Folly Garden of Eden
Vivian Whorley grew an impressive array of greens in her hydroponic on Folly this spring
By Blake Bunch
Maybe you’ve seen the blue bottle tree, turning the corner at 2nd block and East Arctic (It was even a ‘What the Folly’ photo back in January!). But there’s more growing here than just pretty blue glass.
Vivian Whorley has worked as a horticulturalist with the monks at Mepkin Abbey for over eleven years. Once known for raising chickens, Mepkin Abbey recently began trending away from horticulture, while expanding their oyster mushroom cultivation business.
Although Whorley enjoyed the work at the Mepkin Gardens, slowing her work there opens the door for the possibility of a new personal venture; one that wouldn’t require her to drive three hours a day. Really, she wouldn’t have to leave the island often at all.
At her home, Whorley’s keen green thumb rubs off on even the most out-of-place plant life. In her organic garden, she grows lettuce, herbs, fruits, and vegetables year round. The herbs and lettuce utilize a hyrdoponic drip system that operates off of a 55 gallon trash can full of water and nutrients. Strolling about her garden, it seems as if everything in site is edible. There’s the typical basil, thyme, and cilantro, but the not-so-typical loquat as well. Most herbs, kale, and chard are rather bitter during summer, but Whorley’s Valencia orange tree is beginning to bud. This is a good sign. Herbaceous plants are amongst her specialty, but she doesn’t stop there.
When she moved into the home, the yard was almost completely granulated sand, maintaining almost no vegetation. This was 15 years ago. Through her consulting work, she was able to pick up a few trees people were giving away. In a very careful manner, and against the Atlantic’s saline breeze, she has grown several very prosperous trees.
The Elderberry tree seems to be one of her favorites.
“Running 100 proof vodka over some blossoms, and straining it into a solution over about six months will make tincture,” she explains. “A few drops of that in water can help with any illness. It’s anti-biotic, anti-fungal; I mean, it will cure anything.” She even has a small date tree in her yard, which is very out of place.
Whorley makes good use of her masters degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech. Along with business partner Donna Baccirini, Whorley hopes to soon begin working with local restaurants. The two have dubbed the business “Lowcountry Herbs.”
Baccirini recently completed a two-year program to become a certified herbalist. She will head up the business end of things, while Whorley will be busy in her garden.
“We would love to have a system in place where the restaurants could let us know what they need on Mondays and Thursdays, placing an order,” explains Whorley. “We’re also looking into the possibility of lotions, soaps, and other herbal remedies for residents’ aches and pains.”
Whorley’s son, Graham, calls the yard “Folly Beach’s Garden of Eden.”
The garden is heavily guarded, however. Kevin the Cat, and her dog, Sara, take shifts warding off moochers.
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