The landscaping surrounding the Old Well has undergone a complete transformation over the past several months. This comprehensive renovation aims to provide the campus community with a revitalized space that visually reconnects the Old Well with McCorkle Place.
The first phase of the project was completed over the summer. Grounds Services teams worked diligently to remove the azaleas, shrubs and other plantings from the beds surrounding the Old Well. Planted in the 1990s, the azaleas had been in decline for some time, and many had already been removed. The hollies and hedges throughout the area were also overgrown, creating a visual barrier that walled off the Old Well and obstructed views of McCorkle Place.
As the old plantings were removed, the beds were mulched to ensure the area was ready for the return of students and first day of class traditions. In late August, the second phase of the project began. A new irrigation system was installed, and once soil and bed preparation was completed, the planting commenced. The beds were divided into quadrants to support accuracy and efficiency as Grounds Services teams worked through each area.
The new plantings include 100 plants of 30 varieties of native plants and grasses representing the mountain, piedmont and coastal regions of North Carolina. The new landscape will grow in at a lower scale, maintaining an open atmosphere, and will provide a rotation of colors and textures throughout the year.
