THE DIRT

Spring Issue 2019, Volume 45, Issue 1

2019 Vermont Flower Show page 4

VNLA Award Winners 2018/19 page 12

Visiting the Gardens
1 of Stockbridge page 27
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Ralph Fitz-Gerald COMMITTEES
Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Ashley Robinson 2111 Greenbush Road BUDGET AND FINANCE
Ashley Robinson Landscape Designer Charlotte, VT 05445 COMMITTEE CHAIR
PO Box 28 802-425-2811 Nate Carr - Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
Charlotte, VT 05445 field@horsfordnursery.com 802.425.5222
802.922.1924
arobinsonld@gmail.com Marie Limoge INDUSTRY AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
21 Densmore Drive #21 Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
VICE-PRESIDENT Essex Junction, VT 05452 802.922.1924
802-272-8744
Hannah Decker limogemp@gmail.com LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc. Gabriel Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC
7 Blackberry Hill Road Sarah Salatino 802.233.8551
Fairfax, VT 05454 Full Circle Gardens
802.849.2775 68 Brigham Hill Road MARKETING & EDUCATION
perennialfarm@surfglobal.net Essex, VT 05452 COMMITTEE CHAIR
802-879-1919 Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
SECRETARY/TREASURER info@fullcirclegardens.com 802.922.1924

Elise Schadler MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

Nate Carr
VT Urban & Community Forestry Program Hannah Decker - Fairfax Perennial Farm
Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation 802.849.2775
287 Church Hill Road
Technical Assistance Coordinator
Charlotte, VT 05445
111 West Street PROGRAM COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
802.425.5222
Essex Junction, VT 05452 Sarah Salatino - Full Circle Gardens
nate@churchhilllandscapes.com
802-522-6015 802.879.1919
DIRECTORS elise.schadler@vermont.gov
RESEARCH & AWARDS
Gabriel Bushey EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMITTEE CHAIR
Crafted Landscapes, LLC Marlys Eddy - Vermont Technical College
176 South Maple Street Kristina MacKulin 802.728.1207
Vergennes, VT 05491 VNLA/Green Works
802.233.8551 P.O. Box 92 VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST
info@craftedland.com N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 COMMITTEE CHAIR
Toll Free: 888.518.6484 Nate Carr - Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
Marlys Eddy 802.425.5222
Vermont Technical College P: 802.425.5117; F: 802.425.5122
PO Box 500 Kristina@greenworksvermont.org
Randolph Center, VT 05061 www.greenworksvermont.org
802.728.1207
meddy@vtc.edu

THE D
Spring
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Issue
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42, Issu
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Connect with the VNLA/
Advertise with us! Green Works on Social Media!
Connect with us, post to our pages, or let us know something
special you would like to share and we'll share it. It's another
Contact the Dr. Pe
lle tt Aw way for us to help your business thrive! You can find us at ...
VNLA office today!
Green ard
Works page
Habi Aw ards
5
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apes page
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page

THE D
21

Issue 2
me 42,

Facebook: @greenworksvt & @vermontflowershow

6, Volu
Issue 201

888.518.6484
Summer

Instagram: @greenworksvt & @vtflowershow

5
page

Garden
tanic
tary Bo
The Ro
1

2
 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer

inside
this issue
Board of Directors 2

The President’s Letter 3

The Buzz 4
2019 Vermont Flower Show
VNLA Winter Meeting
Dear Fellow VNLA Members & Friends, be particularly verbose. The energy is strong;
Recap
the warmth is new, the light bright, things
So here we are as Spring has arrived and it’s a happen quickly. What better time to pay VNLA Award Winners
new start to a new season and a new face to attention! With Deep Sadness
the inside of The Dirt!
Welcome New Members/
Let’s also turn attention to some other VCH
Hi all, Ashley here, I may not know all of you happenings. Join us on June 19, 2019 for a
VPOC Project Round 2
yet, but I hope and look forward to meeting twilight gathering - Vermont Zen Center
you soon. As your new VNLA president, I am Garden Tour and on July 16, 2019 we will Calendar of Events
honored and excited to be stepping in to fill gather at Cobble Creek Nursery for a Plant ID
Leonard’s Clippings 18
these big shoes! Following in the footsteps of refresher and nursery tour. The Summer
Ed Burke and VJ Comai before that, I’ve been Meeting & Trade Show is on August 1, 2019 at The Lab 20
lucky to serve on the board with them at the Fairfax Perennial Farm. The presentation Observations from
helm. I’ve learned and grown to personally see topics and details are in the works. The UVM Diagnostic Lab
the immense value VNLA brings to its brainstorming of these events and related New from the VT Agency of
members, communities, schools, and the state! business is the work of our board. Agriculture
As Ed said, we are one “Brave little group” that
has made big impressions on thousands of I’d like to welcome the board’s newest The Idea Factory 26
people, not only through the Vermont Flower member, Elise Schadler. Elise is the Technical New Directions in the
Show, but throughout our Brave Little State. Assistance Coordinator for the Vermont Urban American Landscape
& Community Forestry Program. She supports Visiting the Gardens of
The tremendous success of the 2019 Flower Vermont municipalities, citizen volunteers, Stockbridge for Learning
Show proves the breadth of our reach. What a tree wardens, and partner organizations in the and for Fun!
wonderful feeling to touch the hearts and management and stewardship of trees in
Strictly Business 30
minds of thousands near and far. It truly public spaces. Learn more about her work and
The Boom-X Paradigm
wouldn’t be possible without the tireless the program at www.vtcommunityforestry.org.
efforts of hundreds of volunteers, donors, Welcome Elise! New Member Profile
sponsors and our fearless leaders, Kristina
The Plant Lounge 33
MacKulin and Melita Bass among them, whose On that note, I’ll sign off, wish you luck and These are a Few of My
many months of work make it happen! Please cheer for a good start to the season! Enjoy! Favorite Plants!
see the article on page 4.

And now we are underway! It’s spring after all!

It’s our time to get outside, train, and aide,
create, learn and love our landscapes. It’s a
special time for many of us eager to touch the
earth and enjoy the senses. I’ve stepped out to
Ashley Cover Photo: by Dick Conrad.
do just that, and as I rebuild our cairn, I’m
Narcissus ‘Jet Fire’ in their full
reminded that stone, like plants, has a glory.
language. Somehow it tells you where it wants
to be (or rather, where it doesn’t want to be…)
But if we listen, look and pay attention, with
patience, it will be revealed. Spring seems to

3
 THE BUZZ
the low down on what’s up!

2019 Vermont Flower Show

by Kristina MacKulin, Chairperson
It may have been a long winter but it worms, and so much more! Visitors
come from all over Vermont, New
ended with a bright spot – our very
York, New Hampshire,
own Vermont Flower Show held on
Massachusetts, Canada, and beyond.
March 3-5, 2019 at the Champlain
Valley Expo. As you can see by the In 2017 we expanded the footprint
photo we broke an attendance record of the show to include Expo North,
with 11,500 people attending – it was where the Grand Garden Display is
a great way to chase away what was now housed. It is hard to fathom
left of winter! Our theme, Wonder how we managed it all in previous
– A Garden Adventure for All Ages years in just two buildings. This
proved to be a expansion has
magical walk allowed us to
through our offer wider
nearly 20,000 aisles, more
square foot seating and
landscaped expand the
display. In food vendors.
addition there which creates a
were a variety of more leisurely
other show
happenings at experience that
the show over is not as jam
the course of packed.
the three days. One thing is for sure – However, with record attendance it did
there is no other flower show like ours. get a bit crazy at the busiest times.
We are fortunate to have a group of Below is a snapshot/recap of this
people willing to come together and year’s show, in case you were unable
collaborate on the design/build of the to attend.
Grand Garden Display. This group
effort truly speaks to what Vermont is The Show – Wonder – A Garden
all about and why we are all a part of Adventure for All Ages
the Vermont Nursery & Landscape
Association! Before I dive into the show details,
here is some attendee feedback we
When the doors open and the public received over the three days. As you
enters it makes all the effort can see by their enthusiasm it makes
Above: the show entrance and overhead view as all the work that goes into the show
worthwhile and reinforces why the
VNLA/Green Works continues to attendees enjoyed the Grand Garden Display. very gratifying:
produce the Vermont Flower Show. We Below: the Woodland Walk of Wonder!
•"Fabulous display garden! Thank you
spread the “horticultural” word as well for all the amazing planning and WORK
as educate and inspire. We bring Spring alive for a few short that you did to bring us this”.
days and remind everyone that winter is almost over. The true • “Beautiful early Spring!!"
draw of the Flower Show is that it appeals to all ages – there is • “It was a great show and much needed uplift of spring color!
really something for everyone. In three short days we greet so Thank you for all the hard work and energy that goes into
many visitors and get to talk about plants, designing, creating an event like this!”
gardening, landscaping, flower arranging, soil, insects, art,
4
 • “The teamwork apparent among the The Urban Courtyard was the
participants as opposed to a feeling of entrance to the display representing a
competition at every turn”. haven from a noisy, tech-laden
• "I loved the flower show. You folks do demanding world. Fragrances of the
an incredible job. I look forward to the outdoor landscape permeated the air
next one”. and represented how plants can
• “The first time I attended was 2 yrs thrive in less than ideal conditions,
ago, right after the death of my son. I growing robust and green in an
experienced such comfort from being otherwise hard urban environment.
there and I'm very grateful to have
found you. At the end of the show, I The Breathing Room was designed
was able to purchase his favorite and built by students from the
hyacinths which rebloomed last spring Building Systems Program at the
and my heart was glad”. Center for Technology, in Essex in
• “Thank you so much!" collaboration with the Grand Garden
• “Best flower show our group has gone Display Committee. It was a “room”
to in 3 years! Thanks for having us”. filled with plants that oxygenate the
air and promote relaxation. At the
The Grand Garden Display – conclusion of the show it was raffled
Expo North off with proceeds going to CTE. We
Choosing the theme Wonder — A Garden have a long-standing relationship
Adventure for All Ages for the 2019 Vermont working with CTE students. The
Flower Show was an easy decision for the students are always so eager and
core group of VNLA enthusiastic.
members who establish
and develop the design The Woodland
for the Grand Garden Walk of Wonder
Display. In today’s represented a
world of technology, fantastical
with too much screen woodland as
time and demanding standing trees gave
schedules, it’s no way to showers of
wonder we forget the dripping lights.
basics of taking care of This became one of
ourselves. It’s no the most
wonder we forget about asked about
wonder. Wonder is features of the
defined as a feeling of display.
amazement Further down
and the path
admiration or brought you
curiosity. to a
Wonder goes
hand-in-
hand with Contemplation Bench and a beautiful stone sphere to gaze
beauty. As upon. This area also drew the most people taking selfies –
nursery and sitting on the bench together and enjoying the intimate
landscape quietness the space offered. Just around the bend the
professionals woodland “fantasies” were represented by mossy, giant-like
when we think of beauty we think of nature, from beautifully troll heads and colorful giant sized mushrooms. There were
manicured lawns to greenhouses full of flowers to ecologically many ooohs and aaaahs.
designed landscapes and handcrafted stonework. In building
the various “sections’ of the Grand Garden Display, the The Mandala and Standing Stone Glen came next. The
committee chose to represent “wonder” in a variety of ways. mandala was created entirely out of hundreds of flowering
Below are descriptions of those “sections” as one meandered bulbs and was viewed by climbing the stairs of the viewing
down and around the path and through the display. platform (built by CTE students many shows ago). The colors

