some Sarracenia spp.
Fig. 83 Sarracenia minor var. minor Fig. 84 Dionaea muscipula with Vaccinium crassifolium amongst much else
25 Sarah P Dukes Gardens This is named after the widow of one of the university’s founders, Benjamin N. Duke, who financed the garden project in the 1930s. The botanical garden is found in the heart of Duke University in Durham. It is split into four main areas; Historic Gardens, Garden of Native Plants, Asiatic Arboretum, and the Doris Duke Center Gardens.
Fig. 85 View of Historic Terraces and Fish Pool Fig. 86 Will in the Piedmont prairie I had an enjoyable visit and thought all the areas were very beautiful, and well maintained. The Native plant area was of particular interest. It was mostly woodland with many interesting trees such as Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, a weeping Taxodium distichum and Cladrastis kentukea identified by its alternately arranged compound pinnate leaves.
Fig. 87 A view of a small stream in the Native Plants area Fig. 88 Zanthoxylum clava-herculis trunk
Fig. 89 The weeping branches of a Taxodium distichum Fig. 90 Alternately arranged pinnate leaves on a Cladrastis kentukea
26 JC Raulston Arboretum The arboretum in Raleigh is part of the NC State University. It was set up in the mid 1970s by Dr. JC Raulston, a renowned plantsman and professor of horticultural science at the university, who wanted to promote a greater diversity of landscape plants better adapted to the southeast USA climate. The garden conducts trials of cultivars and species plants from the USA and around the world, and those plants with the superior potential to thrive in this climate are identified and promoted in cooperation with the nursery industry.
Fig. 91 A guided tour by Tim with Will and Clay Fig. 92 The Perennial Border
I was given a guided tour by the Director Mark Weathington and the Horticultural Technician Tim Alderton. Will and Clay accompanied me. The garden and the work carried out was really interesting. We were shown some great collections like Passiflora cv. and Magnolia cv. I spotted a Magnolia x ‘Kewensis’ which was a surprise.
Fig. 93 Me next to one of the large Lagerstroemia spp. Fig. 94 One of many impressive Passiflora cv. flowers
27 Tim told us the plants are not fussed over for the purpose of testing their robustness, and once the trials have been completed they will be removed to free up space for new plants. He stressed there was no room for sentimentality, it was not a display garden to showcase beautiful plants.
Fig. 95 Tim next to an Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Shock Treatment’ Fig. 96 Gaillardia aestivalis in the Roof Top Terrace
Fig. 97 The only Fagus grandiflora ‘White Lightning’ Fig. 98 The largest Lagerstroemia spp. outside Japan
Out of all the plants I saw that day the ones that stick out are a dwarf Pinus taeda grown from cuttings taken from the abnormal growth habit of witches brooms caused by a fungus and a dwarf weeping Fagus grandiflora ‘White Lightning’ which is the only one in existence and was a natural deformity found in a woodland which was to be cleared for development. I saw some very impressive Lagerstroemia spp. like L. fauriei ‘Fantasy’ and is known to be the largest of its genre growing outside of Japan.
28 Conclusion The experience I gained from my two weeks in North Carolina I feel has been hugely beneficial to my career in horticulture. I went to learn about the different habitats in this region, the plant species it supports, and see how these plants are being grown in nursery conditions and displayed in various gardens. I feel I achieved this and more. Before I left I would not have imagined the flora, scenery and wildlife that I encountered, with the contacts and friendships I made along the way. I spent a lot of my time at Spruill Farm and in the Croatan National Forest as there was so much to discover in the way of plant species. The list of plants I created exceeded 100, over half of which were new to me. I would have liked to spend more time in the Croatan as it was so vast and I barely scratched the surface. I was told late spring is the best time to visit before the grasses grow tall obscuring a lot of the other low growing species beneath. I was lucky enough however, to witness many unique plant species and most of the carnivorous plants I hoped to see which I am so pleased about. My two weeks were spectacular and along with achieving what I set out, I have also been inspired to carry on learning about this wonderful region of North Carolina. I hope to return and explore these rich habitats further.
29 Acknowledgements Firstly I would like to thank Jack Spruill who I owe much to for organising my trip and not least for making me feel very welcome on his farm, showing me a great time and introducing me to Clay who devoted a lot of his time and expertise to showing me the best of North Carolina and the plants it has to offer. I would not have seen the more interesting plants of these parts without him. I would also like to thank; Ellen Colodney for allowing me to help out at her plant nursery. Will Hemree for welcoming me to stay at his house in Raleigh and for being one of the best guides I know, who never seems lost for words when talking about plants! Mark Weathington and Tim Alderton at JC Raulston for a guided tour around their impressive garden. The generous people at the Merlin Trust for my well received grant money. The John Scott Marshal panel for giving me some of the grant money towards this trip. Martin Staninforth my tutor at Kew who helped me with my proposal. I would like to add that Jack, Clay and Will were (above all) great company to have during my time in North Carolina, making my trip very enjoyable and memorable with amusing stories and conversations as well as their genuine wealth of interesting knowledge, that I shan’t forget.
References
The Natural Gardens of North Carolina by B. W. Wells
Wildflowers of South Carolina by Porcher and Rayner
[Online] Croatan National Forest. Available: http://www.fs.usda.gov
[Online] Wetlands, Habitat and Threats. Available: https://www.nccoastalatlas.org
[Online] US Climate Data North Carolina Albemarle. Available: http://www.usclimatedata.com
[Online] The North Carolina Botanic Garden. Available: http://ncbg.unc.edu/
[Online] JC Raulston Arboretum. Available: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/
[Online] Sarah P Dukes Gardens. Available: http://gardens.duke.edu/
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