America's Garden Capital Archives - Lasting Landscapes by Carol

March Magic

March 30, 2021

by Carol Verhake with 4 Comments America's Garden Capital spring blooms winter garden

Spring officially arrived on March 20 but I’ve been seeing signs of life in the garden for quite a while now, long before the calendar marked the arrival of a new season. Extending bloom time into the winter season is great fun, soul soothing, and easier than you might think.

In the Philadelphia area, Winterthur does an amazing job highlighting early spring bloomers and even has an area behind the mansion called the March Bank. H. F. du Pont started the March Bank in 1902 and it now features huge drifts of Galanthus (snowdrops), Leucojum (snowflakes), Crocus, Eranthus (Winter aconite), Chinodoxa (Glory-of-the-Snow), and Adonis among other bulbs.

I had the opportunity to visit Winterthur’s March Bank this year and was so impressed with the display I have already added some bulbs to my wish list for fall planting this year.

Galanthus are available in many different sizes and often have unique attributes that require close inspection. Who doesn’t love a plant that requires you to get on your hands and knees to admire and examine it? Eranthus emerge early and provide a little sunshine in flower form. These charmers are easy to grow and will seed around or can be moved to different parts of the garden.

A Galanthus (Snowdrop) surrounded by Eranthus (Winter Aconite).

A Galanthus with unique green markings

A Galanthus with hints of yellow – a very desirable trait.

Leucojum really make a statement in the garden. Their blooms are larger than Galanthus and they create a white carpet when planted in mass. Even when planted individually, Leucojum will cause a garden visitor to stop and view the amazing flowers.

A field of Leucojum (Snowflake) on the March Bank at Winterthur

Leucojum in the foreground and the Winterthur Mansion in the background.

A Leucojum flower up close

Crocus plants are available in a variety of colors and will self-seed and pop up in different locations. While this might annoy some, to me this is part of their charm. Most Crocus plants are also resistant to destruction by deer, squirrels and other critters. Glory of the snow bulbs are one of the first blooming plants to appear in spring. Members of the Lily family, these cuties produce beautiful snow kissed blooms. Winterthur uses Crocus and Chinodoxa (Glory of the Snow) in combination with a beautiful result.

Crocus and Chinodoxa (Glory of the Snow) planted together in drifts at Winterthur

Named after the Greek God of vegetation, Adonis plants sport feathery foliage and lovely yellow flowers. These plants are superb additions to any woodland setting. While sometimes difficult to find, they are worth seeking out.

A yellow flower surrounded by lacy green foliage

A gorgeous Adonis bloom surrounded by lovely, feathery green foliage

I hope you’ll consider adding some early bloomers to your garden this year. If you do, I’m confident you’ll enjoy years of pleasure when spring arrives early in your garden.

Winter walks

February 22, 2021

by Carol Verhake with 2 Comments all season interest America's Garden Capital Public Gardens winter garden winter getaway

Most people don’t think of February as a month for garden tours, but I encourage you to change your mindset. Winter is a perfect time to experience gardens when you can see their bones, notice what creates interest and enjoy smaller crowds. Peace comes with touring gardens in the quiet of the off-season.

In the Philadelphia area we are lucky to live in America’s Garden Capital. With over 30 public gardens within 3o miles of the city, we have many gardens to choose from. A number of these gardens are open in the winter and waiting for your visit. I recently visited two area arboretums and was enthralled with their meandering paths, extensive plantings and winter wonder.

The Morris Arboretum was first on the list. Located in Chestnut Hill, the site includes tens of thousands of plants including many collected by plantsman John Morris and his sister Lydia who lived on the property when it was a private home. Some of Delaware Valley’s oldest specimen trees grow at the Morris. During our visit we took note of these features as well as the use of evergreens to frame views, spent seed heads, plants in flower and texture created by plant material.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) needles provide amazing texture in the winter garden

Spent roses cascade over a bed of lavender and rosemary

Corylus fargesii catkins offer interest in the winter

Metasequoia buttresses contrast beautifully with the blooming Witch Hazel

Snowdrops (Galanthus) bloom happily in the winter garden

Mahonia x Winter Sun flowers are beautiful golden rays in February

Evergreens are especially noticeable when they perfectly frame a view like this waterfall

In addition to the outdoor spaces, a number of Philadelphia’s public gardens have greenhouses or conservatories that provide a break from the cold and access to flowering non-hardy plants. Who doesn’t love being immersed in a sea of lush foliage or fragrant blooms in the middle of winter?