5
and design were all ages! Our average
delightful. Then attendee spends 3-4
in a more restful hours at the Vermont
setting across the Flower Show! We had
way, standing 95 exhibitors
stones were participate this year!
placed and Exhibitors offered
surrounded by products, information,
lush green grass, and services that
offering a hint of related to plants,
features from gardening,
ancient times. landscaping,
composting,
The Sensory and more.
Maze offered a The Vermont
winding path Specialty
where a variety Food/Spirits
of plants and exhibitor
natural materials area was a
offered different big draw as
smells, textures, well. A big
and colors where thank you to
you could reach Delaney, Meeting &
out and touch – Event Management,
all at a 4’ level. It the firm who
truly was a oversees the facility
sensory and vendors before,
experience and we during, and after the
saw many people show. They
walk the maze make
more than once! everything
seamless.
At the exit of the
Dr. Leonard
path a large
Perry
arbored space was
organized 30
created to house
seminars and
the VNLA/Green
Kristina
Works information
MacKulin
booth. On display
organized 14
were informational
hands-on
boards on how the
workshops over
grand garden
the three days, 20
display was built
of which were
as well as recognizing all the people who play a part in the
presented by
show. Also on display was information about the Association,
VNLA members.
the Industry Award winning projects from 2017 and 2018,
The subject
winners of the VNLA awards from 2018/19, and a display board
matter covered a
listing all our members and VCHERs. VNLA members staffed
wide array of
the booth all three days to answer any questions attendees
topics over the
might have.
course of three days. The seminars and workshops continue to
be a big draw and offers a wide range of educational and
The Rest of the Show – Expo South and the
learning opportunities, one of the key mission’s of the show.
Blue Ribbon Pavilion!

While the Grand Garden Display is our true creative The very popular Family Room was filled with kids and
masterpiece there are many other show features offered each families planting seeds, digging for worms, and watching some
day. The goal is to have something for everyone and appeal to awesome entertainment provided by Tom Verner of Magicians
6
Without Borders, NEW THIS YEAR was
Mister Chris and the Art Gallery/
Friends Band, and Exhibition organized by
No Strings Janet Dufrane and
Marionettes Marilyn Van Houten.
presented “Sharp This art gallery featured
Ears”. The Family local artists displaying
Room would not be their original art or
complete without photography with a
hat making and it is them of Flowers and
always such a pleasure to see Gardens. It was a
the many “floral” hats parade wonderful addition to
by! We owe a debt of the show and there was
gratitude to Terry Skorstad some amazing art
who is the mainstay behind work to peruse.
the Family Room and
coordinates and find staff for Speaking of ARTISTS
the Family Room all three I would like to
days, including set-up. acknowledge Amanda
Bates, an art teacher
The Federated from St. Albans who
Garden Clubs of VT agreed to created the
was back and artwork for the show
displayed their pro bono. We are
“National Garden very grateful. We
Standard Flower also had the
Show” with a theme following local
of Gardens of Late artists painting
Winter Wonder in “live” in the grand
the Blue Ribbon garden display
Pavilion. The over the course of
display was the three days:
organized by VT Reed Prescott,
Garden Club Prescott Galleries
members, Kathy at Verde
Perkins and Mountain,
Wendy Howard. Shanley Triggs,
This is a judged Vermont H’Art,
competition with Libby Davidson,
entries from VT garden Starflower
club members from all over Studios, Kathleen Berry
the state. A section of this Bergeron, Kathleen Grant,
flower show was also open Kathleen Grant Studios,
to the public. It was and Monique Dewyea.
wonderful to have them
back participating in the At the close of the show on
show! Sunday we also offered a
plant sale. This helps us
The Vermont Garden with clean up and allows
Railway Society (VGRS),
Artists: Kathleen Berry Bergeron and Reed Prescott. people to enjoy the flowers
also located in the Blue a bit longer. The proceeds
Ribbon Pavilion again set from the sale broke our plant sale record. A gratitude of thanks
up their ever popular landscaped train display. Their display, to Marijke Niles, who organized the many volunteers and
organized by Dave Cozzens, John Joy, and Carl Kokes, coordinated the sale from start to finish.
attracts all ages and is always packed with visitors! VGRS is
celebrating their 25th anniversary and are always looking for
more train enthusiasts.
7
More Thank You’s sale at the close of
to The Committees the show, as well as
the herculean effort
The Vermont of cleanup Sunday
Flower Show is no through Monday.
small FEAT and This committee
that is putting it worked together in
lightly! While it such an effortless
seems like magic way and tends to
occurs in 4 short every detail.
days to build/set up Above: The plant sale frenzy! Below: Committee members and volunteers during set-up.
everything – the The Sponsors
true magic is the We are ever so
many wonderful grateful to our
people who monetary sponsors
collaborate and which keep our
come together to show in the black
actually make it all and contribute to
happen. The the success of the
Flower Show show. We were able
Committees spent to again produce a
hundreds of hours beautiful, reusable
organizing and cotton bag that we handed out to attendees. Here is a list of
planning our the 2019 sponsors:
signature event over the past 18
months. Please take a moment to Presenting: Market 32/Price Chopper and The DoubleTree
recognize these committee by Hilton, Burlington. Bag Sponsors: Bartlett Tree Experts,
members listed on page 10. Bristol Electronics, diStefano Landscaping, Inc., and
A big thank you to the members Gardener’s Supply Company. Seminar Sponsors: American
of the Grand Garden Display Meadows, Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus, and Gardener’s
Committee! I remain very proud Supply Company. Vermont Specialty Foods/Spirits Sponsor:
and humbled at what this group Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Supporting Sponsors:
accomplishes. They give up Hanson & Doremus Investment Management and Branch
numerous hours of their own Out Burlington. Contributing Sponsor: North Country
time, often taking away from Organics. Equipment Sponsors: Milton CAT, United
their own businesses and home Rentals, Harvest Equipment, Got That Rental & Sales, Essex
life, to meet monthly, coordinate Equipment. Other Sponsors: UVM Extension/Master
donations, send so many emails, Gardeners and CW Stageworks.
and basically see to all the aspects and details of the show.
We are also extremely grateful to the many in-kind sponsors
Also, a shout out to the Grand Garden Display Committee co- that donated time, labor, equipment, plants and materials. We
chairs, Melita Bass and Gabe Bushey, and design coordinator could not continue to produce the Flower Show without all this
Marie Limoge for their leadership. A shout out to the many support. Please take the time to recognize all of our sponsors
who were instrumental in supplying and forcing the plant on Page as there are too many to list here. The show would
material for the show - the plants were a work of art! Without not be able to happen without this support! Please see page
these people and Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse and 10 for a complete list of all our sponsors.
Fairfax Perennials, there would be no beautiful plants and no The Volunteers
show! All of the committee members deserve many thanks and
recognition for their team effort and collaboration. There are hundreds of volunteers that came forth over the
course of the week to help set up and staff the show! We are
A big thank you to the Flower Show Committee members who forever grateful for this continued support. Thank you to our
tend to the many other aspects of the show: the vendors, VNLA members, master gardeners, students, and community
organizing seminars, workshops, organizing hundreds of members who came forward to help build the show, to staff the
volunteers, organizing the family room activities and show and to help do the dirty work of clean-up! A very special
entertainment, the train/garden display, the art gallery, the thank you to Shari Johnson, the Flower Show Committee
Federated Garden Clubs of VT display, spearheading the plant
8
volunteer coordinator. It is a big stewards of the earth - one flower
task answering all those emails and show at a time.
getting everyone where they need While some of our members might
to be! Also, a special thank you to wonder what they get out of a
Cheryl Dorschner and other flower show when they don’t live in
volunteers who kept everyone well Chittenden County or nearby, I
fed, in addition to all the other help would say to them the benefits are
they offered. many and far reaching. Each show
we produce we are promoting
Clean Up VNLA/Green Works
Thank you to Sarah Holland, members, our Association,
and Aaron Smith, our clean-up and the green industry in
Coordinators who spearheaded Vermont and beyond,
not only the organization of the through an elaborate event
clean up efforts, but also that inspires, educates, and
secured the necessary entertains people of all ages.
equipment and labor (all
donated) it takes to build and We market our Association
take down the show. It is a and the show statewide and
monumental effort and one beyond through television,
that is certainly not the most radio, print and social media
fun. Much of the material at platforms. It continues to be
the end goes to a nearby biomass the VNLA mission to enhance and
plant. It is amazing how quickly support the horticulture industry of
everything gets taken out of the Vermont as well as promote a
building, considering it takes us 4 greater awareness to the public of
days to bring it all in. A VERY YOU – our green industry
SPECIAL THANK YOU to the professionals that offer plants,
aftermath clean up crew that dealt products and services. The Vermont
with the various items left outside Flower Show offers us a spectacular
the building. Their efforts took way to send that message home
another 4 days after the close of the with the people who attend.
show. A special thanks to Melita The beginning of planning will not
Bass, Liam Murphy, Jamie be far away for the 2021 show. I
Masefield, and Michelle Blow. invite you get involved and
participate! New committee members
Students and new ideas are always welcome.
Thank you to the many students involved Come help us pick the next theme! In
with the show. Students from the the meantime, we have a couple
Natural Resources Department at the growing seasons to work through, all
Center for Technology at Essex grew sod the while dreaming up what comes
for the display; students from the next! Have your best season yet!
Building Technology Department at the
Center for Technology at Essex built the You can view a show slideshow and a
Breathing Room. Students from the time lapse video of the 2019 Vermont
Northland Job Corps, UVM and Vermont Flower Show setup on our website.
Technical College were instrumental in Until the next show . . .!
helping with set up.

Why We Do This

All you have to do is take a look Photo 1 and 2: More volunteers and students during set up.
at the photo to the right to Photo 3: The clean-up crew in full force.
answer that question. We are Photo 4: Why we do this - our future stewards of the earth!
here to inspire the future

9
 Our gratitude and a very 2019 VERMONT FLOWER SHOW SPONSORS

ARNEW GREEN
IS THE thank you to the 2019 Presenting Sponsors
special
Vermont Flower Show
committee members and the
BIOCHAR increases plant yields up
to 60% while improving soil health
Bag Sponsors Media Sponsors Vermont Specialty Food/
Spirits Sponsor
Show’s
and sequestering carbon.
Add biochar prior to planting trees
in-kind
or hemp, laying and
sod, orcash
digging sponsors!
into
the garden.
We could not do the show Seminar Sponsors
Equipment Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Sustainably produced using locally
harvested wood without
chips. you!

