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This event has passed.

Saturday, November 4th

9 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Bulb Bonanza | Cultivating Spring Bulb Gardens with Jim Martin & Jenks Farmer

HC Member: $25
Non-Member $35
Bulbs ranging from $6-$12 per bag will be for sale at the workshop.

Buy Tickets

Robert Mills Carriage House : 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Join us for a lively morning of all things bulbs! Columbia-grown horticulturists Jim Martin and Jenks Farmer have envisioned, planted, and enlivened more public spaces in the state than any other duo. Since their passions for spring bulbs vary wildly, you’ll get a morning full of fun and diverse bulb lessons. Books and bulbs will be available for sale. 

Jim Martin loves the ephemeral moments of joy in the garden. Jim will share his decades of experience picking bulbs for the pleasure of display. From Tulips to Giant Allium, spring flower bulbs are iconic in Southern gardens. Jim loves all those showy, joyful bulbs even if they don’t come back. He’ll share how and where he finds beauty, in the foliage, in the growth, and of course in the flower. Jim’s towering creativity includes using fresh flowers and dried parts of some bulbs for floral displays. 

Jenks Farmer shares his love of bulbs that perennialize in our humid climate. He’ll share photos of the eco-bulb lawn surrounding his families 1750s farmhouse. Bulb lawns may be trendy today, but they have a long history in the South. Learn which bulbs persist, tricks for creating ecologically sound bulb lawns, and how to translate their wild beauty for modern, tidy gardens.  

*Due to their long histories and friendships, please don’t be surprised if the presenters interrupt, correct, overlap, and roll eyes to make sure the audience gets both sides of every story.   

About Jim Martin 

Jim Martin

Jim Martin currently spearheads the renovation of America’s oldest public garden, Magnolia Plantations and Gardens. Jim led the establishment and vision of Riverbanks Botanical Garden as well as the city-wide gardens of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. He is the former director of horticulture for Brookgreen Gardens, and led the transformation of Mepkin Abbey. Jim has spent years refining a personal passion for the art of creative, floral displays inspired by the beauty and mystery of all stages of plant growth and decay. “Any garden is about the moment, so I find beauty in all parts of the process.”   

 

 
About Jenks Farmer

Jenks Farmer

Jenks Farmer currently manages his families 1750s farm which ships specialty perennials all over the United States. Jenks worked with Jim on Riverbanks, envisioned and planted Moore Farms Botanical Garden and Lake City streetscapes. He designed public and private gardens.  His four books include the upcoming Garden Disruptors: The Rebel Misfits Who Turned Southern Horticulture on its Head.

Read Jenk's article about Bulb Gardening.

  • Tickets

    HC Member: $25  

    Non-Member $35  

    Tickets will be on sale at the door!

    Buy Tickets

     

     

  • Bulbs

    Varieties of bulbs will be on sale at the event. Bulbs will range from $6-$12 per bag.

  • Parking

    A small gravel parking lot is located adjacent to the Robert Mills Carriage House and is accessible via Henderson Street. There is ample street parking surrounding the Robert Mills House. 

  • Accessibility

    The Carriage House is accessible to wheelchairs and those with mobility issues; the grounds and gardens have gravel paths. 

Questions?

Contact Us 

Phone: (803) 252-1770 ext. 23 

Email: reservations@historiccolumbia.org 

NTHP Preservation Award Winner
Historic Columbia

© 2025 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tours
All historic house and garden tours start at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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