Posted by Christine Eirschele

The lending and research library at Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio, opened to the public in 1953. Just as Mr. King directed in his will, access to the gardens, mansion, horticultural library and use of the parking lots are free for all visitors. Especially in these economic times, this is truly a valuable legacy and the jewel of Mansfield, Ohio.

Research and Lending Horticultural Library

While there on a recent visit, I had an opportunity to talk with Bill Collins, Education Coordinator at Kingwood Center. Although I had been to the gardens before, I had not gone into the library in historical Kingwood Hall before now.

The family’s original library, smaller living room, and Mr. King’s office has been transformed into a peaceful public horticultural library. Their catalogue of books is connected to the Mansfield-Richland County Public Library and contains more than 9,000 volumes of gardening and horticultural books, a rare book collection and periodicals.

Students studying botany at the local Ohio State University campus frequently use the library for research. A children’s gardening section and a book section on gems and minerals are also part of the collection.

The Kingwood Horticultural Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 pm.

Historical Kingwood Center in Mansfield

Mansfield is an easy drive less than 2 hours northeast from Columbus, Ohio. As you know, the hallmark of a good botanic garden is reliable plant labeling and seeing a variety of imaginative plant groupings. Kingwood Center has all of this inside and outdoors. The herb garden, under construction last year, is nearly complete, do not forget to see it while visiting.

In addition to the variety of garden and plant clubs who meet and have plant sales on the grounds, the Center has their own greenhouse. There plants are sold throughout the growing season. It is an excellent way to support Kingwood Center, I say.

Here is more information about Kingwood Center:

• Memorial Rose Garden

• Desert Conservatories includes information about Kingwood

• Kingwood Center’s Glass Domes and Outdoor Gardens

Posted by Christine Eirschele

Follow the rolling hills in southwestern Ohio to Hillsboro, it is there you will find hidden a small private garden. It was an adventure, to say the least. To find the garden go armed with maps and up-to-the-minute directions, remembering that cell phones do not always work.

But once there, the flowers are beautiful and depending on the time of the season you will see tulips, tree peonies, or daylilies. It is zone 6 at Rothwell Gardens so expect to see plants blooming earlier than northern gardeners are use to.

Tree Peonies at Rothwell

I went to see Don’s 18 tree peonies and while I was too late to see the mass of blooms, the remaining flowers were beautiful. He had Tree Peony ‘Seidei’ which is a peachy pink flower with paler pink edges. Also there is Tree Peony Kinshi 'Golden Bird’ that is a double Japanese plant. The golden yellow blooms are said to open May-June but it was already done flowering by my mid-May visit.

Garden Musings on Tree Peonies

For gardeners interested tree peonies, here is more information about these dramatically beautiful plants and other related peonies:

• Build a scented garden with Magnolia, Syringa and Peonies.
• Create a rock garden with Fern Leaved Peonies.
• Learn about Intersectional Peonies.
• And for something to read check out the Peony Rockii and Gansu Mudan book.

Rothwell Gardens is a fun place to visit. It is not wheelchair accessible but the curved in and out driveway allows visitors to stay in the car while still taking in the show.

Garden Events in Southern Ohio

Remember Lilyfest in southern Ohio and daylily gardens at Garden on Cedar Hill Road. For more Ohio gardens to visit check out my musings on Ohio public gardens and events.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

I first heard of Eric Mayer from his sister who described the gardens at the high school where he teaches as “his.” Of course, I was intrigued to know that horticulture was being taught at the high school level and wanted to learn more.

While at Ashland High School I got a tour from Eric, affectionately called mayer-san, and to do something all gardeners love to do, shop for plants. There I met Cody, one of the horticultural students, and his Mom.

Eric became a visiting instructor in 1990, at the Hi Kami Agricultural High School in Japan. While there he studied landscape design techniques of Zen temple gardens and Japanese tea gardens in Kyoto, Japan.

His enthusiasm was evident as we strolled through the gardens explaining the school’s gardens and passion for what his students accomplish.

Horticultural Curricula and Lesson Plans

A number of horticulture instruction examples can be seen in the Oriental gardens including construction techniques, landscape design and maintenance. The creative environment outside presents a number of teaching opportunities for many lesson plans including an abundance of photo and video opportunities, a laboratory for scientific study and the landscape designs offer angels and proportions to study math.

Instructor, parent and student repeatedly referred back to life skills, such as problem solving and cooperative teamwork being influenced by horticultural classes. As Eric stressed, "Steering students towards buy-in is what makes a successful project." He felt students have to have ownership and that is how he thinks teachers offer inspiration for life long learning.

Visiting the Oriental Gardens

While you visit the oriental gardens, I suggest you take note of projects the students learned.

