Winter in the Ellipse Garden Helen Hamilton January ~ February 2007 Butterfly Garden in this issue No butterfly is visible now, but twig characteristics of some their pupae are dormant high in common species. The check- Message from the Chairman 2 the native trees – pine, hack- ered bark of loblolly pine is distinctive and an oak with berry, oak. Or some butterflies Upcoming Events 1 overwinter as adults in brush vertical lines is willow oak. piles. To furnish shelter for over- To maintain attractive Membership Report 3 wintering small mammals and shapes and healthy plants, insects, the dead stalks and we will begin careful pruning Winter in the Garden 1 leaves of most of the perennial in February. Pruning should Property Update 3 plants are still standing in the occur when the plants have Horticulturists tell us a freeze stopped growing for the sea- garden. This is a good time to may harm early blossoms, but Garden Notes 2 son, which has not yet oc- stroll through the area, noting the the plants will survive. height and structure of the peren- curred, but we could have a Ellipse Garden guide 4 freeze next month. Diseased nials, many of them still holding Pine Woodlands/Fernery seeds for birds and wildlife. twigs, crossing branches, and ungainly growth causing WILLIAMSBURG When the new growth emerges The only evergreen fern is Polysti- traffic hazards should be near the basal leaves, garden chum acrostichoides, Christmas BOTANICAL pruned at any time. With the volunteers will cut the old stalks fern, and there are many in this mild winter so far, many GARDEN and add them to compost. area of the garden. A common woody species are breaking 2007 grass under pines is spikegrass, dormancy and budding out OARD F IRECTORS Native Woodland With all the Chasmanthium laxum, easily rec- B O D leaves and flowers. trees and shrubs labeled, you ognized by his lazy habit of trailing Chairman might try learning the bark and stems close to the ground. Karen Jamison Vice Chairman Helen Hamilton Upcoming Events Lori Dorrel Secretary Andrea Eadie We are excited to begin a new year of March 3rd Treasurer educational and inspirational programs. Enviroscape Walk & Talk Dianne Spence Each month we will have a "Walk and Talk" pro- 10:00 a.m. At the Ellipse Garden gram that will focus on a specific area of interest. Executive Committee Participants learn in the beautiful and educa- Master Gardener, Anne Davis, tional setting of the Ellipse Garden in Freedom will present "Enviroscape". This is a fascinating Membership Co-chairs Park. In addition to the monthly "Walk and Talk" Jack & Terry Johnston programs, Williamsburg Botanical Garden will discussion on how humans, water , and other fac- hold three evening lecture programs for in-depth tors effect the environment. Everyone is welcome! Program Chair discussion. Lori Dorrel Call 757-229-1995 for more information Children are always welcome to participate, we Property Chair have two programs specifically for them through- Holly Digges out the year. Please continue to check our web- Property Search Chair site, www.WilliamsburgBotanicalGarden.org for a Paul Tubach list of upcoming events and details. Call (757) 229-1995 for upcoming events under programs. Public Relations Chair Angela Cingale
For more information call 757-229-1995 or visit www.WilliamsburgBotanicalGarden.org Chairman’s Message Karen Jamison
Dear Friends of the Garden, Happy New Year! On behalf of the Williamsburg Botanical Board of Directors I bring you warm greetings as we begin a new year. We made tremendous progress in 2006. We are now eager to move forward and build on our success in 2007.
Our vision “Growing a garden of discovery and wonder, beauty and inspiration” will continue to be our focus this year as we work toward maintaining and enhancing the Ellipse Garden in Freedom Park. This spring we will be adding new plants and replacing those that do not survive the winter.
We will continue to monitor the plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials and herbs that are thriving in the garden as well as those that may need to be removed, replaced or restored. Our garden experts and enthusiasts will continue to work to keep our garden in as pristine a condition as possible.
We need your help to ensure the success of WBG this year. We ask that you please consider a volunteer commitment to the organization in addition to your gifts of membership and resources. We need volunteers in the following areas: ELLIPSE GARDEN PROPERTY MANAGER ~ PROGRAM CHAIRMAN ~ FUND RAISING CHAIR ~ VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR ~ VOLUNTEERS AT THE GARDEN
Please call 229-1995 if you are interested in participating as a volunteer in one or more of the above areas. We are a young organization and in order to keep growing we need your help. We welcome and encourage your participation.
