There are many plant events in the spring – Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore has Market Day in early May. Also in May – the Baltimore Herb Festival.

We thank you for your past support of Chesapeake Conservation Nurseries. As the economy improves, we may resume nursery operations. Please check back from time to time to view our status.

Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,

Pamela Harris, President

Pam Harris, President, Chesapeake Conservation Nurseries

Jennifer Hicks, of the Chester River Association, and Pam Harris of Chesapeake Conservation Nurseries, were assisted by seven members of a neighborhood soccer team to help transport trees and mulch across the ditch at Robvanary Park.

Using plants from Chesapeake Conservation Nurseries, volunteers from the town of Millington, the Chester River Association, and Washington College have been hard at work on on several greening projects. The town’s parks, schools, and the town hall are all being treated to a green makeover.

The town hall now has a demonstration rain garden adjacent to the office. It is designed to capture storm water runoff before it reaches local tributaries to the Chester river. Perennial species such as New York Ironweed, Blackeyed Susan, Cardinal Flower, and Swamp Milkweed – along with grasses and shrubs combine to stabilize the soil with deep root systems and take up rain water during and after a storm. These native plants also provide food, shelter, and nesting material for butterflies, beneficial insects, hummingbirds, and song birds.

Tree plantings in Robvanary Park, and local schools are also under way. Native species such as River Birch, Pawpaw, Swamp White Oak, and Persimmons will add to the town’s tree canopy providing shade, stormwater retention, and habitat for local wildlife. The tree plantings in the town are part of a project to increase the town’s tree canopy by 10 percent. The Washington College Center for Environment and Society produced a Community Forest Master Plan which included this recommendation.

Chestertown Assistant Zoning and Housing Administrator Kees de Mooy spearheaded the project, garnering the support of various community groups, schools, and garden clubs to produce these beautiful gardens.

The first rain garden planted was at Rolling Road Park. Chestertown Middle School students and volunteers planted trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses provided by Chesapeake Conservation Nurseries.  The result was a beautiful, functional rain garden, designed to intercept runoff from the park headed into a local stream – a tributary to the Chester River.

Kees de Mooy and All Seasons Garden Club Volunteers decipher the landscape architect's plans at Wilmer Park in Chestertown.

Next was Washington Park, planted by the Student Environmental Alliance at Washington College. The last garden installed was at Wilmer Park.  The All Seasons Garden Club led this volunteer planting effort, with assistance from Worton Elementary 4th graders participating in a Sultana educational program.

These demonstration rain gardens show how naturalized landscapes can have a significant impact on intercepting runoff. A rain garden project does not need to be an expensive or labor intensive project.

Completed tree and shrub section of the Wilmer Park Rain Garden

A few well chosen native shrubs or perennials can have a significant impact on absorbing rain water after a storm.

Funding for these rain garden projects was provided by The Chesapeake Bay Trust.