spring 2009 the gardener newsletter, delaware center for horticulture

8/9/2019 Spring 2009 the Gardener Newsletter, Delaware Center for Horticulture

1/8

Anyone who has walked across a paved road on a bright summer afternoon knows thatblack asphalt radiates shimmering heat. And in the search for parking, one of lifes small

victories is finding a spot with some shade.

Cities and suburban areas are always warmer than the surrounding countryside, a phenomenonknown as the urban heat island effect. Streets, parking lots and buildings absorb the

suns rays, and can increase temperatures by up to 20 degrees. Industry, vehicles and airconditioners add more warmth. Uncomfortable heat in our towns and cities means additionalenergy is used for cooling, and causes increased pollution from power plant emissions.

Roads and roofs create a different problem on rainy days: huge amounts of fast-movingstormwater, with no place to soak into the ground. In Wilmington, more than half of all

What's bloomingin this issue...

Rare Plant Auctionreport I page 2

Go Ask Alice I page 3

Survey highlights I page 4

Water Garden Tour I pag

Staff plant pick:Flowering Tobacco I page

New leaves for

12th Street I page 7

The Acme grocery store parking lot

in Trolley Square will soon be transformedby shade trees, landscaping and a rain garden.

continued on page 4

Hot in the CityNew plantings capture stormwater

and reduce summer heat

GardenerThe VOL. 32, NO. 1 SUMMER 2009

Delaware Center for Horticulture


2/82 The Gardener Summer 2009

A perfect spring evening set the tone for the 29th Rare Plant

Auction as hundreds of guests strolled through Longwood

Gardens East Conservatory, bidding on more than 600 unusual

plants and garden accessories. The event raised $100,000 to

enhance Delawares urban tree canopy, sustain community

gardens in low-income neighborhoods, and beautify city parks

with flowering perennials and shrubs.

Specimen plants with a Philadelphia heritage were featured this

year, so it was fitting that the highest winning bid of $2,200 was for

a Franklinia alatamaha, a tree discovered by John Bartram in 1765

and named in honor of his great friend, Benjamin Franklin.

Of course, we couldnt have had such a successful event without

months of preparation behind the scenes by more than 100

volunteers.A special thanks to them and to our wonderful

sponsors:Wilmington Trust,Astra Zeneca, Terrain at Styers and

Longwood Gardens.

Next year will be the 30th anniversary of Americas oldest Rare

Plant Auction. Put Saturday, April 24, 2010 on your calendar for

a fun and memorable evening.We hope to see you and your

friends there.

On a beautiful evening in May, we welcomed several political

dignitaries to the Center for Horticulture who were attending a

retirement party for Larry Sullivan, Delawares Public

Defender. As I stood at the top of our driveway greeting the

arriving guests, six large vehicles suddenly swept into the circle

and 18 Secret Service agents leapt out simultaneously. Then acar door opened in front of me, and Vice President Joe Biden

emerged to shake my hand warmly.

A few minutes later Congressman Mike Castle arrived, giving

me a great opportunity to thank him for incorporating our

suggested language into his National Highway Chokepoint

Congestion Relief Act. The bill now specifies trees and

green infrastructure as eligible capital improvements for

highway funding.

Before the party was over, I was also able to chat with Governor

Jack Markell about our recent partnership with the DelawareDepartment of Labor and Department of Corrections to hire

ex-offenders for tree planting along 12th Street. Our project

aligns nicely with his administrations recommendation to

strengthen job training and re-entry programs for people

leaving prison. (see story on page 7)

Later that night, I took Amtrak to D.C. for a national summitsponsored by the Alliance for Community Trees. This gathering

included urban forestry organizations, foundations, federal

agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and

the Department of Justice, professional nursery associations,

members of Congress and legislative aides. It was gratifying to

discover, networking with people from across the country, that

DCH has an excellent reputation. Within these circles, our

programs are considered highly credible and are often used in

other states as valuable models.

