Newly transformed garden at Waverly Center attracting pollinators

The flowers of Ilex Glabra are attracting bees this growing season.

The pollinators in Portland have a new garden to feast from. Blooming now is the Ilex Glabra ‘Shamrock’ and Itea Virginica ‘Little Henry’ shrubs — both native plants.

In total, the garden consists of five different shrub species —a total of 16 shrubs— and all but one are native plants. To compliment the shrubs, three main perennials are also featured: Sedum 'Autumn Joy,' irises from PRVGC Lucinda Patricks' garden, and lamb’s ears donated from a club member's family garden.

The garden at the Waverly Center was replanted last fall as part of Lucinda's Community Outreach Project for the UConn Master Gardener Program. While Lucinda was an intern, she designed the garden renewal for the bed that had become overwhelmed by plants over the years. (Click here to read the story as covered in the RiverEast News Bulletin.)

"I’m happy to report that no maintenance other than some very minor weeding has been required by us this spring in the new garden bed," said Lucinda. "All plants survived their first winter there and have put forth enthusiastic growth."   

Next on the agenda for the Waverly Center beautification is planting new shrubs along the narrow garden bed bordering the parking lot. 

Itea Virginica  ‘Little Henry’  blooming in the Waverly Center garden.

 

Featured plants in this garden: 

1  Hibiscus ‘Red Heart’  (Rose of Sharon).  Deciduous shrub,  8-10 feet high, 6 feet wide. Mid-July into fall bloom: White blossom with red throat, 3” to 4” wide.

1 Physocarpus opufolius ‘Tiny Wine’ (Ninebark). Deciduous shrub, 4-5 feet height and width. Late spring bloom: small pink-white, five-petaled flowers appearing in dense, rounded, spirea-like clusters 1-2” diameter.

6 Juniperis virginiana ‘Grey Owl’  (Red cedar). Needled evergreen.  2-3 feet high and 4-6 feet wide. 

5  Ilex Glabra ‘Shamrock’  (Inkberry). Broadleaf evergreen.  3-5 feet tall and wide.

3  Itea Virginica  ‘Little Henry’  (Virginia Sweetspire).  Deciduous shrub.  2-3 feet high and wide. Late spring to early summer blooms: tiny white flowers in cylindrical, drooping racemes 3-6" long. 

12 Sedum Spectabilis 'Autumn Joy.’ Perennial. 18”-24” tall and wide. Late summer to fall bloom. Pink flower heads 3”- 6” in August turn deep mauve-red in fall.

The garden also includes Lamb's Ear and Iris.