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Tranquil Times
Autumn 2011 Newsletter
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Celebrating Twenty Five Years
It was twenty-five years ago in October 1986, that we purchased Tranquil Lake Nursery. We thank you all for your support over these past twenty five years and look forward to a bright and blooming future.
Warren Leach and Philip Boucher
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Creating a Sense of Place in Your Garden
I love plants and I love making gardens. To me, garden making is more than a horticulturally rich compositions of trees, shrubs, perennials and exotic plants, and it certainly is not a sterile production of bricks and mortar. What I love the most about garden design is the art of creating spaces. Places where you can sit or stroll, enjoy the cool of shade or the warmth of the sun, smell the flowers and fulfil one’s primeval connection to nature.
There are differing assertions regarding the character of a primordial space. “In the beginning was the wall”, is a pronouncement from Frank Lloyd Wright. Anthropologists declare “In the beginning was the floor”. Archaeologist proclaim that “architecture begins with the sheltering roof”.
My dear friend and mentor, Professor Holcombe Austin unequivocally articulated “In the beginning was the Place” in an essay he presented to the Hellenic Society for Aesthetics. Holcombe Austin was a Professor-emeritus of Philosophy and an astute scholar of architecture. His home was the last private residence designed by Walter Gropius and the design team TAC. Professor Austin also shared passions for the environment, gardens and trees. He was the driving force for planting scores of trees that beautify the Wheaton College landscape and memorialize classes and colleagues.New England.
His discussion and analysis of the character of Place touches on the psychological, ontological, literally temporal priority and the historicolinguistic. The spatial qualities of place and architecture share a commonality to the attributes found in garden spaces. Being attuned to the Genus Loci, ‘the spirit of the site’ is key to success and happiness in design.
Claire Sawyers, garden friend and Director of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, also articulates this importance of being in harmony with the spirit of the site in her recent book, The Authentic Garden, Five Principles for Cultivating a Sense of Place. Sawyers proposes five principles: 1) capture the sense of place; 2) derive beauty from function; 3) use humble or indigenous materials; 4) marry the inside to the outside, and 5) involve the visitor..
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, describes in his new book The Nature Principle the symptoms of “Nature-Deficit Disorder” and “Place Blindness”and even “Plant Blindness”. Send in the landscape horticulturist to the rescue!
Over the past twenty-five years we have imbued the landscape at Tranquil Lake Nursery with gardens that convey a purposeful sense of place. The gardens reflect a diversity of beautiful and drought tolerant plants in harmony to our sandy soils. We have created many garden niches, places to sit and contemplate the larger landscape and the daylily growing fields.
Several years ago, a nursery customer told me I had changed her life. What a flattering statement! Her epiphany occurred at a class I had taught at Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum, in which she became empowered to experience spatial garden design concepts unencumbered by pencil and paper. After all, a plan diagram is just one form of design communication, it’s the genius of place and that expression of the idea that counts in making gardens.
Need help divining your genius loci? We design and create garden from small city plots to country estates and are available to help you experience the wonders of plants and garden making.
Warren Leach |
Lauding the Late Season Garden
Our gardening inspiration and motivation in the landscape may be unduly influenced by arbitrary calendar dates, such as Labor Day or the autumnal equinox. Although the day length is certainly shortening, the breadth of beauty bursting forth in the garden is far from waning. The gardening season is not over by a long shot! Early fall is an ideal time for both planting a new garden or refreshing your current one. During this season, there is a wealth of herbaceous perennials and woody plants that sport colorful flowers, fruits and seedheads. Fall is so much more than just corn stalks and pumpkins.
A few years ago, we designed and planted a landscape that defines this “Late Season Garden”. It flourishes with September bloom that extends through October, with a finale of colorful late fall fruit lasting into winter accompanied by brightly pigmented twigs.
The garden space that we transformed was a partially walled, rectilinear plot viewed from a piazza. Adding to the design challenge, the area was filled with crushed stone from the house construction and devoid of any soil. We composed a double row grid to echo the architecture of the house and establish the bones of the garden. Six tree pits were dug within the geometric pattern and filled with loam. The floor of the garden space is paved with chevron patterned bands of bluestone that edge the planting beds. Rice stone, which is comfortable to bare feet, surfaces the unplanted spaces.
A grove of seven-son flower trees (Heptacodium miconioides) was planted in the grid matrix. It is a perfect tree to anchor this garden’s seasonal theme. Heptacodium is a small tree which blooms in September with panicles of fragrant white flowers. The flowers transform in October to amazing, bright pink, calyx-stars. Heptacodium’s exfoliating tan bark is also ornamental, adding to winter interest.
