Dylan and Morwyn's weekend

Friday, October 11^th

The practical began late for the students this weekend due to the CLT examination taking place at Cuddy Gardens.  Once our testing concluded (around 1:00pm), we enjoyed a brief lunch before attacking the afternoon’s tasks.  We were forbidden from working near the testing stations, so we deadheaded the daylilies near the frog sculpture and began weeding the iris bed.  It wasn’t long before Lucas and Michael summoned us to assist in other, more pressing work.  We disassembled CLT tables, chairs and practical sites that were no longer in use, loading them on to the organization’s van.  Before we knew it, 5:00pm rolled around and it was time to clean up.  Irrigation parts were returned to their rightful bins, and such bins were returned to the tool shed.  All equipment and tools were washed down thoroughly before being stowed away for the night.  We were briefed by Lucas as to what was to be accomplished for the rest of the weekend, and the day ended on a high note.  The day was short but productive!

Saturday, October 12^th

Dylan and Morwyn threw themselves into Saturday’s work, starting with the completion of the CLT clean-up.  This included retagging the Plant ID material and returning it to its rightful place in and between the hoop houses.  The irrigation system was left on for an hour or so, as Friday’s weather was warm and sunny, and the larger potted material was looking stressed.  Mulch remaining from yesterday’s event was transported via Kubota tractor to either the nearby cedar hedge bed or the compost pile, depending on varying sand content.  Next, the sand pits were raked through and leveled, having been disturbed from the many CLT tree planting exercises.  Upon Michael’s request, we transplanted several crocuses to one of the hosta beds to avoid being trampled.  After a late lunch, the students split up in the interest of time to water all hanging baskets, urns and containers not covered by an irrigation system, as well as backpack blow leaves under the walnut tree into more manageable piles.  The day ended with choosing a native plant to be profiled by the end of the weekend: Actaea racemosa.

Sunday, October 13^th

Sunday began with a tedious but thorough tidying of the walnut tree’s surrounding area.  We collected as much fruit as we could, resigned to the fact that it would continue to fall defiantly.  Dylan used the backpack blower to clear the gravel pathways in and around the alpine garden while Morwyn cleared the adjacent lawn of fallen leaves and other debris.  We cut back sedum and other plants in the dry garden that were ready to conserve their energy for the Fall/Winter season.  A little bit of weeding and a lot of raking later, it was lunch time.  Post break, we cultivated and filled a few depressed areas with soil.  Recognizing that time was running short, the students chose to devote the remainder of the weekend practical on their assigned plant profile.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather!

Actaea racemosa

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Dylan’s and Morwyn’s Opinion

A plant desired both for its foliage and striking blooms, Black Cohosh (or Black Bugbane) provides dynamic interest in a garden due to its height and form.  Bearing tall racemes of miniscule white flowers, it can be found from Southern Ontario to Central Georgia.  Having gained popularity from its inherent medicinal value, this plant is universally marketed as a reliever of menopause symptoms and other gynecological issues.

Botanical Information

Family	Ranunculaceae
Genus	Actaea
Species	racemosa
Category	Herbaceous Perennial
Type	Flowering plant

Origin  Eastern North America

Details

USDA Hardiness	3-8
Temperature (°C)	-35
Temperature (°F)	-31
Height	2-2.5 m

Spread                                   1-1.5 m

Description and Growing Information

Landscape	Excellent backdrop plant because of its tall flower stalks.  Good choice for garden borders.  Actaea racemosa is most impactful when planted en mass, or in small clumps.
Propagation	Rhizome division in Spring or Fall; seed.
Habitat	Woodland habitats; small woodland openings.
Shape	Upright, tall bloom; can be cushion, mound or clump.
Growth	Medium
FloweringPeriod	Late Spring- Midsummer
Cultivation	Likes moist, heavy, humus rich soil with a pH of 5-6.  Prefers full to part shade but will tolerate full sun.
Pests	Leaf spot; root rot.
ID Characteristic	Tall racemes of tiny white flowers, broad green basal leaves, slightly rank aroma.
General Description	Midsummer flowering plant with inflorescences of small white flowers on tall black/purple stems.  Slightly unpleasant ordour that attracts various insects.
Flower Description	75-250 cm tall inflorescences with no petals; tiny white clusters.  Flowers bear sweet, unpleasant fragrance that attracts flies and gnats.
Leaf Description	Large, compound; sets of 3 with serrated margins.
Texture Description	Smooth; glabrous
Colour Description	White flowers, black/purple stems, medium green basal leaves.
Fruit Description	5-10 mm follicle containing several seeds; only one carpel