Inside and Outside the Picket Fence

BY JAN WHITLOCK
Posted 8/22/18

If your garden is unhappy during these “dog days” of summer, you need to come out to the Quitman Arboretum and focus on the Waterwise Garden. This planting is located on the property line between …

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Inside and Outside the Picket Fence

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If your garden is unhappy during these “dog days” of summer, you need to come out to the Quitman Arboretum and focus on the Waterwise Garden. This planting is located on the property line between the Arboretum and the Carrol Green Civic Center. It has been in place for several years now and continues to flourish.

Hot, cold, wet, dry – these plants are superstars and can deal with just about anything Wood County weather throws their way. I am pleased to announce that we are well on our way to installing signage in this garden to assist the visitor in identification. In my limited view, two outstanding performers would be the desert willow with its delicate pink blooms and the crepe myrtle planted alongside the chain-link fence. The dark leaves and beautiful flowers on the crepe myrtle will stick in your memory. One of these black leaf varieties has been labeled as “Black Diamond.” Easy to remember and hard to forget.

Several small beds in the main part of the garden are under renovation. Incorporating a few of these areas should provide much needed light for our heirloom roses. They will be joined by a special group of hardy hibiscuses and a seating area for those who just want to sit and admire. We are now in the process of edging this new addition with repurposed brick that was generously donated by the owner of the home on the corner of Lane Street. It is great to think that these bricks have been moved just a few blocks from their original location and will continue to enhance Wood County at the Arboretum. I would be remiss if I did not mention our annual Fall Yard Sale. Saturday, Sept. 29 will find the Friends of the Arboretum peddling their slightly used and some unused items between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. We are accepting donations on Wednesday mornings at the Stinson House. No clothes or shoes please.

Yes, it is hot. However, the coffee is on. Stop by any Wednesday. Be our guest.