Inside the fernery we were warm and enveloped in humidity

The second garden I had the opportunity to see this winter was the Tyler arboretum located in Media. Tyler spans over five hundred acres and includes seventeen miles of hiking trails and extensive plant collections. Tyler is one of the oldest arboretums in the region dating back to 1681. The property that makes up the arboretum today was purchased by Thomas Minshall from William Penn. Like the Morris, Tyler is home to some magnificent trees including those deemed ‘champions’ because they are the largest individual specimens of a particular species. We particularly enjoyed the Witch Hazel collection during our visit.

One of many blooming Witch Hazels at Tyler

A fragrant wintersweet bloom (Chimonanthus praecox var. Luteus) soothes the soul

Croton alabamensis shows off some lingering fall color and awaiting spring flowers

The structure of Sweetgum ‘Corky’ (Liquidambar styraciflua) was mesmerizing

Bark might go unnoticed during the growing season, but not in the winter.

Clearly I was inspired by my tours to two Philadelphia’s area gardens this winter. I encourage you to seek out some you would like to see and make a plan to visit. I’m confident that in addition to many ideas for your own landscape, you will leave with a calm mind and warm heart.

A garden in ruin

November 8, 2020

by Carol Verhake with 2 Comments America's Garden Capital garden ornaments Historic gardens

I have fond memories of touring ancient Roman gardens in Italy and Greece and recall imagining how spectacular these structures must have been in their glory. I also marveled at how magnificent they were in ruin. Imagine how I felt during a recent, private tour of Louise duPont Crowninshield’s ruin garden at Hagley, which immediately transported me to those amazing places in Europe.

The ruin garden at Hagley reminded me of my visits to Italy and Greece

The Hagley mansion provided no indication of the ruin garden located beyond the façade

Hagley is situated along the Brandywine River in Delaware on the site of the former Eleutherian Mills gunpowder factory founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802 and considered the birthplace of the du Pont company. After the mill was shut down in 1917 due to a catastrophic explosion, Louise, great granddaughter of E. I. du Pont and the last du Pont to live on the estate, created a garden on the 20-acre steep slope that descended 90 feet from the house to the river. It’s hard to say exactly what inspired her to build a ruin garden on the site, but it was clear she wanted to create a space for entertainment and amusement. Strong willed, she rejected the architect’s idea of leveling the space and putting in pastures for sheep. Thank goodness for us as the garden is unique in many aspects.

This painting shows Louise’s garden design

Louise was not at all concerned that her garden did not conform to the current style or tradition. She ignored the common practice of situating formal gardens near the house and informal gardens distanced from the main residence. She utilized surviving components from the mill such as evaporation cauldrons and structural walls as integral parts of her design and then added statuary, mosaics, columns and pools. Supposedly Louise’s husband requested that the worst masons be assigned to the job so the walls would be crooked and appear distressed. Chains and chisels further weathered the materials and gave them an authentic ruin look.

Evaporation cauldrons and walls from the factory served as integral components to the garden’s design

The cauldrons looked different from every angle

I imagined the cauldrons ablaze during parties like modern day firepits

The use of existing factory structures added to the ambiance of the space

Despite the green water of the original pool, I pictured the grandeur of the space in its prime

The worst masons created crooked and leaning walls

Different types of stone and brick made the ruin more authentic

Masons used chisels and chains to distress the brick for an aged look

Statuary played a key role in the garden’s design

Figures graced the columns of archways

Mosaics decorated the floors of entertaining spaces

At the garden’s peak, this figure spit water into the cauldron as a whimsical water feature

Rambling vines and a naturalistic landscape added to the ruin feel

The columns mimicked the trees in the mature landscape

I feel honored to have witnessed this marvelous space with a rich history that teaches us many lessons. The significance of honoring a space’s history. The importance of making a garden your own – something that pleases its creator first and foremost. And the parallels we find in gardens that mimic life and death or in this case life and ruin.

October Skies

October 22, 2020

by Carol Verhake with 4 Comments all season interest America's Garden Capital autumn dry shade fall fall gardening garden design landscape design

Despite the overwhelming number of tasks facing gardeners like me in the fall, I adore the autumn season and the blooms that come with it. You heard me right – amazing blooms in the fall provided by Asters, one of my favorite perennials.

