A comprehensive landscaping renovation project is underway at the Old Well and will be completed in phases through fall 2024. The project will remove overgrown and declining plantings throughout the area and visually reconnect the Old Well with McCorkle Place. The installation of a new palette of native plants will provide seasonal interest throughout the year.
For over a century, the landscape around the Old Well was defined by large canopy trees, open lawn and gravel walking paths. When the current Old Well structure was installed in 1954, benches, brick walks, planting beds and ornamental trees were also added to the area.
The landscaping around the Old Well has continued to evolve since that time. In the 1950s, Croonenberg Hollies were planted at the corners of the Old East and Old West residence halls, and in the 1970s-80s, hedges lined the walkways around the Old Well. In the 1990s, large beds of Encore Azaleas were planted on either side. In 2023, a sloped pathway was added to make the Old Well more accessible.
Today, the azaleas have long been in decline, and many have been removed. The hollies have grown tall, creating a visual barrier through the area, and many of the hedges and plantings around the Old Well are overgrown.
During the first phase of the landscape renovation, much of the plantings around the Old Well will be removed. The areas will be mulched and prepped until new shrubs and perennials are installed this fall during cooler months. More than 100 plants and 30 varieties of native plants representing North Carolina’s mountain, piedmont and coastal areas will provide a rotation of colors and textures throughout the year. The lower scale of plantings will provide a more open atmosphere and better connect the area with the rest of McCorkle Place.
For questions about this project, contact Stephanie Berrier, director of communications and marketing for Finance and Operations, at stephanie_berrier@unc.edu.