Doris Duke Center Holiday Decorations

If you're looking for some holiday cheer, the Doris Duke Center has an array of festive and unusual trees for you to see.

Each year, five local organizations are assigned to one tree each, with an overarching theme and sub-themes. The main theme this year is A Potager Garden Holiday.

The first photos below from decorating day are of the tree made by the Durham Woman's Club, with a fruit theme. This tree is in the center's lobby, so if there's an event in the Kirby Horton Hall that prevents you from seeing the other trees up close, you'll definitely get to see this one.

Below is the fruit tree topper.

The Heritage Garden Club worked on an herbal theme, with rosemary mini-wreaths and even beads made from herbs, all seen below.

And here's their topper.

The local chapter of Ikebana International worked on a flower theme.

They even made little origami cranes.

And here's their topper.

The Treyburn Garden Club's theme was pollinators. They had lots of fun with it.

Here's their hive topper.

The Duke Campus Club worked on our fifth tree, with a vegetable theme. Check out the beets, turnips and carrots and -- what do you expect with carrots nearby? -- a rabbit!

And their topper.

You can see these trees anytime during visitor center hours, as long as there's not an event going on in the Kirby Horton Hall. (The center is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.) Call 684-3698 if you want to check the event schedule in advance. We'll take them down on Jan. 5.

A big thanks from Duke Gardens to all the artistic minds who put together such an imaginative selection of themed trees. And we also thank the many generous and devoted Duke Gardens volunteers who helped put up the trees and decorate the center. This festive scene is spreading lots of joy to visitors and staff alike.

(For more holiday cheer, please check out our new greeting cards. They include a 12-pack of 4 garden shots, and a 5x7 card sold singly with a Blomquist Garden snow scene.)

Duke Gardens: holiday decorations class photos

Our holiday decorations class was great fun, especially with the winter wonderland developing outside the cozy & pine-scented classroom.

If you couldn't make it but still want to make your own winter centerpiece, here are a few tips. And below is some visual inspiration, photos of students working on their decorations, as well as some beautiful examples that instructors Michelle Rawlins and Harry Jenkins created.

(Above are two a student-made decorations.
And below are those by our instructors,
showing the huge variety in what you can create.)

Duke Gardens: 2011 events schedule

(Update 6/1/11: Please see our fall/winter 2011 schedule on this blog post)

Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ new education guide is now online. The PDF includes class descriptions, instructor information, meeting times/locations and fees for all classes between January 1 and June 30, 2011, plus summer camp.

Below is a quick rundown of the season’s offerings, including page numbers where you can find more information in our full guide.

(*4/14/11 update: for those seeking information about our outdoor movie series Movies in the Gardens at Twilight, we'll have 2011 information soon. But the theme is animation and the films will be on the four Thursdays in August. We'll also have a special showing of "Play Again," a documentary about the consequences of a childhood removed from nature, on Sept. 15, in partnership with Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment. All films are free and for all ages.)

Remember, if you join Friends of Duke Gardens, you'll get a discount on all classes, among other perks. Duke faculty, staff & students also get the Friends rate.

To register, please e-mail Jan Little or call 668-5309. You can also mail our registration form to Jan Little, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Box 90341, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0341.

Gardening and Horticulture

· Maintaining the Land: Landscape Maintenance and Management (Jan. 9; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Durham Garden Forum: container vegetable gardens (Jan. 18)—pg. 9
· Planting the Landscape: Design II (3-class course, Jan. 20-Feb. 3)—pg. 2
· Beyond the Surface: Soil Demystified, with author William Cullina (Feb. 12)—pg. 2
· The Botany of Design, with William Cullina (Feb. 12)—pg. 3
· Durham Garden Forum: deer-resistant plants (Feb. 15)—pg. 9 (special free admission)
· Permaculture (Feb. 20; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Rose Care and Pruning (Feb. 24)—pg. 6
· Spring Pruning (March 10)—pg. 3
· Durham Garden Forum: summer and fall bulbs (March 15)—pg. 9
· Cool Perennials for Cool Places (March 20; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Season-Long Bloom (April 5)—pg. 3
· The Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature and the Shaping of the American Nation, with author Andrea Wulf (April 14)—pg. 4 (Read more here)
· Landscape Plants for N.C. Gardens: Spring (4-class course, April 14-May 5)—pg. 5
· J.C. Raulston Arboretum Tour (April 17)—pg. 8
· Durham Garden Forum: tropical trends (April 19)—pg. 9
· Spring Plant Sale (April 30). More info.
· Durham Garden Forum: making the grade (May 17)—pg. 9
· Montrose Gardens Tour (May 20)—pg. 9
· Landscape Plants for N.C. Gardens: Summer (4-class course, June 2-23)—pg. 5
· Basic Botany and Plant Growth (4-class course, June 4-25)—pg. 5
· Herbs from the Garden (June 17)—pg. 8
· Durham Garden Forum: container gardening (June 21)—pg. 9

