Welcome to the Friends of Forbes Library 31st Northampton Garden Tour Highlights
The Northampton Garden Tour will also include a raffle of items that appeal to both gardeners and other library supporters. Buy a Northampton Garden Tour T-Shirt for $30, or 2 for $50. T-shirts are sold at Forbes Library and at garden #3 on tour day.
Garden #1
Todd Buzzee and David Bliss
763 Westhampton Road, Florence
When and how did you start gardening?
Todd is the main gardener. He grew up in Westhampton, where his parents had about seven acres. He worked there with his brothers and sisters tending fields and harvesting. He has been a florist for over 45 years – though we know that florists do not necessarily become gardeners! David did some gardening in upstate New York while growing up there. We have been at 763 Westhampton Road since 1993.
What portions of your garden did you design and plant?
The yard was basically a blank slate, with only shrubs and a few perennials on the side and front of the house. Todd has created and designed the gardens over the course of many years. And over the years the gardens have grown. We had a large swamp maple that came down during a storm. We put in stone walls and paths where the tree had been. We don’t have any views from our gardens, but have a number of paths that help create different rooms. More recently, we had some trees removed, which gave us a new garden area. This will be the third year that we have been working on these gardens and they are still a work in progress. As we get older, we are looking to have gardens that require less maintenance. This involves growing shrubs and larger patches of perennials. Our gardens are rather playful. We have a number of garden ornaments and statues that we put out. (We realize this is not to everyone’s taste!)
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden:
Our soil is very sandy. We have tried to amend the soil with compost, etc. but it eventually washes down through the sandy soil.
Describe the nature and location of your planting beds:
We use many perennials, shrubs, and trees in our gardens. We have daylilies, ferns, tree peonies, phlox, false sunflower, bee balm, and more. We have some evergreen trees, birch, dogwood, holly, and more. We make minimal use of annuals in our gardens. But we do usually grow several in planters on our deck. The only fruit we have are two blueberry plants, which may have to be moved to give them more sun. We have some raised beds for vegetables, but have found more luck in recent years using planters. Our space is very limited, so it is almost impossible to rotate vegetables each year. And…as stated before, we have a number of garden ornaments.
What do you enjoy about your garden?
Visitors will find that we have a number of different gardens and paths. We have a few small fountains, and a number of arbors and benches. These provide places to sit and enjoy the gardens. Our favorite spots change. Depending on the sun and our mood, we enjoy sitting in different places. If we were to describe the style, it would probably be a take on English gardens – slightly overgrown with plants everywhere!
Garden #2
Jen Werner with assistance from Katie Gerstle
16 Winthrop St. Northampton, MA 01060
When and how did you start gardening?
My first exposure to gardening was with my grandparents, on my Dad’s side. And I tended a small vegetable garden at my childhood home. I am actually a professional horticulturist. I attended Penn State and North Carolina State University finishing with BS and MS in horticulture. As I moved around, I’ve had some type of garden everywhere I’ve lived and have worked in the green industry for over 40 years. I moved to this property in the late 1990’s and have kept some garden features and developed new areas over time – replacing invasives, increasing native plantings, and removing a play structure as our children grew older.
What portions of your garden did you design and plant?
I have designed the entire yard and garden. Although some large trees and shrubs were the original bones of the garden, there have been major changes over time. Two large sugar maples had to be removed in front. This changed a very shady area to full sun!
What particular themes have you developed in your garden?
I think my main theme is park-like. I love public parks and offer our yard as a place for neighbors and passersby to enjoy. We live on a dead-end street and our front grassy area serves as a gathering place for street potlucks, a play area for resident toddlers and visiting grandchildren, and a spot for occasional games of badminton and cornhole.
A second theme is edible landscaping. On the front right corner is a grouping of highbush blueberries that replaced a large barberry planting. The blueberries provide fruit, add wonderful fall color, and anchor the corner of the property.
A final and overarching theme is sustainable landscaping. I have introduced more native plants, reduced unused lawn areas, created a rain garden, and overwinter some areas with leaves and perennial stalks. All plantings in front of the house were chosen to survive without supplemental watering. We also incorporate habitat enhancements such as stone, wood and brush piles, diverse plantings, mulches, and no use of pesticides.
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden.
We are blessed with lovely sandy-loam soil, and a fairly flat site. The biggest challenge for me was time and patience to implement changes. I needed to accept that we can only get done what we can, we’ll eventually get there someday, things will continue to evolve and change, and gardeners are never really done:) Another challenge was the major change of sun exposure when we removed two 100-year-old sugar maples. I dug out all the shade perennials and gave them away. Then I installed a rain garden which collects run-off from the roof, and planted trees (a sugar maple and an American hornbeam) from Northampton’s free tree planting program!
Are there any particular books, websites, resources or people you have relied on?
