Chris Burghart Garden

Posted & filed under Local Gardens, Uncategorized.

A Slowly and Constantly Evolving Landscape …

When Chris moved to Juniper Place in 2012, with the exception of the mature maples, there were less than ten plants on the property. That year three rhododendrons and a handful of perennials were added and in 2014 more defined beds were formed. In 2016, the sandy circle where an above ground pool once sat, was transformed into a koi pond complete with a babbling brook.

Evolution of a Garden

A secret garden was developing in Chris’ backyard. Tons of rocks, yards of compost and mulch, and hundreds of plants were brought in. Chris often sourced her plants from clearance and end-of-year sales, divisions from veteran gardeners, or Craigslist offerings. Although it was nice when a label said ‘native’ it was not a prerequisite.

Evolution of a Mindset

In 2019 Chris was invited to be a “showcase garden” on the Saratoga Soroptomist tour. With the advent of Covid, the tour was postponed and it was at that time Chris discovered Doug Tallemy’s book, Bringing Nature Home. This is when she truly realized the importance of native plants and began her ecological smart landscape practices, focusing on planting natives for both the pollinators and the betterment of the environment. 6000-9000 caterpillars…all aboard the Tallamy train she went! Following this, she transformed her front yard landscape, using all native shrubs.

Digging Deep

Chris sources native plants from pesticide free nurseries or grows them from seed herself. She has removed at least six invasive species of plants. Embracing a green mulch layer, she no longer relies on dyed mulches. As older plants need replacing, natives and or ecologically smart plants are put in their place.

Join the Garden Tour

We will be touring Chris’ Garden on Sunday, July 16th, 2023 from 10 am to 2 pm. The address will be sent to chapter members in the July Sprouts & Roots newsletter. Members are encouraged to bring a guest and to carpool. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the street. If you are not a member and still wish to attend please reach out to us and you can attend as a guest. See all of our upcoming events by checking out our Events Calendar.

Wild Ones

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Johanna Garrison Garden 

Posted & filed under Local Gardens.

Wild Whimsy

Since 2015, Johanna keeps finding ways to squeeze more native plants onto her fifth-acre plot without completely forsaking areas of lawn that grew in naturally (bunnies love the dandelions and clover). A few cultivars remain, but overall, Johanna’s garden is roughly 90% straight species, the majority sourced from Wild Things Rescue Nursery. 

Delicious Addition

An avid veggie gardener as well, she and her husband greatly benefit from foodscaping. Johanna has even documented sweat bees pollinating their tomato plants—a much rarer sight than bumbles. Regrettably, there are no oaks or pawpaws as they would shade out the vegetable beds; only smaller trees and shrubs. Upcoming projects include a drought-tolerant front bed and a ‘mud puddle’ pond in the back. 

I’ve become one of those people. You know the type; nearly every conversation is an opportunity to mention wildlife gardening, and if the conversation doesn’t go that way, you momentarily fade out wondering how to turn the talk over to larval hosts. Yes, I’m having fun here…. sort of. 

– Johanna’s own words.

Gardening Philosophy

With no formal gardening background, Johanna’s philosophy is simple and direct: Use nature as a guide. Watch and listen. When a problem of human perspective arises, she asks, WWNLD? Greatly influenced by Nancy Lawson, The Humane Gardener, and the ever-present urgency of plummeting insect populations, she has learned to do what’s best for wildlife, not for herself or for the neighbors. 

Johanna still has a lot to learn and welcomes feedback from Wild Ones members!

In the News

Johanna’s garden was also highlighted in the Simply Saratoga Home & Garden publication. Read the full article here:
https://issuu.com/saratogapublishing/docs/simply_h_g_2023_issuu/24

Join the Garden Tour

We will be touring Johanna’s Garden on Sunday, July 16th, 2023 from 10 am to noon. The address will be sent to chapter members in the July Sprouts & Roots newsletter. Members are encouraged to bring a guest and to carpool. There is substantial off-street parking available. Look for a sign that says SlOW MOW YEAR-ROUND. If you are not a member and still wish to attend please reach out to us and you can attend as a guest. See all of our upcoming events by checking out our Events Calendar.

Wild Ones

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

2023 DEC Saratoga Tree Nursery Sale

Posted & filed under Uncategorized.