Botanical Art and Craft

· Ikebana Demonstration (Feb. 23)—pg. 10
· Spring Flower Basket (April 21)—pg. 10
· Floral Design for Fun (6-class course, April 22-May 27)—pg. 10
· Drawing from Nature (5-class course, April 28-May 26)—pg. 11
· Herb Planter (May 5)—pg. 11
· Create a Living Carpet: Sedums and Succulents (May 19)—pg. 11
· Buy, Draw, Eat (June 2)—pg 11
· Floral Design II (4-class course, June 3-24)—pg. 10

Natural History

· Walk on the Wild Side (Blomquist tour; 1st Thursdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, or June 2)—pg. 17
· Winter Botany (2-class course, Jan. 23 and 30)—pg 12
· Geology: The Ecology of Change (3-class course, Feb. 9-March 9)—pg. 13
· UNC Herbarium Tour (Feb. 26)—pg. 13
· Duke Herbarium Tour (March 4)—pg. 13
· Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies Trip (March 27)—pg. 16
· Herp Hunt: Field Studies Trip (April 2)—pg. 16
· Local Flora: Spring (4-class course, April 2-May 14)—pg. 16
· Bird Walks (April 9 or April 30)—pg. 17
· Drawing from Nature (5-class course, April 28-May 26)—pg. 17

Nature Photography

· Digital Photography: Understanding Digital Camera, Camera to Computer & Photo Editing (beginner level; 3-class course, Jan. 20-Feb. 3)—pg. 18
· Photoshop for the Nature Photographer - *canceled* - (3-class course, Feb. 11-25)—pg. 19
· The Impact of Nature Photography (3-class course, Feb. 22-March 8)—pg. 19
· Spring Awakening: Close-up Strategies (March 26)—pg. 19
· Intro to Nature Photography (2-class course, April 26 & May 3)—pg. 20
· Photographing Plants (2-class course, May 11 & 18)—pg. 20
· Improving Photo Quality (May 21 & 22)—pg. 20

Japanese Tea Gatherings

· First Voice of Spring Tea (Feb. 18)—pg. 21
· Dolls Festival Tea (March 5)—pg. 21
· Cherry Blossom Festival (April 3)—pg. 21
· Spring Blossoms Tea (April 22)—pg. 21
· Boys’ Day Tea (May 6)—pg. 21
· Mother’s Day / Children’s Day Tea (May 7)—pg. 21

Tours and Field Trips

· Walk on the Wild Side (Blomquist tour; 1st Thursdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2)—pg. 17
· UNC Herbarium Tour (Feb. 26)—pg. 13
· Duke Herbarium Tour (March 4)—pg. 13
· Spring Flower Walk in the Arboretum (March 11 or April 8)—pg. 6
· Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies Trip (March 27)—pg. 16
· Herp Hunt: Field Studies Trip (April 2)—pg. 16
· Historic Gardens Color Walk (April 7 or May 12)—pg. 6
· Bird Walks (April 9 or April 30)—pg. 17
· J.C. Raulston Arboretum Tour (April 17)—pg. 8
· Montrose Gardens Tour (May 20)—pg. 9
· Gardens of the Doris Duke Center (May 27 or June 24)—pg. 8

Children and Family Programs

· Nature for Sprouts (Feb. 4, 11, 18, or 25)—pg. 24
· Nature Story Time (March 12)—pg. 24
· Arts in the Garden: Duke’s Hoof ‘n’ Horn troupe (March 26)—pg. 24
· Nature Ranger Cart (free drop-in activities; Friday mornings in April and May)—pg. 26
· Nature for Sprouts (April 8, 15, 22, or 29)—pg. 24
· Nature Story Time (April 9)—pg. 24
· Sunday Science (free drop-in activities; April 17, 24, May 1, 8, May 15 canceled, May 22)—pg. 26
· Nature Story Time (May 14)—pg. 24 - CANCELED.
· Arts in the Garden: Paperhand Puppet Intervention (May 28)—pg. 24
· Spring Family Fun Day (free festival; May 28)—pg. 26. Info here.
· Nature Adventures Camp: Animals in the Garden (for ages 8-11; June 20-24)—pg. 25 ( (June 13-17 is canceled)
· Nature Adventures Camp: Animal Homes (for ages 6 & 7; June 27-July 1)—pg. 25
· Nature Adventures Camp: Drawing on Nature (for ages 12 & 13; July 11-15. Sorry, this session is also canceled, due to low enrollment)—pg. 25

Holiday Decorations with Help from Duke Gardens

With guidance in Duke Gardens' workshop,
you can make your own holiday swag, wreath or centerpiece.

