1 of 20

HISTORY OF THE PERENNIAL GARDEN

From Compost to Community Treasure

By Kay Danbury

What began as a planned compost demonstration site has blossomed over the years into a multifaceted learning center. On the surface, Mercer County Educational Gardens (MEG) is a visual feast, but it has evolved as its title implies to become an educational treasure for visitors of all ages. With a grant of $15,000 in 1997 from Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA), Master Gardeners of Mercer County (MGofMC), under the leadership of Janice Conklin, created a learning and teaching site. The result of this hard work was the display of several types of compost bins and seven gardens that have been designed to further educate and enlighten the public. At the entrance of the site, the Perennial Garden attracts and welcomes the public to a place originally called Mercer County Home Compost Demonstration Site and Gardens.

The Perennial Garden (the Garden) has had many names including the Compost Site Garden and the Shade Garden. For several years is was called the Bench Garden, the Bench Perennial Garden or the Perennial Bench Garden, named for the memorial bench next to it that was donated in honor of George Coughlin, Class of 1995. Many Master Gardeners prepared the original garden area and outlined it using stones removed when building the compost bin pad area.

Carole Armel, the first leader of the Garden team, designed it with two central beds, several perimeter beds, and stone walking paths that separated the various beds. At this time, the concept was to showcase unusual and underused perennials and ground covers. Under huge maple trees, the Garden began as a shade garden, but shortly after its first planting a major tree came down, creating a garden with many different growing environments – Dry Sun, Wet Sun, Dry Shade, Wet Shade, and even Partial Shade both dry and wet -- hard to plant but excellent as a teaching tool.

The original plantings were donated and planted by Master Gardeners. This meant designing with the plants that were received. Some of those plants are still alive and thriving in the Garden. In subsequent years, plants suited to the various environments were added as funds became available. At the present time, 2013, there are committee members who were on the original planning committee. Their continued dedication is a testimony to the educational values of broadening visitors’ knowledge of plant materials (popular and underused), suiting plantings to various growing conditions, and the importance of training new committee members in the pleasures - and challenges - of perennial gardening.

2 of 20

Over the years, the Perennial Garden Committee has had strong leadership. Carole Armel chaired the group in 1998 and 1999; Ruth Tomlinson was chair from 2000 to 2002, and then Carole co-chaired with her in 2003, 2004, and 2005. May Papastephanou served in 2006 and part of 2007; Pam Betterton and Kay Danbury then co-chaired from 2007 to 2009. Bonnie Blader and Suzanne Keeler were co-chairs from 2010 to 2011 and then Suzanne Keeler and Kathleen Yurwit became co-chairs for 2011. Bruce Young joined Kathleen in 2012 and they continue their tenure still in 2013.

The focus in the early years was on under-used plants, obtained primarily from those donated by Master Gardeners that might be suitable for the Garden’s diverse growing conditions. Compost education as well was a primary goal of all the gardens at the site. As funds became available, the committee purchased other plants more suitable to the various growing environments. Slowly, but surely, the beds within the Garden took on their own special characteristics. The committee prepared a plant inventory that listed the scientific and common name of each plant, and Carole and Ruth made identification signs for the plants.

When May became the chair in 2006, the group replaced the plants that had not survived or flourished - this time following the rule of “right plant in the right place.” The garden inventory was updated accordingly. Plants were dug up for the Plant Expo, providing an opportunity to conduct a “Learning Experience” that demonstrated proper ways to divide perennials. Also, the design of the Garden was upgraded by using hosta plants to define the center bed; lilies-of-the-valley became the focal points in two outer beds. Unfortunately the Garden, still in competition with a large maple tree, was now attacked by deer that arrived to feast upon the hostas. Luckily, the 98 other plants survived and thrived. Actually, there are many plants in the Garden that have survived and these give great joy to the Master Gardeners who have donated them over the years. Stones that edged the Garden and the pathways were dug up and Jim Lodge reset them.

In 2007, Pam and Kay reorganized the committee and the Garden. Lengthy discussions ensued about how to refurbish the Garden while keeping its educational mission as a primary goal – both for Master Gardeners and the public. Nancy Issler and her crew realigned the Garden with attractive stones and built a low stone wall. The six beds were defined and renamed. The concept of having the committee members being responsible for the different beds was introduced. Pat Lagunas and Theodora Wang volunteered for Beds 1, 4 and 6; LanJen Tsai, Bed 3; Sandy Robinson and Kathleen Yurwit, Bed 5, Pam Betterton and Kay Danbury, Bed 2 (Appendix C). The big dig before the Plant Expo provided hundreds of “goodies” including all the hostas and many lilies-of-the-valley as well as “under-achievers” and “over-achievers”. The beds were redesigned and completely renovated with organic amendments. Many plants were moved to different beds and new ones were added. A Garden narrative was written for

3 of 20

the signage. We continued to produce home-made plant identification signs, and updated the garden inventory by listing scientific name, common name, light requirements, location, bloom time, color and height of each of the 141 plants. Using this information, we created two pictorial notebooks as educational tools for committee members.

