By Bruce Boyer

Paul Ciener had a vision! He wanted to create a botanical garden that would evoke civic pride, be an asset and attraction to his community, and most importantly teach visitors about plants. The year was 1998, the same year his life would be cut short by cancer, but not before he shared his vision of a botanical garden with his sons Greg and David, and set aside funds in his will to enable its inception. Since that time, his sons have worked diligently to honor their father’s dream.

As a part of his estate plan, Paul established a nonprofit foundation to oversee the initial construction and governing of a botanical garden. His bequest was used to purchase seven acres in the Historic District of downtown Kernersville on South Main Street. After ten years of planning and fund raising the first phase of Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden (The Garden) became a reality. Paul’s contribution was intended to initiate that first phase of The Garden. Today, with an annual budget of over $1/2 million, maintenance, garden upkeep, and continued growth require the financial support of the entire Triad region.

Paul Ciener loved horticulture and botanical gardens. As he traveled, he visited botanical gardens all over the US and abroad. Paul’s love of ornamental horticulture shaped the master plan for The Garden. Planning for it honored his wishes by showcasing plants indigenous to all parts of the world.

Currently 15 of the 25 planned garden sections are complete, with 1,900 species of plants in the garden’s total collection. One of the next planned areas will be a Japanese Garden, Paul’s favorite from his travels, and named for his wife Karen through her generous donation during The Garden’s first Capital Campaign. Other named spaces from this capital campaign include the BB&T Gingko Screen, Lib and Joyner Burns Amphitheater, Fidelity Bank Pleached Hornbeam Walk, and SunTrust Courtyard Garden. Also in the immediate plans is a Woodland Garden; and to that end, The Garden is currently collecting and propagating cuttings from local horticulturist Wyatt LeFever. An extensive Children’s Learning Garden will also be developed as funding is secured.

One of the areas of particular importance to Paul was a Kitchen Garden. It provides an excellent opportunity for school children to learn about healthy food and gardening. The Garden hosts a Third Grade Essentials Tour which meets core curriculum science requirements for local schools. Part of the educational experience is sharing the Kitchen Garden produce with hunger relief programs in the area. This past year 1,200 pounds of vegetables were donated to these programs.

In addition to the natural beauty of the various gardens, the Welcome Center is a most impressive structure. The Ballroom is used extensively for community meetings, business events, receptions, and weddings. There is no more picturesque setting for a wedding than the Welcome Center and its surrounding garden areas. The ballroom seats 150 people for dinner and 275 for a reception. It has state-of-the art audio-visual equipment and an area for caterers. Adjacent to the Welcome Center is the Patio Terrace, which overlooks the fountain, has a panoramic view of the Event Lawn, future amphitheater, and other garden areas beyond.

The Pattern Garden is particularly inviting in the spring! Many families take their Easter family photos when the colorful tulip collection is at its peak. All of the garden areas are open, dawn to dusk, to the public and currently do not require a ticket to enjoy.

What the public does not necessarily see are the behind the scenes efforts by Adrienne Roethling, Garden Curator, other staff, members and volunteers. Offsite is a nursery, with greenhouses and a shade area, used to maintain plants that are out of season as well as the growth of new plants that are transplanted into The Garden on South Main Street. The Garden has approximately 75 volunteers, from receptionists, docents, gift shop personnel, as well as people with “a green thumb.” There are volunteers who come each week to handcraft some of the items sold in the Delores and Wyatt LeFever Gift Shop, helping support the operation of The Garden. And of course, Greg and David Ciener are key volunteers, who are often at The Garden to help make sure their dad’s wishes are being carried out to the fullest.

Overseeing daily operations, Executive Director John Whisnant brings a wealth of experience in non-profit management and philanthropy. John lived in Kernersville for much of his adult life. He has a biology degree from Guilford College but his best qualification is being connected to the key Triad communities. John considers the 60-mile radius from The Garden to be their natural constituent base. “We are a ‘Triad treasure,’ located in Kernersville, well positioned geographically within the state to attract visitors from farther away.” To enhance tourism, The Garden works closely with Korner’s Folly, the Kernersville Museum, and the Chamber of Commerce to enable Kernersville to be a full-day destination.

Behind every great endeavor is a dedicated Board of Directors which helps oversee the mission and vision of the organization. Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden’s Mission is to be “A place of unique beauty seeking to inspire, enlighten, and connect people of all ages to the world of plants, gardening, and horticulture and to surprise visitors with our beauty and scope.” The Board has seen that The Garden has done this and more.

“We would not be where we are today without the dedication and support of all our past and present Board members. Greg and I are especially thankful to John Wolfe, one of dad’s longtime friends and a founding Board member. His guidance, service, advice, and support have been invaluable to us as we realize Dad’s dream,” states Board President David Ciener.

Greg and David are proud to be the caretakers of their father’s legacy and of stewarding the Garden into a reality for others to enjoy. Paul Ciener’s vision has become a reality, but there is much future support needed from the Triad community to ensure its continued success.