We look forward to seeing you in the Garden this spring! Karen Jamison, Chairman
Winter in the Ellipse Garden Continued from front page “...look for the bird feeder donated & installed by George Grasses of wild Bird Unlimited…” In the nearby native grass area, new And look for the bird feeder in this Visit George at specimens of native switchgrass Pani- area, donated and installed by Wild Birds Unlimited cum virgatum ‘North Wind’, and George Copping of Wild Birds ‘Shenandoah’ were installed in Novem- Located in the Monticello Unlimited. George gave a very en- Shopping Center ber. The soil is too clayey for grasses, tertaining talk on birds and their hab- so we have scheduled a work day for its on a cold “Walk and Talk” this THANK YOU the second Saturday in February, mostly winter. to amend the soil in this area with sand. We will also be doing some garden cleanup, anticipating the emergence of early spring plants. Patio Winter Garden Notes
On one side of the patio we have BAYBERRIES A male and female should be planted started a “William and Mary” garden together to ensure production of the ornamental berries. Like legumes, wax – yellow tickseed Coreopsis verticillata, The scent of bayberry candles is myrtle fixes atmospheric nitrogen and white meadow rue Thalictrum pubes- derived from the fruit of the North- ern bayberry Myrica pensylvanica, a so is able to thrive in infertile soils. cens, green and gold Chrysogonum salt-tolerant, semi-evergreen shrub Look for all three species in the Ellipse virginianum, and a green and white well adapted to the Tidewater area. Garden. ribbon grass, Phalaris sp. Close by is a Migrating birds rely on these fatty red, white and blue garden with blue berries to fuel their long-distance The aromatic compounds present in wax myrtle foliage seem to repel in- lupine Lupinus perennis, a red Salvia, flights. sects, particularly fleas. It was tradition- and white wormwood Artemisia lucovici- ally planted around southern homes to ana. We will be adding more plants to A close relative, southern waxmyrtle, Myrica cerifera, has similar proper- help keep living spaces pestfree. A sprig these areas this spring. ties. A third species, Myrica hetero- of wax myrtle in a closet or drawer is phylla, swamp bayberry, has larger reputed to keep cockroaches out! leaves and forms a denser plant.
Page 2 Chairman’s Message Continued from opposite page
WBG WILL FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING GOALS THIS YEAR:
Maintain and enhance the Ellipse Garden
Increase educational opportunities at the Ellipse Garden
Increase our community outreach and Fundraising
Maintain and increase our membership base
Recruit new Board Members, Committee Chairmen & Committee Members For more information Continue the search for a permanent garden site about our organization, Membership Update Jack & Terry Johnston call 757-229-1995. Marinette Barb WBG has a number of upcoming Carol Fryer events. If you have not been receiv- Nancy Greene ing emails giving you advance no- Let us know if you have Welcome tice of programs and gardening op- to our Bill & Barbara Kaufmann portunities, please contact the any suggestions for us Roxanne Mitchell membership chairs at terry- [email protected] to share your newest Jason Robins or would like to current email address. So as not to members! Bill Saunders miss any future information, please become more involved. Bill & Debi Schaefer also be sure that your server recog- nizes this as a safe, not junk, email Lee Farity Thoet address. Pass this address along to Virginia Warren any friends who may be interested Come have fun with us! in receiving WBG information. Nancy Weaver
The Ellipse Garden Holly Digges
in the works, and also regular maintenance We are starting our work days early been feeding the birds through days throughout the rest of the spring, sum- this year, and would encourage all of A recent check of the Ellipse the season, and hopefully have mer and fall. These days will likely include our members and supporters to Garden found it sleeping also managed to drop some of weeding, watering, mulching and general break out their warm gloves, hats quietly. Despite the warm those seeds to produce more of cleanup. There will be a work day each and scarves, if we need them, on the temperatures we have had this the plants that we all enjoy. We month on the second Saturday. Please second Saturday of Feb 10th. winter, the deciduous trees are are also having a bird feeder in- mark your calendars in advance, and plan Our plan is to amend the soil in one still bare, and hopefully, their stalled in the garden this year, on attending as many work days as you can. of the areas of the Ellipse Garden to flower and leaf buds will hold compliments of George Copping, The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is a com- benefit the growth of some grasses themselves until the time is owner of Wild Birds Unlimited. munity project, and we are counting on all of that we have previously planted. A right to emerge. That leaves us This will add another dimension you to do what you can to help us succeed all anticipating a wonderful freeze/rain date will be set for to the garden for visitors, one in and thrive in 2007. Spring show of food producing the 17th, the third Saturday in addition to viewing and enjoying leaves, and showy and fragrant February. Bring your favorite hard the plants. flowers, both signs that will tell rakes and shovels and come out to us it's time to get back into the help us help our plants. As this is the start of the new garden. The stems of some year, we have many months to We will be there from 9am to perennial flowers and grasses look forward to, and much work that were left for winter interest 4pm, and hope that many of you can will be required to maintain the are still standing, and have come and lend a hand. Ellipse Garden. We are planning
Page 3 Williamsburg Visit our Ellipse Garden soon and watch us grow! Botanical Garden is dedicated to increase knowledge, awareness and appreciation of nature.
The Ellipse Garden is located at Freedom Park 5535 Centerville Road
Call 757-229-1995 For more information
Enjoy two acres of paths and plants 1 - Native Plant Garden 2 - Meadows a-Patriotic b-Wildflower in our garden. 3 - Butterfly Garden Open daily 4 - Wetlands 5 - Herb Garden 7am until dusk 6 - Perennial Border Garden 7 - Woodlands (a) and Fernery (b) FREE to the public 8 - Native Ornamental Grasses
15 Post Office Box 1577, Williamsburg, VA 23187
To Our Gardening Friend
Visit us on the web for more information ~ www.WilliamsburgBotanicalGarden.org