Bigelow's Botanical Excursions

09/11/2024

"The contrast of the dark fruits over the red leaves makes this beautiful plant shine. Cucumber root is so named because of the small, sweet and delicious root that tastes like a freshly picked cucumber. I do not advise harvesting this beautiful plant as it would take sacrificing entire populations to get enough for one salad. This plant is best left growing of its own accord."

Latest article In The Joyful Botanist series is posted, and all about Indian Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana). See link to free article in the comments

21/10/2024

You can keep your annual mums, I'll take a perennial Aster any day

17/10/2024

Latest article in The Joyful Botanist series is linked below in the comments and is about Riparian Plants like this Hazel Alder, aka Tag Alder (Alnus serrulata)

"In considering the inevitable cleanup and restoration of flood-damaged creeks and rivers after the devastating floodwaters recede...native plants that are adapted to growing along the banks should be strongly considered to be planted and encouraged. Not only are they great at helping stem the inevitable erosion occurring but are beautiful plants that help keep the entire ecosystem in balance, even come hell and high water."

16/10/2024

I am really excited to be leading a walk for this great event this weekend. Hope to see some of y'all there

Great news! The 2024 South Carolina Native Plant Symposium will continue as planned! Here are a few things to remember for those registered to attend:

1. Check your driving route in advance for road closures. Hurricane Helene caused road damage and you may need to take a detour.

2. Check your accommodations to ensure they are still available.

3. Cell service may be lacking in some areas, so have a plan to manage this scenario.

4. Bring cash for symposium silent auction bidding or other services that may not have a functioning credit card scanner.

We look forward to seeing you at the symposium!

11/10/2024

Join me on Saturday at 10 am where I'll teach you why planting in the Autumn is the best for trees, shrubs, and perennial wildflowers

Here at Winding Stair Nursery. Learn more: windingstairfarm.com/falltrees

08/10/2024

Here's an opportunity to learn how you can extend your gardening season well into Fall, while enjoying the many benefits of a cooler planting season. Join us for a special Fall Planting class on Saturday. Don't put that shovel away just yet.
https://windingstairfarm.com/falltrees

07/10/2024

Hello Everyone, due to the region-wide catastrophe and ongoing emergency in Western North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene, I have decided to cancel the remaining scheduled walks for this season.

With so much uncertainty in road and trail conditions, and the need to begin and continue the recovery efforts, it is just prudent to suspend my walks for the rest of the year.

Personally, I am fine and my local area was less impacted by this storm. The long-term efforts to recover will take a lot of time and energy. If I can help you, please let me know.

Hold your loved ones tightly, friends. It is all so very fragile.

06/10/2024

Being outdoors and engaging with nature can bring a sense of hope, even in difficult times. While we’ve canceled some scheduled classes, we’re excited to host our *Planting Native Trees and Shrubs in Fall* class next Saturday, October 12th, at 10 AM. Fall is truly the best time to plant.

Our speaker, Adam Bigelow, will lead a thought-provoking and informative session. We would love for you to join us and share this opportunity with others. Learn more: windingstairfarm.com/falltrees.

One of the most important things you can do to help support Pollinating Insects like Bees, Moths, and Butterflies is to plant Native Trees and Shrubs in your landscape. Certain “Keystone” species like Oaks, Cherries, Willows, and Birches provide food and shelter to many different wildlife, makin...

21/09/2024

'Tis the season for one of the most beautiful Native Wildflowers that I know, the Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita)

18/09/2024

It's official! This famous peak in the Smokies was renamed today to its original Cherokee name Kuwohi which means The Mulberry Place

16/09/2024

I hope that you can join me on Friday to take in some beautiful views, enjoy the cool weather at high elevations, and as usual we will see some really incredible Plants.

Our next walk takes us onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Ivestor Gap Trail which begins at the Black Balsam Parking Area. This popular trail is loaded with Special Plants, including  carnivorous Sundews and an actual Cranberry Bog.

To register, please send an email to [email protected] and be sure to let me know if you'd prefer the morning or afternoon session, and how many people you will be bringing with you. 

All of the Friday Wildflower Walks are offered on a sliding scale of $15-$50 per person, and are capped at 15 people per session. This allows for more people to be able to attend the walks. Payment can be cash, check, or online through Venmo

All of my walks are held at a slow and gentle pace, and are accessible to many. On our walks The Wildflowers Are the Destination!

Remaining Schedule:
9/20       Black Balsam, Blue Ridge Parkway **Schedule Change**
9/27       Buck Creek Serpentine Barrens, Clay County NC
10/4       **Cancelled**
10/11     **Schedule Change** Alarka Laurel, Jackson County
10/18     Cabin Flats, Jackson County NC
10/25     Old Bald, Blue Ridge Parkway

Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think may be interested in joining us for a walk or two. 

You can also have people send an email to me so I can add them to my group list.

 

09/09/2024

Hello Late summer Wildflower Friends! 

I am excited to share with you all the amazing Highlands Botanical Garden on this Friday's Weekly Wildflower Walk! I have chosen to revisit this beautiful garden this week because it is also the weekend of the Highlands Native Plant Symposium, and I encourage you to attend. It is held on Friday afternoon starting at 4pm, and then is going on all day on Saturday, too. More info can be found here:

https://highlandsbiological.org/2024-native-plant-symposium/

You do not have to attend the symposium to attend this walk, however. Everyone is welcome, including kids and the kid that still lives inside of you!

To register, please send an email to [email protected] and be sure to let me know if you'd prefer the morning or afternoon session, and how many people you will be bringing with you. 

All of the Friday Wildflower Walks are offered on a sliding scale of $15-$50 per person, and are capped at 15 people per session. This allows for more people to be able to attend the walks. Payment can be cash, check, or online through Venmo.

Weekly Wildflower Walks will be meeting on Fridays throughout the season, with a morning session from 9am to 12pm, and an afternoon session from 1pm to 4pm. We will meet at a different location each week, following and chasing the best blooms and locations.

All of my walks are held at a slow and gentle pace, and are accessible to many. Often, after walking in the woods and learning about plants for 2.5 hours and it's time to go home, we are about a 20 minute walk back to the trailhead and our cars. 

And, while I Love dogs, not everyone else does. Also, dogs tend to crush the very Plants and Flowers that we are looking at. So, please leave your pets at home. Registered Service Animals are allowed, of course.

Remember that on our walks The Wildflowers Are the Destination!

 

08/09/2024

Southern Appalachian Purple Pitcher Plant in a Mountain Bog. A super rare Plant in a super rare ecosystem. Can't wait to go back and see them in flower next Spring