Combining Science with Design and Insights, Milliken Addresses Today's Concerns

The Roger Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C. is a staggering 600 acres of manicured fields of staggering beauty.  Inspired by Mr. Milliken, no doubt raw farm land (peach orchard) in its beginnings, now transformed with many types of ornamental and shade trees, architected together with the variety of ponds and fountains, fields, vistas and allees! 


The picture in image one to the right, shows a pathway leading from one corporate structure to a prominent fountain!  The 20 or so Zelkovas on either side of a stone walkway flanked by 50 understory Magnolias and large clumps of Holly leading to this dramatic fountain surrounded by another 25 mature Magnolias!  Wow!

Parking lots for the 1000 or so employees at the corporate location have rows and rows of 3-foot diameter Oaks across each parking area, on this lot, I counted over 50, all well maintained!  Note all trees with protective “sticky tape” to deter oak caterpillars!  First class care! 

There was a presentation made by Dr. Michael Dirr in which he mentions this site.

And their Noble trees!  Such an easy place to find and explore, open to the public!  I was there at 10 in the morning on a Sunday, worth every minute of it!

More about Milliken:
By combining science with design and insights, Milliken tackles the issues and

concerns of today. Every day, our community of innovators is invigorated by the challenge of finding creative ways to enhance people's lives and make the world around us easier, safer, more sustainable and more beautiful.

Mr. Milliken transformed a 600-acre former peach orchard in Spartanburg, South Carolina now home of the Milliken’s RMC campus. Included in this is a nationally acclaimed arboretum, with more than 3,000 trees, representing 90 noble species.  Learn more here.

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• Meet the 'Plant Whisperer', Jim Harshbarger; Massachusetts Certified Arborist'
• Learn more about THE GARDEN TUTOR

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