Author Archives: NC-Culture

Cane Creek Mountains in Alamance County, NC

Posted on by Posted in Piedmont .

The response to our Green Swamp post was so positive, I thought it might be fun to explore some of the lesser known spots in our state.

One of these is Cane Creek Mountains, located in Alamance County, near Burlington. Originally, the Uwharries are believed to be part of the Alleghenian Orogeny, and the Cane Creek Mountains may have formed from those.

This piedmont range is also believed to once had peaks that rivaled even those of the Himalayas. Now, the highest peak is Cane Creek Mountain itself, at 988 feet.

Cane Creek / Bass Mountain
North Carolina, Alamance County
commons

Bluegrass lovers are most likely familar with Bass Mountain and may not realize they have been visiting the Cane Creek Mountains. However, Bass Mountain is located here, coming in at 902 feet.  The well-known festival, Lil John’s Bluegrass Festival, is held here yearly.  For 2017, the date is May 25-27

As admin of this page, one thing I have never been able to gather much info on is caves in our state. According to Wikipedia, there are several caves located in Cane Creek, thought to be used for military purposes. Both the Pyle’s Massacre and the Battle of Alamance occured in this area.

The range of these mountains begin on Great Alamance Creek (a tributary of the Haw River), south of I 40 in Graham and running southwest toward Liberty in Randolph County.

Above info via Wikipedia

Note: from Alamance Parks

“Planning is underway for Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area, a new passive use nature park that will provide public access to the County’s largest state-significant natural heritage area. Hikers will enjoy rolling piedmont hills, abundant creeks and streamlets, and some of the best views in the County. Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will be located in the Cane Creek Mountains Range, a Piedmont Monadnock range that covers much of the southwest quadrant of Alamance County.”

 

Misc Links for Plants: Invasives, Pollinators, Companion Plants, Novice Herb Gardens,

Posted on by Posted in Of Special Interest .

Wisteria: Chinese: invasive. Often found in woods and dug up for transplanting.

Wistgeria: American: non-invasive. This plant is slightly smaller, but has all the desired characteristics of wisteria, without the invasive traits. Easily purchased, and much easier to control.

As we wrap up our series on Native Plant Nurseries, there are a few links that some might also find handy, featured below.  Along with an invasive plant list, I have added a link for companion planting, and a general link for the novice herb gardener.  With spring coming, I am anxious to get my hands dirty, and to add to my own pollinator garden, which is turning out to be quite the experience!  In just two years, I have turned my yard back around (it was once covered with bees, but the population had dwindled so badly, it was becoming hopeless) to where it is a joy to walk outside and watch the abundance of bees coming back, along with the butterflies, and some of our missing songbirds.  Of course, it goes without saying that the hummingbirds have increased, also, as they enjoy the natural food sources as much, if not more, than our feeders.

Invasive plants by region or common name

Invasive exotics list from the North Carolina Native Plant Society

2016 North Carolina Invasive Species Official List

 

Tithonia: also known as Mexican Sunflower
commons

Some random links you might find interesting:

Resource list for pollinator gardens

Companion planting suggestions

Chives
Commons

 

 

 

 

Herb gardens for novices: getting started

 

Rosemary
commons

 

 

Native Plant Nurseries in NC: Part Four

Posted on by Posted in Of Special Interest .

Milkweed: Whorled
commons

Milkweed: Poke
commons

 

Carolina Heritage Nursery
Although I could not locate a website, they do have a facebook page, and this nursery sells on a regular basis at the two markets listed below.

from their page:
“Preserving our natural heritage with native plants. Open all year round. Visit by appointment only or seasonally at Matthews and Waxhaw Farmers’ Markets.”

the facebook page mentions two milkweeds I was unfamiliar with: Poke and Whorled, pictured above.

both of the markets are held on Saturdays, and please see the following for more details

Mathews Community Farmers Market

Waxhaw Farmers Market

 

St Johns Wort
commons

Sweet Azalea
commons

Next is the Carolina Native Nursery.

statement:

“Carolina Native Nursery is a specialty grower of native shrubs and perennials. We are currently growing over 180 different species with many cultivars. For your convenience, we routinely publish our most current availability and price lists for orders. Give us a call and let us wow you! ”

Plants include, but are not limited to:

Native azaleas

Rhododendron

St. Johns Wort

1126 Prices Creek Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714

828 682 1471

bill@carolinanativenursery.com

Facebook

 

Mountain Laurel
commons

 

 

Our final native plant nursery is one in my area, and I have personally purchasesd plants from them in the past and been very pleased. I am talking about Cure Nursery in Pittsboro, NC.
This nursery has a light web page, referring folks back to their facebook page. There is also, on their webpage, a link that is not transferrable to this venue showing their plant list. I do want to add this list is pretty extensive, and well worth the couple of clicks needed to access it.

Bill and Jen Cure
880 Buteo Ridge
Pittsboro NC 27312
Phone: 919-542-6186
Fax: 919-542-6186
email: curenursery@mindspring.com
On facebook: