Planting a Rain Garden Natural; Storm Water Isn’T

for friends of the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Springi FRIENDS Plant Sale! May 5-7 See Gift Shop News, p. 7 Rain, Rain, You Can Stay Rain Gardens Slow Storm Water Runoff and Require Little Watering Monica Milla Spring 2006 / Vol. 2, No. 3 Rain gardens let about 30% more water Stewardship Issue Monica Milla is a master gardener, master soak into the ground than a lawn does, Contents composter and MBGNA volunteer. She lives and keep 90% of pollutants out of our within 15 feet of Malletts Creek and every waterways. How? They simply use water f e a t u r e s year she turns a little more of her lawn that would otherwise run off your property 1 Rain, Rain, You Can Stay into garden beds. each time it rains. They collect and hold the 3 How Else Can I Help? water from downspouts or driveways to - The N.I.M.B.Y. List Want a beautiful, low-maintenance give it the chance to filter slowly into the 6 Our Local Actions garden that also slows and cleans storm ground rather than to flow off quickly. 11 What Is the Big Deal with Biodiversity? water runoff? Rain gardens do exactly that Storm water specialists in Maryland departments and they are easy to create in any home introduced rain gardens, or bioretention 2 Director’s Message: Thinking About the landscape. systems, in 1990. Since then they are Future As We Approach 100 Years Rain gardens allow water to slow becoming popular all over the U.S. in both 5 Curator’s Notes: Green Roofs and cool down (it can be 140° F when residential and commercial settings. When 7 Spring/Summer Calendar 2006 coming off the roof), and they filter out homeowners create rain gardens, they are 13 Get Lost at MBGNA… nutrients and pollutants. According to the mimicking the natural hydrologic function 13 Profile: Aunita Erskine Rain Gardens of West Michigan website, of a forest where a spongy “litter” layer 14 Natural Areas Spotlight: Kirk Woods www.raingardens.org, “Rain is of leaves and needles soaks up water and 14 Ask The Experts: Planting a Rain Garden natural; storm water isn’t. Up to 70% of allows it to penetrate the soil layer slowly. 15 New Members the pollution in our streams, rivers, and The plants, soil, roots and mulch of the rain u p d a t e s lakes is carried there by storm water. garden serve the same function. 4 Meet Budge Gere, Director of About half of the pollution that storm Development water carries comes from things we do Rain Garden Basics 4 Staff Transitions in our yards and gardens!” A rain garden should be located strategically 10 What Happened to to intercept water runoff. It can be created the Driveway? by directing a downspout into an existing 14 From the Editor garden, by installing plants in a low area 15 Thank You Friends where water tends to pool up, or by 15 2006 Bulb Sale creating a garden in an area of lawn where 16 Help Us Create a water tends to run. Making a rain garden is Celebration to similar to creating any other new garden: Remember evaluate your site, create a design, dig and amend the soil, and plant. For step-by-step instructions and sample designs, see the website cited above. continued on page 12

1 Director’s Message country for our field of study. But one Friends of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and How Else Can I Help? the area planted with trees, shrubs and reused as they decompose –allowing you Nichols Arboretum Newsletter can foresee that in twenty-five years other plants. By selecting plants that are to use 1∕ 3 less fertilizer! Water less often Thinking About the Future Spring 2006 / Vol. 2, No. 3 Dorothea Coleman the farmer’s woodlots will be put under Dorothea Coleman, Editor adapted to the growing conditions of your (once a week) but more deeply (spread a As We Approach 100 Years [email protected] cultivation for timber, the bogs will be Dorothea has been a Master Gardener and area, you can create green spaces around few cans around your lawn and note how © 2006 Regents of University of Michigan drained, and no land will be left where For permission to use, contact Matthaei Botanical Gardens MBGNA volunteer since 1990. Working with your home that don’t require the constant long it takes to fill to one inch). The grass Bob Grese and Nichols Arboretum vegetation can be studied in plant records dating to 1908, she discovered application of fertilizers and pesticides, roots will grow deeper and be ready for Matthaei Botanical Gardens and 1906 was an eventful year. It was a year natural conditions.” By preserving Nichols Arboretum that buckthorns, privets and honeysuckles were or the routine lawn work. Another droughts. Visit these websites for details on of many major disasters. An earthquake this land as a botanical garden and University of Michigan purchased for 6 cents each. If they’d only known! advantage of lawn reduction is that the caring for your lawn in a more eco-friendly Robert E. Grese, Director and fires nearly destroyed San Francisco. arboretum, Newcombe noted Karen Sikkenga, Associate Director addition of trees, shrubs, perennials and way http://www.hrwc.org/ie/ Mt. Vesuvius erupted and devastated much that “the University students of In this issue there are many suggestions of annuals will increase habitat for the critters yardgard.htm and http://www. of Naples, another major earthquake the future and the school children things you can do to help steward the earth. around us. There will be new nesting healthylandscapes.com/ or, if you hit Ecuador, and a major typhoon and would have a field within fifteen Invasive: oriental bittersweet Here are some actions any of us can take areas, new sources of food (especially if aren’t in SE Michigan, your local cooperative tsunami hit Hong Kong. There were minutes’ walk of the Campus right now. you plant primarily natives), new cover extension website. also some wonderful things. In college where practically all the lessons taught partnering work with the Michigan Botanical to hide in, and new places to raise their sports, Princeton won the NCAA football by vegetation growth could be learned.” Club to preserve the rich diversity of Horner Be a N.I.M.B.Y. young for the songbirds, small mammals, Think Globally, Act Locally championship. The Chicago White Sox As I think about the rich heritage we Woods and our oak openings restoration If any of the exotic invasives (see “The butterflies, bees and other beneficial Another way to steward the earth is to bested the Chicago Cubs to win the World enjoy in what are now Matthaei Botanical at Kirk Woods are good examples of how N.I.M.B.Y. List,” below) are already growing insects that have been displaced by human do more of your shopping close to home. Series. Among major inventions, W. K. Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, I’m to care for local nature. As you can see in your yard, remove them. Replace them development. The trick here is to avoid Think about it – the strawberries that you Kellogg introduced the world to corn flakes, mindful of what legacies we ought to be from our calendar of programs and learning with natives or more well-mannered aliens. making your landscape attractive to the enjoy all winter had to be shipped great the wireless telephony was created by leaving for the future. Some of our local opportunities, we are continuing to explore Did you know that such common species larger, unwanted mammals like skunks distances to reach your table. Multiply that Reginald Fessenden, the world’s first feature challenges are much like those Newcombe, new ways of connecting people with nature, as daisies, daylilies and Queen Anne’s lace and raccoons. These websites can get you by all the other products you use that are film was produced, and the muffuletta Burns and their colleagues faced in 1906. gardens and art. are not native? These aren’t on the “most started http://www.nwf.org or not made nearby and you can see that there sandwich was created in New Orleans. We continue to lose natural habitat at Over the spring and summer months, you’ll unwanted” list because, while they have http://www.xerces.org or, more is a great dependence on oil and other fossil President Theodore Roosevelt won the an alarming rate. Other environmental continue to see additional improvements to naturalized, it’s not been to the exclusion of locally, http://www.socwa.org/ fuels to bring these conveniences to you. Nobel Peace Prize. He also created our challenges are much more global in scale: our gardens and displays. For instance, we’re our native vegetation. There are many other lawn_and_garden.htm. Whenever possible buy locally grown fresh nation’s first National Monument – Devil’s loss of biodiversity, climate change, and a working on new lobby displays at Matthaei common garden and landscape plants that produce – the extreme position would Tower in Wyoming. growing lack of ecological literacy. So, what Botanical Gardens and new signage and plant never seem to escape into the wild – our Just Say No! be to grow your own food, can or freeze Here in Ann Arbor, 1906 was the year can we at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and labels on both sites. You’ll see continued new Spring Plant Sale (May 5-7) and its plant list Consider reducing your reliance on it, store other crops in a root cellar, etc. that Frederick Newcombe and George Nichols Arboretum do in response? As in plantings in our Centennial Shrub Collection is a good starting point. chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, This would be quite impractical for most Burns were busy laying the groundwork 1906, there is still a need for nearby places at the Arb as well as continued enhancements etc. Because lawns are unnatural – there of us. But we can think about where food for the University Botanical Gardens and of learning that will help people respond to the riverfront as a place for people to Honey, I Shrunk the Lawn are very few monocultures in nature – they and other products come from and the Arboretum that would officially open in local and personal ways to these vexing gather or sit and simply enjoy the river. At the An even more radical idea (for some) is to require a lot of effort to maintain them. environmental impacts hidden therein. We in 1907. With the help of the Chicago global problems. We can teach by example, Gardens, we’ll be working to improve trails, decrease the size of your lawn and increase Consider redefining your standards a bit. are fortunate enough to have many farmers’ landscape architect Ossian Cole Simonds, helping redefine our relationship to nature provide a new picnic grove, and create a “rain Do you really need a lawn that looks like markets in this area, so at least during the they evaluated several sites around campus, and showcasing examples of environmental garden” and new plantings around our newly a pristine golf course? Or could you go growing season we have many options. including “the Cat Hole,” now the site of stewardship through our buildings, gardens expanded parking lot. You’ll also see a start THE N.I.M.B.Y. LIST back to lawns as they existed before the And besides, we all know that fresh, the Life Sciences Complex and the Palmer and natural areas. to expanding our display gardens linking our Barberry (Berberis spp.) post-World War II chemical era? Lawns vine-ripened tomatoes of the many varieties Drive Parking Structure. In the end, they This issue of our newsletter shares Gateway Garden of New World Plants and Buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.) that include plants other than grass tend that do not stand up to the rigors of convinced Walter and Esther Nichols to some of the ways we’re putting these ideas the Alexandra Hicks Herb Knot Garden. The Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) to stay green even during droughts. If an shipping just taste better. Let the produce donate about 27 acres they owned on into practice. Our cUltivating coMmunity pools in the Gateway Garden at Matthaei will Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) all-grass lawn is important to you, then manager where you shop know that you Geddes Avenue to be combined with city- project demonstrates a closed loop system be transformed into a water garden honoring Honeysuckles, bushy (Lonicera spp.) change the way you care for it. Fertilize would prefer more locally grown fruits and owned land stretching down to the Huron of composting and food production that Erich Steiner, and our Perennial Garden Honeysuckle, vine (Lonicera japonica) less often, but first test your soil to see if vegetables. Also consider whether you want River to create a botanical garden as a joint is engaging a growing group of students will become an even more vivid display of Multiflora rose Rosa( multiflora) it’s necessary – spring and fall is sufficient. food grown in large industrial settings, or venture between the City and University. on campus. Our Junior Master Gardener perennial garden favorites. Privet (Ligustrum spp.) Mow at a higher height. This gives the grass those grown in environmentally friendly As he made his case for the botanical program excites young children about I like to think that all these changes build Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) plant more leaf area for photosynthesis ways – such as coffee. This has a big impact garden and arboretum to the University growing food and learning how to garden. on past traditions at Matthaei Botanical Winged spindle tree or burning bush resulting in a healthier plant; the taller on the environment. continued on page 6 Regents, Newcombe thought primarily We’re creating a series of green roof Gardens and Nichols Arboretum and provide (Euonymus alatus) blades will shade and cool the soil, the about the future. He suggested, “In this demonstrations and experiments that will a renewed momentum for another 100 years. See photos of these species roots will appreciate that. Don’t bag your University we have been able to work help us evaluate and showcase a variety We’re feeling a lot of excitement about our throughout the newsletter… clippings – the nitrogen in your fertilizer without a botanic garden, because we have of plant species that could help to make future and hope you will, too, as you come They are the ones you do NOT goes right to the leaves, so if you leave the been able to use the whole surrounding our cities much more green. Finally, our out and join us. want in your yard! clippings on the lawn it will be returned and Invasive: burning bush

2 3 Meet Budge Gere, Director of Development CURATOR’S NOTES: Green Roofs As the new Director of Development both as a parish minister responsible for David Michener of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and annual giving and capital funds campaigns, Budge Gere the system in place. Another benefi t, the Nichols Arboretum, I welcome being given and as a board member of numerous If “green roofs” conjure hazy childhood diversity of animal life that visits the green Calling all Stewards this opportunity to introduce myself to not for profi t agencies. My passion for images of tales where cows graze on roof can be considerable – some even have you through this issue of Friends. May it be development comes from a deeply held roofs or imps lurk behind the eave’s reeds birds nesting – but no reliable sightings of Nature: Great the prelude to when we meet and spend belief that the happiest people are people and iris, then you are not alone. Indeed, of imps are yet in. And, of course, the Opportunities time together. who give of themselves and what they modern green roofs are in many ways a aesthetics are vastly changed – improved to I am truly excited to be part of MBGNA have. One of the great joys of my life practices and what value you receive from welcome revival of a long heritage in which my mind. to Volunteer at this point in its history. The Botanical is experiencing the joy others receive the relationship. I now invite you to become a building’s roof is used for growing plants. Which plants tolerate these harsh Learn to interpret the landscape and Gardens and Arboretum are at the from giving. part of the Development Team so together Only now our reasons have nothing to do conditions? Nature provides numerous threshold of a new era full of promise. At this time of my work life, I am we all will share with others what we value with cattle and magic – but with pressing equivalent habitats: rocky slopes, alpine share this wonderment with public I count it a privilege to be invited to particularly drawn to this position at about Matthaei Botanical Gardens and issues of energy and water conservation. zones, alvar (think of northern Michigan), audiences of all ages. Bring us your enhance its present work and to secure MBGNA because the institution’s core Nichols Arboretum. Consider “typical” roofs. They just shale barrens, etc. It should be no surprise enthusiasm and interest and we the future of these treasures entrusted values are consistent with my own. I believe In the weeks and months ahead, I look shed water – great for the building but that small sedums and their relatives are to the University of Michigan. that nature with all its life-giving properties forward to meeting you! with horrifi c consequences for all parties particularly useful here. However, since the will train you for our docent or This year marks 100 years since is a gift. This gift is to be treated wisely and downstream. That quick runoff is a pioneering work with green roofs has been ambassador positions. the Board of Regents approved the well by all who use it and benefi t from it. signifi cant source of storm water surges done mostly in Germany and Japan, few Would you rather engage our visitors establishment of a botanical garden and Part of treating the earth well is being good in sewer systems, creeks and rivers. Also, American species have been tried. arboretum. Plans are already underway for stewards of it. Naturally the gift is to be Staff Transitions the roof gets quite hot from the sun, Visit the Gardens to see our initial green in the many plant-based boutique items celebrating this event. MBGNA Director enjoyed, something all of us who appreciate consequently the runoff water (and the roof “in action.” Tremco Inc. (http: and books in our Gift Shops at the Bob Grese has cast a centennial vision and use the Matthaei Botanical Gardens We’d like to extend a warm welcome building underneath) is heated. So while //www.tremcoroofi ng.com/ Gardens or Arboretum? Bring us your that includes both maintaining