For berries and fruits: Nourse Farms. For tree selections: City of Northampton Tree List and Planting Guidelines (found on the city of Northampton tree warden web page).
Describe the nature and location of your planting beds:
There are basically 3 major areas:
Front: Open grass area, drought resistant perennials, and a rain garden. Right boundary includes woody shrubs and ground covers. Forsythia hedge is being replaced with a recently planted hazelnut hedge.
Back & side: Mostly-native plant island separates front & back yards with shrubs and perennials. Three rows of berries on trellises: thornless blackberry, summer raspberry, fall raspberry. Along the back of the property is our vegetable and annual cut flower garden. Also strawberries. A perennial bed anchors the east side of the house.
Driveway: Mostly native, shady bower. The overstory is a Norway maple that I didn’t want to remove due to its shade, noise and dust control. Most of the plants I grew from seed or cuttings.
Use of perennials and annuals:
Annuals for cutting flowers fill in the perennial beds. Volunteer & seeded sunflowers in a bed along the street for birds and for beauty.
List of notable trees & shrubs:
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) to screen porch from summer sun.
Huge, mature beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) anchors the side yard.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) and summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) in native bed.
Black gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica) on right side of the house. I propagated this from a fruit.
Driveway understory planting: Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus), fothergilla (Fothergilla major) inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), redbud (Cercis canadensis), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), hickory (Carya sp.).
Other garden feature:
Stones mimicking water in the rain garden. This technique is influenced by Japanese garden design.
Favorite place in the garden? What do you enjoy most about the garden?
Several things… In the summer I enjoy sitting in the shade of the beautybush watching the insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds that visit our veggie and cut flower garden. And I also love how much fruit we produce! I call this property my “Urban Farmette”. We have plenty to eat, freeze, give away, and let the neighborhood toddlers pick.
Additional comments:
I have just started to delve into extending the vegetable gardening season in a few raised beds. I’ve overwintered spinach and have had arugula and other greens well into early winter.
Garden #3
Jean Henneberry and Ian Milsark
11 Washington Avenue, Northampton
When and how did you start gardening?
When I was a kid, I helped with my parents’ vegetable garden but never thought of gardening as more than growing vegetables. Over the last 25 years, Ian and I became more interested in perennial and four-season gardening and gradually expanded the garden beds.
What portions of your garden did you design and plant?
All the beds except for the very back bed were planted by Ian, myself, or my kids. Some trees and shrubs were on our property when we moved in over 25 years ago, a few of which we removed. But many – like the larger evergreens – remain, and were integrated into our gardens.
When Covid hit in 2020, it made us appreciate the garden even more. One of the newest beds in the backyard was designed and planted in 2020 by a local landscaper to provide more privacy from the new house that was built behind us. We chose trees and shrubs that would provide year-round interest and a natural screening.
The remaining beds were designed by Jean, sometimes with significant input from a friend who is a landscape designer. The front porch and driveway gardens are the oldest, and have been revamped several times over the years. The patio was installed around 2011, along with the addition of a raised bed and foundation plantings by the kitchen. In 2022 we wanted to add more interest to the front, cut down on mowing, and reduce the need for battling crabgrass. So we planted a curbside bed – known as a hellstrip garden. It started as a hodgepodge of end-of-season sale plants and leftover stone from hardscaping projects. The hydrangea by the driveway was moved during house renovations and spent a year leaning against the garage with the root ball in a box with a soaker hose.
What particular themes have you developed in your garden?
We try to have something always of interest or in bloom during the growing season. And we used grasses, evergreens, and trees with architectural structure to carry us through winter until new life emerges. We try to use native plants and pollinator-friendly perennials. Most perennials and grasses are left uncut throughout the winter to provide for nesting wildlife, seeds for birds, and winter interest.
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden:
Deep roots from mature tulip and Norway spruce trees are a challenge for planting and for keeping the soil healthy. And it is very sandy in the backyard, so we need to add compost regularly for the ground to retain moisture. Parts of the yard are very shady, so Jean does a lot of reading on dry shade gardening, as well as research on selecting appropriate evergreens and perennials. Privacy in the yard is another issue. Years ago Ian planted giant arborvitae near the sidewalk, and along the abutting office building parking lot.
Black walnut trees in a neighboring yard produce a natural herbicide called juglone which can stunt or kill susceptible plant species. It is in the trees’ nuts, leaves, roots and stems. This limited our plant selection in the backyard. Most of the black walnut trees were removed during construction next door. But juglone can persist for years after the trees have been removed.
Books, websites, resources, or people you have relied on:
Jean does the gardening research and uses a mixture of books, websites, observations, visits to botanical gardens, and people (fellow gardeners and nursery owners). For inspiration, fun and education, Jean watches youtube videos. Some favorites are: The Impatient Gardener; Northlawn Flower Farm; Y Garden; Regenerative Gardening with Blossom & Branch Farm; and John Lord’s Secret Garden. Favorite websites include missouribotanicalgarden.org and gardenia.net. A recommended book is Cool Flowers by Lisa Ziegler, and a favorite magazine is Fine Gardening.
