Local Nonprofit Chosen To Create Garden For National Exhibit

The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden in Kernersville is part of a national exhibit in Washington, D.C.

It's called Gardens Across America and features 21 public gardens across the country.

The nonprofit was selected to create a replica of their local space, or what they call a vignette. It showcases several plants, fruits, and vegetables that can be found in the state. There's even a section of colorful flowering tobacco plants.

“One thing that we learned when we went to install our garden in May, we realized the other gardens that were selected, and so it really does showcase the amount of diversity North America has in their plant palette,” says Adrienne Roethling, garden curator.

John Whisnant, executive director of The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, says they hope it will inspire more people to create their own edible landscapes.

“We are also hoping that because most of the plantings in our garden will be readily recognized by the general public that that will make it very accessible, and so people won't be intimidated by the idea of gardening or horticulture," he says. “We are just so honored and proud to be able to represent some of the finest features of gardening in America.”

Two other North Carolina gardens were also chosen to be part of the national exhibit on the Capitol grounds: the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

The public can view the displays through October 1.

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