Well, it is that time of year again and the annual NYDEC Tree Sale is on! Select verities do sell out quickly so make sure you have your order ready to go on January 3rd. The last day to order is May 12th and they will contact you with pick-up/shipping information. The great news is their stock has healthy and typically huge roots, so they have higher success rates than some of the other mail order tree services. The downside is you have to order in quantities of at least 25 and sometimes more. This is a great option for someone with a large project or if several people want to put in an order together and then divvy them up later.

While they have great stock not all of it is native to NY and an even smaller amount are not native to the USA. In order to confirm status we had to ask the DEC for scientific names and then ran them through the New York Flora Atlas. Those marked as “Unknown” might be a cultivar or the scientific name was partial or not included. Here is a cliff note version of our work:

Jack PineNY Native
Red PineNY Native
White PineNY Native
Norway SpruceNot Native to USA
White SpruceNY Native
Douglas FirNot Native to NY
Japanese LarchNot Native to USA
Blue SpruceNot Native to NY
Atlantic White CedarNY Native
American HazelnutNY Native
Black WalnutNY Native
ButternutNY Native
Hybrid PoplarUnknown
Flowering DogwoodNY Native
Red MapleNY Native
SycamoreUnknown
Bear OakNY Native
Black OakNY Native
Red OakNY Native
White OakNY Native
Black CherryNY Native
River BirchNY Native
American SweetgumNY Native
“Copper” chinquapinUnknown
Beach PlumNY Native
Am. Highbush CranberryNY Native
Northern BayberryNY Native
Bristly LocustNot Native to NY
NinebarkNY Native
Black ChokeberryNY Native
Red Osier DogwoodNY Native
Silky DogwoodNY Native
Pussy WillowNY Native
Sandbar WillowNY Native
Streamco WillowNot Native to NY
Northern White CedarNY Native
Virginia RoseNY Native
Wetland RoseNY Native
Sand CherryNY Native
Winged SumacNY Native
Witch HazelNY Native
NannyberryNY Native
WinterberryNY Native
Wild GrapeNY Native

To place an order head on over to the DEC Website where you can find an order form and pricing:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html

Wild Cucumber

Posted & filed under Native Species.

Echinocystis lobata is one of the many native vine plants here in New York. The vine gracefully grows up trees and over hedge rows with a mutual agreement so no harm is done to the supporting plant. As an annual, the vine itself only lives for one year so it won’t strangle a host plant. The 5-pointed leaf that almost resembles a star emerges in the spring but the spiked cluster of white blooms does not emerge until mid summer and remains until early fall. Please note while cucumber is in the name no parts of this plant are edible by humans.

Wild cucumber grows amongst other native vines, plants and grasses
Wild Cucumber vine mixed with a native grape vine, in a hedge with goldenrod and native grasses. photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Growing Conditions

Wild Cucumber vine growing up a tree

Its native growing habitat is typically along stream beds, swamps, and moist thickets where it can climb on or along another plant or tree. The vine can reach as high as 25 feet and 15 feet radius. The seeds do require about 2 months of cold moist stratification and will germinate after the last frost. Just keep in mind that as an annual this vine won’t stay in place. Next year vines will grow from the fallen seeds.

Photo Credit: Kristi Shepler

Bloom

The blooms of Wild Cucumber appear on a spike. The vine grows relatively discretely and can climb a tree when it is fully leafed which leaves it unnoticed until the flowers bloom. This transforms the tree or structure and until further inspection could fool people into thinking the blooms belong to the tree. These blooms provide food for bees, flies, and other tiny pollinators!

Photo Credit: Kristi Shepler

Seed Pods

Seed pods look like little cucumbers complete with spikes. Don’t worry though the spikes are for show and typically bend under pressure before they can pierce skin. Again these little cucumbers are not edible and contain almost prehistoric and rock-like seeds. Typically there are about 4 seeds in each cucumber. The cucumber itself will quickly fade into a loaf-like husk.

Wild Cucumber Seeds
Handful of Wild Cucumber seeds photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Wild Ones

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Jack in the Pulpit Highlight

Posted & filed under Native Species.

Arisaema stewardsonii is typically thought of as a spring ephemeral since that is when it blooms. However, if one were to continue watching, a stunning seed head will form in the fall! While most homes are built on land that has been drained off, this swamp-loving plant will sometimes grace homeowners with more wet and shady areas. This lower-growing plant could be the perfect solution for hard-to-grow spots under a tree.

