The Conservational Gardener

By Nanny Fontanella

In honor of Woodstock, make love (and habitats), not war

	Contributed photo (Click for larger image)

An article in The New York Times suggests development has outstripped population growth, arguing for the preservation of a corridor of wilderness stretching from New England to Pennsylvania.

Locally, wilderness and public access are endangered due to upscale development, which has been promoted as a way of “widening the tax base.” My attorney, Bernie, told me an increase in development does not necessarily lower taxes.

Two English gardeners have profoundly influenced American horticulture; Gertrude Jekyll is famous for her concept of drifts, borders of flowers that create an almost wave like effect, and Vita Sackville West developed the theme garden with her husband Harold.

So Americans, for more than half of a century, have been drifting or building “rooms” outside. With the loss of wilderness, a more regional concept is developing. Habitats provide shelter and sustenance for wild creatures, encourage the survival of native plants and allow the gardener to hide in his or her own micro-universe. My first apartment was a basement studio straight out of “Wonderful Town.”

Oh why-O did I leave Ohio/ maybe I better go O-H-I-O/ maybe I better go home.

It was below street level with one window, but I had living and dining areas, a bedroom, a den and a kitchen all in one small room. Therefore, it seemed natural to make my garden into a series of habitats.

A large lawn is great for a game of croquet but discourages birds, butterflies and dragonflies as there is no place to build a nest or hide. We’ve built grassy pathways wide enough (almost) for a ride-on-mower bordered by hedges, shrubs, small trees, perennials and intimate water features that shelter frogs and toads. Vines provide food for birds and are trained to twine along the fence, a tree or shrub rose. Gooseberries, currants, kiwi, raspberries, grapes arbors, bush cherries and mulberries form thickets that feed creature and gardener.

Deserts of hardy cactus coexist with daylilies, red-hot poker, ornamental grasses, yucca and peonies. Adorable plants are stuck here and there amid shelves of stone. Heath and heather work well with low-growing conifers, bleeding heart, annuals and peonies. Vegetables live happily with ornamentals and peonies. Strawberries, wood anemone and other ground covers thrive under fruit trees. Different lily varieties coexist with rudbeckia, helianthus, ajuga, blueberries and peonies.

Medicinal plants grow alongside flowers, tomatoes and peonies. Roses hang out with hostas, peonies and other bushes. My husband Bob built stone steps down to a lower vegetable garden and a shaded area replete with perennials, ferns, mosses and peonies.

I love peonies.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, send them to asknanny@riverreporter.com.