The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden have approved two new projects for 2013 and the continuation of one project from 2012.
1. NEW: The planting of herbaceous woodland plants, at the front entrance to the Garden in order to continue to increase the amount of native flora in this prominent area of the Garden. Estimated Cost - $1,200 to $1,500. Completion - early summer 2013
2. NEW: A survey of the Wildflower Garden throughout the 2013 season to sample bees in the Garden and collect data on identifications and activity in order to provide a baseline for future monitoring and for environmental education programs. This will be done by a certified entomologist. Estimated cost - $3,750. Completion - end of season. DETAILS HERE
3. CONTINUING: The Cary George Wetland Project. This major wetland project of creating a boardwalk to replace old deteriorating bridges has involved a wetland survey, design considerations, and the need to move some rare plants. Design work is planned for 2013 and perhaps start of construction. Details Here. Estimated cost - $15,000 -$35,000. Completion estimated 2014.
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden have approved one new project for 2012 and the continuation of two projects from 2011. Approved last year but moving forward this year are:
1. The planting of 152 native canopy and understory trees in the east hardwood forest area of Violet Way. This project was delayed from 2011 due to the extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees. The Garden staff decided to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand in the spring vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter. Cost - $2,507 (species listing)
2. The Cary George Wetland Project. This major wetland project of creating a boardwalk to replace old deteriorating bridges has involved a wetland survey, design considerations, and the need to move some rare plants. Design work and site review are planned for 2012. Details Here. Estimated cost - $15,000 to begin. $100,000 to complete.
3. A new project approved for funding is the planting of an additional 1600 to 2400 herbaceous woodland plants, wildflowers and ferns, in the area of Violet Way. This continues the restocking of this hardwood forest area where an extensive spread of periwinkle (Vinca minor) has been removed. This planting occurred this summer with a total 2,850 plants set in representing 23 different species. A small selection of plants scheduled for fall planting will be delayed to the spring season due to the dry conditions. Cost - $5,140. (species listing)
The Friends funding for 2011 Garden Projects
The Friends Board of Directors approved funding for three projects in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden for the 2011 season. Two projects involve plantings: 1) 1429 wildflowers and ferns were planted in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail and 2) 100 to 150 native canopy and understory trees to be planted in the same area. Project #1 was completed in July 2011 by the Garden staff and project #2 was delayed until the spring of 2012. The extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees, caused the Garden staff to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter.
Project - 2011- The Friends funded the planting of 1,429 wildflowers and ferns in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail. Cost - $2,645. Seventeen different species were planted. Garden Curator Susan Wilkins commented on the project: "The planting is part of a long-term, on-going effort to bring the woodland areas around Violet Way Trail into greater health."
Species Planted:
Bigleaf Aster
Calico Aster
Cinnamon Fern
Columbine
Early Meadow Rue
Elm-leaved Goldenrod
Green-headed Coneflower
Lady Fern
Polk Milkweed
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed (Photo right)
White Rattlesnake Root (Photo far right)
White Woodland Aster
Wild Blue Phlox
Wild Geranium
Wild Woodland Strawberry
Woodland Sunflower
Zigzag Goldenrod
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