Grand Garden Display Committee

lenge
Melita J. Bass, VCH & Gabe Bushey, Crafted Contributing Sponsor

ar Landscapes, LLC, Grand Garden Display Co-chairs

Marie P. Limoge, DesignBEND,
GREENSBORO Coordinator
VERMONT
In-Kind Sponsors
NA AT 802 4615553 | GreenStateBioChar.com Agway, Essex
Aaron Smith, S & D Landscapes, LLC Agway, Middlebury
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer Amanda Bates
Aquarius Landscape Sprinklers,
Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens Inc.
Hannah Decker, Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc. Ashley Robinson, Landscape
Designer
Jamie Masefield, Masefield Dry Stone Wall Masonry
Aubuchon Hardware, Waterbury
John Padua, Cobble Creek Nursery CDL USA
Kelly Wakefield, Green Feet Landscaping Center for Technology, Essex
Champlain Landworks
Liam Murphy, Murphy Landscape Design & Siteworks Church Hill Landscapes, Inc
Michelle Blow, Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse
Nate Carr, Church Hill Landscapes Inc. Cobble Creek Nursery
Crafted Landscapes, LLC
Rick Villamil, Aquarius Landscape Sprinklers, Inc CW Stageworks
Sam Chicaderis, SJC Garden Services David Loysen
Sarah Holland, River’s Bend Design, LLC diStefano Landscaping, Inc.
Distinctive Paint & Interiors
VJ Comai, Burlington City Arborist DoubleTree, by Hilton Burlington
Essex Equipment
Evergreen Gardens
Flower Show Committee Fairfax Perennial Farm
Federated Garden Clubs of
Kristina MacKulin, VNLA/Green Works, Vermont
Flower Show Committee Chair Full Circle Gardens
Gardener’s Supply Company
Cheryl Dorschner
Got That Rental
Dr. Leonard Perry, Green Mountain Horticulture, Green Feet Gardening
LLC, Seminar Coordinator Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery
Green Mountain Compost
Janet Dufrane and Marilyn Van Houten, Art Gallery
Coordinators
Harvest Equipment
Home Depot, West Lebanon, NH
Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Isaac Paquette Property Services
J. Hutchins Excavating
J. Labrecque Land Management
Judy Zsoldos
Kathleen Berry Bergeron
Kathleen Caraher-Grant
Lamell Lumber
Landshapes
Libby Davidson
Linda Ulrich-Verderber
Lyme Country Store
Marie P. Limoge
Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus
Masefield Dry Stone Masonry
Melita J. Bass, VCH
Millican Nursery
Milton CAT
Monique Dewyea
Murphy Landscape Design &
Sitework
Nichols Tree Farm
North Branch Farm and Gardens
Northwestern Medical Center
Northern Nurseries, Inc.
Northland Job Corps Center
Ober Woodworking
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
Pete’s Pines and Needles Tree Farm
Prescott Galleries at Verde
Mountain
Price Chopper/Market 32
Prides Corner Farm
Red Wagon Plants
River’s Bend Design, LLC
River Walk Farm
Robert’s Tree Farm
Rocky Dale Gardens
R.R. Charlebois, Inc.
S & D Landscapes, LLC
Sean Krusch Trucking
Shelburne Athletic Club
Shelburne Farms
SJC Garden Services
Stowe Theater Guild
Studio Three Architecture
Swenson Granite
The Grass Gauchos, LLC
Trader Joe’s
Trowel Trades Supply, Inc.
United Rentals
University of Vermont Extension
UVM Extension Master Gardeners
UVM Horticulture Club
van Berkum Nursery
Vermont Department of Forest,
Parks & Recreation
Vermont Garden Railway Society
Vermont H’Art
Wright Family Farm
19

John Joy, Dave Cozzens & Carl Kokes,

VT Garden Railway Society
Leslie Pelch and Elise Pecue, Delaney Meeting &
Event Management
Kathy Perkins and Wendy Howard, Federated Gardens
Clubs of VT DIsplay Coordinators
Marijke Niles, Perennial Gardens Plus,
Plant Sale Coordinator
Melita Bass, VCH, Grand Garden Display Committee
Shari Johnson, UVM Master Gardener,
Volunteer Coordinator
Terry Skorstad, Family Room Coordinator
Bringing Plants to Bloom
Brett Wilbur, Chris Conant, Mark Storch and Staff,
Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse and Perennial Farm
Center for Technology, Essex Students
David Loysen
Hannah Decker, Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc.
John Padua, Cobble Creek Nursery
Kelly Wakefield, Green Feet Gardening, Inc.
Dr. Mark Starrett & UVM Horticulture Club Students
Nate Carr, Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.

10
 VNLA/Green Works 2019 Winter Meeting Recap
The VNLA/Green Works Winter
Meeting and Trade Show was
held on February 7, 2019 at the
UVM Davis Center in
Burlington, VT. We had 156
people attend and 20 vendors
participate. Thanks to all of you
who were able to join us for the
day! It is always such a pleasure
to see everyone for a day of
learning and good
conversations.
We were very pleased to have Daniel
Winterbottom, landscape architect and
professor of landscape architecture from
the University of Washington as our
keynote speaker. In 1995 Daniel
developed a design/build program,
through which he and his students work
with communities to design and build
projects that provide amenities, address
social of ecological concerns and provide
therapeutic environments for those
struggling with traumatic experiences
and mental health issues.
Daniel spoke about “The Restorative
Benefits of Nature” relating to the
concepts and benefits of creating
healing gardens. His presentation
included the theory behind the process
of creating therapeutic environments as
well as how to implement design
strategies. Daniel shared photographs
of some of his projects, which takes him
all over the world. Daniel has also co-
authored a book with Amy Wagenfeld
entitled Therapeutic Gardens:  Design for
Healing Spaces. If you want to learn more
about healing gardens check out his book.
We will have a couple copies of his book to
offer up at the Summer Meeting auction.
Daniel’s presentation was not only
informative but very inspiring.
Next came a morning break giving everyone
a chance to visit with vendors as well as
catch up with one another. The VNLA/
Green Works annual business meeting was
held next. New 2018 members and VCHERs
were recognized. Next the Industry Awards,
VNLA Awards, and student merit awards
were presented. Please see the following
article in this issue recognizing the
recipients of those awards.
Also during the business meeting there
were reports on the 2019 Vermont Flower
Show and the Treasurer’s Report. An
announcement was made on the next
project the VNLA’s Volunteer Project
Outreach Committee will undertake. They
will be collaborating with Green Mountain
Habitat for Humanity again on a project in
Milton. Please see page 16 for more
details.
11
by Kristina MacKulin
The Board of Directors
recognized Ed Burke for his 10
years on the board, 2 of which
were spent as president. We are
most grateful for Ed’s year’s of
service, his contributions and
dedication to the VNLA these
many years. His presence on the
board will dearly be missed. A
slate of candidates for the board
of directors was presented and
elected as follows for one year
terms: Ashley Robinson,
President; Hannah Decker, vice-
president, and Marie Limoge, director. A
slate of candidates was presented and
elected for two year director terms: Gabe
Bushey, Sarah Salatino, Marlys Eddy, and
Elise Schadler.
After lunch, the VNLA/Green Works
Industry Award winners
presented their winning projects via a
slideshow presentation. Next came a
short break visiting vendors and then the
afternoon sessions began.
Cheryl Frank Sullivan from the UVM
Entomology Research Lab gave a
presentation “Bringing in Un-BEE-
lievable Beneficials” which included her
research related to providing habitat in
greenhouse-nursery settings to attract
pest-fighting pollinators and other
beneficial insects.
Bill Landesman, Green Mountain
College microbiologist gave a presentation
on “The Role of Soil Biology in Earth’s
Systems” which gave us an inside look into
how soils are one of the most biologically
diverse and significant portion of the
Earth’s biosphere. Bill also spoke about the
micro-scale habitats created by soils, how
soil microbes contribute to soil fertility and
the impact of soils on the global climate.
The last presentations of the day included
Ashley Robinson, with other VNLA board
members, leading a “Let’s Talk! Business
Roundtable Discussions”, where fellow
colleagues sat down and shared their
business experiences. Natasha Duarte, the
Director of the Composting Association of
Vermont gave a presentation - “A Survey of
Current Issues Affecting Best Management
Practices for Enhancing Soil Health”.
Natasha discussed a variety of topics
related to compost and soil health, as well
as recent updates on VT’s storm water
manual and current recommendations.
We want to congratulate David Berg of
Horsfords who won the annual ID contest
as well as $100 bucks! With the season in
full swing February seems but a distant
memory but it is always good to look back
and reflect on this particular day of
conversation, good food, laughs, new and
interesting ideas, and sharing of
information. Hopefully our gathering is a
precursor to a wonderful 2019 planting/
growing season!

VNLA/Green Works Award Winners 2018/19

by Kristina MacKulin
The presentation of the VNLA/Green an environmentally sound practice that
contributes to the protection of our
that make a difference in the horticultural
industry. The winner receives a cash prize
Works awards occurred at the Winter
environment. of $275. Nominees must meet the following
Meeting on February 7, 2019. We are
criteria: be employed by a member business
pleased to recognize those individuals
Retailer of the Year Award - 2018 for a minimum of 5 years and be employed
below and extend our congratulations.
Gardener’s Supply Company in the horticultural industry. Nominees
Winners received their awards in the order
Burlington and Williston, VT should be exemplary leaders and display an
listed below.
ability to grow and excel in the workplace
This award is and beyond.
VNLA Young Nursery Professional of presented
the Year Award - 2019 annually to a Horticultural Achievement Award -
Kristin Sprenkle retail garden 2018
Horsford Gardens & Nursery, center or Ed Burke
Charlotte, VT greenhouse Rocky Dale Gardens
This is an annual operation
Bristol, VT
award that was that stands
established by the apart for their excellence in any or all of the
This award is
New England following categories: customer service,
given to
Nursery quality of plant material, knowledge of
individuals
Association and staff, creativity and innovations in
connected to
has been adopted marketing and presentation of retail space,
the
by the VNLA. Its and overall customer experience and
horticultural
purpose is to reward, to honor and to satisfaction.
industry in
encourage participation, achievement and
Vermont, who
growth by an individual who is involved in a Allen B. Crane Horticultural Employee
are over 40
related horticultural industry and has not Acknowledgement Award - 2018
years of age and whose accomplishments
reached the age of 40 years, who has shown Geoffrey Swanson
have advanced our industry
involvement in his or her state and/or diStefano Landscaping, Inc.
educationally, by plant development or
regional nurserymen’s association, has Essex, VT
growing, through literature, or through
contributed to the growth and success of
outstanding personal effort. This award is
their company of employment and has This award is the most prestigious and distinguished
portrayed an image to the public of what presented that can be received from the VNLA/
our products and services can do for them. annually and is Green Works.
sponsored by
Environmental Awareness Award - member The $500 UVM Student Merit Award
2018 Green Mountain Compost/ Claussen’s for 2019 was
Chittenden Solid Waste District Florist & presented to Paul
Williston, VT Greenhouse in Saaman of Essex
honor of Allen B. Junction, VT. Paul
This award is Crane, head grew up in Newport,
given in grower there for over VT where he started
recognition of an 42 years. Allen was “a great friend, working in the
individual that wonderful colleague and an incredible horticulture
has implemented grower”. This award recognizes employees industry during