The blocks of Heptacodium are underplanted with Carex morrowii var. temnolepsis, (Silk tassel sedge) golden thyme, golden alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca ‘Golden Alexandra’), evergreen Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis), Geranium 'Rozanne' and autumn crocus (Colchicum). The drifts of naked lavender colchicum flowers blooming through the fine, hair-like mops of Carex ‘Silk Tassels’ is spellbinding. The purple flowers of Geranium 'Rozanne' and flowers and fruit of the golden alpine strawberries continues until hard frost.
Flanking the grove of Heptacodium are weeping flowering crabapples (Malus x ‘Molten Lava’) whose pendulous branches are laden with vivid red fruit, persisting throughout the winter.
The acid yellow umbels of Patrinia scabiosifolia float in horizontal drifts against the cascading, rosy mounds of purple bush clover (Lespedeza thungbergii ‘Gibraltar’). The evergreen yellow-banded spiked foliage of Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’ and fine textured leaves of Amsonia hubrichtii add contrasts in texture and color to the purple flowers of Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’.
Other late season perennials such as the lavender Aster oblongifolia ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, white Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank’ and pink Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’ contribute to a late season floral fanfare. Another edge of the garden is planted with a border of Asian spicebush (Lindera glauca var. salicifolia) underplanted with a native goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’). The golden foamy flowers of goldenrod set the stage for the Lindera’s pumpkin orange foliar transformation in late October. The Lindera leaves then fade to tan and persist all winter, adding a warm presence to icy winter snow.
Indigofera amblyantha is outstanding for its long season of constant bloom. A member of the pea family, this Indigofera is a shrub six or so feet in height and width. It is clothed in delicate grey-green compound leaves and thrives in dry soils, in full sun to part shade. Indigofera amblyantha blooms continuously with spiked clusters of shrimp pink flowers from the end of May to hard frost in late October! Combine Indigofera with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Hemerocallis ‘Back to School’, Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage) and Coreopsis ‘Full Moon’ against the maroon foliage of Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ for a knockout display in the late-blooming border.
This garden is sustained beyond its late blooms with colorful fall foliage and the evergreen boughs of conifers combined with colorful twigs and fruits. Japanese tabletop pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’) and a dwarf contorted white pine (Pinus strobus ‘John’s Find’) add a sculptural presence above winter’s snowy drifts. The fiery red stems of Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’, and red fruit of winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’) add to a the winter garden delights. Fall is definitely for Planting!
Warren Leach
Plants for the Late Season Garden
Late Blooming Perennials: |
Late Blooming Trees and Shrubs |
Aconitum ‘Cloudy’ |
Clerodendrum trichotomum |
Anemone tomentosa |
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Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' |
Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' |
Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite'
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Indigofera amblyantha |
Aster tataricus |
Lespedeza thunbergii |
Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' |
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Chelone sp. |
Colorful Fall Foliage |
Chrysanthemum koreanum 'Sheffield' |
White |
Coreopsis 'Full Moon' |
Actaea pachypoda |
Cimicifuga simplex 'Brunette' |
Yellow
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Eupatorium maculatum |
Ilex verticillata 'Chrysocarpa' |
Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' |
Red |
Hemerocallis ‘Autumn King’ |
Aronia arbutifolia |
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Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ |
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' |
Malus x. 'Indian Summer' |
Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece'
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Malus x. ‘Molten Lava' |
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Blue |
Colorful Fall Foliage |
Myrica pensylvanica 'Silver Sprite' |
Amsonia hubrichtii |
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' |
Lindera glauca var. salicifolia |
Black |
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' |
Aronia melanocarpa |
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Belamcanda chinensis |
Purple |
Lindera glauca var. salicifolia |
Callicarpa dichotoma |
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A Threesome of Sensational Shrubs for the Late Garden
Daphne x ‘Eternal Fragrance’ reblooms with sensuous fragrant flowers from late August through October. A delightful garden gem; for the entry garden, along a frequented path or by a terrace sitting area, Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’ delights with its long season of bloom. Plant Daphne in full sun to partial shade in well drained soil.
Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Spring Grove’ blooms with a fountain of lavender flowers in September. Plant this tough and drought tolerant member of the pea family in full sun. Lespedeza is a showy addition to a shrub border or other late blooming perennial such as sedum, aster, boltonia and ornamental grasses.
Lindera glauca var. salicifolia displays the most exquisite foliage. The fine textured leaves are olive green with lighter undersides. Jet black fall fruit and leaves that burst into flaming orange fall color are just part of Lindera’s garden delight. In November, the leaves fiery color eventually transform to a buff tan which persist all winter, warming the icy landscape. Plant a border of Lindera in full sun to part shade. A great combination with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’.
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Join us for this fun day filled with garden workshops and hands-on demonstrations that will help you to hone your gardening skills. We have invited a variety of speakers and exhibitors to share their knowledge and tools of the trade with you through workshops, hands-on activities, garden talks and demonstrations. Plan to spend the whole day and learn how to improve the look of your garden this autumn, while you also get ready for the winter ahead and the spring to follow.
