The site for our Bosarge Family Education Center with plants removed.

This past week we began two major projects – the renovation of the Haney Hillside Garden and the construction of the Bosarge Family Education Center.  Both projects required us to remove a substantial amount of plant material so excavation work could commence.  We have stockpiled more than 60 trees and shrubs, as well as many perennials and groundcovers, in a tempory holding area within one of our parking lots for replanting next year.  Most of the plants were dug by hand by our horticulture staff, but a few of the larger trees required the services of a tree spade in order to expedite the job.  We are grateful to Bill  Karas of Evergreen Farms and Nursery in Waldoboro for offering his equipment and time to come down and help us dig 21 of the larger trees yesterday.  Bill made short work of the project, and his powerful-yet-compact machine is perfect for jobs like this.  If you have trees or shrubs that need to be moved, consider hiring s tree spade to do the job quickly and effortlessly.

Hydraulic tree spades have become an essential tool of the nursery industry over the last 25 years, though most folks have never seen one in operation.  The “spade” is actually a set of three or four hydraulic blades that are positioned around the tree and independently driven into the soil, cutting through roots and earth and removing a triangular or quadrangular root ball in a matter of minutes.  Just about all the field-grown trees and shrubs sold in nurseries today are dug this way.  Because the blades tend to force surface soil inward as they plunge, woody plants dug this way typically have soil pushed up around their trunks during the process.  This potential problem is further exacerbated as the plant is placed in a wire basket or cage and wrapped in burlap, then transported.

This may not seem like a big problem, but the truth is, trees and shrubs whose bases are buried during the digging or transplanting process will usually fail to thrive and eventually die!  We find that we need to carefully remove soil from around 80 percent of the trees and large shrubs we purchase.  To do this at home, rake or scrape away the surface of the root ball until you have fully exposed what is called the root collar, trunk flare or crown – the widened or buttressed area at the base of the trunk where the roots attach.  Be careful when setting the tree in the planting hole so this flare remains above the finished soil grade.

It is always better to plant trees and shrubs a bit high rather than risk crown burial.  It is a good idea to also check container-grown trees as they may also be planted too deep.  Why does planting too deep affect trees and shrubs so severely?  The simple answer is that if the collar is buried too deeply, the rest of the root system is, too.  Most plant roots live in the top six inches of the soil where water, oxygen, and nutrients are most plentiful.  If set too deep during planting, roots are liable to suffocate.  Furthermore, there is a hypothesis that the root collar zone is a critical control center.  It is the fulcrum point of the tree and is put under more mechanical stress than any other part of the trunk or root system when the plant sways in the wind.  As it pivots, it sends hormonal signals to the roots to grow and thus anchor the trunk more effectively.  If the collar is buried, it does not pivot as effectively, so the message is not sent.  SInce rapid root growth is essential for the reestablishment of field-dug trees and shrubs (remember that upwards of 80 percent of the root system is left behind when the plant is dug), this further exacerbates the problem.  It is possible to excavate the root collar even after the plant has been transplanted, and this usually results in an amazingly fast recovery.    Bill Cullina

Despite a few hot days and some dry stretches, it has been a fabulous summer in Maine.  Suprisingly, given the early start to the growing season and above-average temperatures in June, July, and August, the gardens are still full of colorful flowers to contrast with the ever-expanding tapestry of fall foliage and fruit.  If you are planning a trip to our area at this glorious time of year, please stop by and enjoy this kaleidoscopic close to summer.

Bill Cullina

Images taken over the last few days

Allen Rokach (left) and Dan Haney capturing the beauty of this garden

This past weekend, award-winning photographer Allen Rokach taught a 2-day photography course, Mastering the Art of Flower and Garden Photography.  I was able to sit in on the class, and I thought it would be fun to post the best of the images taken by the participants.  The class began as Hurricane Earl passed by and ended as the sun set on Sunday evening.  I hope you enjoy the gallery!  Bill Cullina

Bee and Alyssum

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens horticulturist Dick Zieg took this photo and penned this haiku … just for you.

Rose garden at dawn,
F sharp below middle C,
Bumble bees buzzing.

Sprawling alyssum,
Sending sweet smells in the air,
I get paid for this!!

Miss Rumphius and her cat

That Miss Rumphius! She always seems to need a haircut. The stone whales in the entryway to the new Children’s Garden may be spouting, but she’s sprouting! And so is her cat!

The title character of Barbara Cooney’s much-loved book about “the lupine lady” was one of the inspirations for the new Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, but when it came to depicting her in the garden, we decided to make her greener than green – a lifesize topiary, in fact.

