Garden Clubs invited to decorate holiday trees for Duke Gardens, response deadline May 17

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is celebrating its 75^th Anniversary of the Dedication of Duke Gardens. The Gardens staff would like to invite your club to participate in the festivities by decorating a tree for the 2013 Holiday Season at the Doris Duke Center. The theme this year is Celebrating a Legacy – Sarah P. Duke Gardens. We want to showcase the natural beauty that is found within the 55 acres of this outstanding public garden.

 

The goal is to have five trees, 2 large wreaths and all windows decorated using this theme. As a participating garden club, you would be responsible for producing the decorations and decorating one tree. Each indoor tree is artificial, pre-lit and is 7 ½ feet in height. In addition, this year we will have one larger tree in front of the Doris Duke Center for this special occasion. This tree would be representative of the entire garden showcasing elements from each area.

 

Each club is asked to choose from one specific area at Duke Gardens and make ornaments to represent that area. These areas include: The Historic Terraces, The H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, The Culberson Asiatic Arboretum and the Garden of the Doris Duke Center – specifically the White Garden. We hope to represent the Historic area which includes the Terraces with some vintage ornaments from the time period of the 1930’s. Members of the Gardens’ horticultural staff are willing to advise with your chosen area.

 

Please plan to decorate your tree on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. We ask that you schedule your club’s time of arrival with me 2 weeks ahead of time. We will stagger the arrival times of each club to ensure the availability of step-stools/ladders and any attention necessary from the Gardens’ Staff. Your decorations should be hand crafted and reflect the area of Duke Gardens that you select. Please plan to include decorated items for beneath the tree as well. We hope to avoid the use of commercially manufactured materials as much as possible. We also ask for an information poster to put beside your tree explaining the materials you used and their relevance.

 

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft that may occur during installation, the period of time the decorations are in the Doris Duke Center, or during the removal of decorations. Items on display enjoy the same security as the Gardens collections, but irreplaceable items or items of great value should not be included.

 

Please discuss this opportunity at your next meeting to gauge interest. If your club is interested in participating, please contact me chuck.hemric@duke.edu or 919-668-1705 with your chosen area as soon as possible. Deadline to respond is Friday, May 17, 2013.

 

In appreciation, Duke Gardens would like to offer each participating Club a free guided tour of Sarah P. Duke Gardens for your members during the calendar year 2014. We now offer special thematic tours that may be appealing to your members. We hope you will want to be a part of this exciting upcoming holiday season at Sarah P. Duke Gardens.