Discover SouthPark's hidden oasis
Discover SouthPark's hidden oasis
Plus: The news of the week — Mecklenburg lags in voter turnout; Payday coming for some Charlotte drivers?; Ex-chief sheriff's deputy discusses resignation; Charlotte-based lithium company cuts jobs
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MapleWalk Garden, a hidden 2-acre sanctuary created by a husband and wife duo, is poised to unveil its vibrant Japanese maple display
By Amber Veverka
In about a week, a near-secret garden in Charlotte will light up with autumn glory — and offer a tantalizing sneak peek at its seasonal surprises to come.
MapleWalk Garden, a private, 2.25-acre paradise in a south Charlotte neighborhood off Carmel Road, was created by Lib Jones and Tom Nunnenkamp, and is home to 97 varieties of Japanese maples, which are about to transform into stunning color. Jones and Nunnenkamp welcome visitors to walk the garden, which has taken more than 25 years to craft.
It’s a place of artistry, a living painting made of plants and trees. Visitors enter via the sunny Upper Garden, which is fringed by towering Japanese cedars. Smooth grass paths wind amid beds of perennials, shrubs and smaller trees. A path passes beneath a graceful stone arch, taking visitors into the shade. In the Woodland Garden, the Japanese maples hold court beneath towering tulip poplar and sweet gum original to the property.
Looking down into the Woodland Garden, visitors take in the artistry of a variety of plants and trees — the result of decades of planning that began in 1990. (Amber Veverka photo)
There is much more to MapleWalk than the maples — everything from Chinese wild ginger and ferns at ground level, to one of Jones’ favorites, witch hazel, to Nunnenkamp’s current obsession, camellias. Right now, bloomers include ‘Winter’s Snowman’ camellia, whose fallen blossoms have turned the ground wedding white.
Surprises abound: A needle palm at the base of a tulip poplar, a weeping bald cypress turning cinnamon brown, winter daphne that will release its sweet scent in winter, bigleaf magnolia, which looks a bit like a tree built by Dr. Seuss. It’s a garden that reveals its treasures gradually, as the path tucks into turns and threads its way down a hillside.
The garden’s grace was hard-won. When the couple moved into the Kingswood neighborhood in 1990, they hired a landscape designer to create a plan for their yard. Then they asked for a design for the back yard, which became MapleWalk’s Lower Garden. When heavy rains sent runoff from the adjoining property onto their own, they began eyeing that lot, eventually buying it “as a defensive move,” Nunnenkamp said.
The new lot was a mess, choked with invasive English ivy, wisteria, poison ivy and downed trees from Hurricane Hugo. And, as it turned out, a damaged city storm drain had pocked it full of sinkholes. “It took us two and half years to clear it,” Nunnenkamp said.
Once the new lot was ready, they received invaluable help from the late Dr. Larry Mellichamp, a well-known botany expert, speaker and author, who served as UNC Charlotte’s director of botanical gardens. Mellichamp started as the couple’s garden consultant and then became their friend and is remembered in the garden with a plaque near a stone bench.
Later, the couple bought a third lot and used it to create the Upper Garden, where Jones’ perennials revel in the sunlight and shaped conifers create structure.
MapleWalk’s numbers tell the story of backbreaking labor and ardent devotion: 1,600 feet of path built, 48 tons of stone laid, more than 100 scrub trees removed. Nunnenkamp and Jones hired a professional to haul in more than 40 tons of boulders, partially buried to create a mountain landscape effect for what became the Woodland Garden.
While they had help with heavy construction, just about everything else has been touched by the couple’s hands. Nunnenkamp took a class in dry stacking stone and built all the stone walls himself. And, he said, “everything you see, I’ve planted, or Lib planted.”
That includes 23 varieties of dogwood, 91 different camellia japonicas, and Jones’ extensive collection of irises. Work also included installation of outdoor art, birdhouses and the hundreds of plant ID tags they’ve created. And then there are the bunnies.