traditional and Nichols Arboretum do. At the same to three new staff members. Matthew solving one problem – keeping the building greenroofi ng.asp) donated the values and launching new initiatives in time, we are to maintain what we have and Scott joins us as a horticulturalist, bringing dry – three more are created: increased materials for this demonstration pitched- smile and customer service skills and response to present-day threats to the promote its benefi ts. with him a love of native plant gardens, fl ooding and heating of both building and slope green roof. It relies heavily on non- we will train you in retail sales. environment. As one new to the work of We live in a time when a loss of experience in the heritage bulb business, water. These are severe “system” costs for natives, especially Eurasian sedums. Then Hone your horticultural skills MBGNA, I fi nd what is going on at both biodiversity, habitat destruction, and and some great cookie recipes. Our individual benefi t. observe our demonstration plots where sites fascinating and exciting, whether it ecological illiteracy are on the rise. Global new IT support person, TJ Smith, brings A green roof is a special landscape that we’ll evaluate natives and mixtures for use working in our Conservatory and is related to the facilities or education or climate change threatens our earthly home. the experience he gained at The Henry functions quite differently from the shingles here in Michigan. These plots are allowing formal gardens. the plants and trees. In response to all this, MBGNA has a key Ford Museum to our new web design, of a pitched roof or the membranes of us to see if a broader, and native-focused, I view my role at MBGNA to be one role to play in encouraging responsible on-line registrations and better database fl at roofs. A green roof happens above set of plants can thrive on site. They may Assist us in our conservation efforts of building relationships with you and environmental action in the world and accessibility. this impervious layer! The basic concept be candidates for the retrofi tting of the by participating in our ecological people like you in service to furthering showcasing what can be done to sustain the Our new Development Director, Budge is to use thin, lightweight layers stacked entire MBG building complex perhaps restoration activities at either site. the wonderful work of the Gardens and health of the earth. Gere, bringing decades of experience like a cake. The base consists of a drainage using a concept plan by U-M students in the Arboretum. So who am I and how To realize the potential of MBGNA in along with lots of enthusiasm for MBGNA, layer and a root barrier on top of the Landscape Architecture. Come, see, learn, Work on special events such as did I get here? Obviously an introduction these areas, more people need to know introduces himself on this page. Joan Wolf roofi ng material. Above that are one or and comment – very likely there is a green fundraising, our annual plant sale, needs a few identifying facts about the one who we are and what we do. We need to will be continuing as a key member of our two shallow layers of a very porous soil roof in your future as well. Scout and Family Day programs or introducing himself. develop new friends and build relationships development team. We’d like to thank mix. Then plants create the visible top Planting the green roof I come to MBGNA having previously lived with them. Joan for past leadership as our Director layer. This system creates a mini- Shakespeare in the Arb. and worked both in Ann Arbor and Metro To that end, fi ve “I”s apply:Identify, of Development, and for her continued ecosystem buffer zone between There is a place for you at MBGNA! Detroit. I have also lived in Seattle and St. Inform, Invite, Involve, Invest. You as a friend contribution to MBGNA. the environment and the building, Louis, where an arboretum and botanical of MBGNA and all of us on the staff can We’ve also said goodbye to long-time acts as an insulating layer and keeps Contact Barbara Major, Volunteer gardens are treasured institutions. During play a role in the fi rst four parts as together senior horticulturalist and greenhouse sunlight from degrading the roof Coordinator at 734-647-8528 or email our years in Michigan family members have we build the membership and the fi nancial manager Jim Dickinson. We send Jim off membrane (thereby lengthening had various connections with U-M both as strength of MGBNA. I am confi dent if with appreciation for his many years of the lifespan of the roof). The soil [email protected] students and faculty. So, on a personal level, we do our part with passion, then others dedication to this organization. captures water that the plants then this is a delightful homecoming. will invest themselves and their fi nancial A heartfelt wish for happiness to each absorb. Signifi cant amounts of solar Professionally, although new to resources in MBGNA. of you in your new circumstance! energy are used in photosynthesis, development at U-M, I have been active in You are a friend of MBGNA because transpiration then cools the air this fi eld throughout my working career, you appreciate what it stands for, what it above the roof, and the roots hold Another invasive to avoid: privet

4 5 How Else Can I Help?, continued from page 3 Our Local Actions Junior Master Gardeners SPRING AND SUMMER CALENDAR 2006 Get Involved Younger folks can benefi t from the Junior Rick Meader You can pass these messages on to friends, Master Gardener program, in operation Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory Hours: Secret Spaces and Natural Places Wild Ones Meeting Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays relatives and members of other groups Many visitors to the Matthaei Botanical at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens for (YOUTH AND FAMILY) 10, Wednesday, 7 – 9 pm from 10 am – 4:30 pm; Wednesdays from 10 am – to which you belong. You can let nursery Gardens come away impressed – impressed over ten years. According to Tom Shope, 8 pm; closed on Mondays. $5 Adult admission, $2 Child 4, 11, 18 and 25, Thursdays, 10 – 11:30 am Rain Gardens – John J. Gishnook owners know when you shop for plants with the Conservatory, the nature trails, or program coordinator, the program is Admission, free to public on Fridays from 12 – 4:30 pm, This weekly series provides parents and children, Friends members free. ages 3-5, a start exploring science in a fun and Arboretum Restoration Workday that you would appreciate it if they would the gardens surrounding the Conservatory. geared toward Washtenaw County kids The Reader Center at Nichols Arboretum Hours: engaging way. Registration is required as space 13, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm not offer invasives for sale, and that you But, what many don’t see, and which are from 9-11 years old and is sponsored by is limited. Monday - Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Join MBGNA staff in working to remove invasive are interested in native and non-invasive just as impressive, are the ways in which the Washtenaw County chapter of the The trails and grounds remain open from dawn until dusk Fee: $8/child (Members: $7.50/child) #06-YE-7 plant species from the Arb to promote native plants for your landscape. (They will not the Gardens are involved in the community. MSU Extension Service. (I know, how daily at both Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical plant growth. We typically mix a little bit of Sketching at Matthaei Botanical change their offerings unless they know The facilities, and the people who use and did MSU work themselves into the U-M Gardens. hard work with education about the Arboretum All events, meetings and Adult Education, Youth and Gardens (ADULT EDUCATION) and restoration ecology work here and in the their customers are concerned.) You can maintain them, are helping to make better Gardens?) For six weeks, beginning in Family classes are held at Matthaei Botanical Gardens 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1 and 8, local area. Dress to work outside! Snacks and take the message to your homeowners use of our resources and beautify our May, the students attend a two-hour class except as noted. Thursdays, 1 – 3:30 pm tools provided, but you are welcome to bring your own loppers or pruners. Locations vary association if new common area landscaping surroundings in a responsible way. Here where they learn about a new subject, All events and meetings are free, except as noted, and Learn the art of drawing; refi ne skills with line, from month to month, so call 734-647-7600 or is being planned. Let your representatives at are just a few ways in which the Gardens take a test on the subject and work in the open to the public. Classes have fees; see the individual edge, shading, proportion, perspective and email [email protected] for more information. listings. For the full description of the classes please composition. This class is co-sponsored with the all levels of government know that you are is being used to help the community to garden. They maintain the crops over the If you would like to join our email listserve for consult your Community Education Brochure or the Ann Arbor Art Center so members of either workday information, send a note to arbworkdays- concerned with preserving natural areas and Think Globally and Act Locally. summer and have a harvest party in the website www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna . group enjoy the members’ discount. [email protected] with the word “subscribe” To register for classes, please call 734-647-7600. will support such legislation. fall. Students who successfully complete Fee: $150 (Members: $135) #06-AE-21 in the subject line of the message. cUltivating coMmunity the program and donate 10 hours of Events in blue are events sponsored or run by Indiana’s “Hills and Hollers” Illustrating Nature for students Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Continue to Support Our Efforts cUltivating coMmunity (http://www. community service are honored at the (ADULT EDUCATION) ages 9-12 (YOUTH AND FAMILY) Here at the Gardens and Arb we are cultivatingcommunity.com/) was fall 4-H luncheon. On average, 15-16 kids Events in light blue are hosted by other organizations. 