The Potomac Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society has graciously extended an invitation to our chapter members to join them on a trip to North Carolina nurseries the weekend of 5-7 March. Those members interested in this trip should contact Don Hyatt directly. Email: don@donaldhyatt.com Phone: 703-241-5421
2010 North Carolina Nursery Trip
March 5-7, 2010
In November, many members of the ARS and ASA visited Acer Acres, a wholesale Japanese maple grower near Ashland, VA. We are planning another joint field trip in March to some North Carolina nurseries and we invite you to join us. We realize the date conflicts with the rescheduling of our February meeting that was canceled due to snow, but perhaps you can come for some of our trip, the weekend of March 5 to 7, 2010.
These trips are very informal. We select a date, a proposed itinerary, and a motel as a rendezvous point. People make their own reservations and travel arrangements. Joe Marsala is coordinating the Rhododendron Society group and he has obtained a reduced rate at the motel. Feel free to join us on any part of the trip or set your own itinerary. We have found it is always more fun to share such adventures with our gardening friends. Remember to bring your favorite refreshments for “happy hour” at the motel, too.
Several of the places we intend visit are primarily mail order nurseries and are not open to the public except a few times each year. That is why we have chosen that first weekend in March. Pine Knot Farms and Plant Delights are only open on those dates.
If you plan to go on the trip, let Don Hyatt, the ASA contact know so he can keep you informed of any changes. He will be coordinating plans with Joe Marsala in the ARS
Email: don@donaldhyatt.com Phone: 703-241-5421
Accommodations: Comfort Inn, Garner, NC
We have decided to stay at the Comfort Inn again since their rates are good and they are close to the Interstate, restaurants, and several of the nurseries. Below is information on the hotel. Make your reservations soon but you may need to mention Joe Marsala and the Rhododendron Society to get our group rate: $62.99 per night with AAA or AARP.
Comfort Inn - Garner
126 Cleveland Crossing Drive
Garner, NC, 27529
Phone: (919) 773-1110
Fax: (919) 772-2345
Reservations 1-877-424-6423
Directions: From I-85 in NC heading south, take Exit #218 (US-1 south) toward Raleigh. Continue south on US-1 for 39 miles. Take I-440 East (Inner Beltline) toward Rocky Mount. Stay on I-440 for about 5 miles to Exit #16 (I-40 East) to Benson/Wilmington. Continue 11 miles on I-40 and take exit #312 onto NC-42. Turn left onto 42 W, go about 0.3 miles and turn right just past the Cracker Barrel Restaurant onto Cleveland Crossing.
Proposed Itinerary:
Friday, March 5: Travel (AM), Pine Knot Farms (early PM), Meet at Motel (late PM)
Saturday, March 6: Big Bloomers (AM), Plant Delights (PM)
Sunday, March 7: Check Out of Motel, Camellia Forest (AM), Niche Gardens (PM)
2010 North Carolina Nursery Trip
Suggested Itinerary Details
Pine Knot Farms (Visit Friday March 5, early afternoon)
681 Rockchurch Road
Clarksville, VA 23927
(434) 252-1990
www.pineknotfarms.com
pineknot@gloryroad.net
Hellebore Festival; March 5, 6 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Pine Knot Farms
Directions:
From Washington: Take I-95 south to I-85 turnoff. Continue on I-85 to Exit 214 (Henderson). Go North on Highway 39 for 17 miles (you will cross back into Virginia). At the Virginia line the road gets gravely, without a center line. Go ½ mile to a driveway (marked by their sign). Pine Knot Farms is at the end of this long driveway.
Note: To get to the motel afterwards, return to NC-39 and head south for 18.5 miles to US-1 and follow previous directions to Garner.
Big Bloomers Flower Farm (Visit Saturday Morning, March 6)
275 Pressly Foushee Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 776-6597
www.bigbloomersflowerfarm.com
bigbloomers@windstream.net
Saturday 8:30 – 5:00 Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 (Earlier if arranged)
Directions:
From Garner, go north on I-40. Continue west on I-40 to US-1. Go south on US-1 to the Tramway light (Route 1303). Turn right and go to the first left past the elementary school (sign is on the right). This is Pressly Fourshee Road.
Plant Delights (Visit Saturday Afternoon, March 6)
9241 Sauls Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 772-4794
www.plantdelights.com
March 6-7 8:00 – 5:00
Directions:
From motel, go west on Hwy 42 about 45 minutes. Sauls Road is 4.2 miles past the I-40 overpass. Turn right onto Sauls Road and go 3 miles north. The nursery is on the right.
Camellia Forrest (Visit Sunday at 10:00, March 7)
9701 Carrie Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 968-0504
www.camforest.com
camforest@aol.com
Saturdays 10:00 – 4:00
Joe Marsala has arranged for them to open for us Sunday at 10:00.
Directions:
From motel in Garner, go north on I-40 to Exit 273 (Rt. 54). Stay on Rte. 54. Continue 2 miles past Carrboro Plaza. Look for the Camellia Forest sign on the right (gravel drive).
Niche Gardens (Visit Sunday, March 7 in Afternoon)
1111 Dawson Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-0078
www.nichegardens.com
mail@nichegardens.com
Hours: Saturday 9:00 – 5:00 Sunday 10:00 – 5:00
Directions:
From Camellia Forest, continue on Rt. 54 to Wildcat Creek Road. Turn left onto Wildcat Creek Road, and go to Old Greensboro Hwy. Turn Right, and go to Dawson Road. Turn left, and Niche Gardens will be on your left as you drive down Dawson.
Other Attractions:
There are some other public gardens in the area that might be nice to visit if there is time, especially Friday afternoon if you get an early start. Many of them will have late winter and early spring displays.
J.C. Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh NC
www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/index.php
Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham NC
www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens
UNC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC
www.ncbg.unc.edu
