The Gardens of Naugatuck Valley Community College CONTENTS

Excerpted from “The Giving Garden” by Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis “There is something about a garden” many a phrase would begin, and so there is. The Gardens of Naugatuck Valley Community College are, above all, microcosms of the values we hold dear as an institution. Cultivated through many hours of hard work and labor, the Gardens are a product of intense study, understanding and application of theories learned. They are teaching laboratories that are open, transparent and beautiful and contribute much to make our College a humane and learned institution. Some have been built to support a particular horticultural concept, others to more closely examine plant species and three have been created in loving memory of colleagues past. I take great pride in writing these brief words of introduction to what is joyous, caring and giving work. Professors, staff and students, as part of their course work but also on their own time, have come together to draft, imagine and create something that, quite often, cuts across the disciplines, inviting in the sciences, math, business, and yes, also the humanities. Horticulture has to be one of the most beautiful workforce initiatives, a beautiful path to a life-long career. It is a joy to welcome you to a pictorial sample of the happiness, knowledge and beauty to be experienced by all who come through our doors. Thank you for joining our journey and enjoy your stay!

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. President TAMARACK ARBORETUM

For hundreds of years, Europeans have planted trees to commemorate births, marriages, Established: 1986 ascensions to thrones, military victories and deaths. A scholar tree is planted in China for the passing of a teacher or a low government official, a golden rain tree is planted Founded by: Professor for a high government official and a willow is planted for peasants. At the Tamarack Joseph Faryniarz with the Arboretum, there are many commemorative trees donated by friends and family to support of Professor Anthony mark the milestones of campus life. Bleach

The Tamarack Arboretum began with two professors and their students planting Pedagogical role: The commemorative trees as an effort to re-leaf the campus after construction left the land Arboretum is a living barren and encroached. In 1990, Debra Farrick, a landscape architecture graduate laboratory for students in student at the University of Massachusetts, established the design for the grounds. the botany, horticulture, field Today, the Tamarack Arboretum comprises 285 different tree and shrub species and 12 biology and environmental horticultural laboratories that support courses and serve as an educational resource for science. It also provides the public. The trees planted were recommended by the Cornell University Urban Tree our citizens with a public Institute and the Cooperative Extension Services at UMASS and URI. collection of lesser known trees to examine and consider using on their own property.

2 Tamarack Arboretum | 3 4 Tamarack Arboretum | 5 TEACHING GARDEN

In 2006, the Connecticut Nursery and Landscapers Association (CNLA) elected to Established: 2006 make the grounds of NVCC the Plant Connecticut annual project. CNLA members donated perennial plants and students and faculty arranged them into an attractive Founded by: Professor and successful planting design - all in one day - to establish the southern section of Robert Herman and NVCC the garden. horticulture students

The following year, the northern section of the garden was designed and installed by Pedagogical role: The students thanks to funding from a Perkins Grant. That same grant provided additional Teaching Garden is utilized funding to enable students in the Landscape Mechanics course to create the walkways by horticulture faculty and and wooden arbor. students to identify plants, realize their cultural and The ‘Little King’ river birch, planted in memory of former student Timothy Dioses maintenance requirements dominates, but the tremendously diverse plant selection includes Shasta daisies, hardy and understand how they geraniums and Japanese anemones in large numbers. Ornamental grasses such as big may be used in garden design blue stem, feather reed grass and Japanese silver grass provide structural elements and inWoody Plants, Herbaceous asters and Helen’s flowers add fall color. A solar-powered fountain was donated in 2010 Plants, Landscape by Dr. Bonnie Simon, professor emeritus. Construction and Landscape Maintenance courses.

