KUL KAH HAN
NATIVE PLANT DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
2011(July-November)Update
One of the most rewarding facts at the end of this year is that there are over 220 species of northwest native plants now living in the garden. Due to many hours of hard labor, the total length of our walkable pathways is over 500’. Linda has designed another 400‘ feet and Doyle Yancey of Egg & I Gardens has committed himself to their development.
Approximately 1/3 of the plants now have signage next to them thanks to past grants from local Master Gardeners and Native Plant Society. We will seek more funds next year to increase our coverage.
We greeted visitors from Marysville, Seattle, Eugene, Quilcene, Marrowstone Island, Port Townsend and Port Hadlock.
In case you haven’t noticed, Robin Nye, Forest Steward, never slows down. After clearing and planting 300’ of Forest edge over the past 2 years, she has now cleared an area approx 35’ square within the Alder Grove to ready it for a colorful mass planting of a drought tolerant, 15”-18” tall wildflower.
Here is Robin enjoying the blossoms of the Collomia grandiflora she planted last year at the outside edge of the Alder Grove.
Ann Evans, a new volunteer this year, has graciously and deeply wielded her shovel on the horsetail that had heavily invaded the subalpine area. Now we are moving forward with the native plantings there.
Patty Ferry, our Nursery Assistant, has recently planted several flats of various seeds from the garden. She has also potted up and labeled well over 200 plants this year, some of which are available for purchase at The Gardens At Four Corners. As you may know, they very generously give us every penny of what they take in. Many more will be for sale at the Master Gardener Plant Sale next May.
Doyle Yancey has donated one of his beautiful bird watching benches, designed by environmentalist, Aldo Leopold. We placed it by the path to Joanna Reinstra’s labyrinth.
Sami Gray, our propagator, has again donated several plants which include a Wyethia which is new to us and inspires us to learn more about it.
Toby Sheffel, our Subalpine Steward, recently surprised us with a large number of plants he had grown for us at his home. We will miss him dearly as he is moving to Tacoma to join his wife who landed a good job there. Anyone out there who is interested in taking his place to work with these charming little gravel loving plants? Contact Linda.
In September, Linda met Steve Erickson and Marion Edain, a pair of unrelenting environmental and restoration activists on Whidbey Island, who donated 15 large allium cernuum bulbs, now planted in the Garry Oak Meadow.
For certain reasons, we sometimes lose track of the actual species names of some of our plants. So, when Dixie Llewellyn, Fred and or Ann Weinmann of Native Plant Society show up, we get our chance to put things straight. Here’s the group pondering the characteristics of some of our plants.
Ann also donated several species from the Weinmann’s home garden.
We want to express our continuing gratitude to Molly Hilt, County Parks Forewoman, who is always there for us when we need certain services and materials. And to Rick Doherty, a friend of Linda’s who prepared and installed 12 new signs this summer.
We have enjoyed working with the following volunteers who showed up at the garden this year; Joanie Beldin-Official Photographer, Dennis Burk, Ginny B.,Wes Eng-Handyman, Jean Erreca-Irrigation, Ann Evans, Patty Ferry-Nursery Assistant, Sami Gray-Propagator, Graywolf, Mike Hayward, Ellen Larkin-Nursery Manager, Jesse Latham, Dixie Llewellin-Plant I.D., Robin Nye-Forest Steward, Bill Petro, Carol Scrol-Montane Steward, Toby Sheffel-Subalpine Steward, Fred and Ann Weinmann and Doyle Yancey-Path Construction/Maintenance. It is because of you that we are able to continue to develop this botanical garden which fosters awareness and appreciation of Pacific Northwest native plants.
Photos in this report by Rick Doherty and Linda Landkammer.
Contact Info: Linda Landkammer Designer-In-Chief wild4nature@q.com