The steep hill by the entrance road has been very difficult, and dangerous, for the maintenance staff to mow. In the winter and spring of 2014 the Friends of Sandy Creek Park planted about 140 native deciduous shrubs on this hill. Before we could do this, several groups, including the Duke Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and the First Ward LDS Men's Group spread tons of mulch on the hill. We would like to thank the folks at Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville and Mellow Marsh Farms in Siler City for working with us in selecting and providing at very reasonable rates, all the plants. The plants were selected because they are native to North Carolina and are beneficial to birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
A list of shrubs planted on the hill follows:
A list of shrubs planted on the hill follows:
- Corylus americana (American Hazelnut)
- Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum)
- Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' (Virginia Sweetspire)
- Cornus americana (Silky Dogwood)
- Ilex verticulata 'Red Sprite', female, (Winterberry)
- Ilex verticulata 'Jim Dandy, male, (Winterberry)
- Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush)
- Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)
- Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebark)
- Callicarpa americana (American Beauty Berry)