Look for the blooms pushing through the leaves in early May around wet areas. photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Growing Conditions

Jack in the Pulpit prefers to grow under deciduous trees, gaining full sun in the very early spring before the tree puts on leaves. Then it enjoys the shade from the trees during hot summers and the nutrients when the leaves fall to replenish the soil. It does prefer moist to wet soil that occasionally drains off for short periods of time. No maintenance is required, as it has co-evolved to survive on its own. Just needs a little help to propagate by not mowing the area so the seed heads can form.

The Plant

The plant itself is a simple set of 3 leaves which can become slightly problematic. There is a nice verse out there to protect people from poison ivy; Leaves of three leave them be. Hopefully, most people will leave them be to grow because they might be pleasantly delighted with Jack in the Pulpit! Trillium is also an early spring native plant that starts with leaves of 3. All the more reason to be delighted and leave them be.

Photo Credit: Kristi Shepler

Bloom

The blooms of Jack in the Pulpit is an elegant cup with a hood and start off bright green. As it ages and depending on the verity the green may darken. Stripes of burgundy will sometimes stripe across to add to the drama. Or maybe the stripes are white and just start to stand out more as the bloom ages.

Photo of Jack in the Pulpit growing around the foundation of a brick house.

Seed Pods

This is just one of those plants that keeps giving! In early fall keep an eye for a funky seed head to burst forth in blazing color. These berries will attract wildlife that loves to taste them and help sustain them over the fast approaching harsh winters.
Please note that many parts of the plant can cause irritation if eaten by humans. This may be better suited in an area where a wandering child won’t be tempted to eat these enticing “berries”. While many native plants are edible this one is best left for the birds.

Propagation

In the wild birds and even box turtles enjoy the berries encasing the seed. Often these berries need to be separated from the seed before they can germinate. This is often how Jack in the Pulpit plants pop up in new areas as the wildlife carry the seeds along.

If you are lucky enough to have these plants pop up in your yard and you want to help nature along, here are some helpful tips. Some people have had success with root division. Just make sure the plant is dormant and can reestablish during periods of high moisture. If not, wait until August or September to remove the small brown seeds from the pulp. Leaving the pulp outside for wildlife to enjoy. The seeds will need to go through at least 60 days of cold moist stratification, which you can try to replicate indoors or just plant the seeds right before winter sets in.

Wild Ones

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Sustainable Living Center

Posted & filed under Local Native Gardens.

The Sustainable Living Center is a section of the Schenectady County Cornel Cooperative Extension. They sure know how to pack in a lot of features into an area. Activities for kids, a seasonal food share program, and what brought us there a pollinator garden that is being converted to plants native to New York! Keep an eye on their website as they are only open for select hours during the growing season, but might set up an appointment too!

In addition to the food share program, they also have cut flower bouquets to take home. Most importantly they have a nice selection of native plants ready to go home with you! Check out the native plant garden for some inspiration on what your yard can look like.

The tour event included a little glimpse behind the scenes where plants in waiting are growing. Thankfully some of the workers let this common milkweed continue to grow! There are two Monarch caterpillars most likely the ones that will migrate to Mexico for the winter.

Wild Ones Membership

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild Ones member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Giant Yellow Hyssop Highlight

Posted & filed under Native Species.

Hyssop is a popular plant to attract pollinators to their garden. However, the native Giant Yellow Hyssop is considered endangered here in New York. If you are looking to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden then this is a must-have. Another great perk is that this one is deer resistant.

Growing Conditions

Place the Giant Yellow Hyssop in a sunny spot as an architectural statement as it reaches 6-7 feet in height. Tolerates up to part shade but may not reach the same height. Make sure the area has good drainage as well but other than that will grow in just about any type of soil.

The Plant

While many people use the plant for tea, Native Americans used the plant to create a poultice to relieve the itch from poison ivy rash. Some have found success in using in cut and dried floral arrangements. Just remember when harvesting leaves start from the bottom of the stalk, work your way up, and leave at least 60% of the plant. Remember that our pollinators and other wild life use all parts of the plant so the more you leave the more you will see of them.

Bloom

While the soft yellow/cream blooms often go unnoticed the bloom head is still a striking spike to add a new texture to your garden. Unlike most mint family members, this bloom lacks the minty fragrance. Holds blooms for one to two months in the fall, often lasting until the first frost. This is a great option for those providing nectar for migrating wildlife, such as the Monarch Butterfly.