Click here for a complete list of workshops and demonstrations.
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Workshops and Festivals
Fall Garden Festival
Saturday, October 1st, 2011
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public.
Join us for this fun day filled with garden workshops and hands-on demonstrations that will help you to hone your gardening skills. We have invited a variety of speakers and exhibitors to share their knowledge and tools of the trade with you through workshops, hands-on activities, garden talks and demonstrations. Plan to spend the whole day and learn how to improve the look of your garden this autumn, while you also get ready for the winter ahead and the spring to follow.
Learn how and when to divide perennials and prune shrubs, select trees for their fall and winter landscape interest or to attract butterflues and increase biodiversity or select from the top ten list of must have garden plants. Experience the fine art of Japanese-style garden arranging, renovating a mixed border, building a garden fire pit or gabion garden seat.
Workshop & Demonstrations
10:00 a.m. Artful Pruning of Your Trees and Shrubs
Jimmy Riddle, Tranquil Lake Nursery landscape crew
10:30 a.m. Planting for a Colorful Fall and Winter Garden
Warren Leach, Landscape horticulturist and co-owner Tranquil Lake Nursery
11:30 noon Gardening for Butterflies and Biodiversity
Debi Hogan, horticulturist and butterfly gardener
12:00 p.m. Designing and Constructing a Garden Fire Pit
Jimmy Riddle and Warren Leach, Tranquil Lake Nursery landscape crew
12:30 p.m. Designing and Planting Tips for Renovating a Mixed Border
Warren Leach, landscape horticulturist and co-owner Tranquil Lake Nursery
1:30 p.m. Creative Arrangements for the Fall Garden with a Japanese Flair
Gilbert Moore, Japanese flower arranger, long time gardener and nursery friend
2:00 p.m. Building a Gabion Garden Seat
Jimmy Riddle, Tranquil Lake Nursery landscape crew
2:30 p.m. Dividing Tips and Techniques for the Fall Garden
Philip Boucher, horticulturist and co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery
3:00 p.m. Top Ten Plants Must have Plants for Your Garden
Warren Leach, landscape horticulturist and co-owner Tranquil Lake Nursery
Bring a picnic lunch; we'll provide the drinks.
The nursery also has more than 10 acres of daylilies and Siberian and Japanese Iris in the field. Some of the late blooming daylilies will still be in bloom at the end of September. Tranquil Lake Nursery offers a diverse selection of perennials, herbs, shrubs, grasses and tender perennials. Bring a picnic lunch; we'll provide the drinks.
Plan to spend the whole day and learn how to improve the look of your garden this autumn, while you also get ready for the winter ahead and the spring to follow. You will also have the opportunity to wander among the gardens at Tranquil Lake Nursery, where you will see a diverse variety of perennials, grasses, shrubs and vines with late season interest. The gardens include a number of perennial borders, mixed perennial and shrub gardens, an ornamental vegetable garden, a thyme bench, container herb garden, an entry garden, an ornamental grass garden, a purple garden designed to attract hummingbirds, spectacular container plantings brimming with annuals and perennials, a pond-side water garden, a bog garden, a pool with a water rill, a dry-scree garden and a new reservoir garden with a stone wall that overflows to a drip fountain. All plants discussed during the day will be available for sale.
Click here for a complete description of each workshops and demonstrations.
Garden Design Day
Saturday, October 8th
from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The spring Garden Design Days were so poular that we are bringing them back for the summer and fall. This is a great opportunity to meet one-on-one with garden designer Warren Leach to discuss planting solutions for a garden problem. Does your garden need design finesse? Are you looking for planting solutions for a problem garden area? Or, do you just need to decide where to start?
On Saturday, October 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can register for a half hour special garden consultation with our own talented horticulturist and garden designer Warren Leach and he will help you come up with a planting design solutions. Bring photos of your garden area and rough measurements of your site. Warren will sketch out solutions and provide a suggested plant list.
Preregistration is required and must be accompanied by a $50 registration fee. This fee is redeemable for plants on the day of the consult. Consultation slots will be filled on a first call - first serve basis, so call and reserve your design time now.
Tranquil Lake Nursery also offers custom landscape design and installation. For those who prefer to do the work themselves, but just need a little guidance, you can also request a private garden consultation in your own garden. A limited number of one hour consultations are available with Warren Leach for a fee. These are generally schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the end of the day around 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. Send us an e-mail to request an available appointment.
Tranquil Lake Nursery
45 River Street
Rehoboth, Massachusetts 02769-1395
Phone: 508-252-4002 Fax: 508-252-4740
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