A Native Layer Grows Up

Two years on, this urban garden, planted with a new layer of native trees, shrubs and perennials in 2016 thrives.

Beauty and a Feast

These are sobering times. As our planet faces accelerating climate change and science deniers move into positions of power, it is difficult to figure out what, if anything, can be done on a personal level to mitigate looming environmental destruction and habitat degradation. 

There is hope, and beauty in planting and growing. Gardening is inexpensive, interesting and rewarding. Evidence based research, yes I'm referring to the works of Doug Tallamy again, has proven that every native seed planted, every garden featuring native plants makes a difference. 

As New Englanders prepare for winter and long evenings indoors, this is the time to look forward and plan for the growing season ahead where even a small backyard planting contributes to the local food web supporting wildlife  diversity. Of course growing your own food is satisfying  and delicious too, so integrating edibles for the humans involved just adds more pleasure to the endeavor.

Below are photos of a Cambridge garden planted in spring 2016.  The primarily native plant palette is complimented by spring bulbs and even annuals beloved by the owner. Bluestone frames the small lawn separating it from the surrounding  beds, keeping maintenance low. Untreated wooden raised beds are designed to be easy access and easily removed should the owner decide to discontinue growing food. Although this is a very young planting, the owner has already observed more bird and insect activity.

Beauty and a Feast!

Dreaming of spring

It is hard to believe this Friday, March 20, is the Vernal Equinox with so much snow on the ground and the ponds covered in ice. As the snow recedes and shrubs emerge from snowbanks, it is clear this winter has been tough on many plantings and there will soon be lots of pruning to do. My own 15 year old boxwood are looking pretty grim as broken and mis-shapen branches are revealed with the melting snow. So, I've turned to one of the best garden books of 2014 as I plan for the growing season.

The Living Landscape, by Doug Tallamy and Rick Darke, provides inspiration and hope grounded in science for an informed approach to creating multi-dimensional gardens that provide beauty, sensory experience and support native wildlife. The authors cogently address ecosystem complexity and make the case for residential landscapes as important offsets to the habitat destruction and fragmentation threatening the survival of so many beloved birds, butterflies and many other creatures. With gorgeous photographs and a cross reference of the landscape and ecological functions of plants by region, this book is a truly valuable reference! Doug Tallamy's earlier book, Bringing Nature Home, is also excellent. Ever wanted to know why to plant a native maple tree? Maples provide food for 285 different butterfly species in addition to seeds and nest sites for many birds and rodents, and fall color. Bringing Nature Home describes the ecosystem contribution of native plants and how many ways these plantings enhance expereince.

Read garden books and seed catalogs, roam your landscape imaginatively while looking forward to spring and listen. The birds are back, soon it will be planting time and New Englanders will be blessed with the sound of peepers and the scent of bare earth.

New England Winter

Deep in February snow, the landscape is about shifting light, deciduous tree structure, shapes, bird song and possibility. Here in Harvard pruning has begun but most gardening remains imaginative. And what a pleasure it is sitting by a cozy wood stove, wandering the vibrant pages of an inspiring book, looking forward to spring.  

The website quotes are from some favorite books:

Rosemary Verey's Making of a Garden (1995). United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln.

Messervy, Julie Moir. (1995). The Inward Garden (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Little Brown and Co.

Jorgensen, Neil. (1978). A Sierra Club Naturalist's Guide to Southern New England. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.

Van Sweden, James and Christopher, Tom. (2011). The Artful Garden (1st ed.) New York, NY: Random House.

A young native Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) dusted with snow.