Contributed
The Seven Lakes Garden Club has a knack for finding new places of interest for field trips. On a cool and sunny Thursday morning on May 8, the club discovered yet another jewel in Moore County’s agriculturally rich environment.
The Shady Maple Flower Farm, located in Carthage, was a treasure trove of spring colors.
Jennifer Maples Donovan and her husband purchased 142 acres in 2018 and began building a home, clearing what was once a tobacco farm.
In 2020, the business of selling fresh cut flowers began using 25 acres and Jennifer’s expertise and vision. She is a certified Master Gardener and uses organic growing practices.
Jennifer gave club members a guided tour of the many fields of flowers including Statice, Foxglove, Sweet William, Dahlia, Canterbury Bells, you name it. There were fresh plantings of hundreds of Sunflowers that will bloom in the coming months
Jennifer is a native of Moore County and descendant of the Maples family of the Ellis Maples Golf Course Architects, Inc. She primarily sells her blooms Thursday at the Southern Pines Farmer’s Market Morganton Road and on Saturday at the Southern Pines downtown market.
When her gates are open, or by appointment, she will also sell from her flower kiosk. Club members loved the tour, Jennifer’s information on growing flowers, and her beautiful fields of flowers.
The trip was a great conclusion to a program year full of great speakers and events. The Garden Club will hold a member picnic in June to celebrate another fun year of fellowship and learning.
