Gardeners should throw STONES
Rock Garden Society hosts 47th annual show
Contrary to Pittsburgh belief, a rock garden does not constitute a hillside dotted with rocks splashed with silver paint. Instead, it’s a simulation of the terrain of a mountainous district, featuring small, or dwarf, varieties of plants.
To further the pursuit of rock gardening in the area, the North American Rock Garden Society, Allegheny Chapter, will host their annual show and sale May 3 at Soergel’s Orchard & Garden Center in Franklin Park. The 47th event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members will be on hand to discuss these plants, some of which are unfamiliar to even seasoned gardeners. There will be a juried show (open to all), and also a number of free classes (see below).
“Our annual show and sale will allow attendees to observe plants growing successfully in our area, and then they will have the opportunity to purchase those same plants,” says member and show chair Al Deurbrouck.
If you want to see an example of an excellent rock garden before the show, visit a display garden on the North Side that is planted and maintained by the local NARGS chapter. It is located just outside the National Aviary, 700 Arch St., 15212, close to the entry driveway and condor cages. The garden is only 4 years old and replaced one that was demolished due to the aviary’s expansion. The destruction of the that garden turned out to be a blessing in disguise, says club member Alan Peacock, because the new space that was offered to the society lent itself perfectly to a rock garden.
The club, which plants and maintains the garden, got lots of rock-moving help from the Pittsburgh Parks Department. Now, twice a month, they converge on the garden to weed. The 72-member society sees the display as another way to introduce people to these fascinating plants, including dwarf forsythia, dwarf conifers, dwarf tulips and lots of others. Three large containers stay out year-round. Most plants are identified, so take notes and look for them at the show. There is no charge to visit the display garden.
While some of these plants require a little experience to grow, and also require amended soil, many will grow quite happily in Pittsburgh clay. Small varieties of daisies, iris, phlox, ferns, dianthus (pinks) and conifers will thrive here without much fussing and can be purchased at the show. Rock gardening can be a multiseason experience, says Mr. Deurbrouck,
“I have a relatively small lot, and rock gardening allows me to plant the widest possible selection of plants. Almost all genus have dwarf representatives, and many alpine plants are actually evergreen so the rock garden is a 12-month joy.”
Garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence expressed it perfectly:
“All gardeners become rock gardeners if they garden long enough. Gardening is an art, and rock gardening is the purest and most personal of all forms of horticulture.”
The society, which hosts monthly meetings usually held at Northland Library, McCandless, offers a free first-year membership. Inquire at the show.
Free class schedule
• 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Linda Henry and Dawn Lovic with Randy Soergel discuss how to plant true fairy gardens. Miniature garden creations will be available to purchase from Ms. Henry and Ms. Lovic, who own All Things Small, a shop in Greenville, Mercer County.
• 11 a.m.: Jim Kalka of the Daffodil and Hosta Society will hold a hosta grooming clinic, demonstrating the proper techniques to use when entering the upcoming Hosta Show on June 7.
• Noon: Debra Meyer and Carol Przyborski will plant a trough garden.
• 2 p.m.: Jim Kalka will discuss growing miniature hostas in troughs.