‘October Skies’ Aster (Symphyotricum oblongifolium) is a wonderful variety that grows about two feet tall and wide. I planted some on my sunny bank last fall and cut them back by half in June to help ensure a dense habit. Today they are putting on quite a show.

Aster ‘October Skies’ planted en masse.

‘Raydon’s Favorite’ is very similar to October Skies but in my experience is a bit taller and darker in color, topping out around three feet. Raydon’s Favorite also blooms later than October Skies, which helps to ensure a long-lasting flower show. Both October Skies and Raydon’s Favorite are colorful, deer resistant groundcovers.

Aster Raydon’s Favorite pairs beautifully with Tricyrtis.

Recently I was introduced to another Aster – Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry,’ a diminutive form reaching several inches high with petite, white blooms. Snow Flurry will spread to a two-foot mass and is lovely in the front of the border or in a rock garden.

Aster Snow Flurry has a compact habit with pristine miniature blooms.

Got shade? No worries. There is an Aster for you too. Aster divaricatus thrives in my dry shade garden and spreads around readily. If you have limited space, why not choose Ampelaster carolinianus, a climbing aster that happily rambles on a trellis or a fence. Mine bloomed in the winter last year.

Aster divaricatus

Ampelaster carolinianus climbs on structures and blooms late

Maybe you are lucky enough to have a large, sunny spot and room for a meadow. Aster laevis is a great option for that situation. Pops of purple and blue on three-foot stems really stand out among the seed heads of grasses.

All of these Asters are native to North America so what’s not to like? If you haven’t already introduced Asters to your landscape, I encourage you to do so. If you are already in love with Asters – please comment and let me know which ones you adore and why!

America’s Oldest Food Farm

July 27, 2020

by Carol Verhake with 4 Comments America's Garden Capital Garden Conservancy Historic gardens

As one of the oldest cities in the USA, Philadelphia has made an indelible imprint on American history. Yet with all my Philly history lessons, I never knew the far-reaching impact of one of its rural resident farmers.

My American history lessons didn’t include the John Hershey Homestead

John Hershey was a nurseryman focused on trees and their benefit to humans and livestock. In the 1920’s, well ahead of his time, Hershey proposed planting crops like wheat or corn interspersed with rows of trees. The trees would anchor the soil, provide shade for the crops and feed the chickens, cows and pigs. Hershey felt this method of farming would help to reverse the climatic change being caused by humans as they destroyed forests and the soil in the name of progress.

Persimmon trees planted in a row

According to an article by Sandy Hingston in Philadelphia Magazine in 2018, “Hershey’s vision was for a better kind of American farm, one that took full advantage of what he called the ‘Orbit of Nature.’ He wanted to optimize what God in his glory had provided and teach America to make the most of it. He foresaw farmers chilling on their front porches while all around them, nut and fruit trees rained down their bounty on the land, fattening livestock even as they replenished the soil.”

I can picture John Hershey sitting on his front porch as nuts rained down around him

I had the pleasure of visiting Hershey’s homestead in Downingtown, Pennsylvania recently and immersing myself in America’s oldest intact food forest. The homestead is now under the stewardship of owners Cheryl, Pat and George, who are committed to preserving the property and its remarkable plantings to the best of their ability.

The Hershey homestead is well cared for by its current owners

While surrounded by residential developments, the homestead stands strong amid a number of Hershey’s fruit and nut trees which proudly display their scars showing where a cutting was grafted onto rootstock to create the ‘best of the best.’ Committed to finding the best trees in existence, John Hershey placed advertisements in newspapers asking people to respond if they had an amazing hickory or honey locust or a favorite persimmon. He rewarded winners with a $50 payment and then utilized that stock as the basis for his food farm.

The former nursery is nestled into a residential area

The visible graft line showing where an English Walnut was grafted onto a Black Walnut

A stately Black Walnut on the property

Today, most people think of nut and fruit trees as dirty trees, depositing their litter on the ground and disrupting pristine landscapes. But to Hershey, these were cherished specimens meant to be celebrated and used for a positive environmental impact.

In addition to being a ‘doer’ and leading by example, Hershey was also a writer. In Nature’s Orbits, he said, “Ever cross your mind, the violence and the violent struggle, needed to get into the stream of life? Think about the force of an acorn, walnut, or any seed that bursts forth from its shell, furiously sending down roots. … I nose-dived into the stream flow of life — plunged from the matrix, hands forward, head down, nose projected out, ready to plunge through life like a diver and will continue so until I die.”