12
high school with Jay Landscape and Tree
Service. Paul has risen in the ranks at this
company and is currently a landscape
foreman with them. During his time with
Jay Landscaping, he earned his Certified
Pesticide Applicator's license and also has
completed the Tree Care Industry
Association Electrical Hazards Awareness
program. While at UVM, Paul has been a
work-study student and has helped
maintain the educational gardens on the
UVM campus for the past 4 years. Paul
plans to continue working with Jay
Landscape and Tree Service after
graduating this Spring.
The $500 VTC
Student Merit
Award for 2019
was presented to
Hannah Kilburn of
S. Royalton, VT.
Hannah Kilburn is
a second-year
It is with deep sadness that I share the
news of Dave Hamlen’s passing. Dave
and his wife Anne owned and ran
Hamlen’s Garden Center in Swanton, VT
for 37 years. Dave was a VNLA member
since the 1980’s, a former board member
of the VNLA, and was one of the first to
get certified as a VT Certified
Horticulturist after the program was
founded in 1988. Dave was a frequent
exhibitor at many past flowers shows and
often gave presentations on his love of
water gardening. Following are excerpts
from his obituary. Dave rarely missed a
VNLA meeting, even after he semi-
retired. Dave will surely be missed and
left this world a better place.
David Carleton Hamlen, left this earth on
Friday, February 1st. He was born on August
4, 1951 in St. Albans, VT. Son of Carleton L
Hamlen, Jr. and Rachel (Whiting) Hamlen
Koier.
He graduated from University of Vermont
with a BS in Plant and Soil. He spent most of
his life in Swanton, Vermont running
student in the Landscape Design and
Sustainable Horticulture Program earning
her Associate of Applied Science degree.
During her time at Vermont Tech, Hannah
has excelled in her coursework which has
put her at the head of her class, while also
working part-time outside of the
classroom. She had a successful internship
with Chippers last summer and is excited to
work in the landscape industry in the
Woodstock area after graduation this
spring.
All winners were featured in a Seven Days
Newspaper insert on April 18, 2019.
Industry Awards Winners 2018
This program is in its tenth year. Award
trophies were presented at the 2019 Winter
Meeting along with their winning projects.
You can also view winning projects on our
website - www.greenworksvermont.org as
With Deep Sadness . . .
Hamlen's Garden Center with his wife Anne
(Ryan) Hamlen for 37 years. He frequented
the Boston Flower & Garden Show and The
Philadelphia Flower Show and often
presented on his love of water gardens at the
Vermont Flower Show in Essex Junction.
He was active in the community, including the
ChristianScience.com church, and he enjoyed
sharing his love of the Bible with inmates at
the men's prison in Swanton. He was a
drummer and loved music. He helped found
S.O.L.O, a support group for those who lost a
spouse.
13
well as in The Dirt’s Winter Issue, 2018/19.
Winning projects were highlighted on
Across the Fence, WCAX, Channel 3 in
March, 2019 and in the April 17, 2019 Seven
Days Newspaper as a featured insert.
From left to right: David Burton and Jeremiah
Shook of diStefano Landscaping, Inc.; Alec
Whitman, Vermont Stone and Horticulture
(formerly The Grass Gauchos, LLC), Charlie
Proutt and Miles Weston, Distinctive
Landscaping; Landon Roberts, Vermont Stone
and Horticulture (formerly The Grass Gauchos,
LLC); and Elizabeth Proutt, Distinctive
Landscaping.
He loved to travel and share his photos of
places he visited. Dave visited Martha's
Vineyard frequently as well as Germany and
Netherlands ( Visit Keukenhof Gardens) in
2011, Iceland 2016, Caribbean 2018, and
most recently Florida and California.
He loved people, inspiring, caring and
bringing joy to many.
He is survived by his nephew and niece Jeremy
Ryan and Heavenly Ryan; cousins Janet
Spaulding, Jeanne Alima Whiting Magoon,
Steve Whiting, Mary Whiting, Paul Whiting,
Sarah Whiting, Rodney Whiting, Sharon
Whiting, Margaret Whiting, Becky Hedden,
Bob Moore, and Kathy Moore; and many good
friends including Michelle Paquette, Barbara
Molter Boss, Bill Lunna, Dave Robitille,
Leonard Perry and Larry Babcock. He was
predeceased by his wife, both parents, and
stepfather Raymond Koier.
A private celebration of Dave's life will be held
at the convenience of the family. For questions,
please contact Jeremy Ryan,
jeremyryan@advantagecreations.com.
Welcome New VNLA/Green Works Members!
Denise June Ciastko Sprout Gardening & Landscaping, LLC
157 Brenda Road Emily Martel
North Clarendon, VT 05759 112 Grey Farm Road
860-662-0203 Morrisville, VT 05661
deegrower@gmail.com 802-355-6171
Active Member sproutlandscapingvt@gmail.com
Category: Invasive Plant Management, Landscape www.sproutgardeningandlandscaping.com
Design/Build, Landscape Designer/Gardener, Landscape Active Member
Install Maintenance, Propagator Category: Consultation, Landscape Gardener,
Landscape Install/Maintenance

Welcome New Vermont Certified Horticulturist!

Heather White Jennifer Goulet
Apis Garden Coaching Henderson’s Tree & Garden Services
61 Highland Road 1542 Route 14
Underhill, VT 05489 White River Junction, VT 05001
802-881-8547 802-296-3771
apisgardencoach@gmail.com nursery@hendersonstreeservice.com
www.apisgardencoach.com www.hendersonstreeservice.com
Category: Educator, Landscape Designer, Garden Category: GC, LIM, NR, GR, A, LD, LDB
Coach
Brittany Slabaugh
Genna Wechsler Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Church Hill Landscapes, Inc. 2111 Greenbush Road
138 N. Willard Street Charlotte, VT 05445
Burlington, VT 05401 802-425-2811
203-907-8026 www.horsfordnursery.com
gennawechsler@gmail.com Category: Garden Center, Greenhouse Retail,
www.churchhilllandscapes.com Hardscaping, Landscape Architect, Landscape Designer,
Category: Landscape Design/Build, Landscape Install/ Landscape Design/Build, Landscape Install/
Maintenance, Turf Care, Hardscaping Maintenance, Nursery Retail, Nursery Wholesale

Geoffrey Swanson Pat Toporowski

diStefano Landscaping, Inc. Vermont Stone & Horticulture
302 Colchester Road 1869 Main Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452 Colchester, VT 05446
802-673-2746 802-876-7801
geoff@distefanolandscaping.com pat@vermontstone.com
www.distefanolandscaping.com www.vermontstone.com
Category: Hardscaping, Landscape/Design Build, Category: Landscape Design/Build, Landscape Install/
Landscape Install/Maintenance, Landscape Designer Maintenance, Hardscaping

Lon R. Ames
Full Circle Gardens
68 Brigham Hill Road
Essex, VT 05641
802-879-1919
www.fullcirclegardens.com
Category: Nursery Retail, Nursery Wholesale, Propagator

14
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15
The VNLA Volunteer Project Outreach Committee
What’s Next - Project Round 2!
by Ashley Robinson
A few words from VPOC about our next project. We will be estimating and bid documents. As an assignment, students are
using the Milton site to develop key principles related to
working with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity (GMHH)
planting design, historical precedent and context.
again on a project in Milton. Pamelia Smith and her students
at Vermont Technical College met on site Thursday March 28th
Site plans were reviewed and critiqued on April 16, 2019 and on
to perform a site analysis. Dick Shasteen, GMHH Project
April 18 I attended their second day of analysis. The students
Manager, was there to meet them and answer any questions.
are excited about a real world project and will really benefit
The three students: Isaiah Carbonneau, Hannah Kilburn and
from hands on, professional, experienced feedback. A good
Austin Turco spent time walking the site, gathering
experience all around! A final presentation will be delivered to
information, photos and maps in order to develop a site plan.
the VPOC on May 14, 2019 at 10am-12pm.
Elements discussed: topography, grading, drainage, deer cover,
and a rare plant community near by.
Going forward, we will look to the students’ plans as a guide for
implementation. Meanwhile, keep eyes and ears peeled for
Their VTC class is called Landscape Design II: Planting Design
information on a follow up site visit at the end of May/early
Studio. The course focuses on the art and science of planting
June. If you have any questions or want to be more involved,
design, with essential emphasis given to the theory and
please contact me at arobinsonld@gmail.com.
practice of site analysis, design process and synthesis,
development of an appropriate plant palette, production of
Happy Spring!
planting plans, specifications and contract documents, and cost

Cobble Creek Nursery, LLC

W e grow a diverse selection of

B&B trees and shrubs at our
nursery in Monkton, Vermont. We
offer shade trees, ornamental trees,
flowering shrubs and dwarf conifers.
At Cobble Creek Nursery we are known
for quality Vermont Grown plants,
exceptional service and extensive
woody plant knowledge. Stop by for
a visit or give John a call for more
information.

John Padua
991 Tyler Bridge Road, Bristol, VT 05443
phone/fax: 802- 453-3889 / e-mail: cobcreek@gmavt.net

16
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 17-21, 2019 July 16, 2019 August 1, 2019
ELA National Green Infrastructure VNLA/Green Works Summer Twilight VNLA/Green Works Summer Meeting &
Certification Program Gathering - 6:30-8pm Trade Show
8:30-5pm Plant ID Refresher and Nursery Tour at Fairfax Perennial Farm
Tower Hill Botanical Gardens Cobble Creek Nursery Fairfax, VT 05454
Boylston, MA 991 Tyler Bridge Road www.greenworksvermont.org
www.ecolandscaping.org/event Bristol, VT 05443
RSVP: kristina@greenworksvermont.org September 16, 2019
June 19, 2019 Montreal Botanical Garden Tour
VNLA/Green Works Summer Twilight Green Mountain Horticulture Tours/VNLA
July 25 - 29, 2019
Gathering - 6:30-8pm Dr. Leonard Perry
APLD 2019 International Design Conf.
Vermont Zen Center Garden Tour PO Box 735
Seattle, WA
480 Thomas Road www.apld.org Milton, VT 05468
Shelburne, VT 05482 802-318-8453
RSVP: kristina@greenworksvermont.org July 25, 2019 www.pss.uvm.edu/ppp/CNtour19an.pdf
MNLA Down to Earth Summer Conf.
June 27, 2019 Sylvan Nursery, Inc.
ELA Eco-Tour: Carex: Foundation Species Westport, MA 02790
for Successful Plant Communities - 1-3pm www.mnla.com
van Berkum Nursery
Deerfield, NH 03037 July 29 - August 2, 2019
www.ecolandscaping.org/event/ 36th Perennial Plant National Symp.
Chicago, IL
www.perennialplant.org

17
 LEONARD’S CLIPPINGS!
by Dr. Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulture Professor Emeritus

Each semester I give a snapshot of the
PSS department focus and student
interest, gleaned from courses and
numbers of students. As of this writing,
here’s what is lined up for summer
session:
Science Advisor in the International Energy
Office. He also served for six years as a
Senior Fellow in the State Department’s
Energy and Climate Partnership of the
Americas, and as the State Department
delegate to the International Energy Agency.
becoming huge trends as evidenced by these
news briefs (several are courtesy of Green
Talks online newsletter from Ball Publishing;
underlining of key topics is mine). Plant and
soil and pollinator health stand out. Are you
and your business on board with these?