6 Teaching Garden | 7 8 Teaching Garden | 9 ALAN J. ZINSER MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN

Roses have long been regarded as the “queen of flowering plants,” so it is with great pride that NVCC planted Established: 2009 its first rose garden in 2009 thanks to a generous memorial gift by the family of the late Alan J. Zinser, who taught in the College’s Business Department. The garden provides a living laboratory experience for Founded by: Professor students and visitors to learn, observe, enjoy and rest inside a gated oasis within our urban community Joseph Faryniarz college campus. The open design also provides an intimate space for small gatherings, such as poetry/ literature readings, art classes, horticultural landscape construction classes and honors receptions. Pedagogical role: The Rose The Rose Garden is a living showcase of less-common, lower-maintenance horticultural materials Garden is a laboratory of that offer possibilities for the urban/suburban environment and encourage greater and healthier sustainable roses, perennials botanical diversity. National Merit Award roses, including the lower-maintenance knock out and trees., providing series, are featured to promote cultivars that require far less pesticide intervention. A climbing horticulture students with rose arbor entrance and other hybrid roses encourage further study in landscape projects. The first-hand experience in garden is surrounded by less commonly found trees such as Persian parrotia, hackberry, hedge maple, Cornelian cherry and Rutgers’ hybrid Korean dogwoods and a variety of flowering the care of roses. The space Viburnum that are recommended for greater landscape use by the Cornell University Urban is a peaceful respite for the Tree Institute and the Cooperative Extension Services at UMASS and URI. The Agro-Bio Club, college community and Student Government Association, private donors and the nurseries involved with the CNLA Plant visitors from urban campus Connecticut 2006 project donated trees, shrubs, benches, tables and the garden’s central fountain. life.

10 Alan J. Zinser Rose Garden | 11 12 Alan J. Zinser Rose Garden | 13 SHAKESPEARE GARDEN

The Shakespeare Garden was dedicated in 2009 and utilizes various species of plants Established: 2009 that are found within the literature of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). It serves as a space for student leisure, creativity and relaxation. Located in front of the NVCC Fine Founded by: David L. Arts Center, the garden is cared for by horticulture students throughout the semester. Freedman, Class of 2011

“William Shakespeare, the most famous bard in the history of the English language, Pedagogical role: This left us a legacy of beauty and love. Our garden represents a celebration of his love for garden provides horticulture nature and of people; a space to celebrate our own humanity in harmony with nature.” students a diverse laboratory of shrubs and perennials - NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. to study. It encourages “The Life According to Nature” literature students to examine more closely Under the greenwood tree the connection between Who loves to lie with me, Shakespeare and his And turn his merry note metaphors based on plants. Unto the sweet bird’s throat, It serves as a public resource Come hither, come hither, come hither! to promote greater interest in Here shall he see the works of Shakespeare. No enemy But winter and rough weather. 14 Shakespeare Garden | 15 16 Shakespeare Garden | 17 POETS’ CIRCLE

“So often in life, a poem has the power to express human thought, emotions and Established: 2009 creativity in an exceptional way. This garden inspires visitors with the works of famous international poets, yet the goal is much deeper. This space has been created to invite Founded by: Professor reflection and communion. Let us embrace the moment and this opportunity to explore Joseph Faryniarz and Paul the poet within each one of us.” Schwartz, Class of 2010

— NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. Pedagogical role: The Poets’ Circle celebrates Created in 2009, the Poets’ Circle is located within central campus where it utilizes the major works of poetry donated hardscape elements to create an area of intellectual exhibition and serves as a and encourages the college multi-functional space. The plaques throughout the space have meaningful poems to community to enjoy, to inspire visitors and the space is framed by commemorative bricks from donors to the write and to share poetry. college. The Poets’ Circle is cared for by the Maintenance Department. It is an area perfectly suited to meditation and contemplation. It is also used as focal point for veteran ceremonies.

18 Poets’ Circle | 19 20 Poets’ Circle | 21 HORTICULTURE GREENHOUSE

The Horticulture Greenhouse is a 5,000-square-foot facility with aluminum framing Established: 2009 and glass glazing. Completed at the same time as Technology Hall in 2008-09, the greenhouse provides a controlled laboratory for Greenhouse Management I, Founded by: Naugatuck Greenhouse Management II, Plant Propagation & Hybridization, Fruit & Vegetable Valley Community College Production, Herbaceous Plants and Turf Management courses. Pedagogical role: The greenhouse is home to one head-house, one potting room, two growing areas (one The Greenhouse assists for warm crops, one for cool crops), propagation mats, a mist system and hydroponics students in laboratory grow units. It is synchronized with a three-phase cooling system that utilizes natural instruction in Greenhouse evaporative cooling pads and side ventilators. The environment is regulated by an Management I & II, Fruits Enviro-Step interior climate system that automates temperature fluctuations based on and Vegetable Production, operational inputs. Plant Propagation & Hybridization, Herbaceous Plants, Landscape Maintenance & Turf Management courses.

