StonecropNews from Gardens Spring 2011 Going Native Part II: Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for the Woodland As most gardeners know, native plants are, by design, perfectly suited to local growing condi- tions and a critical part of the habitat requirements for local fauna. Thus, even a few of these species in the garden contribute to a more balanced local ecosystem. In the last edition of our newsletter we looked at some easy-to-grow native perennials for sun. Now, we’ll be looking at plants for the shady or woodland garden, but still using the same stringent criteria: does it perform well in the garden, is it easy to grow, and do the deer eat it? Great natives are often quite common plants you may have in your garden already without knowledge of their regional pedigree. Included here you will also find a few unusual native species that make excellent replace- ments for commonly seen garden plants from Asia or Europe. Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh or Bugbane)— the plant formerly known as Cimicifuga! Tall, 6-foot, branched wands of white, long-lasting, bottlebrush-like flowers in June, make this by far In anticipation of spring at Stonecrop, Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ graces the pond garden with its the earliest of the Bugbanes to flower. A tip to glorious blossoms and magnificent stature. remember this is that A. racemosa races ahead of its fellows. Its extensive native range from plumes in early summer on both male and female plants, Massachusetts to Missouri and south to Georgia demon- though more on the male. This native prefers moist soil, strates a wide adaptability, and it is indeed a plant that partial shade, and will tolerate dry summer conditions will thrive in a variety of difficult garden conditions. but with some browning of the otherwise very attrac- Spectacular bloom, good garden performance and excel- tive, dense fern-like foliage. Astilbe biternata (False Goat’s lent deer resistance mean it’s an easy choice as a must- Beard) is a completely unrelated plant, but still very have plant for the woodland garden. The fruiting species similar in appearance both in and out of bloom. It makes a A. pachypoda (Doll’s Eyes) and A. rubra (Red Baneberry) definitive presence with tall, imposing 4½-foot stems and make good specimen plants as they are less imposing in creamy white flower panicles in early summer, somewhat stature at only 2 feet, and really stand out in late summer more spire-like than Aruncus, and coupled with hand- when the fruit ripens. some, lush, dark green foliage. Dicentra canadensis (left) Anemone virginiana (Thimbleweed) is perhaps the Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) is one of the most and Dicentra cucullaria easiest to grow of the native windflowers, proving adapt- adaptable and useful of woodland groundcovers. The large, able to deep or partial shade as well as dry conditions. apple green, slightly hairy, heart-shaped leaves form a From basal clumps of toothed, long-petioled leaves the luxurious carpet about 12 inches high in all but the driest stiff, 2-foot, wand-like stems of A. virginiana are topped of conditions. It will grow in dense shade or partial sun. with small, subtle greenish white flowers that do not last For the curious, there are clusters of deep reddish brown, long, but are quickly followed by the fuzzy white ‘thim- urn-shaped flowers that emerge underneath the foliage in ble-like’ seedheads that last from late summer well into early spring and are best viewed from close to the ground the winter, slowly coming apart as the season progresses. on your hands and knees! Native anemones include other excellent plants for the Aster divaricatus (White Wood Aster) is easy to grow woodland garden such as the ground covering but ephem- and easy to overlook, but this tough, durable native simply eral A. quinquefolia or the beautiful A. canadensis, which lights up the woodland with profuse clusters of white- needs moisture and a rich organic soil to thrive. rayed flowers in late summer. Tolerant of both afternoon Aster acuminatus Aruncus dioicus (Goat’s Beard) is a large, shrub- sun and dry shade, its 2-foot clumps of dark green, heart- like show stopper that can dominate the confines of the shaped leaves and dark stems have a welcome ability to garden border, but easily reaching 5 feet in bloom, it fill in even the most difficult spots. Those with smaller or makes a useful and dramatic filler for open spaces in the more closely planted suburban gardens should deadhead woodland. It produces showy, creamy white, feathery continued on page 8 1 Rebecca Dymes and Jason Thomas plant Pieris japonica ‘Dorothy Wykoff’ in the newly renovated section of the Woodland, now known as Remington’s Ridge; replacing a section of Thuja hedge that was destroyed by “Snowicane” in February 2010. Dear Members and Friends, Much has been