On the Wing

If you have ever thought of visiting Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Charlotte, Thursday would be a good time. Michael Balough will begin this year's lecture series, speaking about Dwarf Conifers in Southern Gardens. Wing Haven, almost three acres enclosed in brick walls, includes formal gardens, fountains, and statuary, integrated with woodland areas and paths, as shown in the photo at right.

The lecture series is appropriate for novice or expert gardeners. Speakers will include authors, horticulturists, garden designers and conservators. There are also many other ways to get involved in Wing Haven. The education department offers a full schedule of public events: garden tours, workshops, classes for children and adults, and plant sales. Volunteers are welcome; gardeners are always needed in the nursery. A new group will help in the Herb Garden the first Thursday of the month, and others will be recruited to work with the antique plants in the Rose Garden.

Elizabeth Barnhill Clarkson wrote that her gardens "were no less than a paradise to the thousands of feathered guests, both winter and summer." Wing Haven continues to provide excellent habitats for many kinds of birds.

During this year, Wing Haven plans to open the garden of Elizabeth Lawrence. She produced very successful books about plants that she watched and studied. Her garden, located at 348 Ridgewood Avenue, will be also used to teach about preserving green space and conserving the environment.

The Balough presentation will be held at Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Avenue in Charlotte, on Thursday, January 22nd at 9:30 a.m. If you are interested in volunteering or finding out more about their programs, call Wing Haven at 704-331-0664.