Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Late Bloomers
The sun is rising later and setting earlier every day, headed toward the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22, but although the days are getting shorter there is still plenty going on in the garden. In fact, some of the best things in horticulture are happening right now, highlighted by some local events. Our native pawpaws are just beginning to ripen and should continue through September and even into October. To help celebrate the harvest and to increase awareness and understanding of this little-known tree and fruit, the Chester County Master Gardeners have invited pawpaw expert Neal Peterson to speak in West Chester on Sept. 21. Peterson is a pawpaw breeder and owner of Peterson Pawpaws in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
On Peterson’s website you can read how he stumbled across this fruit — our largest native fruit — during college, having lived in pawpaw country all of his life without ever tasting one. As Peterson describes it, one bite had him hooked on the bananamango, custard-like flavor and texture, and wondering why he had never seen pawpaws in the grocery store. That chance encounter changed the course of his life and work. (Go to www.petersonpawpaws.com. On the website, click on “About” and then on “Neal’s Story.”
Peterson will talk about the pawpaw tree itself, its historical importance, growing needs, and more. The 45-minute presentation will be followed by a sampling of the fruit, giving attendees the opportunity to decide for themselves what this tropic fruit is really like.
The presentation will be on Friday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Government Services Building, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA. A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door. Peterson will also be speaking at the Mt. Cuba Center on Sept. 22, from 1–2:30 p.m., in the Main House, Lecture Room 2. Cost is $25. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2PM8kTh
If you’d like to fully immerse yourself in pawpaws that weekend, consider attending the Pennsylvania Pawpaw festival at the Horn Farm Center in York, PA. My friend Sharon Richardson, of Malvern, PA, attended last year. She said that it’s a small festival with just a $5 admission, but with plenty of opportunities to taste various pawpaw varieties and recipes, including salsa and cookies. Expect to find pawpaw fruits for sale, as well as saplings and trees. Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education, 4945 Horn Road, York, PA 17406. Information at https://www.facebook.com/PawpawFestYorkPA/
Also holding center stage right now are the spectacular dahlias, blooming in gardens since July and continuing up until frost. Whether small or lunch-plate sized, those with their intricately constructed, mandala-like flowers remind me of the honeycombed, fold-out holiday ornaments. They come in such a stunning possibility of colors and are so beautiful and varied, I never tire of looking at them.
On the weekend of Sept. 22-23, Longwood Gardens and The Greater Philadelphia Dahlia Society will host The American Dahlia Society’s 2018 National Show. If you love dahlias, this is a perfect time to visit Longwood in Kennett Square, PA, when more than 2,000 blooms will fill the Conservatory during this competitive show.
Longwood will also feature dahlias in their Trial Gardens. As they say on their website, “stroll the Flower Garden Walk, enjoy the many dahlia varieties in bloom, and find inspiration for design and use in your own home garden.” The event is Saturday, Sept. 22, from 1–9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and is free with regular admission. More information at https://longwoodgardens.org/events-andperformances/events/dahlia-show.
Note: Thanks so much to Sharon Richardson for sending me the links for all of these events.
Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pamelacbaxter@gmail.com, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Share your gardening stories on Facebook at “Chester County Roots.” And check out Pam’s new book for children and families: Big Life Lessons from Nature’s Little Secrets. Available at amazon.com.