22 Horticulture Greenhouse | 23 24 Horticulture Greenhouse | 25 GLACIER RIDGE TRAIL

The Glacier Ridge Trail system supports credit and non-credit learning activities Established: 1998 in environmental science, ecology, botany, geology, archaeology, zoology, forestry, horticulture and popular interdisciplinary topics like landscape design, photography Founded by: Former Dean and gardening. In addition, the trails are actively used by the Center for Teaching for Dr. Larry Smotroff and local professional development “walk and talk” experiences, and by elementary, middle and Eagle Scouts high school teachers for field trips. Pedagogical role: The The property was acquired by the State of Connecticut from the City of Waterbury to evolution of the Glacier provide a site for higher education services and resources for the region. The original Ridge Trail invites students plans included the build-out of a sports and physical fitness complex on the west and members of the end of campus. After the property was more fully sited, however, it was determined surrounding communities to that resources would not support the auxiliary facilities and 55 acres of land was left learn, appreciate and explore undeveloped. nature, investigate and satisfy scientific curiosity In 1998, leaders on campus reviewed a proposal from a local Eagle Scout candidate to and develop a greater develop a two-loop trail system on the land that would meet the education, recreation sense of conservation and and fitness goals of the college and surrounding communities. Today, the trail continues stewardship for our land. to be utilized as a hands-on educational resource for the region.

26 Glacier Ridge Trail | 27 28 Glacier Ridge Trail | 29 WISNIEWSKI JAPANESE MEMORIAL GARDEN

Under the direction of Eugene L. Wisniewski, former professor and program Established: 2010 coordinator, the horticulture program not only made great strides in enrollment and expansion of course offerings, but also added the 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Founded by: Professor greenhouse, in which students learn today. The greenhouse opened just a few weeks Robert Herman and Regina before Professor Wisniewski’s untimely passing in October 2009. DelRossi, Class of 2010

Former student Regina DelRossi designed the garden for Professor Wisniewski, who had Pedagogical role: The long expressed a desire to create a contemplative Japanese garden on campus. DelRossi studied the history, philosophy and design and was meticulous in the placement of Japanese Garden assists the stone lantern and the large boulders that represent mountains. The “dry river bed” in Landscape Design, flows between the two dominant trees - a weeping redbud and the Seven Sons Flower - Landscape Maintenance and is bordered by Japanese irises and Lady’s Mantle. Groundcovers, such as creeping and Woody Plants course juniper and mondo grass were utilized, as well as Irish moss and thyme as substitutes instruction. The Garden for real moss, which one often sees in the gardens of Kyoto. also demonstrates the use of a designed space as a Of Professor Wisniewski, Ms. DelRossi said, “...it was the gentle, quiet side of him that memorial. I liked best. He had a sweet smile. In a way, his personality was like a Japanese Garden, with special, secluded spots.”

30 Wisniewski Japanese Memorial Garden | 31 32 Wisniewski Japanese Memorial Garden | 33 WISNIEWSKI JAPANESE HEALING GARDEN

The process of healing is an important piece of memorialization. The Eugene L. Wisniewski Established: 2013 Japanese Healing Garden is a counterpart to the Memorial Garden, which was established in 2010. Modeled after traditional Japanese principles, the Healing Garden combines elements Founded by: Professor of simplicity and tranquility with a deep symbolism and layered texture. The plants selected Christopher Tuccio for the project were chosen based on their adaptability to the site and their aesthetic qualities. Pedagogical role: The The highlight of the garden is a riverbed of sedum, which is meant to provoke a sense of Healing Garden assists everlasting movement and continual growth. A series of stone outcroppings also dot the landscape, which establish beacons of permanence in this transforming garden. The artistic landscape design students play of hard versus soft, stability versus transformation, and light versus dark create the deep in their analysis of garden symbolic meaning within the garden. typologies in various studio classes.

