Unleash your creativity at Bullington Gardens by learning to craft your very own hypertufa open roof planter! This hands-on class will guide you through the process of mixing and molding hypertufa—a lightweight, durable material perfect for garden containers. All materials are provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to create a unique piece for your garden. Whether you’re looking to add a rustic touch to your outdoor space or simply enjoy a fun afternoon of crafting, this class is perfect for all skill levels. Join us for a memorable experience and take home a beautiful, handcrafted container! April 18th, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. $ 45.00. Class limit 10.

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

This class offers a creative, hands-on experience perfect for all skill levels!  Participants will decorate terracotta pots using vibrant paints to transform each one into a heartfelt gift just in time for Mother’s Day.  Feel free to get creative with your design!  Everyone will get seeds to take home with them to plant in the pot once the paint is dry, creating a thoughtful and lasting token of appreciation for Mother’s Day.

Tuesday May 6th, 2:00 – 4:00. $20/$15 for Friends of Bullington Gardens.

In this series of classes learn about tree health care and maintenance.

By cultivating and protecting healthy diverse habitats for pollinators, for wildlife, for healthy flora and fauna, we benefit the individuals who live in and enjoy these spaces and for our community, as a whole. By creating natural areas in your yard and leaving the leaves each fall you can benefit many kinds of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals which depend on the native plants and their fallen leaves and seeds for shelter, food and habitat.

Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better!

May 22, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.

Garden Jubilee, one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, will be held on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Memorial Day weekend. With nearly 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street, the Historic downtown will be transformed into a garden wonderland. 

Local and regional nurseries, orchards and crafters will offer a wide variety of plants and handmade delights and gardening experts will be on hand to share the latest gardening tips and techniques. 

Let’s dive deep into lavender!  Participants will learn about the history of this plant, discover how it’s used to promote relaxation and wellness, and make their own DIY lavender products to take home.  We will make bath salts, pillow sprays, and tea blends to bring relaxation home!

Tuesday May 27, 2025, 2:00-4:00. $25.00/$21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens.

Join the magical fairies at Bullington Gardens for a special Fairy Tea Party. Start your journey with a guided walk through the Fairy Trail. Your child will make their own wand followed by tea and cookies in the pavilion. This event is for children ages 7 and up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Three different dates to choose from!

June 10th, June 24th, or July 12th at 10:00AM, $28.00/per child, $21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens. Limit of 12 children per event.

By cultivating and protecting healthy diverse habitats for pollinators, for wildlife, for healthy flora and fauna, we benefit the individuals who live in and enjoy these spaces and for our community, as a whole. By creating natural areas in your yard and leaving the leaves each fall you can benefit many kinds of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals which depend on the native plants and their fallen leaves and seeds for shelter, food and habitat.

Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better!

Tuesday June 10,  1:00 – 3:00

Celebrate Juneteenth with art, creativity, and community at the I AM an Artist – Youth Art Table, hosted at historic Mattoon Presbyterian Church!

Youth in Grades 3–8 (and siblings) are invited to:

🎨 Paint rock art
✍️ Fill out an “I AM” affirmation card
🧩 Add a piece to our community mural
🎁 Take home art giveaways + an “I AM an Artist” button
🍽️ Enjoy a free, culturally rooted meal featuring okra, black-eyed peas, watermelon, hibiscus tea & more
This event kicks off the MLJLW Memorial Art Scholarship honoring Ms. Mildred Leatherwood and her great-grandson Ian — helping young people in Greenville grow through art.

Join the magical fairies at Bullington Gardens for a special Fairy Tea Party. Start your journey with a guided walk through the Fairy Trail. Your child will make their own wand followed by tea and cookies in the pavilion. This event is for children ages 7 and up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Three different dates to choose from!

June 10th, June 24th, or July 12th at 10:00AM, $28.00/per child, $21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens. Limit of 12 children per event.

