Antique Apples
Natural Meadows
The title of this gallery could accurately be re-titled “Successional Hayfields,” as these fields have had no inputs other than occasional mowing for the last 20 years. It is fascinating to see species of goldenrod and asters, as well as common milkweed, overcoming timothy and other hay grasses. Goldenrods peak after the tall white asters […]
Farm, Forest, and Lake
A short drive from the the Gardens, our managed forest preserve borders a shallow lake. An “antique” farmhouse and barn are located at the edge of the forest. The farmhouse is over 100 years old. Bluestone patio by Darder Stoneworks Old farm fields surround the house. and the barn. Old field/meadow in full bloom. Mowed […]
Ephemeral Ponds
Ephemeral ponds, also called vernal ponds, are small bodies of water that typically do not hold water throughout the season. For this reason, they cannot support fish. This makes them ideally suited to be safe breeding habitat for amphibians like frogs and salamanders. Turtle Pond is being restored. This wood frog is returning to the […]
Blueberry Barrens
We call this area of the Preserve blueberry barrens because blueberries, both highbush and lowbush (Vaccinium spp.) are the dominant species of plants found here in the sandy, depauperate soil, with mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia), another member of the heath or Ericaceous family. running a close second. The bright green groundcover in the center is […]
Hemlock Ravine
The Hemlock Ravine comprises a large portion of the nature preserve. The hemlocks are endangered by an exotic insect, the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA). Looking down into the hemlock ravine Mitchella repens, partridgeberry, rooted in a bed of moss. New York ferns, Thelypteris novaboracensis, unfurling in the Hemlock Ravine. This Indian cucumber is still blooming, […]
Kettle Hole Bog
One of the more interesting areas of the Preserve is a small kettle hole bog, a relict of ancient glacial origin. Carnivorous plants and some of the other unique flora found here are limited to bogs and found nowhere else. Goldthread, Coptis trifolia, in bloom, a common groundcover in the bog. The fragrant rosy azalea, […]
Wildflowers
From spring through summer, this gallery highlights the diversity of native flora found throughout different areas of the Preserve. Trout lilies, Erythronium americanum, one of our earliest spring wildflowers, found in damp, seepy woods. Sharp-lobed hepatica, or liver-leaf, Hepatica acutiloba, maybe our earliest bloomer, still hanging on to last year’s evergreen leaf Wood anemone, Anemone […]