34 Wisniewski Japanese Healing Garden | 35 36 Wisniewski Japanese Healing Garden | 37 SUSTAINABLE GARDEN

Based on the growing interest in native plants and the movement to create more environmentally Established: 2009 sound plantings, horticulture faculty decided to create a “sustainable” garden on campus in spring 2009. The total area consists of four gardens with diverse microclimates, all planted Founded by: Professor with native North American plants ideally suited to the environment in which they were Robert Herman, Professor planted. There are no exotic plants that could escape into the natural environment; the plants Christopher Tuccio and require no irrigation or fertilization and encourage wildlife by providing shelter and food, NVCC horticulture students primarily berries and seeds, to wildlife. Pedagogical role: The The gardens are multi-seasonal, starting with spring-blooming trout lilies, blue star and yellow Sustainable Garden false indigo and continue flowering into the late summer and fall, when the bright, colorful asters, perennial sunflowers and flowing, ornamental grasses dominate. Three hawthorn trees assists in Woody Plants, provide a striking background for the mountain laurel, hydrangea and fothergilla shrubs as Herbaceous Plants, well as ground covering plants such as golden star, Appalachian sedge and barren strawberry. Landscape Design and Joe-Pye weed, lupines and switchgrass surround a flowering dogwood in an adjacent section. Landscape Maintenance course instruction. The gardens have become an “outdoor laboratory” for students in the horticulture program, assisting in plant identification and appreciation of their use in sustainable landscape design.

38 Sustainable Garden | 39 40 Sustainable Garden | 41 BIBLICAL GARDEN

The Bible has long been an inspiration to humanity. Authors have written innumerable Established: 2009 treasured masterworks based on its themes, metaphors and parables. From Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, William Faulker’s Founded by: Michael Absalom, Absalom!, John Milton’s Paradise Lost, or Dante Alighieri’s Divine Schwartz (Class 2003), Comedy, the tremendous impact of the Bible on human thought and writing remains Paul Schwartz (Class 2009), unparalleled. David Freedman (Class 2011), and Professor Joseph The Biblical Garden provides a quiet respite - “Beside restful waters He leads me; Faryniarz He refreshes my soul” (Psalm 23). Amidst other symbols, the garden encompasses quotations for the 45 plants that can grow in this region. As a member of the Biblical Pedagogical role: This Botanical Gardens Society - USA, this garden joins an increasing global movement to garden demonstrates the provide such places to augment campus and public life. The garden was dedicated in th links between the Bible 2011, the 400 anniversary of the printing of the King James Bible (1611 A.D.). with literature, plants, and animals. It promotes greater class discussion of the greater meaning of classical literature.

42 Biblical Garden | 43 44 Biblical Garden | 45 MEDICINAL GARDEN

Medicinal plants have been used since the dawn of humanity to treat a variety Established: 2010 of maladies. Established by the Agro-Bio Club, the Medicinal Garden collection is meant to promote greater awareness of medicinal plants and their important Founded by: The Agro-Bio contribution to society. Medically important plant species of 40 varieties comprise Club the garden collection, which is dedicated to the graduates of our medical health programs. Pedagogical role: This garden is the largest collection of medicinal plants in Connecticut. It promotes student interest in the use and culture of these important plants and is a botanical resource for our campus community and the public. It is cared for by horticulture students and Agro-Bio Club members.

46 Medicinal Garden | 47 48 Medicinal Garden | 49 ALCOVE PLANTING

The Alcove Planting was commenced in spring 2011 to provide opportunities for Established: 2010 maintaining a visual aesthetic while negotiating a severely sloped site. The existing site had been overgrown for years, with offices and windows from the third, fourth and Founded by: Professor fifth floors of Ekstrom Hall looking down upon the neglected landscape. Christopher Tuccio and NVCC horticulture students To help make the area more aesthetically pleasing, plants were selected based on two primary criteria: the feasibility of growth on such a severely sloped site and the Pedagogical role: The color/texture that would be viewed from the Ekstrom Hall windows. The intent of the Alcove planting demonstrates final installation was to create a nice view while maintaining the integrity of the site. ways to negotiate harsh Additionally, soil erosion products were installed within the slope to be used for lab sloped conditions in small instruction for horticulture courses. spaces through design and planting. Specific techniques are also used as examples in the Landscape Construction course.

50 Alcove Planting | 51 52 Alcove Planting | 53 EARTH-KIND ROSE TESTING SITE

The Earth-Kind Rose Testing Site is a 4-year research project that began in fall 2011 Established: 2011 in collaboration with Texas A&M University and the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) with the objective of identifying sustainable rose cultivars. Trial sites include Founded by: David L. NVCC, the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden at Boothbay and the Central Park Rose Freedman, Class 2011, Garden in Schenectady, NY. and Michael R. Schwartz, Campus Groundskeeper Data is collected by horticulture students and included in national publications. These test sites join Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisiana State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Pedagogical role: NVCC Wisconsin Universities along with the Boerner Botanical Gardens and the Minnesota horticulture students Landscape Arboretum. have taken part in an ongoing research project Uniquely, the NVCC test site is the only planting taking place on a steep bank. Overall, in partnership with Texas the national project supports rose research as well as public education into how Earth- A&M University and the Kind roses are capable of growing sustainably even in difficult sites. Approximately 48 New York Botanical Garden, different Earth-Kind cultivars were planted in spring 2012. that allows them to interact with other researchers on a national level.