Dr. Garimella has a long list of honors and • The United Nations has designated 2020
Drawing and Painting Botanicals
awards, including his 2018 appointment as a as the Year of Plant Health—not how
(Neroni), Herb Growing and Design
member of the National Science Board. He is plants impact human health, but “the
(Perry), Landscape Design (White),
co-author of over 500 publications and 13 importance of plant health to enhance
Fundamentals of Soil Science (Gorres),
patents. He earned his Ph.D. at the food security, protect the environment
Introduction to Beekeeping (Alger), Cold
University of California, Berkeley, his M.S. and biodiversity, and boost economic
Climate Viticulture (Bradshaw),
from The Ohio State University and his development.”
Diversified Farm Operations
bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute • At the World Economic Forum early this
(Bradshaw), Introduction to Agroecology
of Technology Madras. year in Davos, Switzerland, extreme
(Mendez). Faculty are Bradshaw,
weather and the failure to address
Gorres, and Mendez; the others are
Thanks to all our industry members who climate change was rated the top issue.
instructors.
provided presentations at the Vermont “Of all risks, it is in relation to the
Flower Show. We’re fortunate to have such environment that the world is most
Some recent facts and highlights
a wealth of talent and people willing to share clearly sleepwalking into catastrophe,”
from UVM:
their expertise, and it makes my job said the Global Risks Report.
coordinating the seminars so much easier. • From Chris Beytes with Ball, at the huge
• UVM has over 200 clubs and
industry show (IPM) in Germany,
organizations, including 30 service
We already have people signing up for our “Sustainability and the use of natural
clubs.
day bus tour this September 16 to the materials rule. Recycling, organics,
• After Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and
Montreal Botanical Gardens and Chinese paper, glass. Lots of glass! Terrariums,
Brown, UVM is the fifth oldest
lanterns display, a collaboration of myself jars, bottles. Plastic is still widely used,
university in New England.
and your Association. Do advertise to your but there are more and more bio-
• UVM is currently in the search
customers or sign up yourself, as proceeds options, …”
process for an interim Provost, and
add funds to your Association (pss.uvm.edu/ • From the 12th State of Green Business
new CALS Dean
ppp/CNtour19an.pdf). Report (GreenBiz), “In 2017, 85% of S&P
• Dr. Suresh Garimella will become
500 companies published a sustainability
UVM’s 27th president, effective July
In spite of the non-believers, issues relating report, up 20% from 2013.” They go on to
1, 2019. He is currently Executive
to climate change and sustainability are list 10 green industry trends, including
Vice President for Research and
reuse (giving a second life to packaging
Partnerships and the Goodson
to excess materials), and even soil
Distinguished Professor of
quality. The latter includes corporations
Mechanical Engineering at Purdue
directly, and indirectly, involved in
University.
agriculture. “Why? Well, the Earth is
losing fertile soil at a staggering rate—
His previous administrative experience
and that’s bad for the food chain and the
at Purdue includes appointments as the
climate.”
Chief Global Affairs Officer and as the
Associate Vice President for
Related to this latter soils issue, a legendary
Engagement. In 2010, the U.S.
investor (Jeremy Grantham of GMO, an asset
Department of State appointed him as a
management firm) with track record of
Jefferson Science Fellow to serve as a
accurately predicting financial trends in the

18
last couple decades, says that green
technologies are moving faster than
most realize, and that “decarbonizing
the economy” will be a huge
investment bonanza. He also feels that
climate change is accelerating faster
than most realize, so much so that he is
investing 98% of his net worth of
$1billion toward helping humans win
this race. He says that “agriculture is in
fact the real underlying problem
produced by climate change.” Farmers
will struggle to feed the planet, topsoil
disappearing at the rate of one percent a
year, with “only 30 to 70 good harvest
years left depending on your
location.” (Bloomberg Businessweek,
1/17/19).
• Garden Media Group
(www.gardenmediagroup.com)-- a
marketing firm for the home and
garden industry—identifies key
gardening trends for the coming
season. For 2019 they’ve pegged
eight of these, based around the
overall theme of people
reconnecting with the natural world.
(you can read more on these from
their website, or in a previous issue
of the Dirt).
• One of the eight gardening trends
from this above report refers to
global insect collapse, why this is
important, and techniques to reverse
this— defensive gardening, and
changing habits. This trend is
dangerous, according to a Harvard
biologist, as “insects are the
foundation of our ecosystem.” The
plight of pollinators is one example,
known by many gardeners, with 40
percent—particularly bees and
butterflies—risking global
extinction.
This latter figure is borne out in a
report, reviewed on this topic on CNN
online (Feb. 11).
"Worldwide decline of the entomofauna:
A review of its drivers" report, published
in the journal Biological Conservation,
says that “In addition to the 40% at risk
of dying out, a third of species are
endangered -- numbers that could cause
the collapse of the planet's ecosystems
with a devastating impact on life on
Earth.”
Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ - named 2019 Perennial
of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.
Maybe our industry should expand beyond
just pollinator plants and gardens, to
landscapes and plantings for insects in
general? Some of you may remember the
presentation to this Association a few years
ago by Doug Tallamy, highlighting the need
for insects (www.bringingnaturehome.net)
and native plants to support them. For my
northwestern Vermont area, his top
recommendations for moths and butterflies
and their larvae include goldenrods by a wide
margin for perennials. The top trees to plant
for them are Salix, Prunus, Betula, and
Quercus.
• The above issue of pollinators is getting
more traction at the state, rather than
federal, level. Researchers at the
University of Missouri quantified
legislation dealing with pollinatorsl
(Environmental Science & Policy, Volume
93). In the past 17 years, only 4 bills
regarding pollinator health were passed
at the federal level, while 109 bills were
passed in 36 states. These new laws
covered apiculture, pesticides,
awareness, habitat, and research.
Looking at their list, by state, in this
article, Vermont is shown with only one
in May 2016—an Act establishing a
Pollinator Protection Committee. Maybe
there are some ideas for Vermont from
other states, from awareness resolutions
such as for native plants (NJ), a license
plate contribution fund (OH), a Pollinator
Awareness Week (NY, PA), or other.
19
• If you’d like more details and solutions
specifically to Gardening in a Changing
Climate, check out my monthly articles
this year on my Perry’s Perennial Pages
(pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articleS.htm).
Hummelo wood betony (Stachys officinalis
‘Hummelo’) has been named the
Perennial of the Year for 2019 by the
Perennial Plant Association. This hardy
(USDA zones 4-8) perennial grows 1.5 to
2 feet high and wide in full sun to part
shade. It prefers a well-drained soil.
(photo courtesy Walter’s Gardens, Inc.)
The dark green leaves are ovate to oblong, to
5 inches long, wrinkled with scalloped edges.
Being opposite, on square stems, you might
guess correctly that this is in the mint
family. Leaves form a compact clump about
a foot high, with the flowers on stalks held
higher. The small tubular flowers are in
dense clusters on the ends of spikes, rose-
lavender, and bloom mid-summer.
Slugs and snails may be problems in wet
seasons, but otherwise this plant is relatively
pest and disease-free, and is deer and rabbit
resistant. It is effective in masses in
borders, informal cottage gardens or
naturalized areas, or as an edging plant. It
also is suitable in large containers, as a cut
flower, or in gardens for butterflies and other
pollinators. Good companion perennials
include Russian sage (Perovskia), catmint
(Nepeta), coneflower (Echinacea), hardy
geranium (Geranium), and stonecrop
(Sedum). It is, of course, related to the
silvery-leaved lamb’s ears (Stachys
byzantina).
“Selected and introduced by famed German
grower Ernst Pagels in the late 1990’s, this
perennial further gained popularity as it was
used by renowned designer and plantsman
Piet Oudolf in some of his signature works.
“Hummel” means “bumblebee” in German.
Appropriate, as Ernst observed many
pollinators visiting the flowers. The cultivar
name also honored Ernst’s close connection
to Piet and his nursery and home at
Hummelo, The Netherlands.” (Nursery
Management)
In Richard Hawke’s trials at the Chicago
Botanic Garden, Hummelo was the highest
rated Stachys among 22 tested, noted for its
strong flower production, vigor, habit,
quality and winter hardiness.
 THE LAB
putting it under the lens . . .

Observations from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Lab

by Ann Hazelrigg, Phd.
Pests with Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts
As landscapers and home gardeners we are often baffled about
what stripped the foliage on our birch trees or created the large
holes in the leaves of our maples, especially when there is no
pest to be found! There are clues you can use to figure out
what kind of arthropod (includes insects and mites) pest
attacked your plants by considering the plant host, the time of
year the damage occurred and the kind of injury you are seeing.
are reproductive machines and can give birth to live young. All
aphids have cornicles, small ‘tail-pipes’ that release alarm
odors. These are easily seen with a small hand lens. Their
feeding can cause stippling, curled growth and may result in a
lot of honeydew. ‘Honeydew’ is a sticky sweet substance
excreted by many sucking pests. The shiny material can collect
on foliage, cars and sometimes rain down under heavily
infested trees. A black, soot-like mold can grow on the
honeydew, which often is the first sign of a severe infestation
of scale or aphids. Aphids tend to like more succulent growth
so they are often seen more in the spring. A few aphids will
cause little to no damage, but high populations can decrease
plant vigor. If control is necessary, horticultural oils,
insecticidal soaps or neem are good organic spot treatments.

Left: Piercing-sucking mouthpart of plant bug.

Right: Chewing mouthpart of caterpillar.
Photos: Galveston County Master Gardener Program, Inc.

Damage to leaves can include holes, leaf mines, puckered or

deformed leaves, rolled or cupped leaves, leaf skeletonization,
stripped leaves, galls, stippling and off-color foliage. Foliage Left: Aphids. Cheryl Moorehead, Bugwood.org
Right: Balsam Twig Aphid.
feeding arthropods generally have either chewing mouthparts
or piercing- sucking mouthparts.
Arthropods with piercing-sucking mouthparts suck out plant
sugars and chlorophyll, leaving behind white stippling or off-
colored foliage. Their feeding can also result in curled or
puckered leaves and/or galls. Aphids, adelgids, leafhoppers,
plant bugs (Order Hemiptera-true bugs, cicadas, hoppers,
aphids, scales and allies) and spider mites (Arachnids) all have
piercing-sucking mouthparts. Insects with chewing mouthparts
feed from leaf edges, skeletonize leaves, mine leaves or eat Left: Ash leaf curl aphid. Utah State University.
holes in foliage. Caterpillars (larvae of Lepidopterans- Right: Rosy apple aphid on Serviceberry.
butterflies/moths), sawflies (larvae of Hymenoptera which also
includes ants, bees and wasps) and beetles (adults and larvae of Adelgids are small sucking pests related to aphids but they do
Coleoptera) all have chewing mouthparts. not have cornicles and feed only on conifers. Cooley and
Eastern spruce gall adelgids are very common in Vermont and
Piercing-sucking Pests
the damage is more aesthetic than harmful. A more serious
adelgid pest in our area is the hemlock wooly adelgid. This
Aphids are small (~1/8 inch but variable), can be winged or
not, are typically gregarious and come in lots of colors. They
20
 Lacebugs can cause bronzing or off-color stippling on
serviceberry and other ornamentals. They can be seen on the
leaf undersides and typically leave a lot of black feces.

Scale insects have a wide host range. Get a positive id and

lifecycle of the pest you are dealing with so you are able to
target the correct life stage (typically when the highly mobile
crawler or immature stage is active) for control. Scale can sap
plant vigor, kill branches and eventually trees. There are two
Left: Cooley spruce gall adelgid. main types of scale - armored and soft. Armored scale secrete a
Right: Hemlock woolly adelgid. NY Invasive species (NYIS) protective coating where eggs overwinter and can include
euonymus scale, oystershell scale and pine needle scale among
destructive pest can kill trees and requires an aggressive, multi- others. These scale are typically small (1/16-3/8 inch). Soft
pronged approach to control. scales are larger with a waxy
Leafhoppers also have piercing sucking mouthparts that cause covering and include cottony
a lot of white stippling, but the potato leaf hopper (PLH) injects maple scale, magnolia scale,
a toxin while feeding that causes leaf edge yellowing and European fruit lecanium scale
dieback called ‘hopperburn’. This pest does not overwinter in and Fletcher scale. Scale can
Vermont but blows in on storm fronts around the third week in excrete a lot of honeydew and
June and causes damage in a wide variety of hosts that include branches can quickly become
small fruits, vegetables and various hardwoods. The nymphs black with sooty mold in the case
and adults both cause damage and you can tell the nymphs of magnolia scale. Control of
because they run sideways on the leaf undersides. Spraying for heavy infestations may take
this pest is difficult because you would have to apply an several years of repeated efforts
insecticide on a weekly basis. of dormant and horticultural oil
sprays.

