The Belser Arboretum of the University of South Carolina and the CANDO Gardens of Sherwood Forest Community will be open to the public for the January Open House on Sunday January 18, 2009 from 1-4 pm. The Arboretum is in its winter garb but items of interest for visitors abound, both the start of early spring bloom and progress on several new projects.


The first blooms of the year include our fragrant tea olive, the sturdy Gaillardia, and swelling buds on our dogwoods, ginger, and native azaleas. Come and enjoy our new projects completed in the past month: progress on the handsome floor of the Outdoor Classroom, the start of our Native Azalea Garden above the Amphitheater and Outdoor Classroom, major clearing of the central wetland core of the Arboretum, the start of tree planting in the wetland by the spring, and the setting up of the first part of our Weather Bureau at the top of the sand dune. In addition, a dramatic transformation of the crest of the dune in front of The Arboretum House has involved removal of 3 massive 90-foot southern magnolia trees and replacement with saplings of a typical upland hardwood forest plus several 10-foot loblolly pines to provide the necessary shade for the saplings.

The workshop will be a guided walk at 2pm to the Outdoor Classroom to see the new floor and the start of landscaping as well as the first plantings in the new Native Azalea Garden. Then on to the new wetland plantings by the Spring and the wetland clearing with its newly discovered giant azalea tree. The walk will continue to the newly planted upland hardwood forest by the Arboretum House and on to the Weather Station.

The Gift-of-a-Plant for support of the Arboretum Endowment (contribution of $20 or more) continues for January with Lenten roses (Helleborus). These are spectacular 5-year old plants from Pat's home garden, in full bloom. They are truly remarkable and need to be seen to be appreciated. Don't miss this chance to obtain one of most attractive plants available for your garden. They thrive in moist, heavily shaded areas with rich, loamy, well-drained soil. Pat DeC. will help you pick a spot in your garden and plant it if you wish. The plants are available at the Bloomwood gate and at the Organic Garden area.

For the well-being of visitors and of the Arboretum, our staff requests that you leave dogs at home and park bicycles at the gate.