Around the Garden

This was a difficult weekend to put in any time in the garden, what with the astonishing assortment of hikes offered during the CT Trails Day Celebration. If you didn’t get out to enjoy nature’s bounty yesterday or today, there may be no hope for you.

This writer tagged along on the “Everyone Outside” and Rockfall Foundation-sponsored hike led by Lucy Meigs at Wadsworth Falls State Park. Very likely, a common theme on many hikes was the beauty of CT’s state flower, the Mountain laurel. The “Giant Laurel” at Wadsworth Falls is in full bloom, (see group picture) and truly lives up to its name.

More interesting to those under the age of ten was the array of wood frogs, tadpoles and salamanders at the vernal pool. A “family hike,” ours included a seven-week-old who seemed to like what he saw. At least, he uttered no words of complaint. Close to twenty other small people clustered around the pond scopes to get a really close look at tadpoles so advanced they were starting to grow feet. The next closest item of interest was a small snake skin found on a tree trunk.


Back at the home garden, however, there is a fair amount in bloom in addition to the Mountain laurels. Amazingly, the peonies haven’t been beaten to the ground by a hail storm, so here’s a trick for bringing them indoors to enjoy: dip each flower’s head into a pail of water and then shake gently. This will dislodge any ants that have been grazing in the petals’ folds.

An under-used tree in the landscape is the Japanese stewartia, which is coming into bloom right now. The blossoms are short-lived, but each one is a small jewel of dazzling white petals and bright golden anthers. Its botanical name, Stewartia pseudocamellia, tells you everything about the flowers.


The climbing hydrangea, a bit less exquisite, is a reliable bloomer that will attach itself to almost anything that doesn’t move. It looks terrific cascading over a stone wall, and does wonders for an otherwise boring deciduous tree. Best of all, this is a well-behaved vine that doesn't invade.

But do keep an eye out now for multiflora rose. This wild, vining rose will consume your garden if you are not alert – attractive though it is, with its small scented white flowers. Not only does it grow faster than kudzu, it will develop delicious hips that birds love. All unknowing, birds spread this invader everywhere, so it’s important to cut it to the ground when you see its brilliant white flowers. And wear heavy gloves, because this is not a plant that will give up without a fight.

And – most important – don’t forget to water your new plants! Our wet spring is evolving into a dryish early summer, and woody plants in particular need care. It’s best to give newly planted trees ten gallons of water once a week (unless we have a heavy rain); this will help their roots to develop properly. A little mulch – two to three inches is plenty – will keep the soil moist and protect against lawnmowers and weed-whackers.