Gardener’s Corner

Gardener’s Corner

With Director of Horticulture Eric Kimbrel When winter begins, we hope we are already well prepared for it. The speed at which the weather can change on the mountain is amazing, so as early as October we begin to prepare for cooler nighttime temperatures and the...
Lichens: Mystery in Plain Sight

Lichens: Mystery in Plain Sight

Lichens are like the teenage boys of the plant world — they can live pretty much anywhere under any conditions. They make their home on rocks, trees, soil, houses, concrete, even old cars or equipment. If water is scarce, lichens survive by becoming brittle and...
2022 Volunteer of the Year

2022 Volunteer of the Year

Volunteers play a critical role in helping us achieve our mission at Southern Highlands Reserve. Since launching a formal volunteer program in 2019, we have grown significantly in scope and numbers. Each week on volunteer day, we welcome as many as a dozen...
Fall Gardener’s Corner

Fall Gardener’s Corner

With Director of Horticulture Eric Kimbrel A chill is in the air now as summer temperatures disappear and warm air no longer wraps around us. In exchange is a mosaic of colors so vibrant one just stares into nature’s mural. Our plants are doing some behind-the-scenes...
Trees, Meet Virginia

Trees, Meet Virginia

On Friday, September 30, a 26-foot U-Haul truck drove up the mountain to our nursery to collect some of our long-term residents. We spent the day loading up 1,000 of our red spruce trees, most of which were three to six years old, planted in one gallon pots. Due to...