My visit gave me the opportunity to reflect on an important part of our country’s horticultural history

I’m thankful for the doers out there like John Hershey and his homestead’s current owners. These people are committed to diving in head first to change the future and preserve the past.

Favorite Things

January 17, 2020

by Carol Verhake with 2 Comments America's Garden Capital

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.”

(Lyrics from The Sound of Music)

The winter blues often set in when I flip my calendar page to January, but that hasn’t been the case this year in the Philadelphia area with balmy days in the 60’s. As a result, I’m not feeling sad at all. I’m still remembering my favorite things though, which of course aren’t really things at all. They are people. And places. And PLANTS!

While I have a list of MY favorite plants, I thought it would be fun to ask my friends in the nursery trade about their favorite plants for different categories. Here are the results:

My parents introduced me to hostas early on in my gardening life as they were members of the American Hosta Society. Hostas come in thousands of sizes and colors and can easily be divided so I understand why they are a favorite of Andy’s. The only problem is that that deer love them. If I don’t spray mine with deer repellant, Bambi and friends eat them to the ground as if they have been invited to Carol’s buffet. Illicum floridanum (Florida Anise Tree) does well in my dry shade garden and it’s a nice evergreen presence in the winter with good deer resistance.

I share Keith’s love of Amsonia – especially Amsonia hubrichtii which makes quite an impact in the fall garden and was the Perennial Plant of the year in 2011. Amsonia ‘Storm Cloud’ features dark stems and blue flowers (considered somewhat rare in the garden world) and all Amsonia are deer resistant – an added bonus! There are endless varieties of our native redbud (Cercis). I love ‘Alley Cat’ and hope to get my hands on ‘Flamethrower’ this year.

In addition to availability in many colors, Echinacea are butterfly and bee magnets. Callicarpa ‘Early Amethyst’ attracts bluebirds and robins who gorge on the berries. Some fern varieties like Christmas and Autumn ferns are evergreen, providing winter interest and structure in addition to their lacy foliage. Clearly Alyssa’s selections are prized plants of mine as well since most of them have a home in my garden.

Phlox Jeana is a relatively new cultivar that resists powdery mildew better than other cultivars. Osmanthus is evergreen, deer resistant, and dry shade tolerant with intoxicatingly fragrant flowers in November. I have several different cultivars of Osmanthus including Goshiki, Gulftide, Sasaba, and Kaori Hime. Hmmmm, perhaps I should add it to my list of favorites. And speaking of MY favorites, here they are…

Shade Perennial: Epimedium

Sun Perennial: Allium

Deer Resistant Plant: Helleborus orientalis

Shrub: Edgeworthia chrysantha

Tree: Variegated Stellar Pink Dogwood

Underutilized Plant: Acanthopanax sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’

Understandably, all those surveyed indicated it’s pretty difficult to pick just one plant for a given situation since there are so many to choose from. The varied responses also indicate that gardening is individual and that personal preferences and site conditions play a significant role. As you probably noticed, some plants are favorites in multiple categories like Epimedium and Allium. Other plants are favorites because there is a sentimental attachment to them.

My recommendation is to consult with professionals to gain knowledge and then plant what you like. Winter is a great time to strategize on garden changes and select some picks for the spring. I hope I have inspired you to try something new or plant more of something you adore. Either way, let me know your favorites!

A Perennial Favorite

October 28, 2019

by Carol Verhake with 8 Comments America's Garden Capital naturalistic planting Philadelphia Gardens Public Gardens Uncategorized

Each year I look forward to the Perennial Plant Conference in October, an amazing full day event including lectures given by horticulturalists from around the world. This year’s conference welcomed speakers from Japan, the Netherlands, the US, and Britain.

Started over 35 years ago, the conference continued its educational focus by gathering experts in the field to share knowledge and experiences. The sold out conference attracted 600 attendees and was held on the grounds of Swarthmore College which is advertised as “the most beautiful campus in America.” I can attest to the beauty of the campus. As with the other attendees, I was able to tour the campus before and after the conference. I even ate lunch in the gorgeous amphitheater where students celebrate graduation rain or shine.

