Charlotte, NC, October 2024– This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden. We invite you to celebrate her incredible legacy with us this fall by attending one of our special workshops designed with Elizabeth Lawrence in mind: A Day of Bulbs on Tuesday, October 15 or The Writer’s Workshop on Saturday, October 26, or by visiting her “living laboratory” and historic house during garden open hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission to Elizabeth Lawrence’s garden is included with your visit to Wing Haven.
Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985) moved to Charlotte, NC from Raleigh in 1948 with her mother, Bessie, to be closer to her sister, Ann, and her family. Even before the house on Ridgewood Avenue was built, she began planning her new garden– a well-designed, dynamic “living laboratory”– where she grew an enormous variety of plants to find out what grows well in the Middle South for 35 years.
Elizabeth is an internationally known garden writer. Her garden was a constant source of inspiration for her writings. Elizabeth wrote six manuscripts, numerous articles for various regional and national publications, and over 700 columns for the Charlotte Observer. Five of her books remain in print to this day. She is regarded as one of three preeminent figures in the horticultural history of the Southeast, sharing this short list with Thomas Jefferson and J.C. Raulston. She is also listed among the top twenty-five gardeners of all time. The work she did while designing, writing and gardening at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed
greatly to that status.
In 2008, the property was purchased by the Wing Haven Foundation from Mary Lindeman “Lindie” Wilson, who owned the property after Elizabeth Lawrence and lovingly rehabilitated the garden for nearly 23 years. Thanks to Lindie’s incredible stewardship, the design, layout, and much of the plant material in the garden remains original to Elizabeth.
Plan your visit to the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden in Charlotte, NC to learn more about the life and legacy of one of the world’s most influential garden writers and register for a workshop at winghavengardens.org. Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study of its two historic gardens and the SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden. Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is rich in Southern horticulture and a habitat for birds and wildlife.
The SEED Wildlife & Children’s Gardens, extensions of Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, provide hands-on exploratory earning and a natural habitat for local wildlife. The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is the site of a world-renowned garden writer’s living laboratory. Together, these three gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn.
Wing Haven also offers more than 40 programs and special events each year. Wing Haven is operated by the Wing Haven Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization supported by private donations, memberships, and income from special events and unique rental spaces.