Left: PLH damage on apple trees. Top: Cottony maple scale. E. Nelson Bugwood.org.
Right: PLH adult and nymph. PSU. Bottom left: Oystershell scale. W. Cranshaw, Bugwod.org.
Botton Right: Euonymus scale, Missouri Botanical Garden.

Plant bugs are small sucking pests that can attack several Spider mites are not insects but are arachnids. They have eight
shade trees and cause stippling, leaf distortion and leaf legs rather than six in insects. They often go unnoticed in the
spotting. The honeylocust plant bug can be a problem in some landscape but they can be harmful pests. Most spider mites
years and the damage may cause small branch dieback. (two-spotted spider mite and European red mite) like hot dry
conditions and can be
found on the leaf
undersides. Their feeding
damage causes stippling of
foliage, bronzing or off-
colors and can decrease
plant vigor. In heavy
infestations, you may see
webbing associated with
the pest. Spruce spider
mite is a cool season mite
Left: Honey locust plant bug damage. Center: Lacebug damage on serviceberry. Right: Lacebug insect with eggs.
D. Cappaert, Bugwood.org.
21
that can cause problems in the spring and fall on
arborvitae, cedar, dawn redwood, Douglas fir,
hemlock, juniper, spruce, larch and pine. You can
scout for this pest by shaking branches over a white
piece of paper to look for the mites in the spring or
fall. Horticultural oils or dormant oils applied at the
right time can be used to manage these pests.
Erineum mites also cause galls in several hardwoods,
such as the maple bladder gall mite.

There is an excellent book called Insects that Feed on

Left: European red mite damage.
Trees and Shrubs written by Warren Johnson and Center: Spruce spider mite damage, Ohio State University.
Howard Lyon from Cornell. It has great pictures of all Right: Maple gall mite, Oregon State University.
the insects we would see in Vermont (although not
sure if it has been updated with some of the recent
invaders). It is a good resource if you are trying to figure out
who is eating your trees!

If you have a problem you can’t identify, send a picture

(ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu) or a sample to the Diagnostic Clinic
Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405or call
656-0493 https://www.uvm.edu/extension/pdc.

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22
 News from the VT Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets
By: Judy Rosovsky, VT State Entomologist
Spring into Motion! project called The Lost Ladybug Project, with
a website at http://www.lostladybug.org/
By the time that you read this perhaps the participate.php. This project requests that
snow will be gone. That means that the little people who spend time in gardens and in the
snow fleas that have been having a great year outdoors take photographs of lady bugs and
will have to come back down to the earth. upload the photos to the project website.
Snow fleas are cold tolerant insect-like Your participation in this project would be a
organisms sometimes known as springtails. great help, as we would like to get a better
They use a forked structure called a furcula sense of which native species are still out
that acts like a spring to propel them there. The Nine spotted ladybug looks a lot
upwards and outwards. They are usually like the Multicolored lady beetle but has only
found in soil and leaf litter but can 9 spots. Yes, we want you to go out
be seen on snow surfaces in very and ‘spot’ them.
large numbers. Some sources report
that they can be found in sap Instead of moving inside and out,
buckets too, but I imagine that they some insects are moving up in life.
are thwarted by tubing. When it There are ground nesting bees that
becomes dry outside they may want emerge in the spring, sometimes
to leave the dried out lawns and join causing alarm to homeowners. They
you in your shady, moister home are solitary nesters in the sense that
interior. The best way to deter them each female digs her own nest, but
Top: Snow fleas on snow from www.esa.org.
from this is to try to maintain a low Bottom Snow flea with furcula see on right (Michael J. Raupp). they like to nest next to each other
humidity indoor environment, or so there may be many in the same
create shade and moisture outside. place. These unassuming, non-
Some pesticide labels claim to control them outdoors, but if aggressive native sweat
they are in your house they don’t bite and will die within a and mining bees are great
week, so you can wait them out. for pollinating spring
crops like berries and
cherries and apples. They
While the snow fleas may be can be deterred by using
trying to get in, all the fall pests water on them, as they
that overwintered indoors are prefer dry soil, but they
trying to get out. Cluster flies, are quite beneficial to
box elder bugs and lady bugs homeowners and are best
may have spent a happy warm left alone to go about their
winter in your home and are business. Sweat bees
leaving at this time of year. The appear to like the salt on
use of caulk and a vacuum in our bodies, so they may try
the fall can help reduce the and get up close and
numbers of unwanted tenants personal. Just be sure not
you harbor over the winter. to confuse any of our mild-
Lady bugs are beneficial insects mannered spring ground
that can eat many aphids, but nesting bees with the more
one of the lady bug species aggressive ground nesting
introduced for biocontrol was yellow jackets. Top: Mining bee (from Bugguide.net).
the Asian lady beetle, now Bottom Metallic sweat bee (from Bugguide.net).
known as the Multicolored lady Yellow jacket queens will
beetle (MLB). It was quite start working on their
popular and made itself at Top: Nine spotted ladybug beetle; (photo nests in May and June. These insects can be considered
by W. Louis).
home in the U.S. but has had a Bottom Asian Lady Beetle (Gerry Weitz beneficial because they prey on caterpillars and earwigs, but
deleterious effect on native they are more aggressive than the early spring ground nesting
post; Hearts Pest Management, Inc.)
lady bugs. There is even a bees and should be avoided. If you plan to treat them use

23
caution, protective gear and diseases, including anaplasmosis, (a bacteria), babesiosis, (a
try to choose a cold morning parasite) and the potentially fatal deer tick virus, also known as
or treat them at night, when Powassan virus. There are other tick species that transmit
they are less active. Better disease, too.
yet, hire a professional if you
You can protect yourself from ticks and their diseases by
want to eliminate these
treating your clothes with permethrin. Lay your clothes on the
insects.
ground, spray them, let them dry, flip them over and spray the
We recently had a scare when other side. An alternative is to purchase permethrin treated
we thought that western clothes or send in your clothes for treatment via online sites.
flower thrips (WFT) had been Yellow jacket (Penn State U Entomology) One site claims that its treatments are good for 70 washes
transported to the state on before they need to be re-treated. Spraying the tops of your
nursery stock. WFT are a boots with permethrin or insect repellant and
highly destructive insect tucking your pants in helps too, but the ticks can
that have multiple hosts. still get on you if they are questing from higher
They too are moving up brush.
from the soil this time of
The mosquitoes will be out in abundance, as soon
year. They are
as the snow ends. They can carry a plethora of
thigmotactic, that is, they
diseases too. Vermonters like to be tough and not
want to be touching a
use bug dope to repel mosquitoes, but the
surface. This behavior
number and virulence of the diseases that they
makes them difficult to
carry makes this a good time to change that
reach with insecticides,
habit. If you don’t like using bug sprays, you can
as they are often under or
Adult wester flower thrips; Jack Kelly Clark, University of California. use insect netting. Our mosquito surveyors use
in or tucked into secluded
netting that covers the upper body and arms for
parts of the plant.
protection when they go into local swamps to collect samples.
Biocontrol methods, like predatory mites, can be more
effective. Spinosad works on them but as with chemical
pesticides they can quickly develop resistance. For these
reasons they are a good insect to practice integrated pest
management on. Another drawback to these pests is that they Eliza Doncaster,
can introduce two viruses, tomato spotted wilt virus and VAAFM Vector
Management
impatiens necrotic spot wilt virus. Removing any weeds in your
Coordinator.
greenhouse will help reduce the viral reservoir, if they ever
become established in VT.

Ticks are
moving up from
the leaf litter,
where some of
them
overwintered, Update on Invasives and Regulatory Matters
and into the
vegetation. This The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of
is the time of Forests, Parks and Recreation, VAAFM staff and our Federal
year to start partners from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service
watching out for and Animal Plant Health Inspection Service are looking for
Black legged tick a/k/a deer tick; (CDC.gov). sites to introduce biocontrol insects for emerald ash control
them. People in
Hinesburg and this summer.
elsewhere have reported finding ticks on them as early as the
The hemlock woolly adelgid quarantine will be revised and
first week of April.
updated, and a 3-year sunset date will be added. This means
Black legged ticks, sometimes known as deer ticks, can carry that we will be reviewing the quarantine every 3 years. All
diseases like Lyme disease. Approximately 50% of the black hemlocks coming into the state still need to be accompanied by
legged ticks found and tested in VAAFM surveys have Lyme a phytosanitary certificate from the state of origin.
disease. In addition to Lyme, they can carry other nasty

24
The spotted lanternfly has been
introduced to the U.S. and is currently
afflicting agriculturalists in
Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
This insect is somewhat cold intolerant,
and may require tree of heaven (Ailanthus
altissima) to complete its life cycle. If it
moves up north it is only likely to be a
problem in the southern counties. We are
trying to determine how much tree of
heaven occurs in the state, so if you know
of any populations, please get in touch
with me at judy.rosovsky@vermont.gov
or leave a message at 802-279-2212. I
appreciate your help!

Spotted lantern fly.

Black legged tick a/k/a deer tick; (CDC.gov).

25
 THE IDEA FACTORY
tips & trends, food for thought…

New Directions in the AMERICAN LANDSCAPE

by Ashley Robinson

Two days, a 12 hour car ride and an overnight at the Black Forrest About the NDAL: LARRY
WEANER, NDAL’s founder, is
Consortium in NY gave me a new perspective on how to look at our
principal of Larry Weaner
landscapes. I made the trek to attend a 2-day intensive workshop
Landscape Associates.  His firm’s
hosted by NDAL on the practices and implementation of
design and restoration work
ecologically based landscape design. The focus, for me anyway,
spans more then ten states and
was to learn about the real world practicalities of creating and
has been profiled in national
maintaining landscapes with a clear intent toward preservation,
publications, including The New
natural design practices and environmental health.
York Times, The Wall Street
Landscapes created from a plant based perspective made a lot of Journal, Landscape Architecture
sense to me in trying to understand how a site responds to Magazine, Garden Design,
intrusion or change. Natural processes of change occur all around American Gardener, Wildflower Magazine, and ASLA’s “The Dirt”
us continually, it’s the awareness of these changes, their results blog. 
and implications of which that we can really learn from. Studying
our environment, our gardens, our parks and nature preserves can Larry’s approach to landscape design appeals to audiences
give us the tools for creating and sustaining these precious spaces. nationwide.  He has presented at American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA) national and state meetings, Cultural Landscape
Like many of us, I love combing through books and learning from Foundation tours, and the Garden Writers Association National
others experiences, but what I really love to do is practice. Conference.  He has spoken at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies,
Experimenting is a way of learning that resonates. I’ve realized the New York Botanical Garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
that curiosity is key to the growth of experience. So ask why and Center, the Mad Gardeners Conference, the Millersville Native
always stay curious. It’s a wonderful thing! And in the meantime, Plant Conference, the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, the
for more information on the workshop visit: www.ndal.org/about/ Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, the New
England Grows conference, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, among
If you liked Claudia West & Tom Rainer’s book Planting in a Post-
many other venues. 
Wild World, try this for another read Garden Revolution by Larry
Weaner and Christopher Christopher. I highly recommend it!
He is a founding member of Association
Larry will be the keynote speaker at our Summer Meeting and
of Professional Landscape Designers
Trade Show on August 1, 2019.
(APLD), a former member of APLD’s
Environmental Committee, and an
A few tidbits from the NDAL workshop:
Affiliate member of the American
Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
• Let the plants do the work for you
Larry authored Garden Revolution: How
• Ask “what can I get, not what can I plant”
Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of
• “What happens if I do nothing?”
Environmental Change with Tom
• Exploit the difference, attack the strength, find the adaptive
Christopher (Timber Press, 2016).  Their
mechanism & defy it
book received a 2017 Book Award from
• Know the competition, set the vegetative trajectory to
the American Horticultural Society.
compete, succeed and support
• Reason. Make a case for why an action (or no action) is being
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AUGUST 1! You won’t want to
made.
miss seeing Larry Weaner! Our summer meeting is being
• Bestow on others what makes you credible.
hosted by Fairfax Perennial Farm in Fairfax, VT.
• Stick to your guns, people will be skeptical
• Know your weeds