Lasting Landscapes by Carol Perennial Plant Conference

This is what the crowd looks like during a break. I can see the coffee urn but it seems to be a mile away!

Loved these chairs – what a great place to take a break from the auditorium.

Shady spots welcomed visitors too.

The amphitheater is my favorite spot on Swarthmore’s campus. Just stunning.

When you tired of sitting you could tour the rose garden.

The blooms were amazing.

This water feature with floating blooms and the reflection of the surrounding trees was magical.

The fall colors in the gardens inspired visitors.

Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ colonized along the pathways.

The conference was co-sponsored by Chanticleer, Longwood Gardens, The Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. That’s some serious backing, which is probably why the speakers are well regarded and the attendance so impressive.

This year’s program included presentations on naturalistic plantings such as Midori Shintani’s discussion about the Millennium Forest and her team’s strategy to merge the cultivated gardens into the natural expanse beyond. Midori explained how her team used random software to position plants in an organic way.

Jacqueline Van Der Kloet, an internationally acclaimed garden designer from Holland, shared her tips for a cohesive design including the need to consider a winter framework of trees and hedges, a planned sequence of flowering for maximum impact, use of repetition for a naturalistic effect, and a recommendation to tie plant colors to the buildings in the background. Of course Jacqueline also suggested lots of bulbs which was no surprise given her Dutch background.

When you are Dutch, bulbs are a must.

Ivin Etienne, Horticulture Display Coordinator for The Garden at Newfields in Indiana, explained that plants have to perform in a public display. There is no tolerance for a part of the garden that isn’t working when you have visitors every day. He highlighted a number of tried and true plants used at Newfields including Hellebores, Epimediums, Baptisia, Iris, Hosta, and Echinacea.

Panayoti Kelaidis is associated with the Denver Botanic Gardens. His presentation focused on rock garden plants that thrive in Colorado’s alpine environment and can also be used in other parts of the country if given the right conditions.

Lee Buttala, an author and television producer, stressed the need to let plants go to seed in order to allow new varieties to be born and to create more balanced ecosystems.

Finally, British garden designer, James Alexander-Sinclair, shared some of his work and explained his design principles such as using angles to make a space look bigger, hiding parts of the garden to reveal it slowly, and doing more planting close to the house. I particularly liked his comment that gardens are only as good as those who look after them. He said what the world needs is more gardeners. I am glad I am one of them at that I have the opportunity to tend gardens every day and attend wonderful educational events like the Perennial Plant Conference.

If you have a passion for perennials or just love plants, I encourage you to attend next year. Be sure to register early though as the 2020 program will likely sell out quickly.

Hitting the Rails

September 26, 2019

by Carol Verhake with 10 Comments America's Garden Capital Public Gardens

I love visiting the High Line when I go to New York City. I’ve meandered through this amazing park in the winter and in the summer and am confident it is beautiful in every season. Once home to the New York Central Railroad, the elevated railway turned garden was set to be demolished. Fortunately, a motivated and visionary Chelsea resident took the lead and set up a foundation to transform one and a half miles of the abandoned railway into a recreational space. As the New York Times said, the ‘frog of the railroad was to become a prince of a park.” The High Line has been open for ten years and currently includes fifteen different planting zones and over 100,000 plants inspired by the wild landscape that once grew on the abandoned site.

Imagine my excitement when I learned my home city, Philadelphia, was opening its own rail park inspired by the High Line. The first quarter mile of the three mile park opened in June of 2018 and is situated on the obsolete railways of two rail lines that serviced the popular Reading Terminal Market in Center City.

The first phase of the Philadelphia Rail Park invites visitors to stroll through an industrial part of the city

One of the unique features of the Rail Park is this metal wall highlighting Philadelphia based companies

When you need a rest you can relax on a swing and take in the sights and sounds of the city below

While dogs are welcome, they are encouraged not to water the plants.

Philadelphia Parks and Rec commissioner, Kathryn Ott Lovell commented that the park “will connect neighborhoods during a time when our country needs to be connected and that’s the great power of parks.” I couldn’t agree more. Gardens and landscaped public spaces have the amazing ability to transform our attitudes, lift our spirits and bring us together as a community. If you are able to visit either of these parks I encourage you to do so. I visited Philly’s Rail Park last month and left inspired and wanting more as I experienced my adopted home town from a unique perspective.

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings When I’m feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don’t feel so bad.”

(Lyrics from The Sound of Music)

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.”