54 Earth-Kind Rose Testing Site | 55 56 Earth-Kind Rose Testing Site | 57 American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) Garden Established: 2013 NVCC is proud to be the home of the first national trial garden for the American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.). Rose breeders from all over the world send their Founded by: NVCC newest roses to our garden in order to see how they grow under the environmental students and faculty conditions here in Waterbury, CT. A team of evaluators gathers data from the garden throughout the growing season and at the end of two years, a report is given back to Pedagogical role: the rose breeders on how their entrants fared in the trial. Additionally, the roses that Horticulture and business do the best in each class receive the the A.R.T.S. Award. students engage in the process of taking a new The roses are evaluated for their resistance to insect damage and diseases, as well as product to market, as the their overall horticultural usefulness in the landscape. These trials allow the host A.R.T.S. site is home to institutions to be an engine of change in the horticulture industry as a whole. As plants that are not yet breeders receive the information provided by these field trials they will turn their available to consumers. hybridization efforts toward the goals of disease and insect resistance above anything Students take part in else. This in turn translates into a greater independence from the use of chemical evaluation and gain valuable pesticides, an important industry shift. product development and research experience as they Construction of the A.R.T.S. Garden was supported by a bequest of Professor Eugene work in this garden. L. Wisniewski, an avid rose breeder, and by volunteers.

58 American Rose Garden | 59 60 American Rose Garden | 61 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Gardens are powerful representations of human values and aspirations. The gardens of Naugatuck Valley Community College inspire respect for nature and support learning about our earth and our environment. As teaching tools, they also embrace the concept of giving, nurturing, engagement and love that extend beyond the self. Their existence, care and nurture owe much to generous individuals, faculty, staff, students, associations and groups. Grateful recognition of selfless and talented contributions particularly go to:

Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, President Christopher Tuccio, Professor of Horticulture James Troup, Provost and Senior Dean of Administration Michael Schwartz, Groundskeeper Waldemar Kostrzewa, Dean of Community Engagement Paul Schwartz, Horticulture Alumnus The Alan J. Zinser Family David Freedman, Horticulture Alumnus Professor Eugene Wisniewski’s Bequest Regina DelRossi, Horticulture Alumnus The Carl D. Perkins Grant Students in the Agro-Biology Club Dr. Joseph Faryniarz, Professor of Biology Student Government Association Robert Herman, Professor of Horticulture Students in the Culture for Peace Club INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The following businesses and organizations have assisted in the development of Naugatuck Valley Community College gardens and in the continued success of the horticulture program through monetary and equipment donations, student scholarships, program advertisement and advice.

Association for Professional Landscape Designers The Connecticut Horticultural Society 4305 North Sixth Street, Suite A 2433 Main Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 Rocky Hill, CT 06067 The Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association The Connecticut Rhododendron Society 600 Main Street, Bart Center 5 Duncaster Wood Monroe, CT 06468 Granby, CT 06035 The Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association The Waterbury Garden Club, FGCCT 600 Main Street, Bart Center PO Box 854 Monroe, CT 06468 Branford, CT 06405 The Connecticut Cactus & Succulent Society The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) 30 Pine Street 950 Herndon Parkway, Suite 450 Columbia, CT 06237-1516 Herndon, Virginia 20170 The Gardens of Naugatuck Valley Community College

Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis Map of Gardens on Campus President

PUBLICATION OF Office of College Marketing and Public Relations

WRITERS Christopher Tuccio Professor of Horticulture

Dr. Joseph Faryniarz Professor of Biology

Michael Schwartz Groundskeeper and Student

ABOUT NVCC Naugatuck Valley Community College offers more than 100 accredited programs leading to associate degrees or professional certification and over 120 lifelong learning courses for professional development and workforce training. We are the only Connecticut community college to offer associate degree programs in aviation science, horticulture, digital arts and visual and performing arts, dance option. © 2013-14 Naugatuck Valley Community College 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT nv.edu