In the spirit of cultivating a legacy of love for southern horticulture, the Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary staff recently curated a trip to Miami for their members to tour private gardens for inspiration.
“We wanted our members to experience something they wouldn’t normally have access to outside the beautiful public garden spaces in Miami,” explains Development Director Susan Evans, who helped organize the trip. “Most of our members have a passion for gardening, so the trip had to be very special, informative and memorable.”
Wing Haven, which offers workshops, lecture series, wellness sessions, bird walks and adult and children’s education programs, decided to visit Miami’s gardens after Executive Director Barrett Ranson Shannonhouse was connected with famed Miami-based landscape designer Fernando Wong.
“Fernando’s work is internationally recognized, and he has a reputation for creating stunning, functional landscapes for private estates that have been featured in many major garden and design magazines,” says Shannonhouse. “It was really special that he offered us the opportunity to visit some of the private gardens he designed.”
The group of 16 participants, including Shannonhouse and Evans—who have both served in their roles at Wing Haven for over a decade—had access to two private estates: the “Shangri-La” at the Strong residence and “Oak Alley” at the Hoover residence.
“Much like in Charlotte, Florida, weather requires outdoor spaces to be everyday living spaces,” Shannonhouse explains. “Observing how Wong layered greens and other colors with plants and vines, transitioned sunny areas to sitting areas while balancing hardscapes with natural environments was exquisite.”
Attendees learned new methods of displaying flowers and greenery.
“Everyone brought home styling ideas for their own gardens,” Shannonhouse says. “Several plants like ferns and jasmines found in Florida can translate into our environment in Charlotte. We also observed techniques like using pops of color or vines across French doors to break up greenery.”
In walking the public gardens of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the group observed the importance of protecting trees.
“Trees play such an important role in our landscapes,” says Shannonhouse. “We have a fully native garden at Wing Haven and hope to incorporate more. Native trees enhance the ecosystems and require little water and maintenance.”
The group, which was made up of Wing Haven members and avid gardeners, spent two days in February at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and dined at Fontana restaurant upon arrival. In between visiting the two public gardens, the tour included lunch at Mamey Miami. After the second night, the group reconvened for the private tour of the residences with Wong. Then, it took a break at the outdoor “secret garden” restaurant Glass and Vine before ending the experience at the Cuban supper club Social 27.
“We try to build flexibility around the main events so our attendees can experience the local culture and cuisine of the area,” says Shannonhouse. “We chose high-end accommodations that are walkable to the local scene, retail and restaurants and make sure we have comfortable transportation along with local guides.”
Wing Haven has offered driving-distance day trips for at least a decade, but only recently revamped their overnight trips for members and garden enthusiasts.
“We used to take international trips, and I’m hoping to bring that back to our schedule in the future,” Evans says. “We pick destinations where we can secure private or exclusive opportunities. If you visit on your own you wouldn’t have access to the places we’re taking you.”
The average trip accommodates 20-25 people—both couples and singles ranging from 40-60 years old. Members of Wing Haven get first dibs on securing a spot before garden trips are open to the public. Wing Haven also hosted an overnight trip to Charleston in April. A day trip to a flower farm in Concord is scheduled for June 10. The cost per person varies, but the three-night trip to Miami, which included hotel rooms, tours and several meals, was $2,250 for members and $2,500 for non-members based on double occupancy.
“We have several members who attend multiple trips a year,” says Shannonhouse. “Gardeners are generally happy people who love meeting other like-minded people who love nature.”
She also reflects on how the trips reinforce Wing Haven’s purpose.
“We’re offering some of the same qualities at Wing Haven as these elite gardens, such as garden rooms—separate spaces for roses or vines, for instance—that give people respite, relaxation and refuge.”
Shannonhouse believes visiting a garden and spending time outdoors improves overall health.
“People are seeking sanctuary in nature and find Wing Haven to be restorative,” she says. “As the city of Charlotte becomes more urban, people are looking to live in nature. Wing Haven may sound sleepy, but a garden is actually a very active place.”
KRISHA CHACHRA is a Charlotte-based travel writer for regional and national magazines. She has visited more than 50 countries on six continents and embraces the fact that she is now in her spa era. Contact her at krishachachra.com or on social media at @destinationsanddelish and @krishachachra.