Giant Yellow Hyssop towers over this mix of native plants in Tim’s private garden. The bloom spike provides height over the wild bergamot but doesn’t overpower with its muted colors. Photo Credit: Kristi Shepler

Propagation

Harvesting the seeds should happen once the flower spike has turned brown. Threshing is the best method to remove the seed from the spike, but shaking into a container can work as well. Seeds develop and release from the head at different rates, so repeat the process over the course of a few days. When growing from seed, a cold stratification process is needed by direct sowing in the fall or recreating the conditions for at least 60 days.

Wild Ones Membership

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild Ones member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

Posted & filed under Local Native Gardens, Uncategorized.

Education Center at Five Rivers with a living green roof and solar panels on the roof.
Education Center at Five Rivers with a living green roof and solar panels on the roof.

Settled on 450+ serene acres of wetlands, forests, and fields with 10+ miles of trails Five Rivers is located at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054. The environmental education center is not only filled with educational displays but also topped with a mix of solar panels and a living green roof! Please make sure to leave no trace and that no pets are allowed in the preserve. This is to help protect the environment and the fragile ecosystem.

Our Native Garden Tour

The group listening to Robin discuss the plants in the middle of the roundabout in the parking lot.

We took a chapter garden tour led by Robin, an employee who has worked diligently to bring native plants right up to the education center for all to enjoy. Honestly, we never made it very far from the building, there was just so much to see. I don’t even think most of the group went into the building to check it out because there was so much to see around the building.

Turns out, when the building was constructed, they had a landscaping company put together the flower beds. Even though they asked for native plants, the landscapers didn’t completely understand that request. Many of the plants the landscaper put in were native to the USA and a few cultivars. Robin has been working diligently to edit out and replace with native to the area. This included transplanting plants found on the property and harvesting seeds from others. All while not disturbing the ecosystem within the preserve.

Raingarden with native plants nestled in-between the main walkway and the building.

In addition to the green roof, the education center was designed with a rain garden. This helps manage the water runoff from the solar panels atop the building. The plants help to filter and control the rate of flow of that water, preventing massive puddles and sheeting water. Raingardens are a great project to include in your own home garden and native plants are spectacular at managing water.

Biodiversity

The reason why we could spend so much time in just one small area of the preserve was not only Robin’s extensive knowledge. Not even the inquisitive questions our members asked. Rather, it is all the different plants that are growing right up where it is easy to enjoy.

Wild Ones Membership

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones, a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild Ones member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Jewelweed Highlight

Posted & filed under Native Species, Pollinator.

Jewelweed is another plant with “weed” in the common name and, while it may grow like a weed, there is so much more to this fantastic native plant! Spotted Jewelweed Impatiens capensis and Pale Jewelweed Impatiens pallida are the two species that live here in the Capital Region of New York. Make sure to add this one to your native garden for a whole host of reasons!

Pale Jewelweed Impatiens pallida bloom photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Growing Conditions

Jewelweed prefers full to part shade but will tolerate full sun where the summers are cool. It also prefers wet to moist soil which can help with brighter locations. Mulching and occasional watering also help but for the most part, does not require any maintenance. The best part is that once the plant grows if in a thick grouping it will shade out most weeds.

The Plant

One reason to love this plant is that it sprouts in early spring and looks similar to radish sprouts. Then it spends energy growing tall thick stems that are full of a watery gel. This gel can help ease the pain of poison ivy and stinging nettle, so it is nice to have on hand. Some have even said it has anti-fungicidal properties and can be used to treat athlete’s foot.

Close up of Pale Jewelweed Impatiens pallida stems photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Water from rain or morning dew delicately collects on the very tip of the leaves. Creating a stunning display to hunt for when the conditions are just right.

Close up of Pale Jewelweed Impatiens pallida leaves with water drops photo credit: Kristi Shepler

Bloom

The beautiful blooms are sometimes hard to find as they blossom beneath the leaves. However, the hungry hummingbirds know where to find them. This is one of the great native plants to use in place of a sugar-water feeder. Bumble bees are often known to curl up in the blooms as well to sleep. It is almost like a little Bee B&B! The blooms can start to emerge in mid-July and last into August.