accomplished in the past year at beds in the centre of the FG were replaced with grass to Stonecrop, a good deal of which may not be immediately provide space from which to better view this enclosed evident. To remedy that, I would like to give you a narra- garden, and the Linden Allée was removed to again bring tive tour of several exciting recent happenings on our sun to adjacent beds. Last year, we reconfigured one of the Stonecrop Gardens hilltop. woodland paths and the beds it borders to allow for easier Board Of Directors I am delighted to announce that Colin Cabot, at the visitor access and provide more space for existing plants as Antonia F. Adezio request of his father, has become the Chair of Stonecrop’s they mature. Whilst not as dramatic as some of the afore- Anne P. Cabot Board of Directors. With his experiences running an mentioned changes, renovations in the woodland garden F. Colin Cabot acclaimed theater company, restoring and operating a will be an ongoing labour of love. Francis H. Cabot historic farm where training in traditional crafts is offered, We finished a great deal of building maintenance, Page Dickey as well as his extensive involvement at Les Quatre Vents which included rebuilding 90 feet of cedar fencing and Richard W. Lighty and Stonecrop, where he is one of the original Board two entrances in the Flower Garden. In addition, the Barbara Paul Robinson members, Colin brings considerable business acumen, moon windows in the Wisteria Pavilion and several Howard G. Seitz wide-ranging expertise in public programming, and a windows in the Conservatory were repaired. Caroline Burgess, Director strong sense of stewardship to bear in his new role. For On the subject of growth and change, I would like to this newsletter issue, Colin has written an article on his introduce and welcome new neighbours, the Therapeutic Stonecrop’s mission is to uphold and earliest Stonecrop memories that also captures a bit of his Equestrian Center (TEC). This facility, visible from our demonstrate the highest standards of spirit. garden, aims to provide therapeutic and recreational horticultural practice and to promote the use of such standards among We are lucky enough to welcome a new Board member riding for physically and developmentally disabled chil- amateur and professional gardeners to our midst in the person of Page Dickey. Many of you dren and adults. We at Stonecrop have been busy enhanc- through aesthetic displays and may have read her books and articles, attended one of ing the new road to TEC by cleaning up the adjacent educational programs. the lectures she gives across the country, or visited Duck woodland, adding signage, and layering new shrubs and Stonecrop Gardens Hill, her wonderfully charming garden in North Salem, bulbs along the way. 81 Stonecrop Lane New York. Her wide-ranging perspective will be invalu- With all of this completed and new projects under- Cold Spring, New York 10516 845-265-2000 able to our efforts. To better introduce Page to our larger way, we cannot wait to welcome you back to the garden, www.stonecrop.org Stonecrop family, she was recently interviewed for these be it at our week-long Spring Under Glass celebration in [email protected] pages. late March, our Garden Party in September, or any time in Like all gardens, Stonecrop is always evolving and between. Perhaps our articles on shade-loving natives and along with maturity comes editing. It can take a certain alpine troughs will encourage you to explore parts of the amount of courage to revise one’s garden, and I’ll second garden with fresh eyes. Page Dickey’s advice to fellow gardeners, “Don’t be afraid.” Best regards, The past several years have seen the addition of the Order Caroline Burgess, Director Beds and structural changes in the Flower Garden. Several Chores around the garden: Thuja hedge removal, cleaning swimming hole, re-attaching vines to Flower Garden fence. Printed on 100% recycled paper 2 When Is A Chair A Sofa? Change in organizations, as well as in gardens, is inevita- ble, and so, when my father asked me to step into his shoes as chair of the Stonecrop Gardens board, I welcomed the opportunity for a closer association with a project I’ve been involved with since its beginning. By way of intro- ducing myself to the members of the Stonecrop commu- nity who read the garden’s newsletter, I thought I would document a few of my memories of what Stonecrop was like before and as it became a garden, and also how the Colin and Currie Cabot (Robin Hood and Maid Marian), 1959 garden has shaped me. As a small boy, watching the house being built, wherein the pumpkins would drink the milk through the moving into it, and doing chores around the place, I think string inserted in their nutritive stem thanks to the miracle I developed a rapacious appetite for big and complicated of capillary attraction; we were trying to grow giant pump- projects.