4 – 7, Thursday after 3 pm through Sunday 13, 20, June 3 and 10, making such changes. In the article “Our formed to develop ways for the University enroll in the program, which benefi ts morning Saturdays, 10:30 am – 12 pm Local Actions” we remind you of some to make a closed loop food system. Julie them, their families and those who learn Explore the limestone uplands of south-central This class will teach young artists how to see and Indiana with Ellen Weatherbee. record natural subjects like a science illustrator! we’ve featured recently. Join us on our Cotton, the Program Coordinator, is about gardening from them. May Register soon as this class fi lls quickly. This class is co-sponsored with the Ann Arbor workdays: we’ve been working diligently to currently leading a group of about 20 Art Center so members of either group enjoy the Fee: $295 (Members: $280) #06-AE-16 members’ discount. remove exotic invasives and are beginning students in growing produce by organic Spring Plant Sale Friends Evening Herb Study Group Meeting Fee: $55 (Members: $50) #06-YE-9 to remove other species that are showing methods. This winter they grew spinach, Yet another outreach to the community 26th Annual Spring Plant Sale 1, Monday, 7 – 9 pm signs of becoming a problem such as Castor carrots, beets and a variety of greens in City is the Botanical Gardens’ annual Spring 5, Friday, 3 – 7 pm Wildfl ower Wander (ADULT EDUCATION) Aralia (Kalopanax pictus), Japanese Aralia of Ann Arbor compost in a frame structure Plant Sale, May 5 – 7. According to David Ohara Ikebana (ADULT EDUCATION) Members only, Memberships may be purchased at 13, Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm or 2 – 4 pm at the door (Aralia elata), Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata behind the greenhouses. Yes, it was cold, Read, coordinator of the sale, it provides 1, 8, 15, 22, June 5 and 12, Nichols Arboretum 6 and 7, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am – 4:30 pm and its relatives; we’ll keep a couple of but covering the structure with plastic keeps members and the general public with Mondays, 7 – 9 pm 14, Sunday, 10 am – 12 pm or 2 – 4 pm at Learn how to arrange fl owers in this Japanese Open to the Public Matthaei Botanical Gardens specimen plants), and some of our black the “greenhouse” surprisingly warm. As the the opportunity to purchase plants style. Materials fee: $30. Join MBGNA docents on a search for spring locusts (Robinia pseudoacacia). As we weather warms up, they’ll move to plots they may not be able to fi nd at your Fee: $120 (Members: $108) #06-AE-33 Andy Goldsworthy Natural Sculptures ephemerals. progress with new gardens in the formal located between two Matthaei greenhouses. garden-variety garden store, such as plants at the Arboretum (YOUTH AND FAMILY) Fee: Free! But do register as space is limited! plantings at the Gardens, lawn will be The chefs of the University Club will use native to Michigan, unique daylilies, and 3000 Years of Chocolate (ADULT EDUCATION) 6, 13 and 20, Saturdays, 1 – 3 pm #06-AE-22 greatly reduced. We’re working with more the produce from these gardens. The a wide variety of shade plants and rock 2, 9, 16 and 23, Tuesdays, 7 – 9:30 pm Students will learn about Andy Goldsworthy’s sculptures made with natural materials. Then than just the plants, too. We have replaced group is feeding food waste from the Club garden plants. To help protect the local Doc Choc returns with more chocolate and its story. Lots of chocolate! they’ll head outside to make their own. Sculptures much of the asphalt with gravel to decrease to worms whose castings are used as an environment from infi ltration by invasive will remain on exhibit at the Arb. Fee: $100 (Members: $90) #06-AE-34 GIFT SHOP NEWS storm water runoff. We are exploring many organic fertilizer in the garden plots. That’s plants, the sale will not offer plants found Fee: $60 (Members: $54) #06-YE-6 Ah, gardening season, fi nally! Whether you are other ways to improve our stewardship of right, lowly worms are helping to stimulate on the City of Ann Arbor’s Invasive Inspired By the Outdoors: Huron Valley Rose Society Meeting a seasoned gardener with a green thumb or the lands under our care. We hope that you our University’s brightest minds. To reach Species List. Master Gardeners will be Plein Air Painting (ADULT EDUCATION) a beginner whose thumb is undecided, you’ll 9, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm will join and support us in these efforts. the scale necessary to process all of the available to answer your general gardening 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, want to check out the excellent selection of Wednesdays, 1 – 3:30 pm helpful gardening books and useful gardening While our human activities have caused waste generated by the university’s kitchens and plant questions. New this year, Wed. A.M. Hiker, Spring (ADULT EDUCATION) Whether you paint with oils, watercolors or supplies we have in the gift shop. You’ll fi nd a major changes in the world around us, and supply a portion of the food demand members of Wild Ones and the Huron acrylics, this class will help you paint better 10, 17, and 24, (begins April 19 and 26), large selection of Felco pruners, hand tools and Wednesdays, 9 am – 12 pm gardening gloves, along with some whimsical they do not have to be permanent. With will require signifi cant effort and growth Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical landscapes. This class is co-sponsored with the Ann Arbor Art Center so members of either Ellen Weatherbee returns to lead you into decorative items. education and hard work we can begin to of the program, including the facilities Club will provide tips about the numerous group enjoy the members’ discount. the wilderness to collect edible plants and During the Spring Plant Sale, May 5 – 7, we’ll reverse the processes of degradation in devoted to it. To meet that lofty goal, the native plants available, and advice as to Fee: $150 (Members: $135) #06-AE-20 mushrooms. again be holding a major clearance sale, the small space that surrounds each one group is actively pursuing funding for the which will attract birds or butterfl ies to Fee: $150 (Members: $135) #06-AE-14 reducing the inventory of garden themed items, both functional and decorative. If you missed of us. While what you do in your yard may program and continuing to develop skills and your garden to give an aerial dimension to our sale in December, or if you scored some not seem like it will make much difference, relationships necessary to create and sustain your world. great bargains, you’ll want to check out our sale! As always, show your membership card when it is multiplied by the changes all of us the loop. If you want to help out, or learn and save 10% on your purchases. make, great changes are possible. more, check out the website above. For more information | 734-647-7600 | www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna 6 7 SPRING AND SUMMER CALENDAR 2006, CONTINUED Shakespeare

