Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Welcome to the Elizabeth Lawrence Blog

This is the gate to my garden. I invite you to enter in; not only into my garden, but into the world of gardens—a world as old as the history of man, and as new as the latest contribution of science; a world of mystery, adventure and romance; a world of poetry and philosophy; a world of beauty; and a world of work.
— Elizabeth Lawrence, The Charlotte Observer
August 11, 1957

Welcome to our first blog from the historic Elizabeth Lawrence Garden in Charlotte, NC. Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985), was the first female to graduate from the landscape architecture program from NC State University and became a successful southern garden writer. Miss Lawrence truly devoted her life to gardening, trialing plant material and journaling her experiences every day, allowing her to become one of the prominent garden writers in literary history. In 2008, The Wing Haven Foundation purchased the property to work in conjunction with The Garden Conservancy to continue Miss Lawrence's legacy.

The Garden Conservancy plays a vital role in preserving and promoting not only the Elizabeth Lawrence Garden, but many gardens through out the U.S. It is through their fellowship program that I am able to participate in this historic garden as the recipient of the 2009 Marco Polo Stufano Fellowship. I am delighted to be a part of this young public garden that was started 60 years ago by Miss Lawrence. I look forward to posting many facets and pictures of the Elizabeth Lawrence Garden over the next nine months, including plants and quotes of Elizabeth Lawrence, gardening in winter, and other dynamics I encounter over the next several months.

Until next time,

Katie Mullen