By Jon and Carol Fox, Cullowhee newbies
The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference was on our radar for a number of years. But a look at the agenda would leave us intimidated thinking that the talks would be too academic for home gardeners like us. Finally in 2018 we decided to give it a try.
We were delighted to find that the talks and workshops were approachable and interesting at all levels. We found the participants to be a great mix of new and long-time attendees both young and old. It was fun to be with lay people like us and thrilling to hear the experts. There was friendly company everywhere.
We thought the conference was well-organized by Western Carolina University and the mountain scenery was beautiful. Jon and I were sorry that we hadn’t signed up for any of the field trips.
After attending Cullowhee in 2018, we went back in 2019 and tried some field trips. They were great! A final tip: if you don’t like the idea of staying in the dorms, there are nice hotels nearby and you can buy a meal plan for the conference.
See you at Cullowhee.
By Jon and Carol Fox, Cullowhee newbies
Native Plant News – Summer 2022
Editor’s note: It is with much sadness that we report Jon Fox passed away in April 2022. He will be greatly missed. His spirit will continue to impact the native plant community that is now his legacy.
You’ll find Carol Fox working in and enjoying her and her late husband Jon’s NCNPS certified native plant garden year-round. Jon was an active member and Carol continues her activity in the Southern Piedmont Chapter where Carol edits the monthly newsletter. She and Jon attended the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference in-person or virtually since that first year in 2018. Carol looks forward to being there virtually in July 2022.