26

A Designer’s Notebook
This column in The Dirt is a place where
we can share landscape design ideas that
work for us and for our clients. Please let
Kristina in the VNLA office
know if you have a contribution
for a future issue.
Summer is almost upon us—
ushering in what is surely the
busiest time of year for those of
us who create and maintain
other people’s gardens.
But as the old mantra tells us
—‘All work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy or Jill a dull girl’.
And, while visiting a great
garden that someone else has
designed and maintains may
seem a bit like taking a
‘busman’s holiday’, it can be
both relaxing and exhilarating.
So head down Route 7 to
Stockbridge, MA. which is a
garden-lovers delight. Here,
within a five mile radius, you
can visit three gardens of
yesteryear plus a major
botanical garden exhibiting
contemporary-style plantings.
The Mount, Chesterwood and
Naumkeag, personal gardens
maintained in their original
style, illustrate the garden
aspirations of individual
owners at the time they were
created.
As a complete contrast, The
Berkshire Botanical Garden—in
keeping with its mission to
provide education and inspiration on the
art and science of gardening—is truly a
garden of the 21st century.
Visiting the Gardens of Stockbridge for
Learning and for Fun!
By: Judith Irven, VCH; Photographs: Dick Conrad
Strict Formality: Two Personal
Gardens From 1900
The gardens at Chesterwood and the
Mount were created within two years of
each other and, while neither is
Above: The central fountain at Chesterwood marks the intersection of
the two main axes.
Below: From Edith Wharton’s  'Italian Garden' you can see her
mansion ’The Mount’
extensive, both are excellent examples of
the formality of the era and exhibit the
owner’s original plant choices.
Today the prolific sculptor Daniel
Chester French is especially remembered
for his massive statue of Lincoln that
27
graces the Lincoln Memorial. Although
based in New York City, French loved to
spend his summers in the Berkshires. So
in 1896, he and his wife purchased 122
acres of land just outside Stockbridge.
Two years later he designed a
summer studio together with
an adjacent garden that was
both structurally simple and
functional. Today his garden
and his studio are open to
visitors, together with a
museum in the residence
house.
He designed his garden around
a formal axis—a wide gravel
path flanked by long beds full
of his favorite flowers.
However, since it ran right past
his studio, it also made a
convenient way for him to
move his sculptures around.
Then, leading directly from his
main studio door, he added a
second perpendicular axis—a
wide grassy path edged with
peonies and tree hydrangeas. It
terminated in a woodland trail
leading to rocky ledges with
views of the surrounding
countryside. Finally, he marked
the intersection of these two
axes with an imposing
fountain.
About five miles north, in the
village of Lenox, you will find
Edith Wharton’s home and
gardens. In addition to being a
renowned writer, she was also
consummate traveller and
student of European
architecture and gardens. And
in 1902, she applied this knowledge to
design The Mount, her classically
inspired mansion and associated garden.
She would entertain her many literary
friends on the long terrace at the rear of
the mansion, with commanding views
across the Berkshire hills. From here they
could descend the broad staircase to the
‘Lime Walk’, a 290’ crushed marble allée
edged with pleached Tilia cordata trees.
Turning right took them to the square
sunken Italian Garden
enclosed on three sides with
high stone walls. She
decorated this simple space
with a circular pool edged
with white petunias and a
rustic fountain at the center.
Turning left took them to the
more elaborate French
Garden which was open to
the woods beyond. This
featured an ornate fountain
in the center a large
rectangular pool—also edged
with white petunias— and
further out additional beds
full of colorful flowers.
Since both French and
Wharton enjoyed walking in
the woods, they had the
underbrush removed and the
trees pruned up. Strolling
paths were created to beckon
the visitor and the additional
light encouraged understory
plants.
Naumkeag—A Garden of
the mid-20th Century
Naumkeag, built in 1884 by
Joseph and Caroline Choate,
was the grand summer home
for these well-connected
New Yorkers.
But it would fall to their Top: Naumkeag's iconic ‘Blue Steps’.
daughter Mabel, who Middle: The ’New Wave’ garden, planted in the style of Piet Oudolf’, at
inherited the property in Berkshire Botanical Gardens.
1929, to create the gardens
during a 30 year
collaboration with the renowned
landscape architect, Fletcher Steele.
The resulting gardens are flowing and
eclectic— representing a marked break
from the linear design of Chesterwood
and The Mount. There is a sense of
exploration as the various ‘garden
rooms’ beckon you, each with its unique
feel and style. Start at the house with the
Afternoon Room, which has neatly
clipped boxwood hedges watched over by
fiery dragons. From the upper terrace
look down the serpentine beds of the
rose garden. Seek out the hidden Chinese
garden with its classic Moon Gate, the
evergreen garden and large circular pool
that affords a beautiful view of the
distant hills, and finally the famous ‘Blue conditions.
Steps’—actually a series of waterfalls
surrounded by white birch trees.
The Berkshire Botanical Garden
This venerable botanical garden, founded style of Piet Oudolf and other
in 1938, radiates a wonderful ‘settled’
feeling. Majestic trees, both deciduous
and evergreen provide the perfect
28
backdrop of beauty and shade for people
as well as for plants.
But, although it was established over
eighty years ago, as befits a public
garden, it has evolved with the times.
The overall spatial design is delightfully
informal—no straight lines
here! And, all around,
established beds, some
sunny and others shady, are
filled with mature perennials
and shrubs.
Furthermore the planting
design is anything but old-
fashioned. In addition to
colorful flowers that come
and go, skillful designers
have created season-long
visual interest by massing
plants of contrasting
textures. The plants are all
carefully labelled and the
whole place is beautifully
maintained—with nary a
weed in sight.
The Berkshire Botanical
Garden is actually bisected
by Route 102, with the
Visitors Center plus the
more functional
‘demonstration vegetable
gardens’ and associated
greenhouses in the southern
segment. So, after signing
in, be sure to cross the road
and wander around the
ornamental display gardens
in the northern segment.
The individual display
gardens run the gamut, from
a sunny herb garden to a
shady bog garden
surrounding a tranquil pond,
each demonstrating how to
match plants with their specific growing
The New Wave Garden—a long crescent-
shaped bed encircling a central sunny
lawn—showcases the informal planting
contemporary designers. Here shorter
plants are combined with medium and
taller selections in an irregular,
interwoven planting pattern. The border
is only cut back in spring, allowing the masses of
plants to reseed themselves and spread vigorous plants
naturally over time as well as providing that thrive in the
food and cover for birds and insects wet conditions—
during the winter. including hostas
While predominately sunny, the exposure and ferns,
at the far end of the New Wave garden is grasses and
rodgersias—all
relatively shady, with many familiar
seemingly co-
shade-loving plants, from masses of six-
existing in easy
foot high Aruncus diocus at the back,
harmony.
down to discrete clumps of diminutive
Brunnera macrophylla along the And finally, as
walkways. you head back
home, if time
A magnificent daylily walk is filled with
hundreds of different cultivars creating a permits you can
always stop in
kaleidoscope of summer color. And an
Manchester, VT Bottom: Lush plantings surround the shady pond at Berkshire Botanical
expansive herb garden occupies a broad
to see two more Gardens.
sunny slope. Winding stone paths and
gardens, both
steps crisscross the slope, bringing and VT Certified Horticulturist. She also
visitors in close contact with the aromatic with VNLA connections. ( http:// teaches Sustainable Home Landscaping for
plantings, while large smooth embedded northcountryreflections.com/roving- the UVM Master Gardener Program. She
gardener/visiting-manchester/).
rocks both stabilize the slope and also writes about her VT gardening life at
add visual appeal. Together Judith Irven and her husband, www.northcountryreflections.com. You can
Dick Conrad, nurture a large garden in reach Judith at judithirven@gmail.com.
And in the natural hollow at the bottom
of the hill a serene pond is surrounded by Goshen, VT. Judith is a landscape designer

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 STRICTLY BUSINESS
no kidding …

The Boom-X Paradigm

by Jacki Hart

There is a paradigm Millennials’ desire to

contribute to the good
shift upon us. It’s
of the climate,
been creeping into
communities and the
many industries about
environment. We
ten years. In this past
need to adopt
year, it seems to have
transformational
reached its’ own
thinking in order to
critical mass, and
solve our labour crises
those who don’t fully
our employer market
embrace it are being
needs to navigate the
left behind in the
Boom-X Paradigm
labour market. It’s a
Shift. And FAST.
transformational
metamorphosis of our
This paradigm shift is
labour force, being
buried deep in the
driven by unexpected
they see so many, they forget which ones subconscious of our
agents of change. Not by the economy.
were keeping something on hold for key demographic group of potential team
But by the Millennials, thankfully.
them. They just buy the most convenient players and future managers. In an
one, or the best deal when they’re ready industry that includes physical fitness as
If the terms ‘gig economy’, ‘boomerang
to. The impact of technology on a common factor for suitability in
employees’ and ‘Tours of duty’ are
recruiting and job hunting. matching candidates to jobs, many
unfamiliar, it’s time for you to ‘get with
employers are thinking still about filling
the NEW paradigm’ which is now upon
For several years now, I’ve been reading, seats in trucks and haven’t yet brought
us. I’ve created a new thought-leader
observing, listening and brainstorming their recruiting and hiring criteria up to
term for it: The ‘Boom-X Paradigm’*. I’ve
on the subject of ‘employee attitudes’, match the mindset of those they seek to
named it that, because it applies to the
I’m now absolutely convinced that our bring on board.
Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers who make
up the majority of employers at this biggest labour challenge is rooted in how
employers think about the structure of Gone are the days of hiring ‘labourers’ -
present time. Let me explain….
their business and the people who work and treating them as such. No self-
there. Using the jean analogy, selling respecting Millennial is going to be
For example, in the landscape industry
ahead of the competition is more about treated as a labourer. This wonderful
recruiting and job hunting has been
convenience, simplicity and appeal to the creative generation is looking for more.
turned upside down. If you’re an
buyer. Jobs are now the item ‘for sale’, Not more money (well, ok, maybe more
employer, I’d dare to wager that you had
Millennials are the consumers. And God money than you think you can afford).
at least one ‘no show’ for interviews this
Bless them, because they are forcing old They are looking for more opportunity.
past year. Finding a job or a ‘better’ job
stale habits to reinvent. They want to bring meaning to their day
these days for the tech savvy, is like
by making purposeful contributions to
finding a new pair of jeans – just search,
I believe that contracting industries the big picture, to be a part of the
click, pick and get what you want when
aren’t unappealing because of what we solutions and success. They want to be
you want it. There’s lots to choose from.
do, but because of how we think. In fact, included. And, fyi, they’re not lazy. If you
That’s why many don’t show up for
what we do in the landscape industry for engage them, you’ll not be able to keep
scheduled interviews. They browsed your
example, is totally aligned with up with them. What this generational
job posting like a store in a mall. And