While in Washington, I met with legislative aides from all three

offices of our congressional delegation. I especially enjoyedmeeting with Jim Reilly, Senator Carpers Chief of Staff and son

of Alice Reilly, a long-time DCH member. At each meeting, we

discussed environmental topics and the work of the Center for

Horticulture in Delaware.

Our growing success in government relations is largely a result

of the momentum created by DCH board member Sherese

Brewington-Carr and our Public Policy Committee. Their

inspiration and advice has led to new partnerships with otherorganizations around policy issues, and expanded relationships

with state and federal legislators.

Thanks to each of you for your support as DCH becomes

more effective advocating for the trees, parks, gardens andpublic landscapes that help make our communities beautiful

and healthy places.

Washington comes to DCH

and DCH goes to WashingtonGarySc

hwe

tz

Rare Plant Auction raises more than $100,000to support Community Greening Programs


3/8The Gardener Summer 2009 3

Go Ask AliceAlice Davis: Garden Mentorand Community Builder

Alice Davis has

been quietlypassionate about

communitygardens inWilmington foralmost ten years.

It started when she participated in a YWCA-sponsoredstudy circle on racism, challenging her to do somethingpersonal that crossed racial barriers. An avid gardener, she

asked around and found Hazel Brown. For years, Hazel hadbeen building community through gardening in her Eastsideneighborhood. The two women began working together.Eventually the Shearman Street Intergenerational Garden

emerged, a dynamic program for kids aged 5 14.

At Shearman Street, kids grow vegetables and flowersand learn basic nutrition. Parents are invited to join in

the fun, and often request recipes. Children in thatneighborhood need more things to do, says Alice. Lordknows theyre easily distracted, but theres always one or

two each season who get really devoted to gardening. Itsexciting to see that happening.

The longer Alice volunteered at Shearman Street, themore convinced she became that growing things cantransform lives. I started hearing about urban farmsaround the world, and realized they provide a greatcommunity development tool, she says. Urban

agriculture creates real jobs for real people, doingsomething connected to the Earth. She began to dreamabout a farm in Wilmington that might someday provide

healthy food as well as local jobs for some of the kidsshe had come to love in the Intergenerational Garden.

One day Ann Mattingly (DCH Community Gardens

Manager) visited Shearman Street to help with theweeding, and Alice proposed the urban farm idea. She waspleased to discover that Ann had already been thinkingabout it. We needed funding to get started, says Alice.

So I offered my professional writing skills to help writethe first grant proposal.

Alices and Anns dream finally became a reality thisspring. Ground was broken for Delawares first community

farm, at 12th & Brandywine in east Wilmington. Thequarter-acre space is composed of eight empty lots. Raised

beds ensure that the harvest is growing in the best quality

soil, and make for easier plant care. A new fence protectsthe garden, and will eventually support espaliered fruit

trees, herbs and cut flowers.

Alices husband Tom also volunteers. A retired pastor,Tom is a grandfather figure to some of the Shearman

Street kids. He does more than help us keep order, saysAlice. He has a great ability to give undivided attentionto a kid who needs it. A talented amateur photographer

and videographer, Toms primary role at 12th & Brandywine

is documenting the process of establishing the farm.

The urban farmers are local neighborhood residents, plus

36 Wilmington teenagers from a healthy lifestyle andnutrition program run by Christiana Care, called CampFRESH. Alice, Ann, and Hagley horticulturalist PeterLindtner will be the main training team. The teens will

learn how togrow food,and willdevelop

business skillsby running a

farm standon-site.

Alice has abusy summer

planned. Inaddition tothe trainingprogram and

setting upa compostsystem at the

communityfarm, shesays, Ill still grow veggies in my own raised beds atShearman Street, and work with Hazel on the weekly

childrens program there.

READ THE BLOG!For the latest updates on

Delawares first urban farm, go to

http://delawarecenterforhorticulture.wordpress.com

TCDav

is

Photo Credit

TCDavis


4/8

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey this past winter. Your ideas andopinions are helping us evaluate the quality of our current programs and focus thevision for our future.