May, continued June in the Arboretum Woodland Explorer Walk Grasses, Grasses, Grasses This year’s offering brings you Love’s Wild In the City – A Prairie Fen Walk Arboretum Riverfront Dedication fl ies and butterfl ies in the Gateway Labours Lost, another romantic comedy (YOUTH AND FAMILY) (ADULT EDUCATION) in Ypsilanti (ADULT EDUCATION) 9, Sunday, 11:30 – 12:30 Garden (ADULT EDUCATION) full of great dialogue, mistaken identity 13, Saturday, 1 – 4 pm 1, Thursday and 6, Tuesday, 7 – 9 pm, 15, Thursday, 7 – 9 pm Join us on Huron River Day to dedicate the 15, Saturday, 9 – 11:30 am and best intentions gone wrong. Director Stroll through the Wildfl ower Garden with an plus 2 Sundays, 4 and 11, 9 am – 1 pm and 17, Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm newly improved riverfront at the Arb. You’ll (Rain date, Sunday, July 16, 9 – 11:30 am) interpretive guide. Make a basket and listen to Evening lectures and Sunday hikes combine Kate Mendeloff brings it all together in the This prairie fen was preserved in a cemetery on discover a vastly improved gathering place where Learn why they’ve come to the garden as you stories of Native American culture. Children ages to teach you about grasses, their identifi cation natural beauty of the Nichols Arboretum to top of a bluff overlooking the Huron River. These the Arb’s roads meet the Huron. We are grateful uncover the fascinating natural history of our many 6-12 with an adult. Registration required. and ecology. create one of Ann Arbor’s most memorable classes may be taken singly or as a whole. for the generous support of the Porter Family everyday, garden insects. Foundation, Clan Crawford, Sally and Ian Bund, Fee: $6/adult or child (Members: $5/adult or child) Fee: $120 (Members: 108) #06-AE- 23 springtime events. Fee: $ 60 (Members: $54) #06-AE-26 Fee: $25 (Members: $22.50) #06-AE-29 Rebecca and William Horvath, and friends and #06-YE-8 All shows begin at 6:30 pm and run family of Nancy Osborn. Project collaborators Introduction to Bog and Fen Great Lakes Judging Meeting Great Lakes Judging Meeting Thursday through Sunday each week included the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Sierra Club Meeting (ADULT EDUCATION) (with the exception of the fi rst week – no 17, Saturday, Lecture at 11 am; Judging 1 – 4 pm County, U-M’s OSEH, and Southeast Michigan 15, Saturday, Lecture at 11 am; Judging 1 – 4 pm 16, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm , Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm Resource Conservation & Development Council 3 performance on Thursday) – June 9-11, 15-18, as well as private design fi rms, non-governmental Nature Photography A lecture, brown bag lunch, and then a walk to Huron Valley Rose Society Annual Hosta Hybridizers Meeting and 22-25. The box offi ce opens at 5 pm each organizations and volunteers. Concrete rubble http://michigan.sierraclub.org/huron/ Radrick Fen initiate this new series of classes. Rose Show 16, Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm day for Members and 5:30 pm for General was removed and a new slope has been planted. These classes may be taken singly or as a whole. 18, Sunday, 1:30 – 4:30 pm Admission, with no advance ticket sales A canoe landing, steps accessing the river, and Friends Herb Study Group Meeting Fee: $40 (Members: $36) #06-AE-24 2006 Hands-On Museum Science (due to the possibility of weather related new benches and trees have been added. After 17, Wednesday, Potluck at 12:30 pm; Sierra Club Meeting the Arb’s dedication, we encourage you to go Alliance Camp: From Earth to Art cancellations). Tickets are $10 for students Program at 1 pm Georgia O’Keefe Acrylic Painting 20, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm downstream to Gallup Park and enjoy a fun and 17 – 21, Monday thru Friday, 2 sessions, with ID and Members of the Friends of Latin for Gardeners – Dorothea Coleman (YOUTH AND FAMILY) Michigan’s Green Era Under Governor Milliken activity-fi lled afternoon on the river. 9 am – 12 pm or 1 – 4 pm MBGNA, $15 General Admission. Bring your 3, 10, 17 and 24, Saturdays, 10 am – 12 pm http://michigan.sierraclub.org/huron/ Kindergarteners and fi rst graders will turn plants Audubon Society Meeting own light chair or blanket to sit on, and wear 2006 Hands-On Museum Science This class for youth, ages 12-17, will focus on into paper, make dyes with vegetables and explore good walking shoes! For more information, Alliance Camp: Creepy Crawling Bugs 17, Wednesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm painting in the style of Georgia O’Keefe. Students Audubon Society Meeting other ways to turn natural products into art. This is a joint project of MBGNA and the Ann Arbor Hummingbirds and Great Lakes HummerNet will sketch fi rst, learn techniques of stretching see our website: www.lsa.umich.edu/ 21, Wednesday, 7:30 – 9 pm 10 – 14, Monday thru Friday, 2 sessions, canvas and painting with acrylics. A materials list arbtheater. If you will need mobility 9 am – 12 pm or 1 – 4 pm Hands-On Museum. Members of either group enjoy the members’ discount. Great Lakes Judging Annual Seminar will be sent with confi rmation. assistance during the performance, please Meet Fleming Creek: This class for kindergarten and fi rst graders will Fee: $100/session (Members: $90/session) 20, Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm Fee: $80 (Members: $72) #06-YE-10 call 734-647-7600. Stream Ecology 101 (ADULT EDUCATION) teach them many facts about bugs. This is a joint project of MBGNA and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Registration for this class is through the 22, Thursday, 6 – 9 pm 21, Sunday, 8 am – 1:30 pm Volunteers are a big part of each production. Museum. Members of either group enjoy the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum at http: Hosta Hybridizers Meeting and 24, Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm If you’d like to see the play for free and lend members’ discount. //www.aahom.org or 734-995-1188. Ann Arbor Orchid Society Meeting 4, Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm Evening lecture will introduce you to the habitat a hand in either the box offi ce tent or as an Fee: $100/session (Members: $90/session) and inhabitants of Fleming Creek. Saturday fi eld Sierra Club Meeting 21, Sunday, 2 – 4 pm usher, please contact Barbara Major at Registration for this class is through the Friends Evening Herb Study Group trip will allow you to explore the creek and look Paul Phillips of Ratcliffe Orchids – New Breeding in 734-647-8528. Ushers are required to Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum at http: 18, Tuesday, Potluck at 6:30, Meeting for its invertebrate communities. This class is in Meeting 7:30 – 9:30 pm Complex Paphiopedilums attend an hour-long orientation prior to //www.aahom.org or 734-995-1188. 5, Monday, 7 – 9 pm collaboration with the Huron River Watershed volunteering. All volunteers get a free t-shirt! Council so members of both groups enjoy the http://michigan.sierraclub.org/huron/ Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Meeting members’ discount. Friends Evening Herb Study Group Shakespeare in the Arb Meeting Ecosystem Restoration Workday 24, Wednesday, 7 – 10 pm Fee: $70 (Members: $63) #06-AE-27 Love’s Labours Lost at the Gardens Bring Your Own Tree 10, Monday, 7 – 9 pm 9 – 11, Friday – Sunday, 6:30 – 9:30 pm Andy Goldsworthy Natural Sculptures Ecosystem Restoration Workday 22, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm at the Gardens (YOUTH AND FAMILY) Highlights Of Hiawatha-Land Ecosystem Restoration Workday 15 – 18, Thursday – Sunday, 6:30 – 9:30 pm at the Gardens Please see May’s listing for complete details. 10, 17 and 24, Saturdays, 1 – 3 pm (ADULT EDUCATION) at the Gardens 22 – 25, Thursday – Sunday, 6:30 – 9:30 pm 24, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm Students will learn about Andy Goldsworthy’s 11 – 13, Tuesday – Thursday Historic Herb Walk and Tea 27, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm Tickets: General Admission - $15; Please see May’s listing for complete details. Members, Children and Students with ID - $10 sculptures made with natural materials. Then Join Ed Voss, Curator Emeritus of the U-M (ADULT EDUCATION) Join MBGNA staff in working to restore our they’ll head outside to make their own. Sculptures Herbarium, and Ellen Weatherbee on a fi eld trip 23, Sunday, 1 – 3 pm various ecosystems at the Gardens by removing will remain on exhibit at the Gardens. Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Meeting Arboretum Restoration Workday throughout the Upper Peninsula. or , Sunday, 2 – 4 pm invasive species. We’ll mix hard work with , Wednesday, 7 – 10 pm 30 Fee: $60 (Members: $54) #06-YE-11 28 education about the Gardens, its ecosystems, 10, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm Fee: $295 (Members: $280) #06-AE- 28 Enjoy the Alexandra Hicks Herb Knot Garden Refi nement Pruning and the focus and reasons for our restoration Please see May’s listing for complete details. while it’s at its peak. Learn many uses of herbs, work. Dress to work outside! Use our tools or Huron Valley Rose Society Meeting Huron Valley Rose Society Meeting share a cup of tea and some treats. bring your own. Please call Connie Bailie at 734- 13, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Mud Lake Bog (ADULT EDUCATION) 11, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Fee: $1 (Members: Free) #06-AE-30 647-8084 for details and to sign up for workdays. July 10, Saturday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Wild Ones Meeting Wild Ones Meeting Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Meeting Visit Mud Lake Bog, another property managed by Arboretum Restoration Workday 14, Wednesday, see website, http:// 12, Wednesday, see website, http:// MBGNA and not open to the public. These classes 8, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm 26, Wednesday, 7 – 10 pm www.for-wild.org/chapters/annarbor/, www.for-wild.org/chapters/annarbor/, may be taken singly or as a whole. Show Clean Up Help! for directions Please see May’s listing for complete details. for directions. Fee: $40 (Members: $36) #06-AE-25 Native Plant Nursery Rain Gardens of Ann ArborPollination Station – Bees, wasps, Events in blue are events sponsored or run by Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Events in light blue are hosted by other organizations.