In 2010, Bonnie Blader and Suzanne Keeler spearheaded more reorganization. With the guidance of Suzanne Keeler and Bill Bailey, we created an enlarged new bed to the right of the entrance arbor, surrounding the green and white MEG sign. The most disheartening event that summer was the severe drought that resulted in the loss of many of the new plants. An educational experiment with or without the use of the manure tea had to be aborted because of the drought. However, the most exciting thing to happen was that we were authorized to purchase professionally-made identification sign for the plants. For the Insect Festival we devised an insect identification game that Suzanne’s husband helped construct; during the event committee members acted as docents. The Garden Narrative was revised and updated. Nancy Issler and her crew redefined and resurfaced the pathways.

Kathleen Yurwit joined Suzanne as co-chair in 2011. More changes ensued: Bed 2 was enlarged and redefined to include the area around the cutleaf maple. Two smaller beds (Beds 4 and 5) were combined and renamed as Bed 4 (Appendix E). Many plants were replaced because of the previous year’s drought. A tuteur painted white added an architechural focus. Competition from deer and rabbits continued to be troublesome, so we tried various experiments with deer repellents. But the great news was that the County had installed a new well (just for MEG’s gardens) and several faucets that were located for easy access, so the need to hand-water ceased. The game “Good Guys – Bad Guys” was the feature attraction in the Garden for the Insect Festival. New and improved signage at MEG again resulted in a completely new Perennial Garden Narrative.

The goals of the Perennial Garden continued to be that of exciting, encouraging and inspiring the public and Master Gardeners about the use of perennials in the garden, emphasizing the concept of right plant, right place, right growing conditions and needs through responsible gardening techniques. In 2011, Kathleen Yurwit and Suzanne Keeler led the committee in these endeavors. Pat Lagunas and Kathleen revised the Garden Narrative Sign again and its placement was changed as well. New plants were donated for use in various beds. New members joined the committee and volunteered to work in any capacity. The Perennial Garden Inventory was revised and updated as needed. The committee participated in ‘The Great Sunflower/Bee Project.’ Bonnie Blader donated stepping stones from her new home in New York State.

4 of 20

Bruce Young became co-chair with Kathleen Yurwit in 2012. Many plants were divided and planted in containers for the Plant Expo. Again the committee participated in ‘The Great Sunflower/Bee Project.’ The chairs of the different beds were encouraged to update their bed inventory as needed, prepare a plot plan, and keep a journal indicating successes and failures for the year. These tools were to serve as resource materials in the education of the committee and the public. Bruce Young and Pam Betterton were hosts during the ‘Summer Evening in the Gardens’ program sponsored by the Community Education Committee. They demonstrated proper care and pruning of perennials to extend their blooming life.

Bruce and Kathleen continue as co-chairs in 2013, and new members join the committee and become willing volunteers. Over time, bed chairs and helpers change while the Perennial Garden itself continues to be a project in renewal and revision. The committee’s enthusiasm and hard work keep this garden a beautiful, welcoming focal point at the entrance to MEG. Using the principles of responsible gardening, the education of both Master Gardeners and the public at large is its primary mission.

5 of 20

APPENDIX A – 1999 Perennial Garden Map

6 of 20

APPENDIX B – 2006 Perennial Garden Map

7 of 20

APPENDIX C – 2007 Perennial Garden Map

8 of 20

APPENDIX D – 2010 Perennial Garden Map

9 of 20

APPENDIX E – 2011 Perennial Garden Map

10 of 20

NAME CLASS ON COMMITTEE PLANT DONOR Catherine Ahmad 2007 X

Sharon Ainsworth 2010 X Lesa Aldridge 2007 X Maureen Amter 1999 X X

Doris Arents 2000

X Carole Armel 1996 X X Bill Bailey 2009 X X Nancy Barich 2011 X Diane Bartfield 2008 X

