Zebulon Library Memorial Garden
The SMGC Zebulon Library Memorial Garden has been a continued SMGC project since 2003 in honor of member Laurie Giles. A semi-circular garden was established with plants she loved. In 2021, a 2nd project was begun in memory of member, Fran Johnson, and the garden area was expanded with flowers and plants from her personal garden. Work continues under the direction of the committee Co-Chairs, who organize workdays for members throughout the year to add and replace plants, bulbs, as well as watering. The gardens continue to provide a peaceful retreat for visitors, as well as library patrons.
Nature Trail Pollinator and Native Plant Gardens
The Nature Trail was established in 1998 and since then has been an ongoing club project with the help of all our Steel Magnolia Garden Club members. This Nature Trail links the Zebulon Community Center to the Zebulon Community Park, and features a Butterfly Garden, a Pollinator Garden, as well as a host of native plants and North Carolina wildflowers. In fact, in 2016, these gardens were listed as a stop on the NC Butterfly Highway! Committee Chair Brenda A. and members continue to organize workdays throughout the year to add and replace plants, as well as watering the plants.
Blue Star Memorial Garden
On June 11, 2021, the Steel Magnolias Garden Club completed their two-year effort to place a Blue Star Memorial at the Zebulon Town Hall in appreciation for all those who have served in the armed forces.
Read more about the Garden Club of North Carolina’s support for Blue Star Memorials HERE.
This event was covered by local media, including THIS ARTICLE from the Wilson Enterprise.
The club continues to maintain the garden at the memorial site with red, white and blue themed plantings.
Zebulon Chamber of Commerce Garden
In 2021, Zebulon’s Chamber of Commerce contacted the Steel Magnolias Garden Club for assistance in updating plantings around the entry of the Chamber building and the Chamber sign. This project is spearheaded by the club president with assistance from club members. SMGC continues to provide gardening guidance as well as plants for these areas, including two planters flanking the front entry. During the 2023 holiday, members enjoyed decorating both the inside and outside of the Chamber to embrace the holiday spirit!
Zebulon Downtown Planters
Since 2021, the club has maintained several planters downtown as part of an ongoing downtown revitalization program. The “Downtown Beautification Project” was spearheaded by the Zebulon Womans Cub, who initially placed planters throughout the downtown business area. These planters are continuously maintained with various colorful plants, perennial and seasonal plantings. Planters are updated each season.
Zebulon Library Children’s Garden
The Zebulon Community Library received a grant from The Bee Cause Project. Funds were used to purchase pollinator plants. Local children in the K-5 program, local teens, and Steel Magnolias Garden Club members had great fun digging in the dirt and planting the pollinator flowers. A program discussed the importance of bees to humans and nature. Visit the library and take a look at this beautiful flower garden planted right outside the library windows for all to see.