Tom Nunnenkamp and Lib Jones welcome visitors from around the world. Admission is free, and the gardens are open year-round during daylight. (Amber Veverka photo)
In the Woodland Garden, you’ll happen upon what Nunnenkamp and Jones call the Taj MaHutch — home to the couple’s rescue rabbits: Peppercorn, Teddy Bear, Allspice and Marshmallow.
“I’m a big animal person,” Jones said. “All but one of the rabbits came from the pound.” She makes the rabbits’ food and has 40 pounds of timothy hay shipped each month. Visiting children enjoy feeding the bunnies, who hop to the front of their enclosure when people arrive. In addition to the pet rabbits, the garden is a frequent haunt of less-welcome deer, which Nunnenkamp and Jones do their best to discourage through spraying and netting vulnerable plants or choosing less-tasty varieties.
The upkeep is aided by Harold, the couple’s robot lawnmower. “I kid that if I could teach Harold to edge, I’d really have something,” said Nunnenkamp. Leaves left in the flower beds help suppress weeds, though there’s plenty of weeding still to be done. And pruning: Nunnenkamp prunes every single one of his Japanese maples, every year. And they’re still creating. Jones just took out blueberries that mostly served as deer food and in their place, planted a bed of peonies.
It helps, both gardeners said, that they’re not into travel — unless it’s to buy unusual plants.
“Soon we’ll be headed to Shelby to pick up new witch hazels,” Nunnenkamp said.
“Road trip!” said Jones.
The couple enjoys welcoming visitors to the garden. MapleWalk became better-known during the Covid lockdown and now gets visitors from all over the world. Nunnenkamp and Jones are members of the Charlotte Camellia Society and host a big camellia show and sale at MapleWalk in March.
Neither Nunnenkamp nor Jones have any notion of hanging up their trowels.
“There are plenty of days you’re tired at the end of the day,” Jones said, “but how can you get tired when there’s so much life growing around you? You just celebrate that life.”
If you go:
Where: MapleWalk Garden, 4255 Kingswood Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. GPS will direct you to a lot without a house — that’s the right spot.
MapleWalk Garden is in a residential neighborhood (also called Kingswood) in the SouthPark area. Please park on Kingswood or a side street and take care not to put tires on neighbors’ lawns. Enter the garden using the wide grass path lined with stone.
When: MapleWalk is open 365 days a year during daylight. Before you go, check the home page to be sure it’s not closed for a private event.
The Japanese maple color will reach its peak this month, but the garden has beauty year-round. Winter is the time for many Japanese camellias to bloom. Early spring is another peak season.
Amber Veverka is a contributor to The Ledger. Reach her at askbackyard@gmail.com.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Tryon Medical Partners. What is personalized primary care? It’s clinical expertise, trust in your care team, and access to them when and how you need it. It’s healthcare, the way it should be.
This week in Charlotte: No more pass/fail at NC schools; Tax incentives discussed for Providence Road project; Life lessons at Ballantyne Ridge; City to pay $700,000 to settle police shooting lawsuit
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
New football team learns lessons in resilience: (WFAE) In its first year, the Ballantyne Ridge High varsity football team has lost all 10 games and been outscored 523 to 23, but its coach says the team has focused on resiliency.
NC students can't pass/no pass for core classes: (WCNC) The North Carolina State Board of Education voted to require students to earn a passing letter grade in core high school courses to graduate, replacing the pass/no pass grading option used in some schools for credit recovery.
Politics
A quick recap of Tuesday's election results: (Ledger) Republicans regained the White House and control of the U.S. Senate, while Democrats retained a majority of Mecklenburg County commissioner seats and won several North Carolina Council of State positions.
Close races: (Observer) Three races in the Charlotte area are close enough for recounts, with the N.C. state Senate District 42 race between Democrat Woodson Bradley and Republican Stacie McGinn being the closest.