Describe the nature and location of your planting beds:
Three beds in front and side have perennials and shrubs. Dahlias are interspersed throughout the driveway bed for late season interest. We are still learning what works best. The backyard has five fairly small beds planted mostly with shrubs and trees. Planters and hanging baskets are on the patio, retaining wall, and porches. Each year they are filled with different combinations of annuals. We bring many of our houseplants out in the summer and spread them around the property. Not enough sun or space for vegetables, though we usually grow herbs in planters on the retaining wall.
Short list of notable trees & shrubs:
Tulip tree, shrub roses, enkianthus, peonies, redbud, smoke bush, daphne, weeping Alaskan cedars, arborvitaes, dogwoods.
Garden structures:
The rose trellis, built by Ian, was inspired by arched windows of Smith College’s quadrangle. Ian designed and built the cedar pergola to emulate a Shinto torii gate. It provides seating and structure for climbing roses. The garden shed is inspired by New England saltbox houses. It was built by Ian and son, Ethan and is used to store tools, sports equipment & a vintage Vespa.
Do you have a favorite place in the garden?
I love pulling up in the driveway after work and seeing the garden emerge in early spring.
Additional comments:
The Tulip tree had a rope swing, enjoyed by all of our children. And the yard has been used for volleyball, croquet, a skating rink, and playing catch. It is tempting to turn the lawn into a garden, but there might be other children someday that would enjoy the versatility of a flat, grassy expanse. The yard behind the house had a swing set until the youngest grew out of it. Every member of the family has enjoyed and participated in the growth of the garden. And we hope any future homeowners will maintain it and enjoy it in all seasons.
Garden #4
John Smith
51 Lilly Street, Florence
When and how did you start gardening?
I began gardening in 1975 with the purchase of this home with my late wife Donna. Money was limited as we sank every penny we had into purchasing our home. I began gardening by acquiring a few bushes to plant in the front of the yard and removing some damaged trees. The bushes are still here now. As we saved, we purchased more and more plants and shrubs to improve the yard to what it is today.
What portion of your garden did you design and plant?
I have personally designed and planted all areas of the yard. These gardens have been a labor of love over nearly fifty years: constantly evolving, growing larger, and regularly changing as I buy new plants and dream up new ideas.
What particular themes have you developed in your garden?
Throughout the gardens you will find an extensive array of hostas; stained glass sculptures that I’ve made; and a touch of whimsy with handcrafted animals and birdhouses.
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden:
The biggest challenge of the garden has been bears. I previously had a beautiful fish pond with a relaxing waterfall and koi. Unfortunately, the furry friends found the pond a wonderful place to cool off during the summer and a great place to get a quick snack. After several unsuccessful attempts to ward off these visitors I converted the pond to what you see today: a tumbled sea glass and stone installation to resemble water.
A resource you use:
Pinterest is helpful for crafty garden ideas and how-to project tutorials.
Flowers:
I use a mixture of flowering perennials and annuals, but primarily use perennials. You will find these in all of the beds in the garden.
Notable trees & shrubs:
White and purple lilacs, Japanese maple trees, and over 150 different varieties of hosta.
Integrating vegetables & fruit plants:
Small raised bed and grow bag area is dedicated to vegetable production of beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and lettuce.
Decorative features:
A dry pond made of sea glass; wood trellis archways; stained glass sculptures; greenhouse; and a gazebo.
Favorite place in the garden:
My favorite thing is to sit in the gazebo where I can look out at the gardens and just take it all in. There is nothing better than to read the daily newspaper and sip tea while watching the hummingbirds fly by. The thing I enjoy the most is the thrill of getting a new plant and hunting for the perfect home for it. The excitement of watching the gardens come to life in the spring and watching everything fill out and bloom…
Garden #5
Eileen M Travis
38 Allison Street, Northampton
When and how did you start gardening?
I have been gardening since I was a small child, and am a landscape architect. My grandmother Hazel loved gardening and taught me many things at a young age. My Uncle Dean also taught me about plants, how they grew, and the botany of plants. He used to breed rhododendrons and had a small greenhouse at his home in New Hampshire.
What portion of your garden did you design and plant?
I moved into this house in December 2022 and immediately began planning for changes to the front yard for the following year. The pond in the rear yard was existing. I added a patio next to it. The front yard was entirely redone. The peach tree, witch hazel, variegated kousa dogwood, dwarf black pines, various rose bushes, shrubby St. John’s wort, and large hydrangeas were existing and remain. I selected a palette of native grasses, ferns, perennials, and small shrubs and worked them into what was here. I added a bluestone sitting area and walkway. I’ve had help from a professional design, installation, and maintenance company that specializes in sustainable gardens.