Many people told us that they go to the internet for answers to horticulture questionsand 60% of respondents said that they had visited our website in the past year. Whenwe asked the same question in 2003, only 20% said they had ever been to our website.These statistics reassure us that were moving in the right direction in our plans toredesign dehort.org and enhance our online resources.

The top reason that people gave for joining DCH is to support our mission, but themembership benefits are strong incentives as well. Respondents especially liked thediscounts offered at various businesses. If you have a favorite shop, nursery orrestaurant, let us know and perhaps we can add them to our growing list ofdiscount partners.

In our recent efforts to plant more trees throughout Delaware, it was reassuringto hear that more than 50% said that the expansion of DCH programmingstatewide was either Slightly or Very Important. We will continue doing whatwe do best in Wilmington, but we are also open to opportunities that allow usto bring successful urban greening projects to other towns in Delaware.

Stay tuned with your support and involvement, DCH is getting better all the time!

land is covered by impervious surfaces.

Consequently, the citys combinedsewers, carrying raw sewage andstormwater in the same pipe, oftenoverflow during heavy rains. Bacteria

and other contaminants then pourinto local rivers and streams.

Trees are the answerThe good news is that planting moretrees and planting them in the rightplaces can dramatically improve allof these issues. Large trees, shading

pavement and installed in appropriatelydesigned garden areas, have a wonderfulcapacity both to reduce heat and tocapture runoff.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture(DCH) recently published a major

report on the state of trees inWilmington. (Read it online athttp://urbanforest.dehort.org.)The research process included an

analysis of heat islands within thecity, and locations where frequentflooding occurs.

The parking lot of the Acme grocery

store in Trolley Squareis DCHs latestproject in urbanheat island and

stormwatermitigation. Notonly is it hot in

the summer, butthis lot also slopesdown towardDelaware Avenue,

and often floods nearthe bus stop.

The corner at

Delaware Avenue andNorth Dupont Street is

about to be transformed. There willsoon be 18 shade trees and eightnew planting beds. A narrow islandin the center, filled with trees andnative grasses, will be the most

prominent feature in the renovations.Perpendicular bumps will be installedto divert water off the asphalt and

into this planting bed. Shade trees

will be planted in a long trenchbeside the sidewalk, as well as along

the railroad embankment on theopposite side. A 2,000-square-footrain garden, filled with water-loving

Hot in the City continued from page 1

4 The Gardener Summer 2009

This parking lot (left) atNew Destiny Fellowship was once hot

and dusty and is located in a flood plain.

Today (right) the space supports 29 shadetrees and captures stormwater in grassyswales that stretch across the asphalt.

Highlights from DCH survey

How important is it that DCHexpand its programming statewide

Not Important

Slightly Unimportant

Neutral

Slightly Important

Very Important

Gary Schwetz


5/8

Make a day of it and bring a friend to the annual Water GardenTour. This self-guided tour showcases private gardens in northernDelaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. Ponds, fountains andwater features of all kinds will be open to the public. One ofthe gardens on this years tour was featured in Delaware Todaymagazine a Japanese-inspired retreat with a winding streamoverlooking a cliff-side rock garden.

See ponds that are easy to maintain and learn how to createentertaining outdoor spaces with water features. Enjoyoutstanding gardens that incorporate aquatic plants, waterfallsand stonework into the landscape. Meet the proud gardenerswho have produced these oases.

A map, guide book with directions, and garden descriptionsare included in the ticket price. The event is organized andsponsored by Gateway Garden Center. Tickets can bepurchased at DCH in Trolley Square or at Gateway GardenCenter in Hockessin. Proceeds will benefit DCH.

Water Garden TourSaturday, July 25

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.$15 for DCH members | $20 for non-members

perennials and shrubs, will add beautyto the lowest corner of the lot, andintercept runoff before it can reach

the storm drains.

Economic benefits resultBeyond the environmental

improvements, trees and careful

landscape design

create a positive

economic impact. Acme expects toreceive a tax credit on their stormwateruse assessment, and is pleased that the

landscape design maintains thesame number of parking spaces.Happier shoppers are also anticipated.

Studies have shown that consumersshop more often, and stay longer, inbusiness districts with shade, increasingsales by as much as 11%.