For more information | 734-647-7600 | www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna 8 9 SPRING AND SUMMER CALENDAR 2006, CONTINUED What Is the Big Deal Humans Accelerate Change with Biodiversity? In our global economy, humans are changing places faster than nature can adapt. When July, continued What Happened to the Driveway? Biodiversity refers to the abundance of humans bring organisms from one area to 2006 Hands-On Museum Science Wild Ones Meeting living organisms in an area. These may another, the existing balance is upset and Alliance Camp: From Earth to Art 9, Wednesday, see website, http://www.for- This is a question that many of our visitors range from algae and fungi, mosses and unintended consequences can be the result. 31 – August 4, Monday thru Friday, wild.org/chapters/annarbor/, for 9 am – 3 pm directions. have been asking since the asphalt driveway lichens, grasses and forbs, shrubs and trees, For example, purple loosestrife (Lythrum and west parking lot were replaced with to bacteria, worms, insects and spiders, salicaria) has very attractive fl owers that Second and third graders will create art inspired Prairie Wallk Invasive: dame’s rocket by the earth and its materials. This is a joint gravel. The answer is that we are helping to birds and mammals. They are all important gardeners enjoy. In its native Eurasia, there project of MBGNA and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Arboretum Restoration Workday protect Fleming Creek and the Huron River and they are connected in so many ways is a voracious beetle that keeps it under around the globe and you can see the havoc Museum. Members of either group enjoy the 12, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm members’ discount. into which it fl ows. that we humans have yet to discover. control. No similar beetle lives here, so that occurs to natural systems. Please see May’s listing for complete details. Fee: $200 (Members: $180) Registration for When it rains on an impervious surface more loosestrife is able to reproduce (each this class is through the Ann Arbor Hands-On 2006 Hands-On Museum Science such as asphalt, the water must fl ow off Biodiversity Changes Naturally plant is capable of producing a million We All Lose Museum at http://www.aahom.org or 734-995-1188. Alliance Camp: Plant Power of it. In the process it picks up the oils Biodiversity is in a constant state of fl ux. seeds). It replaces the native vegetation In the end we all lose. Losses of trees 14 – 18, Monday thru Friday, 2 sessions, and other fl uids that leaked from cars. Millions of years ago, when seas covered along our rivers and lakes. The birds – recently ashes to the emerald ash 9 am – 12 pm or 1 – 4 pm And since it picks up a fair amount of Michigan, it was inhabited by a very and animals that rely on that vegetation borer beetle in the Midwest, in the past, August Kindergarteners and fi rst graders will explore the world of plants. How they make food, relate speed as it fl ows, these are carried into different set of plants and animals than it for nesting sites and food no longer American elms and chestnuts to imported HerbFest to animals, and more. This is a joint project of storm drains or the nearest waterway. was 10,000 years ago when it was covered have that available – they didn’t evolve diseases – are big and easily visible to MBGNA and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. 6, Sunday, 12– 4 pm If left unchecked it will then continue into by a mile thick sheet of ice. It was yet to eat loosestrife or nest in its clumps. everybody. But smaller changes occur, too. Native American Herbs Members of either group enjoy the members’ discount. larger and larger waterways. Our previous another set of plants and animals that were The problem is not limited to Michigan. The proliferation of buckthorn has dried Dr. Daniel E. Moerman, noted U-M (Dearborn) professor emeritus, will present a talk Fee: $100/session (Members: $90/session) fi rst line of defense was the constructed present just 300 years ago before the fi rst Southeastern states have water hyacinth up bogs and fens, causing the plants that “Summertime Medicinal Herbs” and lead a Registration for this class is through the wetland (a large rain garden, if you will). European settlers arrived in Michigan, and and nutria. Australia has rabbits. depend on these wet areas for survival to Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum at http: tour of the grounds focusing on the plants used Its purpose is to contain storm water, today we see still more changes. In other instances, we overfi sh certain retreat or die out. Each invasive species by Native Americans. For those who do not //www.aahom.org or 734-995-1188. care to participate in the walk, there will be a allowing contaminants to be absorbed by In a normal ecosystem, all the plants and species in the oceans; their prey increases impacts a different community of plants and discussion of the progress on a medicine wheel Sierra Club Meeting the plants or settle to the bottom, before animals have evolved with each other for while their predators decrease. Collectors animals. Hunters lose the object of their garden now being constructed outside of Ann , Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm 15 continuing on into Fleming Creek. thousands of years. In the course of doing dig all the specimens of some desired plant hunt. Nature lovers lose the enjoyment of Arbor. As always, herbal treats and lavender The Wonder of Raptors and sumac lemonades will be available for your http://michigan.sierraclub.org/huron/ When it rains on a porous surface such so, natural checks and balances are formed. out of its natural habitat that then affects the natural connections between organisms. enjoyment, as well as educational displays. as gravel, the water is able to soak into Prey and predators, diseases, and the the insect that lays its eggs on that plant Insects pollinate many of our food crops; Fee: $15 (Members) $10 Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society the ground below. While it still carries the habitat itself all exert an infl uence. Natural and other animals that might eat it. Hunters their loss already impacts our agriculture. Show & Sale 2006 Hands-On Museum Science contaminants, they go into the soil where processes such as fl oods, drought, and take all the trophy animals leaving only Some of our most important medicines 19 and 20, Saturday and Sunday, Alliance Camp: Plant Power 10:30 am – 4 pm they can be broken down by soil bacteria, fi re further shape the fl ora and fauna of a smaller survivors to reproduce. Humans come from apparently insignifi cant 7 – 11, Monday thru Friday, 9 am – 3 pm rather than directly into streams and rivers. particular region, giving each place its own eradicate large predators such as wolves, organisms: a cancer drug from Madagascar Second and third graders will explore the Great Lakes Judging Meeting Our fi rst step was to grind up the existing unique identity. lions, tigers, etc. and prey species abound. periwinkles; penicillin and other antibiotics wonderful world of plants. This is a joint project of 19, Saturday, Lecture at 11 am; Judging 1 – 4 pm damaged asphalt and mix it with new gravel. In other cases, we greatly simplify natural from fungi; curare, a muscle relaxant MBGNA and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Members of either group enjoy the members’ Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Meeting In this way we reused the driveway without ecosystems, reducing the great variety important in surgery, from poison arrow discount. 23, Wednesday, 7 – 10 pm creating waste. With this new surface, found in a native woodland, for instance, frogs; the list goes on and on. No one Fee: $200 (Members: $180) Registration for TBD Matthaei Botanical Gardens has added to a mere handful of species found in our knows what other life-saving drugs still this class is through the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum at http://www.aahom.org or another tool in protecting the health of lawn and gardens around our house. Repeat lay hidden within the natural world. If it is 734-995-1188. Ecosystem Restoration Workday Fleming Creek and the rest of the Huron these processes hundreds of times all destroyed, we will never know. at the Gardens River Watershed that is a source of the Friends Evening Herb Study Group 26, Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm drinking water of many communities along There’s Still Hope Meeting Please see May’s listing for complete details. Invasives: its course. Left: buckthorn Biodiversity everywhere has been impacted 7, Monday, 7 – 9 pm Below: purple loosestrife Prairie Walk (ADULT EDUCATION) in signifi cant ways. Can we reverse the Huron Valley Rose Society Meeting 26, Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm at Matthaei Botanical Invasive: bush honeysuckle negative impacts we have already made? In Gardens and 2 – 4 pm at Nichols Arboretum 8, Tuesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm many cases, the answer is yes. While we Explore the prairies at each location, learn about different types of prairies and how people of may not be able to reverse all of them, that different cultures used the plants found there. doesn’t mean we should not try to reverse Fee: $6 (Members: $5) #06-AE-31 as many as we can. It will take hard work, Events in blue are events sponsored or run by both individually and in groups, to achieve Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Show the goal of restoring damaged ecosystems Events in light blue are hosted by other organizations. 26 and 27, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 4:30 pm to health. Are you willing to help?

