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Kalmia Gardens of Coker University -The Laurel Branch
April 05, 2024
Welcome to our e-newsletter, "The Laurel Branch."
Oyster Roast Recap
The annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser has come and gone again this year and it could not have been more of a success. There were plenty of laughing and smiling faces no matter which way you turned. Between the delicious oysters and the flowing beer and wine, how could anyone not have a good time? This event was packed full to the brim, with some of the loveliest people around gathered together to support the Gardens. The Kalmia team loves nothing more than seeing a happy crowd enjoying their time with friends and family. We could not be more thankful for everyone who made this momentous day a total hit. We could not have done it without you all. We cannot wait to have even more fun next year! Photos of the fun can be found on our Facebook page.New Addition for the Gardens
Kalmia Gardens sends a huge thank you to Duke Energy Foundation for funding our grant request to provide the Gardens with a much-needed upgrade to our trash receptacles. Not only will this funding encourage guests to be responsible with their trash, but it will also keep wildlife from spreading trash into the floodplain. We are grateful for the positive impact these trash receptacles will have on keeping our ecosystems litter-free.Earth Day Festival
Once again, we are excited to host our annual Earth Day Festival! The festival will take place on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. We will have many lovely vendors that are sure to feature something for everyone. We will have Black Creek Wildlife Center for animal lovers, vendors with crystals, a free yoga session, and more. Over at the Joslin Education Center, the Darlington Master Gardeners will be having their Plant Sale for all of your gardening additions. We have a little bit of everything to make this Earth Day Festival a fun outing to celebrate our planet. We would love to see you there!
Plant Sale at the Joslin Education Center
The Darlington County Master Gardeners are again holding their annual Plant Sale this year. The Plant Sale will be held on April 11th and 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and April 13th from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You may want to come early because these plants sell like hotcakes. The skills of the Master Gardeners are out of this world, and you will want to get your hands on these top-notch plants for your home gardens. The Plant Sale will occur at the Joslin Education Center, 1520 West Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, S.C. We hope to see you there.Week in the Wild
Exciting summer fun will be happening at Kalmia Gardens again this summer with Week in the Wild! Week in the Wild is an excellent way for your child to have a safe, fun, hands-on learning experience in the natural environment. Our program is open to rising first through sixth graders. Nature study, arts and crafts, hikes, and games are just some of the activities we have planned for these not-so-lazy summer mornings. Registration opens May 1, and the half-day weeklong camp costs $125 per child. Dates for camp are July 8-12 for rising first and second grades, July 15-19 for rising third and fourth grades, and July 22-26 for rising fifth and sixth grades. We look forward to seeing your child in camp. Email Elizabeth at efloyd@coker.edu for more information.
Elizabeth’s Volunteer Spotlight
In this issue, I have chosen our loyal volunteer from the Governor's School of Science and Math (GSSM), Naisha. She reached out to me, wanting to bring a group to help us with whatever project we could use the help on. At the time, bagging oysters was our biggest need. It is a big ask for a new group of volunteers to shovel smelly oysters for an hour or two. Naisha and her group did not complain one bit, but instead threw themselves at the work and didn’t look back. Naisha showed such excellent leadership with her group, encouraging them at every turn. Before I knew it, they were singing songs and chatting while they did some really stellar work. At each step of the project, they were coming up with new and more efficient ways to complete the tasks, some of which we still use today! Naisha had nothing but a smile on her face the whole time we were out there in the heat with the smell of hot oysters. I could not say enough great things about Naisha and how she is able to rally her classmates to a good cause, a cause she deeply cares about. Naisha states, “What I enjoy most about volunteering is the sense of fulfillment that comes from making a positive difference in a community or the environment. It's deeply gratifying to know that my contributions are part of something larger than myself and that my efforts are important in causing meaningful change.” I could not agree more with her sentiment. When asked about what she would say to people interested in volunteering, “I would say to always come into volunteering with an open mind and a ‘can do’ attitude! Positivity is the key because no matter how hard the job is, the end result will always be worth it.” It is safe to say that Naisha talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to giving back to our community. I am so happy to have her as a part of the Kalmia volunteer family. Happy volunteering!Chris’s tip
