A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN

The Branford River Project is concerned about the use of pesticides and commercial fertilizers which may be dangerous to humans and Long Island Sound. Expanding on a research partnership begun three years ago, the University of Connecticut in conjunction with the River Project has created a garden of "sustainable" plants and shrubs that tolerate weather extremes and require little fertilization or other special care. It is their hope that residents of Branford and surrounding communities will come to observe the garden and add some of these low maintenance plants into their own gardens.

The garden, which was planted in November 2001, is on the side of the Community House by the parking lot. Over the coming months, signage and a brochure to be used for self-guided tours will be added. In addition, UCONN will train local volunteers on sustainable gardening benefits and methods. These volunteers will then staff the garden one or two Saturdays a year to answer questions and work with residents on garden design questions. If you are interested in participating in this training program and becoming a sustainable landscaping steward, please contact Joan Jenkins, Education Committee, Branford River Project at 488-1503.

Plants included in the garden are:

Hermerocallis 'Happy Returns', 'Stella D'Oro' (Day Lily)
Hosta 'Great Expectations', 'Guacamole'
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Rudbeckia 'Little Suzy' (Black-eyed Susan)
Dryopteris eryth 'Autumn Fern' (Fern)
Athyrium filix femina 'Christata' (Lady Fern )
Veronica 'Royal Candles' (Speedwell)
Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' (wand-like grass)
Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurescens' (perennial grass)
Hypericum Patulum 'Hidcote' (St. John's Wort)
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low' (Sumac)
Myrica pennsylvanica (Bayberry)
Clethra alnifolia - 'Hummingbird' (Sweet Pepper Bush)
Caryopteris X Cland. - 'Dark Knight' (deciduous shrub)
Aronia arb. - 'brilliantissima' (Chokeberry)
Cornus alba, C. florida, C. racemosa - 'Elegantissima', 'Canadensis' (Dogwood)
Hamamelis vernalis, H. virginiana (Witch Hazel)
Ilex verticillata - 'Winter Red' (Holly)
Ilex X Meserveae - 'Blue Princess'
Azalea - 'Parade', 'Sparkler', 'Lemon Drop'
Viburnum dentatum - 'Chicago Lustre'
Trilobum
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bear's Grape/Bearberry)
Vinca minor - 'Wine' (Periwinkle)
Gaultheria procumbens (Creeping Wintergreen)
Vaccinium angustifolium - 'Brunswick', 'Burgundy' (High Bush Blueberry)
Rosa - 'Pink Meidiland', 'Lexington', 'Nearly Wild'
Cercis canadensis (Redbud Tree)
Nyssa sylvatica (Blackgum Tree)
Betula nigra (clump) (River Birch)
Amelanchier X G. - 'Autumn Brilliance' (Serviceberry)
Rhododendron - 'White Perfection', 'April Snow'
Kalmia latifolia - 'Kaleidoscope' (Mountain Laurel)
Juniperus virginiana - 'Emerald Sentinel' (Juniper)

For further information, call Joan Jenkins, member, Branford Garden Club and Branford River Project 488-1503.