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Highlights of the Gardens of the Orange County Arboretum

By Nancy F., Cornwall Master Gardener

This article appeared in the May 2019 Issue of Gardening in Orange County. Click here to subscribe!

The Alpine Garden

A stone path running through the APline Gardne full of color and texture
The Alpine Garden at the Orange County Arboretum

Explore the Alpine Garden and its varieties of succulents, spruces, perennials and grasses, surrounded by rock formations and waterways.  If you take time to look around at all the different colors and textures, you will notice a very delicate plant known as the crown anemone or Spanish marigold (Anemone coronaria).

Close up of a purple crown anemone flower.
Crown anemone (Anemone coronaria)

The crown anemone’s  dark-centered flowers can be found in an array of colors from purple-blue, red, pink or white.  They are a perfect addition to rock gardens, flower bed, and containers.  They do well in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in very hot areas.  Soil preference is sandy loam. Crown anemones are propagated by underground storage structures called corms, which are similar to a bulbs and tubers.  Corms can be planted after the danger of frost, which is usually early May here in Orange County New York.  For continuous bloom throughout the summer, they should be planted every two or three weeks. (Note: The small corms should be soaked for several hours before planting).  For those people who garden in containers, you can create a stunning display by combining crown anemones with tulips and grape hyacinths.

 

The Asian Maple Garden

Large pink clower with yellow center known as the Peony 'Morning Lilac'
Peony ‘Morning Lilac’

One of the numerous attractions in the Asian Maple Garden is the intersectional Itoh Peony ‘Morning Lilac’.  This stunning flower was created by crossing a tree peony with the more common herbaceous peony.  Intersectional peonies have strong, short woody stems and large flowers like a tree peony, but die down to the ground in winter like an herbaceous peony.  These plants prefers a neutral to alkaline soil pH, and need good drainage.  Autumn is the best time for planting peonies.

The Nellie Mazur Perennial Garden

A metal plat with corn, cow and flower siloueetes cut out allowing the sun to stream through projecting the images onto the snow
Remember Agrisculpture : Seed Plates – Lovingly Rethought

The Nellie Mazur Perennial Garden is a lovely mix of shrubs and herbaceous perennials. Recently added is to this garden is a magnificent piece of Agrisculpture made by collaging (welding) found vintage and antique metal with new steel to create an entirely new form.  The piece is entitled “REMEMBER Agrisculpture: Seed Plates – Lovingly Rethought” is a 40 square-foot steel piece made from antique seed planter plates and gears.  It was commissioned by the arboretum to honor the late Farmer Mazur and his passion for seed distribution.

The Remembrance Walkway and Garden

A large black globe on a pedastool surrounded by a circular stine path and bed of red flowers
The Remembrance Garden

The Remembrance Walkway and Garden “honor[s] those who lost their lives and those whose lives have been altered by the tragic events of the September 11 attack on America”.  The September 11th Memorial features a stunning rotating granite sculpture of the earth surrounded by bronze plaques with the names of the 44 Orange County residents who perished that day.  A ceremony is held every year on September 11 to honor those that we lost.

The Raised Garden Beds

The Raised Garden Beds developed in 2002 are situated throughout the Arboretum and are home to a spectacular seasonal display of annual and perennial companion plantings.  Every year visitors anticipate the arrival of the colorful spring display of numerous tulip varieties found throughout the grounds.  The plants for the raised beds are grown in the arboretum’s Kosuga Greenhouse.  This greenhouse houses 28,000 plants which includes plants for the raised beds as well as plants for the Arboretum’s annual plant sale.  The purchase of new plants is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Arboretum and the patrons of the arboretum’s annual events.

The purple thistle like bloom of the Cardoon
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

Two of the plants that are highlighted in the raised garden bed for their uniqueness are cardoon and cotton.  Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), also known as the artichoke thistle or globe artichoke, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family and is hardy in zones 7-10.  Unfortunately, Orange County New York is found in zones 5 and 6, so here it usually can only be grown as an annual.   This plant requires full sun in a sheltered location with fertile, well-drained soil.  The plant reaches 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide and is an architectural splendor. Its large, thistle-like flowers are quite ornamental.  The violet-purple flowers are produced in a heavily spined capitulum (head).  Choose companion plants that contrast with the blue to silver color of the foliage such as annuals with blue, purple or burgundy flowers.

A white flower surrounded by dark green leaves with dark magenta vains
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

The second plant highlighted in the raised garden beds is the cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum). The hibisicus-like bloom is initially white in color and later turns pink.  The flowers stay on the plant for a few weeks, before they wither and fall leaving behind seedpods known as bolls.  Fibers inside the boll continue to develop until the boll bursts open exposing white fluffy cotton.  This annual grows three to five feet tall and prefers full sun and moist soil.

The Rill

Bronze statue of Pan holding a pan flute
Pan – the god of woods, fields and flocks

During the warmer months, a bronze statue of Pan, the god of woods, fields and flocks is surrounded by running water.  The Rill was a developed by John and Connie Vanderberg  in 2005 and the Pan sculpture was donated by Ruth Ottaway.

The Al Durland Memorial Pond

Surrounded by grass and woodlands, the Al Durland Memorial Pond, is a peaceful aquatic sanctuary. One can enjoy its beauty and serenity on the large deck that runs along one of its sides.

The Apiary

Upclose view of a bee hive buzzing with activity
Honey bees tending their hive

The Apiary is buzzing with bee activity this time of year.  Our new beekeeper is starting classes for beginner beekeepers.