A year-old project is workingAcross town, a different parking lot isalready enjoying cooler

temperatures, better

air quality and fewerstormwater issues. New

Destiny Fellowship is

located on 16th Street

in northeast Wilmington.

This area, near the 11th

Street Bridge, has veryfew trees per capita. In

the summer its hot anddusty. Research by DCH

designated this neighborhood

as a high-priority area forinvestment in trees and

urban heat island mitigation.

In 2008, more than 2,500 squarefeet of the churchs parking lot was

excavated, and then planted withhardy native grasses and 29 largeshade trees. Two long planting beds

soak up and filter stormwater. Thetrees, along the perimeter as wellas in the middle of the lot, areWhite Swamp Oak and Okame

Cherry both varieties known tomature quickly.

Residents are sometimes surprisedto learn that the plants chosen forpublic landscape projects, like theAcme and New Destiny parking lots,

are not always covered with flowers.However, the species selected mustall be hard-working problem solvers.They are chosen for low maintenance

and adaptability to harsh urbanconditions. Beauty and color are

considerations in the designs, butso are other factors, like droughttolerance, speed of growth, andability to absorb stormwater.

And over the next few years, as theseparking lot projects become established,the neighbors will tell you theyre

really cool.

The Gardener Summer 2009 5

GarySchwetz

Take a stroll through 12beautiful private water gardens


6/8

Maybe I like Nicotiana

because of its scented

flowers or maybe because

its so easy to grow from

seed in garden beds, containers, any sunny spot for

annuals. It has a wonderful habit of blooming in the

evening, not during the day when you are at work. I

fondly remember planting a mass of Nicotiana Lime

Green in my first garden plot which bloomed exuberantly

all summer long. And when I studied plant biology in gradschool, experiments that had led to early breakthroughs in

understanding how plant hormones and day-length signal

flowering were done with Nicotiana such a refreshing

flower amidst the more usual, nondescript, weedy subjects

of plant physiology experiments.

Old-fashioned Nicotiana alata is beautifully scented but

rather tall at 4 feet. The same for Nicotiana sylvestris

(woodland tobacco) which tolerates light shade but

winds up 5-6 feet tall. Hybrid Nicotiana x sanderae

cultivars grow a more manageable 12-18 inches, althoughnot so well-perfumed. Flowers range from white to pink,

red, lavender, or green. Seed germinates mid-spring, and

when the ground warms up, you suddenly notice tiny

green rosettes of basal leaves where there used to be just

earth. These grow and grow, and when you think they will

be eternal floppy green mounds, you glance at them and

foot-high flower stalks are ready to bloom.

You can cut back individual plants to encourage rebloom,

and Im sure this would help plants look a lot perkier com

August and September, but Ive rarely bothered, as they

continue blooming unaided until first frost. They do

contain nicotine, which acts as an insecticide, although

not nearly as much

as Nicotiana tabacum,

commercial tobacco.

I enjoy watching last

years fallen seedssprout (pure nature,

I do nothing) and see

the plants get taller

and paler each year as

their genetics revert

to something closer

to the wild genotypes

in their ancestry.

After about three

generations they tend

to succumb to virusesand its time to start

seeds in a new spot.

And start them I do, because its so nice to come home on

a summer evening at dusk and see a container of them by

the back door, their glowing white blooms open fully and

smelling sweetly.

6 The Gardener Summer 2009

Sarah Deacle, Assistant Director of Programs

Staff Plant Pick: NicotianaFlowering TobaccoStaff Plant Pick: NicotianaFlowering Tobacco

Sarah Deacle, Assistant Director of Programs

Jen

Bru

hler

Carl E. Lewis


7/8

The Center for Horticulture is leading

an unusual assemblage of partners tocreate one of Delawares first green jobstraining programs. Five men, all recently releasedfrom prison or on work-release, have been chosen for this

pilot re-entry program. They are learning how to plant

trees and other marketable landscaping maintenance skills

that will aid in their transition back into society, while

providing valuable services to the community.