Photo and article by Lauren Sims

Winter evergreens and berries present countless opportunities for indoor decoration during the holidays. But how do you get from a collection of stems and leaves to a cohesive arrangement? Jan Little, director of education and public programs at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, gives us some tips.

First, arrange plant materials into distinct piles, Little says. This will give you a better idea of the sizes and shapes you're working with. Next, find a container that suits the location and purpose of the finished arrangement. Set a piece of pre-soaked florist’s foam snugly in that container. As you begin, place your tallest stems in the foam first as a way of visually delineating the height and breadth of the arrangement.

Continue, varying heights and textures of evergreens, until the foam base is disguised. Little recommends turning the container regularly as you go in order to get an equal distribution of plants all the way around. Also, use as much of your natural materials as possible—even those small or unimpressive stems can help to fill out the container.

Once the foam is fully disguised, spend a minute locating those areas that need some extra pizzazz. Fill them in with flowers, berries and interesting leaves.

If you’d like some guidance, consider taking Duke Gardens’ “Holiday Decorations” class on Dec. 4 from 2-4 p.m. The class will include demonstrations of six to eight different types of arrangements with varying styles and ingredients, followed by help in making your own. The fee is $60, or $40 for members, and it includes plant materials & other supplies (but students should bring pruners and any embellishments they'd like to add besides the bow provided). Please e-mail or call 668-5309 for information or to register.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St.

Lauren Sims is a graduate student at Duke Divinity School and a work-study assistant at Duke Gardens. This article first appeared in the Herald-Sun's Homes & Garden section on Nov. 27.

Class: Landscape Plants for N.C. Gardens

Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor)

Photo by Jason Holmes

By Lauren Sims

As the temperature falls and the leaves follow suit, area gardens are taking on a new feel.

“You see different things in the wintertime,” says Duke Gardens director of horticulture Bobby Mottern. “When deciduous trees and shrubs have shed their leaves you start to see shapes and form a lot more than you do during the other parts of the year when your eye is focused on other things. Evergreen material really does provide the show for the next four months around here.”

Evergreen trees and shrubs may not always flower heavily, but they create impact with form to the garden during the coldest months of the year, he says. Even when the brightly colored flowers of spring and summer have faded away, these hardy plants retain their structure, silhouette, and visual interest.

Many evergreen plants can add exciting outlines to the landscape during winter, for example, Mottern says. Hardy palms like the dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) and needle palm (Rapidophylum hystrix) grow well in North Carolina and lend a hint of the tropics even in the middle of January. And the bright red berries of the deciduous winterberry (Ilex verticillata) not only provide rich color but also attract wildlife in the late winter.

“You really appreciate them when everything else has lost its leaves and that’s really all you have going on in the wintertime,” Mottern says of these cold-tolerant plants.

Mottern advises local gardeners to keep their planting options open in the coming months. Many people tend to think that they can’t plant during the winter, he says. In fact, with proper plant care and soil conditions, planting can continue this time of year as long as the ground is not frozen.

If you would like to learn more about winter gardens and planting, consider taking the Duke Gardens class “Landscape Plants for North Carolina Gardens.” Mottern teaches the three-class series, which runs Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and 14 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mottern will teach students not only about the plants themselves but also where they can find them and how to utilize them in their own gardens.

For information about this class and other events in November & December, see our previous blog post or call 668-5309. Our Jan.-June schedule will also appear soon in the "news" section of our website, gardens.duke.edu.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St.

Lauren Sims is a graduate student at Duke Divinity School and a work-study assistant at Duke Gardens. This column first appeared in the Nov. 20 Homes & Garden section of The Herald-Sun.

Silhouette Photo Class

Do the dwindling flowers of the coming winter leave you lacking photo inspiration? Try our Silhouette photo class this Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. To register, call 919-668-5309. The cost is $180; $150 for Duke Gardens members. The class is open to photographers of all levels.

Here are some teaser photos by instructor Kevin Adams.










Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St. in Durham.