Mecklenburg lagged in voter turnout: (WFAE) Mecklenburg County once again saw one of the lowest voter turnouts in North Carolina during the 2023 election. Voter turnout statewide was 73%, and in Mecklenburg County, a little more than 69% of eligible residents turned out to vote.
Democratic leader resigns: (Axios Charlotte) Monifa Drayton, the executive director of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, resigned Wednesday, alleging racism and hostility within the organization.
Local news
Police shooting settlement: (Ledger) The city of Charlotte and the family of a man who was fatally shot by police in 2017 have agreed to a settlement of $700,000. Ruben Galindo was shot and killed in an apartment complex in the Sugar Creek area, and his girlfriend sued the city, claiming that police were too quick to shoot and that Galindo was trying to surrender and didn’t understand officers’ English-language commands.
Potential payday for some Charlotte drivers: (Ledger) A federal judge ruled that Charlotte improperly released accident report information, potentially allowing thousands of drivers to seek compensation in a lawsuit that could cost the city over $15M.
Ex-chief deputy discusses resignation: (WCNC) Kevin Canty, who recently resigned as chief deputy of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, opened up about his experience working under Sheriff Garry McFadden, accusing him of abusive leadership, unprofessionalism and racism.
Flooding buyouts: (Observer) Mecklenburg County commissioners have approved a plan to offer voluntary buyouts for homes damaged by Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread flooding along the Catawba River near Mountain Island Lake. The county is setting aside $8.5M for buyouts and retrofitting.
Business
Lithium company cuts: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Albemarle Corp., a Charlotte-based lithium company, is cutting hundreds of jobs worldwide, reducing its workforce by 6% to 7% globally, with approximately 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce affected. The cost-cutting plan is expected to save the company between $300M and $400M annually.
Tax incentives floated for big Providence Road development: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Officials with the city of Charlotte are exploring the idea of offering $19M in tax incentives for infrastructure for a proposed mixed-use project along Providence Road in south Charlotte. The proposal by Levine Properties, Northwood Ravin and Horizon Development Properties is to redevelop 113 acres near the Providence Square shopping center and include around 2,000 homes and a grocery store.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
Walking pneumonia infections on the rise; Poll shows worries about N.C. medical bills; More than 1/2 of Mecklenburg voters cast ballots early
Wednesday
At the dog pool, Merlin exercises his right to float: AquaPups Charlotte, an indoor dog swimming pool in east Charlotte, offers swim lessons and year-round exercise for pups of all sizes and ages.
Plus: St. Matthew is buzzing over a huge honeybee discovery; Lessons learned during a morning of bird watching
Friday
Helping farmers plant roots: Local farms like DeepRoots CPS Farm in west Charlotte are getting the chance to significantly expand with help from the Carolina Farms Fund, a local initiative that supports farmers facing high land costs by helping secure and preserve farmland around the Charlotte region.
Plus: Library system's big building plans; Hot airfare deals from CLT; New airport drop-off lanes look ready to open
Mountain Updates
Tuesday: Asheville turns to ‘Plan B’ on restoring water; Record early voting despite Helene; FEMA unable to answer half of calls; Hendersonville apple orchard reopens; Woman reconnects people with lost photographs
Friday: Podcast episode reflecting on the N.C. mountains; Over 100,000 homes sustained damage; Popular 11 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway reopens; Counties establish grants for small businesses; Black Mountain police release body camera footage during events of Helene
Ways of Life
Shameeka Henderson, a beloved and skilled database manager at the Arts & Science Council, was celebrated for her deep compassion, positivity and strong connections with family, friends and colleagues. She died of liver failure on Sept. 7 at 47.
Transit Time
Charlotte favors transit, even though few use it: Most Mecklenburg County residents view Charlotte's public transit as valuable for the community but rarely use it themselves, citing safety and service concerns, while regular riders express a need for more frequent service and better amenities.
Fútbol Friday
Charlotte FC heads to Orlando for a must-win playoff game on Saturday night.
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