30
attitude shift represents to employers is
the need to completely change their
thinking about why they’re hiring and
what happens when they do.
Historically, business successes across
many industries have been achieved by
focusing on efficiency, in a stable and
highly predictable environment – where
generations of workers chose a trade and
stuck with one career – often one
company – for life.
It was an era when people were managed
as a commodity to produce profit. I’ll
paraphrase Simon Sinek’s formula:
People + Productivity = Profit.
Today we face a different reality which is
unstable and highly unpredictable. This
new reality is made up of changing
attitudes toward work and a rapidly
changing marketplace. Recent statistics
indicate that 80% of employees (under the
age of 35, across all industries) will
change jobs every three to five years. The
We asked new member Sprout
Gardening & Landscaping to
introduce her business via a
member questionnaire we sent to
them. Please meet Emily Martel of
Sprout Gardening & Landscaping
below and we welcome her to the
VNLA!
My name is Emily Martel and I own
Sprout Gardening & Landscaping
located in Stowe, Vermont. We are so
happy to be a new member of the
Vermont Nursery and Landscape
Association/Green Works!
We provide full service landscape
maintenance, various garden
installations,seasonal clean-up’s, fruit-
reasons for job change vary but include
‘lousy boss’ as the highest ranked and
better pay as one of the lowest ranked
reasons for leaving their job.
I have come to believe that what has
made our industry successful in the past
(People + Productivity = Profit) is a big
part of what’s holding us back from
success now and will in the future. The
NEW Boom-X Paradigm* is shifting to
both a focus on effectiveness and
engagement in a way never thought of
before now. Profit now must be managed
as a commodity used to grow and nurture
the people. This new reality demands a
new formula for success:
People + Purpose = Performance.
I’ve spent the last year developing ways to
help employers deploy fresh thinking to
solve stale problems. As an industry, I
believe that we need to engage, equip and
empower our teams, challenge status quo
thinking, and ignite our leadership teams
New Member Profile:
Sprout Gardening & Landscaping
tree pruning, annual arrangements and
more.
I am a native Vermonter and I have been
working as a gardener for the past six
years. I started my journey by working on
garden crews as a teen to get outdoors
31
with hope and new knowledge. The
Boom-X Paradigm* is here to stay.
About the Author: Jacki Hart is president
of Consulting by Hart in Ontario, Canada. She
is an entrepreneur, advisor, business
consultant, and workshop facilitator with a
career in the Green Industry spanning 35
years. Jacki is one of Canada’s first women to
hold the North American Green Industry
certificate for business management
excellence. Jacki also manages the Prosperity
Program and Peer to Peer Network for
Landscape Ontario.
Jacki writes for other trade magazines and will
be a regular contributor to our business
column. CBH is a consulting firm that
“passionately believes that entrepreneurial
success depends on sustained forward
momentum - across all areas of business -
both the visible and the invisible. To learn
more about CBH visit
and then continued to grow my
knowledge through the help of
courses like the UVM Extension
Master Gardener program, as well as
botany classes and associations like
the VNLA/Green Works, that host
great events and educational
workshops.
In five years I plan to narrow our
focus to solely working to transform
landscapes using native based
practices that are sustainable for our
ecosystems.
My favorite plant right now is Anise
Hyssop because of its dense purple
spikes and its utility to both humans and
pollinators. I love plants that provide
beauty and purpose for all. Indian Ghost
Pipe is also a favorite.
 GET OUT OF THE
CLASSROOM AND INTO
YOUR FIELD.

Earn your associate degree in

Landscape Contracting.

Visit vtc.edu/landscape-design
or contact admissions at (800) 442-8821.

Small College. Big Outcomes.

GROWING FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Phone (207) 499-2994 • Fax (207) 499-2912
sales@piersonnurseries.com • www.piersonnurseries.com
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
24 Buzzell Road 291 Waterhouse Road
The oldest and largest nursery Biddeford ME 04005 Dayton ME 04005

in the Northeast Kingdom! CARRYING A FULL LINE OF B&B AND CONTAINER

PLANTS READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU

B & B Apple Trees For Sale! NATIVE PLANTS

SHADE TREES
FERNS & GRASSES
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New cultivars and heirloom
Check our website for our
varieties available most recent availability
(password: pni2019)

Route 14 * Craftsbury, VT Or contact our office if you

would like to receive our
802-586-2856 weekly availability emails
lapointnursery@gmail.com

32
 THE PLANT LOUNGE
wiry stems, hairy leaves and bodacious blooms. . .

These are a Few of Our Favorite Plants!

by Marie Limoge, Landscape Designer
As we all know, when someone finds Serviceberry. Amelanchier canadensis
to be exact. This small tree can be
out that you’re in the horticulture/
both multi-stemmed and single. It is
landscaping industry, they ask a lot
one of the first plants to bloom in
of questions. What do you think
the spring and the tiny white
about this issue I am having with my
flowers, which emerge before it’s
lawn, or fruit trees, or veggies? Do
leaves, are a welcome sight after a
you know much about pruning?
long winter. The summer brings dark
What shrubs do you think would look
green leaves and edible dark purple,
best in front of my house? Did you go
berry-like fruit. The foliage display
to school for this?
of reds and oranges does not
disappoint in the fall, and the
The hardest of these questions for
beautiful smooth grey bark provides
me to answer is always: what is your
winter interest. As if all of that
favorite plant? This question is
wasn’t enough, there are also no
especially difficult when you spend
major insect problems or serious
so much of your time creating
diseases associated with this plant.
landscape designs or when you work
And did I mention that it is a native!
with plants every day. I know we all
have our favorite landscape plants,
I asked some of my fellow VNLA
the ones that are tried and true
board members what some of their
performers and those plants that
favorites are and I loved the answers
never disappoint us and always make
I received and learning a little bit
it through our harsh New England
more about some of these plants.
winters. But are any of these really
my favorite plant? There are Our President Ashley’s favorite
countless trees, shrubs, perennials plant is Geranium. She loves the
and annuals that I love, not to scent and that there are so many
mention the many tropical and varieties of this hardy perennial.
dessert plants that I wish would Commonly called Cranesbills, there
grow here! How could I possibly are over 400 species in the Geranium
choose just one? family. This wonderful perennial can
handle full sun to part shade and
So, what do I say when someone asks
comes in a variety of colors such as
that dreaded question? Well, I
white, pink, magenta and deep
usually laugh a little and then cheat
purples. They start blooming in late
by listing my favorite in each
spring and the show continues until
category. I love Honey Locusts for
early fall. Geraniums are a great
their dappled shade; Pee Gee
choice for most gardens!
Hydrangea for their gorgeous white
blooms that turn pinkish in the fall; Hannah, our Vice President, said she
Black-Eyed Susan for their loves old fashioned single Hollyhock
cheeriness; and salmon/coral colored because they remind her of her
Zinnias for their vibrant color. This Top: Amelanchier canadensis in Fall. Grandmother. Alcea are tall and
strategy is successful most of the Middle: Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’. beautiful biennial plants that self-
time, but if really pushed I would Bottom: Alcea rosea.
sow easily so you shouldn’t need to
have to say my favorite plant is a

33
worry about replanting. They bloom from late spring through
summer. This plant can reach heights of 6-8 feet and may need
staking if planted in a high wind area or if the season is
particularly rainy.

Nate, our Treasurer, listed off quite a few plants and

Rhododendron viscosum was among them. This beautiful native
plant is commonly known as the Swamp Azalea. It is a
deciduous shrub that prefers shade and can tolerate wetter
soils. Blooming in Spring it has pale pink to white fragrant
flowers and has a fall foliage display of yellow, orange and
purple. They should never be planted near Butternut or Black
Walnut trees, as the roots of these trees produce a toxin that
can harm plants in the Azalea/Rhododendron family.

Marlys Eddy chose the Larch because of many reasons. She

loves their shape, the texture of their needles and the fact that Top: Rhododendron
they are a deciduous evergreen makes them pretty special. viscosum.
Larix have very fine light green needles that grow in little tufts
Middle: Larix.
along the branches and give a soft appearance to the tree.
These needles turn a vibrant yellow in the Fall before dropping Bottom: Quercus
to the ground. Larix prefer to be in full sun and can tolerate rubra in the Fall.
moderately wet soils. Marlys also mentioned that there is often
great moss and lichens growing on their trunks as well!

Our newest addition to the board, Elise Schadler, who works in

urban forestry, said that her favorite plant was the Northern
Red Oak. Quercus rubra is native to eastern North America and
can grow to heights of 50 to 75 feet tall with a similar spread.
They prefer to be planted in full sun and can be transplanted
easily. This stately long-lived tree is drought tolerant and can
make a wonderful street tree.

I know it was hard for all of them to choose just one tree,
shrub, perennial, biennial or annual, but I loved the variety of
answers I received from these fellow horticulturists. Of course
these were the plants that we picked as our favorites for the
moment. If you ask us all again next week, you might get very
different answers!

All photos courtesy of www.missouribotanicalgarden.org.

We want to hear from YOU on

what your favorite plant is!!
Please consider writing an
article for the next issue of The
Dirt about your favorite plant!

34
 Greetings from Gardener’s Supply
Brian: “It really is about the personal relationships with our customers. Everything else is secondary.”
That’s been Brian’s motto over his 31 years in the wholesale industry. A Vermont Certified Horticulturalist,
Brian has in-depth knowledge of industry trends, plants, pricing, pest and disease identification and has a
keen sense for finding the plants you need for your projects. Brianm@gardeners.com

Chris: Responsible and committed, sharp with numbers and analysis, Chris is ready and attentive to your
questions and requests. A veteran with 11 years at Gardener’s Supply, he will be your primary contact for
e-mail communication, taking plant requests, writing up plant quotes, and will be the coordinator of our
new delivery program. Chrisr@gardeners.com

Lezlee: Lezlee Sprenger returns this year at the forefront of our sales office. A master gardener with
over 12 years of industry experience in garden and floral design, Lezlee owned her own landscape
company and has been a commercial customer of ours for years. Don’t hesitate to talk to her about plant
combinations, design and color, and installation specifics. Lezlees@gardeners.com

Commercial Division
Spring/Summer Commercial Hours
Weekdays 7:00am–6:00pm, Sat. 8:00am–6:00pm, Sun. 9:00am–5:00pm

472 Marshall Avenue, Wiliston, VT

802-658-2433 • wholesale@gardeners.com

tempfile_10932930.indd 1 35 4/1/19 10:13 AM

 A Professional Association for
Green Works’ mission is to support and strengthen the
Growers, Retailers, Garden Centers, Nurserymen
horticulture industry
and Women, Landscapeof Vermont by Contractors,
Designers and creating greater
awareness of the benefits
Landscape of landscaping
Architects, Maintenance Experts,and promoting
Arborists, Turf Specialists, Industry Representatives,
PO Box 92, N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 the professional services and products of our members.
P: 802.425.5117 | F: 802.425.5122 Allied Trades People, Students, and Educators.
E: kristina@greenworksvermont.org
36
www.greenworksvermont.org visit us atwww.greenworksvermont.org
www.greenworksvermont.org