Mary Holcombe will present at Walnut Creek Preserve on Jan. 30 on using native plants in the landscape.

The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free presentation on “Native Plants in the Landscape: For Unparalleled Beauty and Ease of Care,” presented by Mary Holcombe, owner of Southern Heritage Nursery. The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m.

The Southern Appalachian Mountains boast a staggering array of beautiful, native flowering plants, most of which are relatively easy to cultivate into the landscape. Join us for an informative presentation to learn about some of our favorite native perennials, shrubs, and trees, and discover ways to incorporate them into your own garden spaces.

Mary Holcombe has a background in organic farming, having managed several large organic operations in California and Oregon before moving to Washington to pursue an opportunity in forestry management.  It was there that she discovered how important native plants were to the health of a region’s ecosystem, as well as the damaging effects of overplanting non-native and invasive species. Growing native plants and teaching the community about natives is her passion, one she hopes to share with as many people as possible.

To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy. 108 East and turn left on Hwy. 9 toward Lake Lure. Follow Hwy. 9 North for five miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon Station). Go one mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go two tenths of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road. Follow Aden Green for four tenths of a mile and turn left on Herbarium Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve. Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center. GPS coordinates to the Nature Center are available at the PAC website.

For more information or directions from another location, contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.

For more information about Walnut Creek Preserve, visit walnutcreekpreserve.com. Please note, Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).

-Submitted by Pam Torlina