Her delicate face and hands, as well as the frame that supports the greenery that represents her hair and clothing, were sculpted by Patrick Lynch, a recent graduate from the Maine College of Art. And let’s not forget the cat, whose frame Patrick also created.

Patrick Lynch sculpted Miss R.

To cover the framework, the talented horticulturists at Plainview Farm in North Yarmouth selected the species that would work best. The plant names are intriguing in and of themselves.  Miss R.’s cloak is Sagine subulata, with sleeves of S. ‘Aurea’ and S. ‘Lemon Coral’. Her hair is Phedimus spurius ‘Voodoo’, and her shoes are Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’. Her feline friend is made of Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’ and Thymus pseudolanuginosus. 

As with all plants, these require maintenance. As soon as Miss Rumphius has a bad-hair day, someone from our horticulture staff springs into action and gives her a trim. The topiary also requires regular watering, whether by nature or by hand.

Planting the Lupine Meadow

And what would Miss Rumphius be without her lupines? Before the July 8 grand opening of the Children’s Garden, volunteers and staff planted the Lupine Meadow that spreads out beyond the topiaries. The blossoms started early this year and lasted surprisingly long. Now, although some of the lupine leaves remain, other perennials are filling in with colorful blooms and bushy foliage. Come fall, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Miss R. and her cat join in some of the Halloween fun.

Lupine Meadow sign

Where else but in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden? Nowhere, that’s where! Stop by soon to see our Miss Rumphius, and maybe give her cat a pat. ~ Barbara Freeman

The Danas during Bill Green Interview 7-22-10

Serious erosion from the previous night’s four inches of rain didn’t stop Maine TV personality Bill Green and videographer Tom Phillips from visiting the Backwoods area in our Children’s Garden the other day. They were at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to do a piece for WCSH-6 in Portland about the authentic wigwam beside the Backwoods path. The dome-shaped structure in what we’re calling the Wabanaki Village is the work of former Penobscot chief Barry Dana; his wife, Lori; and their daughter, Sakwini (“spring” in the Penobscot language).  They’re all fully versed in Penobscot culture and spoke eloquently with Bill about the building process and materials used in the project, as well as the way such a structure would be used.

It’s interesting watching TV interviewers in action, and action there was, though it was quiet and concentrated. As they talked to Bill, Barry and Lori, and even 17-year-old Sakwini, worked with the confidence that comes from years of repetition. They took turns bending long, stout branches into curves, a section at a time, using the low crook of a conveniently placed tree for leverage. Sakwini and Lori used a “crooked knife” to deftly strip the bark from the branches, as well as from the long, thin spruce roots used to tie everything together. Lori scraped the broad strips of birch bark which became panels covering the framework of curved branches and laced them together with the spruce-root rope.

Using all these hand-made pieces, Barry expertly  layered the birchbark panels one above the other like massive roof shingles, and then covered everything with more curved branches at intervals and ties.  Surprisingly, the rough exterior of the birch bark became the interior of the wigwam, sensible because the smooth inside surface of the bark lets rain run off, while the white bark brightens the wigwam for its occupants.

While talking to Bill, Barry dispelled a few common misconceptions of early Penobscot life. For example, the Penobscots were not as nomadic as many people believe. “They wouldn’t have planted crops only to pack up and leave them before harvest time,” explained Barry; instead, the wigwam, and the land, would have been used for long stretches at a time. Oh, and never call it a teepee.

Do you think smoke from a fire inside the wigwam would be a problem?  Not as long as you knew what woods to use and how to ventilate the top of the dome.  Wasn’t it an unhealthy lifestyle with a short lifespan, even before Europeans arrived? Not at all, partly because the people lived close to the land and ate a balanced, nutritious diet – the first locavores. Weren’t they isolated? Not really, because each settlement had designated members who stayed separate from the tribe society and whose main purpose was to run long and fast, hundreds of miles, to carry news from one area to another. Fascinating!

Whenever Bill Green is at the Gardens, it’s fun to watch as people recognize him and greet him like an old friend. The day he interviewed the Danas, the storm-battered pathway to the Wabanaki Village was closed to visitors. Nonetheless, visitors were able to watch the the interview – and the Danas’ progress – high and dry, from the tree house that towers above the wigwam. They occasionally shouted words of encouragement or greeting to Bill, but he didn’t miss a beat. And you won’t want to miss the interview. We’ll include a link as soon as it’s available. ~ Barbara Freeman

We’ve had a new arrival, and as some Mainers might say, he’s wicked cunnin’. The cutest-ever, life-size bear cub is in his new home on one of the Blueberry Islands in the new Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. I’ve included a couple of photos – one wrapped and one from a distance – as a sneak peek. Visitors will get to meet him on Thursday, July 8, when we celebrate the Children’s Garden’s Grand Opening with a raft of festivities, including a parade, frog and chicken releases. activities for kids from 9 a.m. on, and special refreshments – with free admission all day for everyone! The opening ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. for this exciting Grand Opening, which is sponsored by Downeast Energy.