For more information | 734-647-7600 | www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna 10 11 Rain, Rain, You Can Stay, continued from page 1 County Drain Commissioner received a Get Lost The garden must be located away from grant from the Michigan Department of PROFILE: Aunita Erskine buildings and utilities, with runoff diverted Environmental Quality to help property Tom Gaffield to it. It can be large or small, designed in owners in Ann Arbor’s Allen Creek Karen Sikkenga part of a family.” Though she didn’t know various shapes and readily added to any watershed create rain gardens. The City Tom earned an MSE in Electrical Engineering it at the time, two of her co-workers were landscape. It should be a bit lower than its of Ann Arbor partnered on this project, in 1960 from the University of Michigan. He Aunita Erskine is the head of our Volunteer indeed future family members. “My future surrounding area: it’s a slight depression contributing matching funds. This pilot designed digital electronics for both the Apollo Committee, a long-time steward of the husband’s mother and sister were working or saucer-shaped indent containing soil project seeks to address the needs of and Mars seismometers, as well as radar and MBG reconstructed prairie, and a member there; that’s how we met.” amended with compost or humus to better reducing phosphorus and bacteria in the electro-optical airborne and ground support of our Director’s Council. I spoke to her in You might recognize Aunita’s husband’s absorb water. You need to dig up slightly creek, and of slowing water running into systems. A docent since 1995, his hobbies include our Conservatory on a cold, clear day in voice. Dean Erskine is the sales manager of more soil than you replace to create this the creek. Twenty rain gardens are being gardening, furniture building, and jazz piano February 2006. WAAM and also does voiceovers for other shape. (That extra soil may be used to created for residents who applied for the – performing monthly at Glacier Hills in Ann To Aunita Erskine’s eight-year-old radio and television broadcasters all over Rain garden in Nichols Arboretum’s Gateway Garden, create a berm or mound with sloping sides summer 2003 program. Collecting data on the gardens’ Arbor and Silver Maples in Chelsea. eyes, the spotted knapweed (Centaurea the country. At restaurants, even when to direct the water to the garden or to effectiveness (which requires the plants to biebersteinii, pictured below) in the he speaks softly, people turn their heads. keep it in if your site slopes downward.) will flow and pool in a rainstorm. You can have matured) starts this fall. The trails at the Gardens provide an excep- abandoned gravel pit near her Lake Orion “He sounds just like J. P. McCarthy.” Recommendations for the depth of make adjustments, like digging certain areas Last summer InSite Design Studio, an tional opportunity for interpreting the wide home was a pretty purple wildflower. Aunita has been studying prairie flora the amended soil cover a broad range, deeper or adding a berm, so that water Ann Arbor-based landscape design firm, variety of plants that grow in the variable Decades later, she devotes as much as throughout Michigan. She will share that anywhere from three inches to two feet. spreads evenly into the entire garden. After designed a rain garden and plan for Carrie topography of the site. My favorite is the twenty hours a week to educating people knowledge when she teaches a prairie class Obviously, the deeper the good soil, the making the adjustments, let the soil drain Turner’s home at 910 Bath Street in Ann Sam Graham Trail that begins along Fleming about this and other invasive species and in September through the MBGNA adult more water it can absorb and filter. If you and dry. Redo the test until the water fills Arbor. (She welcomes visitors but suggests Creek with its delightfully rushing water. helping to remove them from natural areas education program. In addition, she will have been gardening and amending your the area evenly. Now you’re ready to plant! you walk since it’s a dead-end street.) Then When I give tours, the Sam Graham such as Ann Arbor’s Furstenberg Park. lead tours of the reconstructed prairie at soil for a long time, or are otherwise she provided the labor. She thoroughly Trail allows me to explain biodiversity as Aunita got involved in Furstenberg Park MBG and the natural prairie at Nichols blessed with good, well-draining soil, you Rain Garden Plants enjoys the garden and its benefits. it relates to floodplains. This lovely trail, through her interest in the master gardener Arboretum. To enroll, or to obtain a will need to dig out less and make fewer When it comes to choosing plants, go Turning to public gardens, the Gateway which starts just over the bridge at the program ten years ago. The native plant copy of Aunita’s 2003 article in the Friends amendments. While sandy soil provides native! Native plants, those that grew in Garden at the Reader Center in Nichols constructed wetland, provides a complex garden at that time was in a state of neglect, newsletter about the reconstructed prairie, good drainage, you will need to add this area prior to settlement, are ideal for Arboretum, is a good example. The garden of different types of plant communities choked with weeds and without a steward. call our main number at 734-647-7600. compost or topsoil to grow the plants. If using in rain gardens. They are adapted to includes a series of dropped pools and ranging from aquatic habitats to wetlands After a tour of the park with botanist I asked Aunita what environmental your soil is heavy clay, you’ll need to dig thrive in our climate without any care from connecting dry creeks to capture and to uplands. Bev Walters, “I was hooked,” says Aunita. stewardship means. “Stewardship means deeper and make major amendments to humans. Many natives are drought-tolerant, slow the rainwater that rushes through The constructed wetland was built to “I couldn’t believe that wild coffee was taking care of the land. It means cutting the soil. Otherwise, you’re creating a huge so you don’t have to water them. However, the garden from the cemetery and parking protect groundwater quality by acting as growing right here in Ann Arbor.” Aunita down buckthorn and honeysuckle on your bowl that will hold water, but won’t drain they can also handle a good downpour lots above it, preventing further erosion a contaminant sink. The wetland removes became the first designated steward in property. It means picking up trash on the well. Although many native plant roots grow and don’t mind standing in water for a of School Girls’ Glen below. It showcases contaminants by sedimentation of soil the City of Ann Arbor Natural Areas street. It means teaching children to respect several feet deep, helping future drainage, while. Native plants also provide food and colorful flowers and native Michigan sedges and organic particles to the bottom of Preservation (NAP), which is now a model the land. It means planting native plants in a rain garden needs to drain adequately shelter for birds, butterflies, bees and other and grasses. the wetland. Also, the 60 varieties of for natural areas preservation throughout your garden, showing up for a volunteer from the beginning. Of course, you must beneficial insects. Another public rain garden is the aquatic plants remove a significant amount the country. “When you fall in love with workday, or donating a piece of land to also listen to your lower back. If you can’t For a list of Michigan native plants Buhr Park Children’s Wet Meadow at of damaging nutrients. Both plants and something, you want to take care of it.” a conservation organization. Anyone can dig out a large, deep area, it may be more ideally suited for rain gardens, see “Ask 1751 Packard in Ann Arbor. It filters storm bacteria degrade the pollutants. As an undergraduate in English at do it. And it makes a difference.” practical to create a smaller, deep garden. the Experts” (p. 14). For a more complete water runoff from the park grounds, After leaving the constructed wetland, U-M, Aunita never imagined that she “And once you see the difference it Some “recipes” for the ideal amended list of all Michigan native plants, see provides habitat for native plants and you will encounter several different types would become a voice for environmental makes, you’ll fall in love.” soil emphasize sand, others contain large Ann Arbor’s Natural Area Preservation’s animals, and serves an educational site. of floodplain communities with muck soils. stewardship. “I thought I’d go to law school amounts of compost. Don’t worry about website, http://tinyurl.com/c7g7p. See www.wetmeadow.org. These include wet meadows and swamps some day,” she says with a smile. Instead, this lack of agreement; various combina- After your plants are in place, water Finally, as part of its Healthy Lawns with white cedar, prickly ash, hazelnut, she started working at U-M’s Mott Hospital tions are all effective. The great thing about them as you would any new plantings. and Gardens Program, the Southeastern nannyberry, musclewood, tamarack, silver as a financial counselor… and found she gardening is that there are often many right (Once they are established, they will be able Oakland County Water Authority maples, and several varieties of dogwoods. loved it. “I’m really making a difference answers. As long as you amend the soil, to thrive only with rainwater.) Finally, mulch encourages area residents to create rain As you turn left at the foot bridge and in the lives of families with severely your rain garden will turn out just fine! the garden with leaves or a shredded wood gardens. The City of Lathrup Village start going upland, you will come to an open ill children,” she says. “And besides, Once your amended soil is in place, you to retain moisture and suppress weeds. also helps residents create rain gardens. area that is currently being planted with working at the hospital is like being need to check drainage patterns. To judge For photos of such rain gardens, see 100 new trees, along with prairie grasses how evenly water will fill your garden, turn Area Rain Gardens www.socwa.org/rain_garden_ and wildflowers to form an oak savanna on your hose and place it near the water Rain gardens are becoming more common registry.htm. Get lost the at Arb and Gardens… Get lost the at Arb and Gardens… Get lost the at Arb and Gardens… Get lost the at Arb and Gardens… restoration project. source. This will show you where water in Michigan. Last year, the Washtenaw Come and “get lost” at MBGNA.

