Staff

John Murphy

Since 1999, as Director, John has juggled implementing educational programs for schools and adults, developing the gardens and grounds and generally keeping things on track. He is passionate about introducing young people to the world of plants. He has a MS in horticulture, is a registered horticultural therapist and a licensed teacher.

Joellen Johnson

Our ebullient volunteer coordinator, indefatigable Bullington ambassador and general maker of good cheer can be found organizing plant sales and other events, volunteer work days and providing guidance on leadership committees.

Kelsey Jarvis

Our new addition to the Bullington Garden’s team, head gardener, Kelsey Jarvis, energetically keeps the gardens and grounds looking sharp while pruning, planting & propagating. She graduated from Lees McRae College with a degree in Wildlife Biology. She hopes to inspire our younger visitors to love our natural habitat as much as she does.

Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!

01/04/2019-01/31/2019
(12:00 AM-11:00 PM)

Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!

Dear Friends of Bullington,

In thinking back to the highlights of 2018 at Bullington, it’s easy to immediately think about the big ticket item of completing the accessibility project in the Therapy Garden. It was a project for which we hoped and planned for such a long time that it was amazing that it actually got done. Now it’s gratifying to see students in wheelchairs move about freely in that space. I’m also quite pleased with the new polished appearance it gives the garden. It’s humbling to know so many people contributed to that project from $25 donations to $10,000.

Equally exciting, however, are the many small intangible things, the warm interactions I see of people in the garden. On one sunny afternoon this fall there was a real crowd of folks who had come to enjoy the dahlias in bloom. Kelsey (our wonderful gardener) and I took a moment just to look at the scene and I thought we had truly arrived as a public garden. It’s very rewarding to see so many different people enjoy the different gardens that we work so hard to keep up. One highlight for sure was watching one of our littlest visitors pulling her parents along on the trail to the fairy garden.

To me one of the most rewarding experiences is working with our BOOST students over the spring semester as they design their own gardens for the annual garden competition. What initially seems like a frustrating and insurmountable task is tackled piece by piece until by the end there is something very satisfying that they’ve created. It means so much to me to hear a student say “I just can’t take my eyes off it”, once it’s all planted. There are many good things like that that happen each week in the horticultural therapy programs as well.

Some other highlights:

I’m excited that Erica Piela joined the staff this fall to lead horticultural therapy programs for three schools. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity and I hear lots of laughter when she’s with a group.

Our 3^rd version of Wine & Dahlias was a beautiful event on a lovely September evening. Amazingly the dahlias were relatively untouched one week after Hurricane Florence blew through.

Volunteers remain a remarkable dimension at Bullington. These cheerful, generous and talented folks keep this operation moving. I’m very thankful for their important part in all of this.

Jenn Ramer, our administrative assistant, has brought us closer to the 21^st century with postings on social media and making it easier for people to register and donate through our website.

I’m also thankful for the many supporters who contribute to Bullington, for this place depends on the generosity of the community. Please help us continue to offer a place that provides so many rewards to people of all ages and consider a gift to Bullington Gardens this season. We hope to expand our horticultural therapy program and make further improvements to the Bullington house.

All the best for 2019

Location: Bullington Gardens

(828) 698-6104

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Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!
01/04/2019 – 01/31/2019
(12:00 AM – 11:00 PM)

Self-Care Products from the Hive
02/07/2019 – 02/07/2019
(3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Watercolor Landscapes for Beginners 2019-CLASS IS FULL
02/20/2019 – 02/21/2019
(9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)

Pruning Seminar 2019
02/22/2019 – 02/22/2019
(1:00 PM – 2:30 PM)

Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden
02/28/2019 – 02/28/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Garden Silk to Dye For 2019-FULL
03/12/2019 – 03/12/2019
(2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)

Vegetable Gardening Basics 2019
03/13/2019 – 03/15/2019
(3:30 PM – 5:00 PM)

Viburnums-Demure Shrubs for All Seasons
03/21/2019 – 03/21/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Paper & Pencil: Make a Sketchbook & Get Out and Draw!
03/26/2019 – 03/27/2019
(9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)

Seed Starting Basics
04/02/2019 – 04/02/2019
(4:00 PM – 5:30 PM)

Propagating and Growing Dahlias
04/10/2019 – 04/10/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Using Perennials in the Landscape
04/23/2019 – 04/23/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Container Gardening with Vegetables
04/30/2019 – 04/30/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Hydrangeas Happiness
05/07/2019 – 05/07/2019
(3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Staff

Bullington Gardens News & Featured Events

Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!

Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!

Dear Friends of Bullington,

Some other highlights:

I’m excited that Erica Piela joined the staff this fall to lead horticultural therapy programs for three schools. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity and I hear lots of laughter when she’s with a group.

Our 3^rd version of Wine & Dahlias was a beautiful event on a lovely September evening. Amazingly the dahlias were relatively untouched one week after Hurricane Florence blew through.

Volunteers remain a remarkable dimension at Bullington. These cheerful, generous and talented folks keep this operation moving. I’m very thankful for their important part in all of this.

Jenn Ramer, our administrative assistant, has brought us closer to the 21^st century with postings on social media and making it easier for people to register and donate through our website.

All the best for 2019

More Info

Support Us

Upcoming Events

Our Mission

Email Newsletter Sign-up

Connect with Us!

Bullington Gardens

Bullington Gardens News & Featured Events

Happy New Year! Here’s to 2019!

Dear Friends of Bullington,

Some other highlights:

I’m excited that Erica Piela joined the staff this fall to lead horticultural therapy programs for three schools. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity and I hear lots of laughter when she’s with a group.

Our 3rd version of Wine & Dahlias was a beautiful event on a lovely September evening. Amazingly the dahlias were relatively untouched one week after Hurricane Florence blew through.

Volunteers remain a remarkable dimension at Bullington. These cheerful, generous and talented folks keep this operation moving. I’m very thankful for their important part in all of this.

Jenn Ramer, our administrative assistant, has brought us closer to the 21st century with postings on social media and making it easier for people to register and donate through our website.

All the best for 2019

More Info

Support Us

Upcoming Events

Our Mission

Email Newsletter Sign-up

Connect with Us!

Bullington Gardens

Our 3^rd version of Wine & Dahlias was a beautiful event on a lovely September evening. Amazingly the dahlias were relatively untouched one week after Hurricane Florence blew through.

Jenn Ramer, our administrative assistant, has brought us closer to the 21^st century with postings on social media and making it easier for people to register and donate through our website.