“Sal’s Bear,” as the bear cub is named, was sculpted by Nancy Schön and cast in bronze. He was in three pieces when we unloaded him from the back of a truck after his long ride from the Boston area, but he wasn’t broken. The two smaller bronzes that accompany the bear depict an overturned bucket of blueberries, pinecones and a chickadee – all symbols of Maine. The three-piece sculpture is now surrounded by low-bush blueberries and looks right at home.

The inspiration for the cub, who will have a permanent home in the Children’s Garden, is Robert McCloskey’s book, Blueberries for Sal. The universal response when we mention Sal seems to be, “I love that book!” Seeing the climbable, photogenic personification (bearification?) of the cub in the story will surely delight visitors, whether they’re children now, had the story read to them as children, or read it to their own children or grandchildren.

Nancy Schön will be at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Thursday, June 24, to help celebrate the art exhibit on view in the Visitor Center through July 17 – “Robert McCloskey: From the Drawing Board to the Page.” Please stop by between 5 and 7 p.m. on the 24th to see this wonderful show of dozens of originals and reproductions of the artwork McCloskey produced for his beloved children’s books, and to enjoy hors d’oeuvers and wine. This is the first time these works from the May Massee Collection at Emporia State University in Kansas have been on display to the public. The collection’s curator, Heather Wade, will be another special guest at the reception.  The maquette that served as a model for “Sal’s Bear” is also on view in the Visitor Center.      ~ Barbara Freeman

Entry into the Children's Garden

If you stand at the top of the broad stone steps overlooking the new Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden and just squint your eyes a bit, the garden looks finished – and amazing! Open your eyes and take a closer look, and it still looks amazing, BUT you’ll see buckets and ladders and hoses and sawhorses and all the clear signs that Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ newest addition is still under construction.

This crooked little "house" is in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden.

“Is it really going to be ready?” We hear that a lot from visitors when they learn that the Grand Opening celebration  will be on Thursday, July 8. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” We’re on schedule, and, Nature willing, the opening will be a grand celebration. Children’s activities on the Great Lawn begin at 9 a.m. The festivities proper start at 10:30 with welcoming remarks by special guests including U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Maine First Lady Karen Baldacci. Then the Boothbay Region Alumni Community Band will lead off a colorful parade with the “real” characters from classic children’s books featured in the Children’s Garden, including Miss Rumphius, who will be handing out packets of lupine seeds. Next comes the ribbon cutting, and we’ll all stream into the new garden to witness the chicken and frog releases and enjoy a garden of cupcakes and other refreshments. It will be a day to remember!

Opening weekend will be full of activities, and the fun and learning – and growing – will continue throughout the season. Please plan to visit often, and bring every youngster you know so you can see this wondrous garden through their wide-open eyes!

Here are a couple of photos from yesterday – exactly one month to the opening! ~ Barbara Freeman

Thanks to Dave Brodeur from Jorgensen I was able to get some bird’s eye photos yesterday.  Dave took me up on the 40 foot lift he was using to install the windmill in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden.  From this height it is clear just how complex and fascinating this new garden will be when complete.  The crews have been working steadily and thanks to this and some luck with the weather we are still a few weeks ahead of schedule.  The Windmill is the most dramatic addition this week, but the last week or two has seen the addition of the two swing arbors, the greenhouse and greenhouse arbor and the unveiling of the activity shelter (it had been wrapped in tarps to keep out the winter winds).  Jason and his stonemasons have nearly finished the stone wall and pillars at the group entrance below the pond and finished the matching wall and pillars at the main entrance, too.

Dave on the lift.

The completed windmill from above. The windmill is 28 feet tall and will pump water into a cistern. It will also feature weather instruments so young visitors can learn some basic meteorology.

Lee Dunning works on the apron welcoming visitors to the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden.

The partially installed greenhouse frame and completed shade arbor in the background. The greenhouse will be used by our Growing Green students to start seedlings in spring and house warmth-loving vegetables in the summer.

A view inside the activity shelter showing how the ledge flows into the space. All that is left to do now is to plant the roof next month.

The flagged stakes visible in this image mark the locations of the posts that will support the treehouse. This is the last of the structures to be built and work will begin on it during the next few weeks. Click on the image to view a sketch of the design by Herb Schaal.

Aerial view of the cottage and pond. The stonemasons are just beginning to lay the brick pavers around the cottage while others complete the group entrance gate in the background.

An aerial view of the entrance.