The Perfectly Imperfect Woodland Garden

Post 73

I can imagine the perfectly imperfect woodland garden in spring.

For an understory it would have bluebells and forget-me-nots, daffs and species tulips, hellebores, trilliums, woodland poppies, primroses, may apples, wild ginger, ferns, barrenworts, money plants and plants I do not yet know the names of.

The midstory would be azaleas, rhodos, fothergillas, dogwoods, serviceberries and magnolias.

All this would be under ancient trees, with an modest farmhouse and a few well-used outbuildings sharing the plot.

And, of course, this bucolic kingdom (too small, comfortable and unpolished to be an estate,) would be somewhere near a convenient village center, but hidden away, maybe reached by a dirt road winding off a rarely-used street.

Could such a place exist? Yes. of course it could. In fact it does, tended by a retired geneticist who still comes out and digs up a primrose here and there to gift a worthy up-coming plant sale. May we all have her vigor, intelligence, generosity, humor, busy life and green thumb at 92! Hmmm, and would we had and have such virtues at an younger age too.

While few of us live in such natural splendor, many of us garden yards that are at least partially shaded by big trees. This expanse of spring loveliness is an inspiration of what can be done under such conditions.

All these plants spread on their own and grow well between tree roots.

Do you need some of the plants listed and pictured above?  if so, you are in luck. It is almost time for the Ned Wolf Park plant sale.

"Ned Wolf Park is located at the corner of Ellet St. and McCallum St. in the beautiful Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.  This year we've scheduled our annual sale of perennials, shrubs, annuals & miscellaneous garden stuff for Saturday, May 11th from 10 am to 1 pm. "
http://nedwolfpark.blogspot.com/

Ned Wolf Park Plant Sale: May 5th 10-1

Post 36

Now is the time of plant lust.

Now is the time to fill those gaps in the garden, to buy useful and/or unusual plants at bargain prices, to get advice and tips from fellow-gardeners and to enjoy a splendiferous morning at a community park/garden event. 

As the Philly Fun Guide says "This beloved community plant sale will offer hundreds of perennials for sun and shade, shrubs, annuals, houseplants, and tools—all donated to support the Friends of Ned Wolf Park."  Also, local gardeners will be available for gardening questions.

Ned Wolf Park is in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, at the corner of McCallum and W. Ellet Streets. It is gardened by volunteers as both a lush local refuge and an educational exhibit garden of what is possible in a small space in this area. Not only are there benches for sitting and a section of sunny grass for sunning,but  there are also plant guides to help beginning gardeners learn how to create a garden.

 It is a city park named after a local activist lawyer who was head of the West Mt. Airy Neighbors Assoc. during the critical years when Mt. Airy was becoming what U.S. News and World Report has called the most successful integrated neighborhood in the U.S.  It is a fitting memorial to a man who cared so much about the community he loved.