October, “Going Native”

By Leslie Watkins

Partly influenced by current economics many people today are downsizing to create simple, sustainable and inexpensive lifestyles. As people and events around the world become more familiar to us we see the disparities, and our understanding grows. Studies indicate that we are not following in our parents footsteps in terms of possessions. Less is more. College graduates working to pay off student loans don’t want to add heavy mortgages to their financial burden and choose instead to buy tiny houses. Minimalism is making a lot of people think twice about consumerism, pollution and overpopulation. Up-cycling is in. People want freedom from obligations that take them away from spending time as they choose. Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” And that quote was echoed by Thoreau who said, “Simplify, simplify.” The premise of his book “Walden” is that owning property is enslavement and that freedom comes from owning fewer things to care and be responsible for. Smaller houses, less stuff and smarter choices could go a long way towards promoting harmonious human existence on our planet.

Papilio troilus, the caterpillar of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Illustration © Leslie Watkins 2016.

These ideas can also be practiced in the way we garden. Conservationists choose to disturb nature as little as possible. Naturalists delight in observation. An aging population may not enjoy the labors of working in their gardens as they once did. Growing native trees, shrubs and perennials is in keeping with all of these trends and more. Native plantings support natural diversity and don’t require pesticides, herbicides or excessive watering. They are beautiful, offer lower maintenance and thrive in less than perfect conditions. It’s a time-proven system, endorsed by Mother Nature herself, and it works.

Developing a deeper understanding of the plants around us brings a deeper appreciation. Many insects, birds and animals depend on natives to survive. Take Lindera benzoin, commonly called spicebush, for example. The spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus) lays its eggs on the leaves of the shrub. Seeing these astonishing caterpillars that mimic snakes would be enough of a reason to grow spicebush. The shrub has bright yellow fall color and fragrant early spring flowers. Its red berries provide food for several bird species including the wood thrush with its beloved ethereal song, of which Henry David Thoreau wrote: “Whenever a man hears it he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of Heaven are not shut against him.”

Another beautiful and fascinating native is witch hazel. Its botanical name Hamamelis means “together with fruit,” a reference to the previous years fruit occurring on the plant as it blooms. It flowers in late fall through early winter. Also called “snapping hazel” its seedpods explode when ripe, shooting seeds up to 30 feet away! The leaves and bark were used medicinally by Native Americans for skincare, bruising and swelling. Today it is readily available for use as an astringent, for psoriasis, eczema, poison ivy, insect bites and much, much more. The “witch” in its name comes from the Old English wiche, meaning pliant or bendable, a reference to its branches. Its twigs have been traditionally used as divining rods, and will often take root simply by being thrust into the ground. Witch hazel forms large colonies in the woods and has been harvested locally for centuries. The elixir, known as the “Golden Treasure,” has been produced in numerous Connecticut locations. One of the best known companies, owned for generations by the Dickinson family, has distilled witch hazel for almost 150 years. Cosmetic giants Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Avon, Revlon, Tom’s of Maine and the Pfizer Company all use Connecticut’s witch hazel.

When it comes to going native with plantings, there’s no better time to enjoy the show than in autumn. New England is graced with one of the most spectacular botanical displays in the world. Among our native trees and shrubs there are superstars that spark up the landscape: sugar maples, red maples, Nyssas, Sassafras, witch hazels and red oaks. Brilliant and wildlife-friendly shrubs include blueberries, sumac, Aronia, Lindera, Clethra, and shadbush. Consider adding autumn color into your garden. And best of all, the amazing display of our region’s fall foliage is free.

Late Blooming Perennial List

• Colchicum
• Caryopteris ‘Blue Mist’
• Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage
• Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Autumn Fire’
• Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum’
• Hydrangea Paniculata ‘Tardiva’
• Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’
• Chrysanthemum ‘Hillside Sheffield Pink’
• Aconitum carmichaelii, monkshood
• Anemone ‘September Charm’