🤤 It’s Rib O’ Clock at Fireforge! Join us for “Meat Sweats” on Friday, July 4th with pit & grill masters from Fireforge & Project Host: all-afternoon fun from 11:30 am to 6 pm.

Nosh on a variety of meats & sides while enjoying the party band sounds of Big Radio from 3-5 pm. We’ll be releasing the menu throughout the day as our myriad of smoked & grilled delights are ready. Don’t sleep on our sassy sides – AND, save room for our favorite summer beer: 🍑 Pool Honeys Peach Milkshake IPA, which will be released on July 4th! In addition, 10% of Taproom Sales from the day will benefit Project Host.

After Meat Sweats, our regular Fireforge kitchen menu & Friday evening operations will resume through 10 pm.

Meat Sweats Menu:
🐖 John’s Texas Style Smoked Pork Shoulder
🐓 Chris’s Smoked Pulled Chicken w/ Cornell-Style BBQ Sauce
🐄 Nick’s Beef Burnt Ends: slow-cooked beef chuck roast & bbq sauce
🌭 Alex’s Chop Shop Butchery Smoked Grass Fed Beef Foot Long Hot Dogs
-Cowdog: cowboy beans, bacon, salsa, beer mustard
-Plainsman: plain dog with mustard & ketchup
🍖 Nick’s Baby Back Ribs: dry rubbed
🍗 John’s Smoked & Fried Chicken Wings: dry rubbed, Alabama white sauce

Sassy Sides:
🧀 Spinach & Artichoke Mac N Cheese
🍅 Chips & Salsa Roja
🍉 Compressed Local Watermelon & Smoked Sea Salt
🥬 Chopped Coleslaw: Duke’s mayo dressing & poppy seeds
🥔 Crushed Red Potato Salad: Duke’s, local egg, bread & butter pickles, onion, celery.
🫘 Cowboy Beans: slow-cooked pinto beans with tomatoes & spices

Join the magical fairies at Bullington Gardens for a special Fairy Tea Party. Start your journey with a guided walk through the Fairy Trail. Your child will make their own wand followed by tea and cookies in the pavilion. This event is for children ages 7 and up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Three different dates to choose from!

June 10th, June 24th, or July 12th at 10:00AM, $28.00/per child, $21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens. Limit of 12 children per event.

Did you miss our first Awe Walk on Sunday, August 4? Our next walk will be Sunday September 7th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and we will continue to meet on the first Sunday of each month for the following two months (last day is November 2 – don’t forget to turn your clocks back the night before!). The walks will begin at the Garden Entry at Hatcher Garden, located beside the Jess Taylor Pavilion, and will move about the garden to experience the feeling of awe in nature.

Each month, we’ll explore one of the five key processes associated with the experience of awe, which support overall well-being:

1. Shifts in neurophysiology

2. A diminished focus on the self

3. Increased prosocial behavior and relational connection

4. Greater sense of social integration

5. A heightened sense of meaning

Led by Executive Director Dan Shook and his wife and yoga instructor Kristin Shook, each walk will offer time for reflection, connection with nature, and insights into how the Garden supports these powerful emotional and psychological benefits.

Come walk with us—and discover the wonder.

Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve is hosting a symposium this autumn, which is the perfect time to plant for spring. The three 40-minute workshops will be led by local certified Master Gardeners. Jeannette Bull Robinson (who taught at our Inaugural Gardening Day back in May) will speak on Landscape Design; author and former board member Mary Snoddy will expound on the subject of Growing a Pollinator Garden; and finally Joyce Cooper Coggins will address the important issue of “Gardening Smarter. Not Harder”. Locations (Jess Taylor Pavilion, Overlook Terrace and the Activity Deck) and times of the individual workshops within the garden will be announced as the event draws near. Be prompt!

A donation based entry fee of $10.00 is suggested which benefits Hatcher Garden. You can attend one or all three workshops for $10.00! You can register online now or in person at 8:00 a.m on Saturday, September 27, the last day of our Fall Plant Sale.

Come join us on this informative Saturday morning.