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Master Gardeners Visit
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 The
Master Gardener Society of Oakland County visited the gardens and nature
preserve, located on the banks of the muddy colored St. Joseph River in
Niles, Michigan. The tour was lead by the writer on a sunny fall October
day last year. The Master Gardeners were able to inspect some of 2,000
species and cultivated varieties, hike along some of the many trails and
see wildlife peaking through the vegetation, two hours before the general
public and while the light was best for pictures. Steve Bornell, the head
of the Horticultural Department also took us on an informative walking
tour. One of the rules…no picking of plants, leaves and flowers…was very
hard for the group to obey. A little history On July 5, 1941 Kay and Walter Boydston purchased what is now called Fernwood. Walter suggested the name of Fernwood because Kay loved ferns and he felt they would grow well on the property. The Boydston Winter House still exists (in a bit of disrepair) on the grounds. Kay wrote many garden books, which included her own drawings. She wrote while gazing out at her garden from a tiny room in the house that still holds many of her original belongings. To read more about the gardens and their development, purchase the book (if you can find it) "Reflections, Portraits of Fernwood in Four Seasons," by Kay Boydston. In order to preserve Fernwood for future generations, Mary Plym purchased Fernwood in 1964. In October of the same year the gardens were opened to the public. In 1965 a 65-acre arboretum was added to the gardens. Also in 1965 Warren Herbert Wagner, a world-renowned fern expert was hired to develop Fernwood as a public garden. Additional land was acquired in 1969 and 1975. These acquisitions brought Fernwood to the 105 acres it has today. Gardens  Most
everyone's style, from formal to natural woodland could be satisfied by
the many diverse gardens of Fernwood. There was a wonderful herb garden
designed in a medieval style with a traditional stone dovecote situated at
its center. The historical way of drying herbs was demonstrated with
fragrant bundles tied to its rafters. The north and south vista gardens
were long, undulating borders of perennials in a kaleidoscope of colors,
rustic garden furniture and blooming shrubs. Just about all of the plants and trees were labeled, at least in the formal areas. The labels helped the Master Gardeners with their homework assignment. Martha Ferguson, the Extension Program Coordinator for the MSU Extension Office of Oakland County Michigan asked us to locate a special plant for possible planting in our own yard. We were required to look up the care of the plants and share a chosen plant and its care with the other gardeners. There was also a ravine and rock garden adjacent to the Boydston Winter house. This was one of the first gardens planted. The stream that runs through the ravine also travels through a wonderful picturesque water wheel. Of course there were ferns. There was a fern trail running along a trickling stream that was supposed to be filled with ferns and wildflowers. Unfortunately, October wasn't the best time to see the ferns. There was also a small fern conservatory attached to the visitor's center, which held many interesting and rare species. Japanese, children's, wildflower, sensory, boxwood, tall grass prairie, arboretum and a lily pond were some of the other gardens and areas the gardeners spent the day exploring. Trails Fernwood has many trails wandering throughout the property. The ecology trail provided a nice overview of the preserve's natural communities. Wooden panels along the trail described the plants and animals living in the area. The trail included natural springs, small streams, ponds, a marsh and the river. The ecology trail was well marked and relatively easy to traverse. It had charming wooden bridges and steps that blended into the natural setting. Some of the other trails were more primitive and difficult to follow especially since they were covered with leaves. The gardens are open during the green season, (April through October), Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 6:00 p.m. During the winter (November to March) they are open, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5: p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission prices are adults $4, seniors $3, students aged 13-19 $2, children 6-12 $1 and children under 5 are free. Fernwood also has a nice café and a lovely gift shop. That is, if they have replenished their supply of gifts and art after the Master Gardeners visited. Additionally, plants of some limited varieties grown in the gardens can be purchased from the gift shop. Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve is a wonderful place to take the family or a group of gardening friends. Their mission is very appropriate to today's world…"To enrich the lives of all people by stimulating the appreciation of nature, exemplifying harmony between people, plants, gardens and wildlife, and using the distinctive natural and cultivated habitats known as Fernwood." Their location is only about a three and a half-hour drive from Pontiac and well worth the trip. Plan for at least four hours to see all of the garden areas. My plan is to return several times to see the gardens in all seasons. |
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All art, photos and written material is the
copyright of Sandra (Sandie) K. Parrott
and cannot be used without permission from the owner.