Sandy Belmont 2010 X Pam Betterton 2005 X X

Bonnie Blader 2009 X X Peg Bowers 2011 X

Polly Burlingham 2001

X Joyce Bush 1998

X

Earlene Cancilla 2001

X Janice Conklin 1995

X

Alice Dabrowska 1998 X X Kay Danbury 2005 X X Claudia DeFino 2012 X

Ruth Ann Degler 2005 X Doreen Duba 2008 X Kathy Easton 2006 X Kathy Enquist 2001

X

Susan Finlay 2007 X Sally Flynn 1995 X X

Laura Fording 2011 X Sheryl Fuller 2012 X Christina Gutch 2013 X Hillary Hays 2002 X Mary Ippolito 2007 X Nancy Issler 2002

X

APPENDIX F-1

11 of 20

NAME CLASS ON COMMITTEE PLANT DONOR Rosanne Jacks 2006 X

Sue Jellinek 1995

X Suzanne Keeler 2008 X X Pat Lagunas 2006 X X Lorraine Mackersie 2011 X

Susan Magill 2004 X Pam Martin 2010 X Tom McGeachen 2012 X Sharon McGinness 2012 X Anjelika Muehleisen 2012 X Deborah Nemerofsky 2009 X Greenie Neuburg 1995

X

Nancy Nicosia 2009 X May Papastephanou 2001 X X

Bonnie Patterson 2013 X Sue Petruzzi 2006 X Linda Pickering 2012 X Candace Preston 2003 X Guinn Roberts 1998

X

Sandy Robinson 1996 X X Betty Scarlata 2007 X X Sally Schroeder 1997

X

Louise Senior 2008 X Janet Sheppard 2008 X Betty Sherman 2009 X Linda Shorthouse 2008 X X

Sheryl Shupel 2010 X Rick Singer 2011 X Maria Sinibaldi 1994

X

Nora Sirbaugh 2000

X Patricia Taylor

X

APPENDIX F-2

12 of 20

NAME CLASS ON COMMITTEE PLANT DONOR Ruth Tomlinson 1997

X

LanJen Tsai 1999 X X Fiona Tyndall 2011 X

Ann Vaurio 2012 X Theodora Wang 2003 X X

Mary Whitlock 2009 X Bruce Young 2011 X X

Kathleen Yurwit 2008 X X Note: Every effort has been made to include all Master Gardeners involved in making the Perennial Garden a focal point at the entrance to MEG. If any name has been omitted, please accept abject apologies and know that your efforts have reaped lovely benefits.

APPENDIX F-3

13 of 20

1998 * * * *

THE

BEGINNING

WORK CREW (l to r)

Joyce Nolan

Penny Gordon

Jerry Sowa

Ken Verbeyst

Veronica Verbeyst

Janice Conklin

Maria Sinibaldi

Tom Miller

Priscilla Knight

Sandy Robinson

Marilyn Jordan

APPENDIX G-1

14 of 20

JULY 1998

SHADY GARDEN

SERENE

OCTOBER 1998 GARDEN IN BLOOM!

NOVEMBER 1998

SANDY ROBINSON & FRIEND

APPENDIX G-2

15 of 20

ENTRY GARDEN

2000

APRIL

JUNE

APPENDIX H

16 of 20

2003

MAY

CAROLE ARMEL

JOYCE BUSH

2003

JULY RUTH TOMLINSON

JOYCE BUSH

2003

APRIL

Unknown Master Gardener

CAROLE ARMEL

APPENDIX I

17 of 20

2004

AUGUST

THE PERENNIAL GARDEN

HOW LOVELY

APPENDIX J

18 of 20

BONNIE BLADER WITH THE PICK, KAY DANBURY, BETTY SHERMAN, SANDY ROBINSON AND SHERYL SHUPEL

REFORMATTING BED 4 AND BED 5

INTO ONE

AUGUST 25, 2010

APPENDIX K-1

19 of 20

AUGUST 2010

NEW BED 4 READY FOR PLANTING

LAN-JEN TSAI PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE BED

APPENDIX K-2

20 of 20

AUGUST 8, 2012

A MISTY DAY

AT THE

GARDEN

BRUCE YOUNG AND KATHLEEN YURWIT,

CO-CHAIRS

DISCUSS COMMITTEE BUSINESS

THEN TOUR THE GARDEN

FROM LEFT: ANN VAURIO, PAT LAGUNAS, LINDA PICKERING, BRUCE YOUNG, KATHLEEN YURWIT, BETTY SHERMAN, TOM McGEACHEN, CLAUDIA DeFINO.

THEODORA WANG, PHOTOGRAPHER

APPENDIX L