Seed Pods

Another common name for Jewelweed is “Touch-Me-Nots” which relates to their spectacular spring-loaded seed pod dispersal. Once the plant is brushed by wildlife, the seeds are flung out, to spread the propagation of the plants. The pods will start to form once the bloom has been pollinated and should be ready by fall, if not sooner.

Propagation

Since the seed pod is spring-loaded, it is best to move quickly when collecting its seeds. This is done by closing your hand around the entire pod, but be careful not to accidentally brush the pod before closing your hand or the seeds will go flying. Once you successfully enclose the pod in your hand, ever so slowly loosen your grip. You will feel the pod burst open but it doesn’t hurt. Open your hand the rest of the way, with your palm up, so the seeds don’t fall away. Cold stratification is necessary for the seeds to germinate. Place the seeds in the fridge for two months or just scatter them in the spots you want them to grow in late fall/early winter.

Wild Ones

Wild Ones Capital Region New York is a chapter of Wild Ones a national organization promoting the use of native plants in the garden. Membership is a great way to support this mission on both a local and national level. Check out membership.wildones.org for more details including all the great benefits you will receive as a member. Our local chapter works diligently to provide specific information about our local native plants. This includes not only this blog but also handing out materials when we are out in the community. Even if you are a Wild One’s member, please consider donating directly to our chapter.

Spicebush Replaces Forsythia

Posted & filed under Butterfly, Gardening Tips, Native Shrubs, Native Species, Pollinator.

Spicebush replaces Forsythia as a harbinger of Spring! Makes a great title even if it is a bit of a misnomer. Spicebush has been around for quite some time and because of that, it does so much more than make a seasonal privacy fence.

Non native Forsythia in bloom

Forsythia’s Rise in Popularity

Now many of you may be wondering how did Forsythia manage to become so popular. It is a tale as old as time. With the modernization of garden centers and magazines once one person says Forsythia makes a great living privacy fence, the idea just took off. However, this sacrificed the bees. Forsythia is sterile so the blooms do not produce pollen. While bees might flock to it they typically don’t hang around when they realize there is no food. Not to mention Forsythia may soon join the invasive species lists as it grows quickly and makes it difficult for anything else to grow near it.

Spicebush’s yellow blooms on a gray early spring day. Photo by: Kristi Shepler

Return of Spicebush

Spicebush can be grown as a living privacy fence if so desired. However, this understory tree is shade tolerant for anyone with a part to full-shade garden. It can also survive in full sun which provides fantastic fall color. Roots prefer moist soil that drains well, so if in full-sun make sure it gets plenty of water. Make sure to plant male and female plants for cross-pollination and the female will produce berries.

Spicebush Ecosystem

One of the many reasons to grow Spicebush is that it is a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly along with Sassafrass and Tulip Tree. While most have seen the butterfly, the larva is often time missed as it hides in a leaf that it will later use in metamorphosis. Who wouldn’t want this little cutie hanging out in their garden! For more on Papilio troilus check out this article from the NC State Extention.

The fall berry of the Spicebush will also attract animals to your yard. Some of the birds that will come include:

  • American Robin
  • Eastern Blue Bird
  • Gray Cat Bird
  • Great-Crested Flycatcher
  • Hermit Thrush
  • Red-Eyed Vireo
  • Wood Thrush

What not to do?

Just remember that no matter what you plant, if you are spraying pesticides they are typically a broad spectrum. This means even our native friends are killed off as well. With the introduction of plants from across the globe into our everyday garden we have forgotten that plants are meant to be eaten. It is time to embrace an imperfect garden that has lots of chew marks!

Removing Forsythia

The best way to remove Forsythia becomes more intensive the larger the plant. Start by cutting back the branches but leave some of the lower ones to grab onto later. Next start digging around the drip line of the shrub moving your way in until you find the roots. Use an old pair of loopers to start cutting through the roots. Try pulling on the lower branches that you left to bring up the shrub with the root ball. You may need to use a chain and a truck if the bush is large. Just make sure you have something to replant in the space or weeds will take over.

Ready to plant?

If you have planned out the perfect spot in your garden for a Spicebush, or maybe two, or three check out our resources page. On this page, you will find a list of greenhouses in the Capital Region of New York. If you are out of this area check out Wild Ones journal for nurseries in your area or one that ships nationally.