Emily H. Allen Wildflower Preserve ~ 6 acres, Forsyth County
Emily Allen. Donation of Conservation Easement
Emily describes her former yard as “a mess with poison ivy, honeysuckle, and
blackberries growing everywhere.” Then over 30 years ago she discovered a
showy orchid (Galearis spectabilis) struggling to survive within the “mess” and asked a local
expert what it was. With this initial discovery Emily began her journey that
has transformed her fifth-generation land into a breathtakingly beautiful
woodland wildflower garden known as the Emily H. Alle
n Wildflower Preserve.
Home to 28 of the 35 known eastern North American Trillium, 30 species of
ferns, the state and federal species of special concern Oconee Bells (Shortia
glacifolia), and many others, the Preserve was permanently protected in
2000. The easement ensures that generations to come will be able to enjoy
this beautiful woodland garden and learn about native North Carolina
wildflowers first hand. This unique place called for a unique easement which
ensures that the garden will be maintained forever by PLC under the guidance
of a Preserve Management Committee.
Currently the Preserve is open for a
limited number of tours each spring and summer. People can request a tour of
the garden by calling Mindy Mock at PLC 336-691-0088 or by e-mailing her at
mmock@piedmontland.org.
Project funding provided by the landowner, the Winston-Salem Foundation, and PLC.