Private area garden
Join us for a day of fellowship with friends as we explore this charming community just north of Charlotte. We will tour two beautiful private gardens, a historic memorial garden and end with a visit to Little Farm--touring the growing area, learning about the fascinating history of both the farm and the area. Enjoy flowers and garden-related arts and items available for sale from local growers and designers.
Price Per Person: $250/member; $300/non-member
Wing Haven will maintain a waitlist in the event the trip sells out. Non-refundable after Friday, May 23, 2025.
Trip Agenda
7:30 am Coffee and light refreshments, registration
8:00 am Depart Park Road Shopping Center, (4101 Park Road, Charlotte)
8:45 am Tucker Garden
These beautiful gardens – a blend of Carolyn's spirituality and her love for fantasy – cover approximately 10 acres. The stroll through her gardens begins off Hermitage Drive on the Aurora pathway, lined with moss, hostas, wildflowers, ferns and shrubs. The stairs lead you around a formal granite fountain and up to the house. A look to the left allows a view of what appears to be a bell tower which she and her grandchildren suspect is inhabited by a troll (fantasy). Off to the right, but hidden from view is her Secret Place (spiritual) where Lenten Rose grows alongside woodland shade plants, Solomon's Seal and ferns. Many of the ferns have been transplanted from their property adjoining Morrow Mountain State Park in Stanly County. A waterfall and pond were added behind the house in 1992. River rock and slate stepping stones were hauled in by Bob and Carolyn for these projects from the creeks on their property in Stanly County. The pathway by the waterfall leads to the Conservatory where Carolyn and the granddaughters had tea parties. The walk continues to the dripping fountain where frogs jump out of view and bog plants grow. Next is the cypress arbor where stones from Israel are cemented into a wall. A rock garden and night garden are next and by this time the visitor is ready for a rest and only the strong of heart are ready for the walk in the woods to her newest and never complete (where Old Turtle is said to live) behind the Carriage House. In Carolyn's land of fantasy, the newest garden creation is a Hermit House of handmade bricks which are made to look at least 500 years old. The imaginary hermit looks out his front door to see annuals planted into the shape of a large butterfly. (A symbol of the resurrection) Just outside the hermit's door is a huge stone that Bob discovered on their land in Stanly County. The stone has an indention in the shape of a cross. There are many other things to tickle anyone's fancy. It is a peaceful place to spend a few hours. Many who attend, do just that. They sit in the swing and relax and enjoy God's creation.
10:50 am Walk to next garden
11:00 am Morrison Garden
Our home was built in 1974 by Martin and “Puddin” Foil. Puddin was from Charlotte and had strong ties to Wing Haven. She was a master gardener and for over 40 years channeled her vision, passion, and resources into her garden. She employed the best garden designers in the state, and took the garden through many iterations. I believe she was greatly inspired by Elizabeth Lawrence and Elizabeth Clarkson. The birds, particularly the bluebirds, were an important part of her garden. She worked closely with Cornell [University] to track and research bluebirds, which she attracted to the garden by her numerous feeders and live mealworms. In addition to her love of birds, she designed unique spaces to explore horticulture and to showcase her keen eye for design. These include a Japanese garden, woodland garden, herb garden, a walled garden and a rockery. Each was perfectly manicured and cared for under her expert, watchful eye. Since we bought the house in 20017, we have made changes to the garden to make it more manageable. We have removed trees and repurposed some areas that have become shady from mature tree cover. Sadly, most of our boxwoods fell victim to a blight in 2020, and we were forced to remove all of them in the back garden. However, that event, coupled with removing two Pin Oaks, enabled us to transition the walled garden to a formal parterre garden with Hoogendorn Hollies in place of boxwoods. We are constantly working on reviving the garden, one section at a time! Puddin's efforts and vision continue to amaze and inspire me as a gardener. The garden brought her great joy and peace, and it does the same for me and my family.
12 noon Boxed lunch in the garden
12:40 pm Board bus to next garden
Located on Spring Street in downtown Concord, Memorial Garden sits on land purchased in 1804 for the original log-cabin sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. We will enjoy a docent-led of this historic garden. Although the church buildings have long since moved, the garden continues to be a cherished and beloved part of the congregation’s history and heritage. Stone paths wind throughout the church’s 200-year-old cemetery, guiding visitors up and down gently sloping hillsides past ancient oaks, waterfalls, butterflies, sculpted hollies, and intricately carved white Italian marble markers. The current chapter of Memorial Garden began in 1930, when Mrs. Sallie Phifer Williamson committed herself to restoring the church’s cemetery as a memorial to her mother. Renaming the plot “Memorial Garden,” she faithfully maintained and improved the grounds until her death in 1937. Her son, Marshal Phifer Williamson, continued his mother’s work on the garden until his own death in 1966. Today, the family’s work and dedication continues through a generous trust endowed by Mr. Williamson to support the garden.
2:15 pm Little Farm
While visiting Little Farm, a beautiful flower farm, we will tour the growing area and learn about the fascinating history of both the farm and the area. Teri will have a flower bar set up for guests to assemble their own arrangements to take home. Visitors are also welcome to wander the rows with clippers and select their own blooms. Relax on the porch overlooking the lake and shop an assortment of garden-related arts and items curated by Teri and several other local growers/designers while enjoying Wing Haven snacks and wine.
A brief property history: Native American habitation, farmed continuously since early 1800’s, also extensively mined in 1800s with remains of gold mines & bootlegger sites in the woods, along with 1800’s cemetery; purchased by Pharr family mid 20th century, who built their houses using salvaged 1800’s brick salvage from a shuttered Lutheran Girl’s school. The bulk of our property is in a conservation trust with Catawba Lands Conservancy which maintains the Carolina Thread Trail along the river next door.
4:00 pm Board bus
5:00 pm Return to Park Road Shopping Center
Space is limited. Rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes for all types of weather.