The Apiary is also a favorite site for the elementary school students visiting the arboretum with their classes to participate in the Garden Exploration with Master Garden (GEM) program.  During the bee portion of this program,  the students learn about the three different types of bees found within a hive – queen, worker and drone bees. They also learn all about honey production and the important role bees play in our environment.  The arboretum sells its honey at their Holiday Boutique that is open from the end of November until the end of December.

The Veteran’s Garden

Plaque with the following words: Dedicated to those who have served, are serving and will be servinf our Country - Orange COunty thanks...(words cut off)
Honoring our Veterans

The Veteran’s Garden at the Arboretum is dedicated to our Veterans of the past, present and future and hosts a yearly ceremony to honor our Veterans.

The Ceremony Garden

The Ceremony Garden is a large open field surrounded by a beautiful rose garden, raised garden beds, and towering trees.  This popular venue is available for rental through the Orange County Parks Department.

The Children’s Garden

The Children’s Garden was designed to get children outside and give them an opportunity to connect with nature.  The Children’s Garden  is both beautiful and educational.  It hosts a myriad of children’s events throughout the year from backyard bird feeding to a its annual Fairy Festival.

For more information about the Orange County Arboretum and upcoming events check out their website: http://www.orangecountyarboretum.org/.

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The Eternal Flame of Summer: Celosia

by Carole L., Warwick Senior Master Gardener

This article appeared in the April 2019 Issue of Gardening in Orange County. Click here to subscribe!

Red cascading amaranth flowers
Love Lies Bleeding

When looking forward and making plans for showcasing summer’s wild and lively colors, consider adding the versatile annual showstopper Celosia.  A member of the Amaranthaceae family, the flower is reminiscent of its cousin, the Amaranth plant, and its more common ornamental variety, “Love Lies Bleeding.”

Celosia comes in assorted colors, shapes, and sizes.  There are three common types: plume, cockscomb, and wheat.  Their names well describe the shape of each flower.

Yellow plume celosia
Yellow Plume

The plume celosia’s flowers top off the plant with large poofs of color which resemble a flame.  The name ‘celosia’ is actually derived from the Greek word ‘kelos,’ which means ‘burned.’  Like a flame, they come in reds, yellows, and oranges.  You can plant a border garden in one favorite color, or add all the colors together in a mix guaranteed to make you smile.  The plant will continue to flower from June through to the first frost, and simple deadheading will suffice to keep the rainbow aglow.

Red cockscomb celosia flower
Red Cockscomb Celosia

The cockscomb celosia has a dome shape with curving lines which, not surprisingly, look like the red crest on the head of a rooster.  The traditional red-colored flower is used throughout Mexico with the Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta) in Day of the Dead celebrations. Cockscomb celosias can also be bright yellow.  As with the plume celosia, flowering can be extended for months by regular deadheading.

Magenta wheat celosia flowers
Wheat celosia

Wheat celosia is slightly more subdued in color than the other two types.  The flower is shaped like a spike of wheat, and tends toward shades of pink or white, although there are now some varieties in darker red-purple shades.  As an ornamental, its straight, erect height, between 3 and 5 feet tall, makes the wheat celosia a striking addition to any flower garden.

Here are a few more reasons to consider celosias for your summer 2019 garden:

    • They make good container flowers, especially in an alkaline soil mix.  If you are looking for a new “thrill” for your containers’ “fill, thrill, and spill” mix, consider adding some celosias for color or height.
  • Celosias are an easy-care flower. For best results, plant them in full sun; they do like heat.  As a tropical plant, they are known to tolerate drought, but keeping them moist (not wet) is best.  Usually watering 3 or 4 times per week in well-drained soil is ideal.
  • Monarch butterfly perched on magenta wheat celosia flower
    Monarch Butterfly on Celosia FLower

    All of the celosias will attract bees and other pollinators. Consider planting some near, or mixed in with, your vegetable garden or orchard to help with pollination.

  • The leaves, stems, and little flowers are all edible! In parts of Africa, Indonesia, and India, the leaves (especially the tender new leaves) are a green staple.  They are a source of protein, Vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.  They are said to have a flavor much like spinach, and a texture like basil.  Before the plant flowers, the tender leaves would be a healthy addition for any recipe that includes spinach as an ingredient.  It is best to boil the leaves first and toss out the resulting blackish water, as it reportedly contains nitrates and oxalates; then you can use the still-green leaves in your scrambled eggs, soups, or stews.  Most recipes add onions, garlic, hot peppers, or even peanut butter to perk up the flavor of the mild celosia leaves.
Just sprouted celosia seedlings. Some of the seelings still have the seed coat at the end of the leaves.
Celosia Seedlings
    • Since the celosia leaves are best used when tender before flowering, and most store-bought celosias already have flowers, you may want to start your own plants from seeds.  If starting indoors, plant 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.  Cover the tiny seeds lightly (with only 1/8 inch of soil).  Keep moist and warm. Germination takes 10 to 15 days.  Transplant to your prepared garden bed when the soil is warm.  When plants are 4 to 6 inches tall, thin them.  You can throw the pulled plants into the cooking pot.  Alternatively, you can plant seed directly into the garden when the garden soil is warm.  Cover the newly planted seeds with straw to keep moist and prevent washing away in case of heavy rains.  Remove the straw once plants emerge.

     

    • Numerous bouquets of flowers hanging on a string inside a rustic woodedn plank building
      Drying FLowers

      All types of celosia make beautiful cut flowers and colorful long-lasting dried flowers. To dry, cut flowers when at their peak, remove side leaves to prevent mildew, and hang the flowers upside down in a dark, dry place for several weeks.

      Remember to place newspaper underneath the drying plants to catch the seeds that will fall from the flowers once they are dry.  Save these seeds for your 2020 celosia garden and be sure to share with your friends!