Turning the Page for Pollinators: Bed 2

Description TBD

Staff and visitors see Bed 1 as they walk towards the front door of Southeastern. They could spend 1-2 minutes with this bed in their field of vision, and it is one of the last things seen before going in the building. When the rhododendron blooms (purple), it is luminous against the arborvitae, and the azaleas provide a bright pop of magenta for two weeks in May. Otherwise, you only engage with this bed to wonder about the growing patch of wildflowers (toadflax) and then move on. You can look down on this bed from a height of 6', but to access it, you need to walk through a gate and down two steps. For something that is slightly in-your-face when you are close to it, this bed feels off-limits because of the safety rail. When the hedge is restored along the road, it will be even further off-limits.

This is the only bed that gets part shade, and it can be easily watered thanks to the water spigot in the building. It is also protected from the north by the arborvitae and from the west by the building. The leaves from the large shade tree are small and should not be a smothering problem.

Vision: Turn the off-limits vibe into a well-kept secret that is inspirational in its surprises that could include color, texture, and smell. Spring ephemerals, ferns, whites, pinks, blues, purples, silver foliage, sanctuary for pollinators overwintering and larval host plants.

Plant Wish List: Clethra; Dutchman's Breeches; Golden Alexander; Spice bush