In the flood control storm water retention landscape, there is a waterfall, all part of the Oriental water garden.

At the first water basin in the memorial area near the rake garden, remember that the water basin had to be reinstalled after an underground drain was forgotten.

Also near the rake garden, it is a testimony to perseverance because it took nine days for students to pound a depression into the stone. It holds the water in the basin.

Vandalism at the School’s Gardens

Another of life’s lessons has been the high cost in time and money that vandals have caused. The Shinto lantern cost $600 to remake after it was destroyed and the Yukimi lantern roof and bamboo panels needed repair after vandalism in the tea garden. For a time, the St. Francis of Assisi statue near the memorial garden was missing until someone found it sitting on a porch.

Vandalism has been a hard lesson to learn over the years. But horticultural instructor Mayer says, “If we quit, the vandals win.” And so, every year, instructors and students move forward.

Ashland High School Garden Center

The Oriental gardens have been built and maintained by students, volunteers from the community and with monetary funds and time, labor, equipment and materials donated.

One major fundraiser is the garden center's annual plant sale. The day I was there the parking lot was a mass of cars; some visitors took in the gardens while others went to purchase plants grown in the greenhouses by the horticultural students. The plants are high quality and inexpensive. This is an easy way to support a wonderful public garden that helps students.

I met Cody and his Mom at the tour, while Cody was working at the garden center sale. Cody was enthusiastic to explain his appreciation for the classes. Cody said that it was an actual place to learn hands on. Although only a fraction of students go on to college in horticulture, Cody intends to go into forestry at a technical college.

This is a wonderful public garden to visit, which allows the community to support the extensive years of work students have created.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

I’ve put together a guide to gardens I have written about in the past year. Some have indoor, as well as outside gardens, that make them convenient during too rainy or too hot weather. Some gardens have a past for those of you who find it worthwhile to explore, even on vacation. Still yet, some have plants to sell as well as garden beds to look at. Best of all remember to bring your journals, writing tools and cameras to take away plant notes and ideas for gardening at home.

Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory has gardens outside in addition to the glasshouses that put on displays all year. There is a gift shop that sells plants when the weather is warm.

FPC has demonstration gardens outside so you should look for ideas on how to create compost, make a raised bed or participate in community gardening. The sign of a good botanical garden is that they want to educate us visitors, for instance look for identifying markers that tells you the names of the plants.

Kingwood Center in Mansfield

Like FPC, Kingwood Center has a past. Kingwood Center was once a private residence owned by people who valued plants. Today, you will find indoor plant collections, a horticultural library and ponds outside set among the many gardens.

Kingwood Center is open free to the public. Check out their roses in June and July for ideas, especially if you live in a similar climate.

Garden on Cedar Hill Road

If you love daylilies, Garden on Cedar Hill Road is the place for you. It is a private residence so check ahead before going but I recommend planning to visit in July, during the plant sale. Sharon Fitzpatrick hybridizes unusual form and spider daylilies. A primer, on unusual form and spider daylilies, is helpful to read before seeing these very special Hemerocallis.

Lilyfest in Hocking Hills

Another event in southern Ohio in July is Lilyfest. This outdoor art and music festival is held in the popular Hocking Hills area. The winding roads lead to private land created especially to take in music, flower gardens and arts and crafts. In July each year, artists gather to sell what they have created. Admission and parking are free to everyone.

Governor’s Residence in Bexley, Ohio is another place you can see plants and gardens. A tour of the mansion is possible, too. Tours of any size must be scheduled in advance.

Day trips are easy adventures us gardeners can take even during the height of gardening season. Now is the time to make plans. Check out these ideas and choose a couple fun places to see this summer.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

Microgreens is a relatively new edible plant gardeners have found worth growing. Google microgreens and what you get is a question asking, “Do you mean micro greens?” Then a page of cooking sites pops up. Aside from learning the best way to spell this newcomer, learning how to grow microgreens is even better.

Another salad plant to consider is mâche commonly called corn salad or field salad. Corn salad is a small annual plant grown in cool weather, especially in zone 6 and warmer. Whatever your zone or climate, there are leafy greens all gardeners can grow.

Veggie Gardening Strategies

Besides looking for new veggies to grow, my other vegetable gardening strategies include making use of every inch of garden space. Edging kitchen gardens and using the techniques of enabling gardening are two I am encouraging gardeners to consider. And, remember to plan for fall harvest by planting pumpkins.

If you are looking for ways to expand your gardens or if you have never gardened but want to start growing vegetables, look for unusual ways and places. The edges of any garden bed are good places to look for empty space.

For unusual ways, check out vertical garden techniques, gardeners who cannot bend or sit in a wheelchair use these techniques everyday. An excellent example of enabling garden is located at Chicago Botanic Garden. If you cannot get there, their web site is a wonderful resource.