What particular themes have you developed in your garden?
Plant native and don’t use any chemicals unless it’s absolutely necessary. When more native plants are installed, the habitat is increased for all insects and pollinators. This creates a better environment for birds and other small mammals. I have seen an increase in birds and insects in just two years in my front yard area. I try to aim for 80 percent native plants for my entire yard.
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden:
Relocating existing shrubs & perennials. I moved most of the existing perennials in the front yard to better organize the garden. Invasive grass covered a third of the front yard, and all the perennials were removed from there. A plastic barrier was then laid down on this area to kill any roots left in the soil, a process called solarization.
Useful books:
Planting in a Post-Wild World by Claudia West and Thomas Rainer; Native Plants of the Northeast by Donald J. Leopold; 100 Plants to Feed the Bees by The Xerces Society; and books by Douglas Tallamy.
Describe the nature and location of your planting beds and your use of perennials & annuals:
Perennials are located throughout the garden space. Annuals are used in planters at the front door, side door, rear deck and front patio area. One of my favorite plants is pussytoes, which is a host plant for the American painted lady butterfly.
Notable trees & shrubs:
Front Yard: Two witch hazel trees were planted in the same hole. One blooms in the fall and one in the spring. Shrubby St. John’s wort blooms profusely for weeks. Dwarf black pines at the front walk add texture and color year round.
Integrating vegetables, herbs and fruiting plants:
Native strawberries as a ground cover and food for birds and small mammals. Creeping thyme as a ground cover.
Decorative features:
Koi pond in the rear yard; bluestone patio and walkways in the front yard; Goshen stone patio in rear yard; bluebird boxes in the front yard.
Favorite places in the garden?
My favorite places in the garden are the front patio where I sit and read, and the back deck where we eat or rock on a hot day. We can hear the sound of the waterfall and it is very soothing.
Additional comments:
The advantages of planting a primarily native garden are many. They benefit the environment by providing host plants for butterflies, and feeding a variety of pollinators. Using plant plugs and smaller-sized plants makes installation easier. Plants fill in quickly, and are less expensive than larger plants. And smaller-sized plants allow you to try different locations to see where they’ll thrive without a large cost. Don’t deadhead perennials with seed heads in the fall. Birds can eat the seeds throughout the winter. If you must tidy up the fall garden, cut stems of perennials and grasses to a minimum of 12 inches in height. Perennial stems are an important overwintering site for many varieties of native bees.
Garden #6
Michael Spink, Thuy Nguyen & Will Spink
44 Lincoln Ave, Northampton
When and how did you start gardening?
We grew up with families interested in gardening and started these gardens about ten years ago after the house was built.
Notable trees, shrubs & plants:
Smaller trees we planted: magnolia, dogwood, Japanese maples, purple smoke tree, Korean fir, pear, rose of Sharon, dwarf pines including eastern white pine, Scots pine, black pine, mugo pine, gold mop cypress.
Other trees include: River and silver birch, serviceberry, redbud, hemlock, holly, Japanese maple.
Other plants we put in: lavender, moss, horsetail, varieties of hosta, lily of the valley, allium, feather reed grass, blue fescue, lady fern, hydrangeas, and mountain laurel.
What particular themes have you developed in your garden?
This is an organic perennial garden and lawn. Privacy was our plan. And to have a garage without a focus on the driveway.
Describe any challenges you faced creating the garden:
Our yard is the lowest in the neighborhood and was affected by excessive water runoff. The foundation was quite high due to the water table. So we needed to hide our foundation with beds and manage the water runoff toward the garage and backyard. Originally our driveway was gravel which we esthetically enjoyed, but it was not as water permeable as we hoped.
Book you have relied on:
The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn by Paul Tukey.
Describe the nature and location of your planting beds:
We plant annuals in the pots on the front porch. The potting changes with the season. Flowering perennials are on the right side of the driveway. A raised garden bed on the rear porch has herbs for cooking.
Hardscape:
Goshen stone patio and wall.
What do you enjoy most about the garden?
Sitting on the patio wall, enjoying family activities, playing cornhole and bocce, having a barbecue, and relaxing by the firepit.
Like the tour? Help us plan the next one…
Contact: Jody.kabloom@gmail.com
Nominate a Garden
We are looking for interesting home gardens in Northampton or Florence for future tours. Do you have a garden to recommend? Please let us know the address and the contact information of the homeowner/gardener. We follow up with a phone call & visit.
Join the Garden Tour Committee
We meet once/month from January to June. Task groups meet as needed. Looking for folks with any one or more of these skills or interests: organized, can work with a spread sheet, comfortable asking businesses for donations, can coordinate tasks with other people, want to support Forbes Library, like to build community or enjoy gardening.