Forest Hills Garden Update

by Jonathan Nyberg

7-11-06

Picnic Shelter Garden Bed

This garden is between the South end of the picnic shelter and the parking lot. 
 
On the right side you see a hedge of Oakleaf Hydrangeas with large heads of pink flowers.  These are the larger sterile flowers that surround the small fertile ones.  Also in flower are the red Bee Balm and purple coneflowers.  If you look closely about 4" from the ground you will see the subtle lavender shades of the sublime Meadow Rue (Thalictrum roschebruneanum), with the yellow stamens popping out. 
 
On the left side the Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is scattered throughout the bed.  The red Salvia is thriving, as are the free seeding annual Cleome.  The Phlox ‘David’ is a good, mildew resistant white, and the small, fading white daisy-like flowers of  Feverfew are still popping.
 

TP Garden Bed 

This garden is the big showy one at University and W. Forest Hills Blvd. 
 
The tall zinnias have reseeded from last year.  Unusual in our experience but expect more annuals to reseed if our winters continue to be warm.  The thing I like about the TP bed this year is how good it looks from the park side.  If you usually only see it from the road, take a minute to walk around to the other side.  The garden looks completely different, and this is the first year it has really filled in on that side.  Thanks to bed gardener Mary Beth Dugan.
 

Big Shrub Bed           

This is the garden you see when you turn onto E. Forest Hills Blvd. near the tennis courts. 
 
The black-eyed Susan’s are at their peak.  The purple Forest Pansy Redbud is showy, and the Tall Tails Pennisetum grass has lovely white narrow plumes.  Many of the shrubs are filling in and quite beautiful and large, thus fulfilling its name in its third growing season.  Thanks to bed gardener Karstin Rist. 

More information about gardening in Forest Hills Park is available here