Tuesday Sundries - UNC Botanical Gardens Ganache in the Gardens/Sale

Despite being in the Charlotte area for almost 2 years now, I hadn't made it to the UNC Botanical Garden. Especially disappointing since it is really so close. So when they announced their annual orchid sale (and other plants too), I put in for the day off.

After gathering up Texter and Lady K, off we headed into a chilly, overcast Saturday to look at plants. 

We found the greenhouse where the sale was happening. It also holds their orchid collection, as well as other plant collections.

The room was filled with phalaenopsis orchids in bloom, along with vandas, 'dancing ladies' and a few others. I was drooling.

We did grab up a bright, lime green pothos in a large pot for $12. Texter now has ownership of it. Frankly, the pot it was in was worth a whole lot more than $12. 

I purchased for myself a 'nun' orchid, a jewel orchid, a lady's slipper orchid, a pine cone succulent and one plant which I don't know what it is, maybe a trailing begonia.

Patting myself on the back, I did pass on a vanda because I don't have a place to put it currently. Maybe next year.

The sale also had some outdoor plants, like camellias and Daphnes.

As we were checking out, I met the lady who will be teaching the macrophotography class in a couple of weeks. I am so excited!

While we were waiting for the 'Ganache in the Garden' to set up, we walked across the street and toured part of the botanical garden. Part was closed off due to recent rains.

Even if it is still considered winter, there were things in bloom. 

Lady K loves trips like this. She will be the first to tell you she 'likes nature'. She sent some time reading and pronouncing names of plants. 

I do have to tell you anytime she goes for a 'walk', the child HAS to find a stick. She also loves to pick up rocks and other items, like flowers which have fallen off the bushes and trees. However, it is hard to tell her no when I'm doing the same thing. But without the stick.

There were a lot of architectural items I fell in love with, especially in the Asian Garden area.

Some other areas were also wonderful.

One of the stones had a bowl of water which was slightly frozen, which will tell you how cold is got overnight. 

After about 45 minutes wandering the garden area, we headed back to the greenhouse to warm up and be ready for the chocolate program.

 

 A water feature between the greenhouses was bubbling away.

And some of the flowers and plants in the greenhouses.

Lady K enjoyed all the plants and 'exploring' the gardens and greenhouses. The chocolate samples, not so much. It was dark chocolate and bitter, not something she liked at all. That, being lunch time, and a late night/early morning with her sleepover with me, she was getting really cranky. As was Texter. Everyone needed a proper feeding.

We will be coming back to the gardens during the summer for a picnic and to wander again.