Erskine’s new arboretum dedicated at Third Annual Flower & Garden Show
Plying an outsize pair of scissors, Professor Emerita of Biology Dr. Janice Haldeman cut through a green ribbon to mark the official opening of the Janice Hamilton Haldeman Arboretum at Erskine during the Third Annual Flower & Garden Show May 17.
Dr. Martin Hamilton, executive director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University, spoke at the dedication. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more than just a collection of trees鈥攊t鈥檚 a living library,鈥� he said, calling the arboretum 鈥渁 crucial space for learning and for inspiring the next generation.鈥�
Haldeman, who said she is “very, very honored” to have the arboretum named for her, recalled driving into Due West with her husband and children more than 60 years ago and being 鈥渋mmediately welcomed into the Erskine family.鈥� She began her service on the Erskine faculty in 1967. Her husband, Richard Haldeman, had joined the Erskine staff in 1961 as public relations director and served until his retirement in 1995.
鈥淥ur family has received blessing after blessing from God,鈥� she said, pointing upward, 鈥渢hrough the Erskine family.鈥�
This year鈥檚 Flower & Garden Show featured Hamilton and his wife Dr. Michele Dani Sanchez鈥攁 Brazilian biologist, botanist, and horticulturalist鈥攁s keynote speakers. Sanchez spoke on 鈥淲hat it Takes to be a 
Champion Tree,鈥� while Hamilton took as his topic 鈥淕ardening for Biodiversity.鈥�
Workshops, talks, and other events were offered throughout the day. Presenters included alumni, faculty and staff members, and friends of Erskine as well as experts in various gardening-related fields.
鈥淐hildren鈥檚 Corner鈥� activities were provided by the Abbeville County Library, the Magnolia Garden Club, Lakelands Master Gardeners, and Surface Bella.
“I think the thing that makes the Erskine Flower & Garden Show so popular is that there is so much variety to the day鈥攃hildren鈥檚 activities, live music, workshops covering a broad range of interests, and high quality vendors,” says Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Paul Bell.
“There鈥檚 a happy spirit at these events. The complaint I鈥檝e heard every year and that I 飞补苍迟听to hear every year is, ‘There was so much available that I couldn鈥檛 do it all!'”
About next year’s show, Bell says, “Look for some new features in 2026 as well as some favorites from our previous shows.”