Fall Harvest Planning in Spring

Now is the time to plan for vegetables traditionally harvested in fall, like pumpkins. In addition to large pumpkins, there are varieties we can grow in containers. Cooking pumpkins will be very popular with families who want to bake their own pies and breads. This article on pumpkins varieties to harvest for Halloween is sure to give you ideas.

Lastly, do not omit flowers just because vegetables are on your mind. Rudbeckia blooms in so many different colors now, they are hard to resist. Rudbeckia is “not your grandmother’s black-eyed susan any longer,” to paraphrase a well-known saw. Rudbeckia hirta, treated more successfully as an annual, comes in many colors so your biggest problem will be in deciding which to choose.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

Here I have rounded up some articles about shade loving plants. Try these and look for many other ideas while perusing the garden centers this summer. Your sunny gardening cohorts will be envious, when they see your shade garden plantings.

Container Gardens in Shade

Houseplant sections are a good place to look for inspiration. Many container gardens on shady patios are in need of new ideas. Rex begonias have bold colorful leaves.

Unlike their flowering cousins, wax begonias have big flowers and like part shade. Some gardeners like to try them in full sun. I guard against recommending this, especially for new gardeners. Depending on the climate and time of day, too much sun will burn the leaves. Here are more flowering begonia ideas for outside and indoors, too.

Coleus plants, more than ever, are a favorite of indoor and outdoor gardeners. Check out this book for an abundance of ideas and how-to information. Many coleus are labeled as “sun coleus’ now, but I still recommend them for shaded gardens. Read labels to inform yourself on what you are buying. No label? I would ask your plant-seller or pass it by.

Annual Plants for Shade

Pansies and violas may be common for experienced gardeners but I still love them. Easy to grow for children and new gardeners, try them tucked in small corners or pots for more color and inexpensive fun in the garden.

Ornamental Grass for Part Shade

The Hakonechloa called ‘Aureola’ is one of the few ornamental grasses that tolerate part shade. It is versatile enough to grow near hostas or in containers.

Traditional Hosta for Shade

Hostas are tried and true shade plants. There are so types of hostas, I find it difficult being weary of them. Learning how to grow them is the best defense against planting them in the wrong garden spot.

Shady Wildflowers in Spring

The first places open this spring to look for shade plant ideas is your local wildflower park or nature preserve. You are sure to see Solomon’s seal. A shade plant that is able to brighten up a dark corner of a naturalized or landscaped garden.

A native wildflower that can be grown in shade is Trillium. Combine its white flowers with the light blue blooms of forget-me-nots and you have a winning wildflower combination.

Whatever your garden light, I am confident you will find plants that will brighten your time spent gardening.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

There is more to vegetables than the tried and true green, red and yellow. Although I like these the best, if you want to attract some attention to your vegetable garden planting unusual plants is one way. Odd looking vegetables or the plants they grow on will add some unexpected fun in your garden and may entice you to try a new vegetable on the dinner plate, too. Children especially like the funny and usual.

Unusual Vegetables to Grow

So, what do you think of a beet with swirling red and white rings inside? Beet ‘Chioggia Guards’ is sweet but with a peppery aftertaste. A purple colored cauliflower called ‘Graffiti’ or a small yellow-fruit watermelon called ‘Baby Doll’ put on the picnic table will add some conversation to the party.

Ornamental plants in a vegetable garden are useful, too. The ornamental eggplant with an unusual name ‘Pumpkin on a Stick’ has clusters of orange fruit hanging from the plant. You can use them in floral arrangements. Called Red China this eggplant is also used in Asian cooking.

Plan for fall-harvesting vegetables by considering ornamental corn ‘Oaxacan Green,’ a plant that gets 7 foot tall and has emerald green kernels. Check out pumpkin varieties and plan ahead by getting the seeds now.

Heirloom Vegetable Plants

Heirloom vegetable seeds are another category to find the unexpected. Tomatoes with very dark, almost black fruit, or the yellow or orange colored are some ideas for tomato lovers.

Well known or long time varieties are others you should consider growing. The lima bean Fordhook 242 is an All America Selections winner from 1945. I think it is still around for the simple reason, it is a very reliable seed with a short number of germination days and heat and drought tolerant. Lima beans are not the trendiest vegetable but they are healthy for family eating and a cool season crop that can be easily planted at the beginning and end of your growing season.

Growing in Containers and Raised Beds

Please do not discount the odd ways to grow plants. Experiment by planting containers or building a raised bed to expand your vegetable garden this year. Too many gardeners, who once had large plots of land, now replaced by a balcony or concrete patio, have given up gardening too.