It is a busy time of year for everyone from the wildlife to us gardeners. It is time to prepare for the explosion of new growth that is just around the bend. The most important part of gardening is not always choosing the perfect plant or picking the right place for your pots, it is the soil! No matter what else you do right, without good soil you will find it hard to keep your garden looking its best. Well-balanced soil is literally the foundation of all vibrant potted plants and in-ground gardens. The best method to find your way in building a good foundation for your plants is to do a soil test. Soil tests are a gardener's greatest tool. These tests are like an x-ray view into what is in the soil and if it is able to meet our plants' needs. Soil tests are designed to measure the nutrients that are available to plants and advise the right action for any deficiencies. This means that before you alter your soil composition in any way with fertilizer or additives, you should take a soil sample to your nearest extension office. I prefer to use the Clemson Extension service because they check for soil pH. The reason pH is so important is that if it is not correct, your plants cannot absorb the fertilizer, no matter how much you use. In addition to pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Boron, and a few other macronutrients are also measured in the test. All of these factors being in the correct balance is absolutely essential to building a healthy garden from the start. Now that you have done all that you can to give your dear plants the best start in life, it is time to relax. Take a deep breath and step back to appreciate all the hard work you have done. Now, it is all up to your plants to grow from the strong foundations you have made. Happy sampling, and remember, “Don’t guess, soil test.”Dan’s Interesting Plant
Rhododendron indica or Azalea is my interesting plant for this issue of the Laurel Branch. Azaleas are heralds of spring, announcing the arrival of warmer weather with their abundant blooms. The azaleas bloom depending on the weather each year. Having a late frost in the season is a reason that the flowers would be later than expected for the year. Speaking of blooms, the colors can range in shades from a vibrant fuchsia to a bright burgundy. These plants can grow between three and four feet tall. Partial shade is what this plant truly needs to thrive. Additionally, these shrubs do best in well-drained soil. The leaves of this plant are hairy or fuzzy to the touch. The leaves are a more rich and deep green color on the upper surface, while the undersurface is a pale-colored reflection of the top. This plant’s leaves also feature a slightly toothed margin. This shrub’s genus name has two unique roots that came together to form its name. The first part, “rhodo,” stems from the Greek word for rose. The second part of this lovely plant’s name came from the word “dendron,” which means tree in Greek. Together, you have a beautiful genus name for a truly stunning plant. Come by the Gardens to stroll through the blooms while they are at their best! Happy hiking!
Rhododendron indicaBeautiful Plants of Kalmia Gardens
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Anisetree (Illicium anisatum)
Azalea (Rhododendron indica)
Beech (Fagus grandiflora)
Bladderwort (Ultricularia inflata)
Blueberry (Vaccinium elliotii)
Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum)
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Cross Vine (Anisostichus capreolata)
Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus)
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Dogwood, Double (Cornus florida var. plena)
Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
Florida Anise (Illicum foridanum)
Fragrant Ash (Fraximus cuspidate)
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Heartleaf (Hexastylis arifolia)
Honeysuckle, Coral (Lonicera sempervirens)
Laurel, Cherry (Prunus laurocerasus)
Lusterleaf Holly (Ilex latifolia)
Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x Nellie R. Stevens)
Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)
Pinxter Flower (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Quince (Chaernomeles japonica)
Red Bud (Cercis canadensis)
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Spirea, Bridalwreath (Spirea thunberii)
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Yaupon (IIex vomitoria)
Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)EVENTS:
Darlington County Master Garden Association Plant Sale
April 11th and 12th from 9:00 am - 2:00 p.m., and April 13th, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Earth Day Festival April 13th, 2024, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Week in the Wild
Rising 1st & 2nd Grades July 10-14
Rising 3rd & 4th Grades July 17-21
Rising 5th & 6th Grades July 24-28
Copyright © 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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