Draft:Major Wheeler (Cultivar)

Major wheeler is a popular cultivar of coral honeysuckle (Lonciera Sempervirens). It was discovered growing wild on the coast of Emerald Isle, North Carolina by Pat Wheeler, who was driving with her husband, Charles Wheeler. They took the specimen plant home, where it continued to bloom as late as Christmas. Charles Wheeler was then president of the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Pat shared cuttings with garden staff, who then shared them with Niche Gardens. Impressed, Niche Gardens and the Botanical Garden worked jointly with the advice of UNC Herbarium curator Jimmy Massey to introduce it to the public. Pat was pleased to name it in Charles's honor.