The men have been hired to install 150 trees in northeast

Wilmington along 12th Street out towards the Cherry

Island landfill. The six-week job training includes both

classroom lectures and hands-on experience. At the end of

the program, the participants will take a certification test

in proper tree care and other horticultural topics such as

plant types and plant identification, soil improvement,

invasive control, woody and herbaceous planting, and

maintenance techniques. In response to the need for

skilled landscape contractors who provide services in the

city, part of the curriculum will also cover basic information

about establishing and operating a small business.

Partners in this innovative project include the Delaware

Department of Labor, Department of Corrections,

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental

Control, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Wilmington

Department of Public Works, Kerns Brothers Tree Service,

Representative Hazel Plant, Senator Margaret Rose Henry,

and a handful of local civic associations.

Northeast Wilmington has the lowest percentage of tree

canopy coverage in the city. People who live in this part

of town are also predominantly low-income. The constantdust, air pollution and lack of shade are palpable indicators

of why this mixed industrial/residential area has been

designated a top priority for additional trees.

DCH has carefully designed the new landscaping along

12th Street to support large shade trees and to improve

stormwater drainage. Larger trees typically stand a better

chance of surviving and provide significantly greater

environmental services such as cleaning the air. The trees

for this project have been selected as species suitable to

urban conditions. Once the trees are planted, two of the

men from this pilot program will be paid to continue

watering and nurturing the trees as they become established.

The Markell Administration recently identified job

training and strong re-entry programs as key solutions

for positive reintegration of ex-offenders back into the

community. Several of the men in this pilot project have

families based in the neighborhood where the trees are

being installed and are especially excited to be selected for

this green jobs program. As the men develop marketable

skills, they will also be improving their home neighborhoods

and building their self-esteem.

The Gardener Summer 2009 7

New leaves for 12th StreetOne of Delawares first green jobs training programs

Cyril McCray and Rahman Potts put the finishing touches on a new

row of London plane trees on 12th Street near the Howard R. Young

Correctional Institution (Gander HIll).

Gary

Sc

hwe

tz


8/8

1810 N. Dupont Street

Wilmington, DE 19806

d h

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWILMINGTON, DE

PERMIT No. 371

Staff: Pam Sapko, Executive Director Annie Acton, Tree Program Administrative

Assistant Joanne Bateup, VISTA Intern Jen Bruhler, Parks and Forestry

Outreach Manager Sarah Bruce Deacle, Assistant Director of Programs Anita

Jimerson, Office Manager and Development Associate Joe Matassino, Director of

Development Ann Mattingly, Community Gardens Manager Andrew Olson,

Landscape Maintenance Supervisor Michael Ray, Information Technology Manager

Sarah Loomis, VISTA Intern Gary Schwetz, Director of Programs Wendy

Scott, Editor & Communications Manager Patrice Sheehan, Tree Program Manag

Marcia Stephenson, Special Events Coordinator Jacque Williamson, Parks

Program Coordinator Lenny Wilson, Horticulture and Facilities Manager

Layout: Lehman Design Inc. All photos courtesy of DCH unless otherwise indicated

Delaware Center for Horticulture

1810 N. Dupont Street, Wilmington, DE302-658-6262 dehort.org

The Delaware Center for Horticulturecultivates a greener community; inspiringappreciation and improvement of ourenvironment through horticulture,education and conservation.

Whats in a DCH membership?Your ticket to plants, people, places and discounts!

Join DCH to meet and share ideas with other gardeners, listen to

expert lectures, participate in hands-on workshops, tour private

and public gardens, and enjoy volunteer opportunities.

Your membership quickly pays for itself through discounts at

participating merchants, as well as free admission to many

botanical gardens, arboreta and conservatories through the

American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program.

Youll be invited to exclusive members-only events throughout

the year, and each fall youll receive a beautiful perennial or shrub

as our gift to you.

Join today and bring a friend! There's much

to do, learn, and enjoy as we expand our urban tree canopy,improve public landscapes, sustain community gardens, and

beautify city parks.

spring 2009 the gardener newsletter, delaware center for horticulture

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