12 Found! The answer to last issue’s floodplain… see next page 13 Thank you, Friends! New Membersppppppppppppp FOUND! ASK THE EXPERTS: Planting a Rain Garden Welcome New Members November 1, 2005 – February 28, 2006 at the Arb and Gardens Remember the scene in “The Music Man” Oliver & Suzie Aheimer Steve Howard Sam & Ellen Offen The answer to last issue’s Q: I want to plant a Rain Garden and siphilitica), New England aster (Aster where the Wells Fargo wagon delivered Gerard & Lizabeth Anderson Alan & Michele Hufnagel Roy & Anna Oliva Get Lost article I’d like to use native plants in it. Can you novae-angliae), rough blazing star (Liatris the instruments? That’s what MBGNA was Elizabeth Bednarz Mary James & Michael Head John & Mary Remmers Gerald & Veronica Brennan Tracy Jensen & Nick Cucinelli Ralph & Nicole Rocha Teri Williams, MBGNA Docent, was featured in suggest some? aspera), swamp milkweed (Asclepias like, the day the twelve new plant carts Peggy Britt & Louis King Gloria Jones Catherine Sanok & Basil Dufallo the last issue of Friends, and her poem “floodplain” A: A Rain Garden is a beautiful way to incarnata) and turtlehead (Chelone glabra). – complete with large pneumatic tires Natalia Bruneau & Alexander Erica Kempter & Michael Levine Kesari & Candace Sarikonda was included along with an invitation to find the steward the environment right in your For more information about selecting – were delivered, thanks to member fees Ganago Jens & Carol Kuehne Bella Sherman & Jim Hoyt spot she described. Teri says that the exact location Daniel & Phyllis Cable Sandra Lambert & Trisha Gravel Teresa Sorensen & Kristen Adkins own backyard (see cover story). These native plants visit the Wild Ones website from the Friends of Matthaei Botanical that inspired her poem is one best left protected, Andrew & Gayle Camdon Metta Lansdale Simon & Carolyn Thorpe Christine Chabot Alan & Donnamarie Lapczynski Uyen Tonnule although Wednesday morning hikers will visit it. are some of the favorites of volunteers (http://www.for-wild.org), or the Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. The at the Southeastern Oakland County SOCWA and Ann Arbor Natural Area truck driver said he had never seen Greg & Lori Ches Pablo & Wendy LaValle Scott Tyrrell But she offers three alternatives that are very close Matthew & Margaret Compton Kristin & Neil Lobron Jarrett Way & David Brough in feeling. Take the Yellow Trail at Matthaei to get Water Authority: black-eyed Susan Preservation’s sites mentioned in the Rain anyone so happy to see him. Volunteers Diane Coxford Jerry Martin William & Carol Whalin a sense of a floodplain – look on the ground for (Rudbeckia hirta), blue flag Iris Iris( versicolor), Garden article (beginning on p. 1). at the Botanical Gardens, whether in the Julia Darlow Richard Mascotto Rachel Yu skunk cabbage and wild ginger while listening for Ann Delvin Ben & Debra Mattison boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), cardinal Submit your questions to: greenhouse or for our Spring Plant Sale, are Jene & Nancy Eavy Beverly May the kingfisher’s chatter. Nearby, Parker Mill boasts flower Lobelia( cardinalis), Culver’s root [email protected] familiar with our old gray carts. They were Moonsan & Valerie Eninsche Edward & Susan McGuire Congratulations! a boardwalk through mature trees with a ground (Veronicastrum virginicum), golden Alexanders original equipment with the greenhouses, Kathryn Enright Monica Milla These lucky people won a cover of strongly scented wild onions. Or hike along Merle Feldbaum & Julia Borquez Patricia Weise Mitchell the Paw Paw Trail at Lower Huron Metropark for a (Zizia aurea), great blue lobelia (Lobelia built in the early 1960s. Our diligent Sandra Gast & Geg Kolecki Ruth Moline MBGNA membership by real floodplain treat, complete with sycamores. mechanic, Bob Schuyler, has welded and Sylvia George Catriona Mortell & Brian entering the lobby drawing: Budge & Anne Gere Windecker painted them and replaced the tires. They Bonnie Guest Tammie Nahra & Lee Hollander November: Richard Mascotto From the Editor Kirk Woods have been true workhorses. However, it Yunzhou Guo Joe & Linda Neely December: Nina Homel NATURAL AREAS SPOTLIGHT: was time to put them out to pasture. Not Gary Hansma Roger & Coco Newton Gail Haynes Lai-King Ng With the Centennial fast approaching, Connie Crancer Bailie trees. That, and their dominance in the only are the new carts quiet (!!), they are Yong Heo & Alicia Rowe Patrick O’Brien & Suzanne we’d like to hear from you. Share your Collections/Natural Areas Specialist canopy, is a sure indication that this wood easily maneuverable, gliding over bumps in Nina Homel Admiraal favorite stories and photos about the a single bound. They will be most welcome Come take a walk past a woodland was more open and that fire likely played a Gardens and Arb with us. Don’t forget during spring plant sale set-up. gem, Kirk Woods, located next to the significant role keeping fire-sensitive species the intermediate Gardens location on Heartfelt thanks from staff and volunteers Demonstration Prairie at the northern from reaching the canopy. Iroquois St. We have very few stories or for making our lives so much easier. portion of the Gardens. It is remnant Volunteer nature steward Aunita photos of that era in our history. If you oak-opening woodland. Oak-opening Erskine (see “Profiles”) has taken on a would like photos returned, please send a 2006 Bulb Sale ecosystems are few and far between in leadership role in a project to restore the SASE and put an address label on the back We are pleased to announce the 2006 Bulb Sale. This sale gives members an opportunity Southeast Michigan. With fire suppression woods by guiding volunteer restoration of the photos. Or, simpler, you may send and deer browse leading to a predominance activities, attending meetings with to buy top quality spring-flowering bulbs at a reduced price. Everyone is welcome to order digital copies. Submissions may be sent other volunteers and MBGNA staff, and PLANNING A TRIP? of fire susceptible species like maple, this bulbs, but non-members won’t receive the discount. Encourage your friends to join our to me at either location, or emailed to type of forest is fast becoming a thing of conducting inventories. A prescribed [email protected]. Remember that one of Friends and save! the past. Oak-opening ecosystems were burn was conducted last fall by MBGNA In our next issue, we will answer the your member benefits is once very common in SE Michigan and staff and volunteers to control weeds and The bulb sale order form is available on our website: question: why did it take 90 years for the free admission to botanical were perpetuated by the Native American stimulate native herbaceous species in the www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna, where you can also look at lovely photos University to build a Botanical Garden cultural practice of burning their land. This understory. Through these efforts, Kirk gardens and arboreta and Arboretum? We believe that there of the flowers. Order forms may be printed and mailed or faxed to the Botanical Gardens custom helped to stimulate certain plants Woods is developing into an open, healthy, throughout North America were several developments – in genetics, by June 15th. In addition, we will have paper copies available at the Gardens and the used for food and other purposes, aided oak-opening ecosystem. and the US Virgin Islands. organic chemistry, landscaping, personnel in hunting, and provided open views of Arboretum, or, we will be happy to fax or mail a copy to you – just call the number below. and others – that finally provided the To find participating neighboring tribes and incoming settlers. We are very excited about this year’s sale. We have several new varieties this year, critical momentum allowing this to be Invasive: multiflora rose Sylvia Taylor, an adjunct professor at gardens, go to the accomplished. We hope that you will enjoy including Narcissus ‘Marieke,’ the lovely yellow trumpet daffodil used in the art installation the School of Natural Resources and American Horticultural the story of our beginnings. Environment and a longtime friend of “Imagine/Align” at the Arb. All the bulb varieties planted in the spectacular Gateway Want to read more about this issue’s Society webpage at http: MBGNA, was one of the first people to Garden display this April at Matthaei – Narcissus ‘Dutch Master,’ ‘Mount Hood,’ topics? May I suggest: //www.ahs.org/pdfs/0601_ recognize the telltale signs of the oaks in American Green: The Obsessive Quest for RAP_Brochure.pdf. If you’d ‘Professor Einstein,’ ‘Red Goblet,’ ‘Sempre Avanti,’ ‘Cheerfulness,’ ‘Yellow Cheerfulness,’ Kirk Woods. Their growth habit of large the Perfect Lawn by Ted Steinberg. prefer, call Robyn Robeson at ‘Téte-à-Téte,’ Muscari armeniacum and Muscari ‘Blue Spike.’ W. W. Norton 2006 spreading canopies and long sweeping lower mipn.org branches indicates their past growth was 734-647-8522 and we’ll send If you have any questions or suggestions for next year, please call Adrienne at michigan.gov/mda unimpeded by the competition of other you a print copy. forestry.msu.edu/mipc 734-647-2618 or e-mail her at [email protected]. chicagowilderness.org/biodiversity/ why/index.cfm 14 15 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Ann Arbor, MI Permit No. 144

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For information: 734-647-7600 www.sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna

Matthaei Botanical Gardens 1800 N Dixboro Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Nichols Arboretum 1610 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48104

U-M Regents David A. Brandon Laurence B. Deitch Olivia Maynard Rebecca McGowan Andrea Fischer Newman Andrew C. Richner S. Martin Taylor Katherine E. White Mary Sue Coleman (ex officio)

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Help Us Create a Celebration to Remember As you’ve read in this issue, our Centennial work as subcommittees to a Centennial is coming in 2007. Planning is already Steering Committee. underway. The major activities include a If you are willing to chair, kickoff event at the Gardens in February co-chair, or serve on a working 2007 and a party at the Arb in summer group, please contact Barbara 2007. Exhibits, displays and lectures Major at [email protected] or centered on four themes will fill three- 734-647-8528 as soon as possible. month slots throughout the Centennial The Gardens and the Arb today year. Special items to commemorate our are dynamic representations of the 100th year, such as publications and unique many people such as you who have so mementos, are being considered as well. graciously given their time, talent, and But in order to bring these seeds of support to us over these nearly 100 ideas to fruition, we need your help, years. Please join us in helping create a time, and enthusiasm. Separate working Centennial celebration worthy of both groups for each of the activities (February our storied history and the bright future Above: The extremely invasive garlic mustard. kickoff party, summer party, four thematic of our next 100 years. Learn more about this and other species that belong on the “Not In My Back Yard” list on programs) are being formed, and will page 3.