Gardens of Havre de Grace

Garden in Havre De Grace

Havre de Grace (pronounced: Have-ruh-duh-Grayce), Maryland is a small town you should visit. Located at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace has retained its historic charm though it has long been beside heavily-traveled routes along the Eastern Seaboard. It was formerly known as Harmer’s Town, named by the settler – Godfrey Harmer – who established it in 1658.  The Lower Susquehanna Ferry first crossed the river in 1695.

The Marquis De Lafayette visited several times while traveling up and down the coast to encourage American patriots and fight alongside them. It was he who suggested that the proposed city along the banks “should be called Havre de Grace” meaning “Harbor of Grace.” So it was.

Though small in size, Havre de Grace was proposed to be named the capitol of our new nation. It lost the distinction by one vote to the swamp along the Potomac.

Havre de Grace became a terminus of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal in 1839. The Underground Railroad route ushered slaves to new-found freedom in nearby Pennsylvania.

Nowadays, U.S. 40, I-95 and U.S 1 carry lots of traffic nearby. It’s amazing that so many people pass without knowing about the jewel of a town just down the hill.

As proudly noted on the Explore Havre de Grace web site, Smithsonian.com listed it among the Best Small Towns in 2014. Rightly so. Interesting shops and restaurants, museums, special events, walking tours and gardens satisfy tourists, and of course there’s the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. Walkers can enjoy it from the Promenade. 

Havre de Grace Promenade

One particular feature of this part of the Chesapeake is the area known as the Susquehanna Flats. Millions of tons of sediment are deposited at the mouth of the river into the bay covering thousands of acres. Rich with submerged grasses, The Flats attract many species of wildlife, especially fish and waterfowl. Fishers and hunters follow.

Canada Geese

Havre de Grace is famous as the Decoy Capitol of the World. There’s no better place to learn about the history of hunting waterfowl and the decoys that attract them than the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. 

Havre De Grace Decoy Museum

No matter your interest, a good walking tour can begin just about anywhere. Park your car where it’s legal and start strolling. That’s what I did. Follow me as we view landmarks and some of the gardens of Havre de Grace.

Concord Point Lighthouse

Concord Point Keeper's House

Concord Point Park

Raised beds in the making.

Peonies in bloom

Variegated boxwoods

Magnificent Fagus sylvatica purpurea

Gordonia alatamaha

Acer palmatum dissectum atropurpureum

Cornus kousa in bloom

History is best lived in.

Lovely clematis in bloom

Small, effective landscape planting

Hosta - America's favorite perennial.

Iris germanica

Quiet street scene

Old Bayou Hotel - Hot Spot of the Jazz Age

Rhododendron in bloom

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The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, Baltimore, MD

Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, Baltimore, MD

The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, located at the western edge of Baltimore's historic Druid Hill Park, is the second oldest surviving glass conservatory in America. Originally known as the Baltimore or Druid Hill Conservatory, it opened to the public in 1888. America's oldest glass conservatory is San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers, opened in 1879.

Before exploring the conservatory, it would be helpful to know a little about its historical context. Let's begin with the land and the Susquehannocks. The Historical Society of Baltimore has published an excellent article - The Susquehannocks' Prosperity and Early European Contact by Adam Youssi - that you should read.

According to Youssi, a very large area that included Druid Hill Park was once claimed by the Susquehannocks and surely contested by others. The Susquehannocks had reputedly mastered the art of trade. A Susquehannock party claiming to have authority ceded the land (maybe belonging to other people), to one William Claiborne. Many arguments ensued. Typical of dominant governments, England settled the matter in 1638 by putting its foot down and forfeiting the land to its own George Calvert (1605-1675), Second Lord Baltimore.

"Lord Baltimore assigned the land to George Buchanan, one of several original commissioners responsible for the establishment of Baltimore City. The Buchanan-Rogers family then cultivated the area as a country estate and plantation."

Eventually, England lost the property in what was to be known as the American War for Independence, confirmed by the War of 1812 and celebrated on Maryland DMV license plates remembering when Maryland aspired to be a freer state.

The land for Druid Hill Park was purchased around 1860 when the nation's city dwellers were passionate about developing large, landscaped urban parks for their enjoyment. Before that, garden cemeteries such as Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor, ME were popular urban resorts.

America's interest in picturesque gardens was informed by European Romantic ideals as expressed in Edmund Burke's Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and the Beautiful, William Gilpin's Observations on the River Wye..., Paris' Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne, and London's Hyde Park. New York's Central Park is a notable American example of those influences.

Rowhouses on Auchentoroly Terrace

In 1888, the newly completed Baltimore Conservatory was within sight of some of the city's finest homes in what is now the Parkview/Woodbrook neighborhood. Mansions built by John Morris Orem, a Baltimore dry goods magnate, were constructed (c.1860-1876) facing Auchentoroly Terrace. Magnificent rowhouses with diverse, intricate architectural features faced the park. Most of them still survive, but age and abuse have taken their toll. Along with Baltimore City, the Baltimore Conservatory suffered financial setbacks during years of decline.

Around the turn of the 21st century, the conservatory was scheduled for renovation. Money became available. The Baltimore Conservatory was renamed in honor of Delegate Howard Peters Rawlings (1937-2003). Rawlings was the first African-American to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates. Read more about "Pete" Rawlings at Wikipedia.

The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory consists of five "houses": the original Palm House, the Orchid Room, Tropical House, Mediterranean House and Desert House.

The original Palm House is the most imposing structure. Though relatively small in comparison to some conservatories, it has contained a fine collection including the Bismarck palm (Bismarkia nobilis), European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum), Christmas palm (Adonidia merrillii), dwarf coconut palm (Cocos nucifera var. ), metallic palm (Chamaedorea metallica), lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), Fiji fan palm (Pritchardia pacifica), Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis), bottle palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis), and foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata).

The modest Orchid Room exhibits a changing exhibit of flowering epiphytes. Orchid enthusiasts will find plenty in bloom.

Visitors to the Tropical House will be acquainted with a diverse collection of species both familiar and unfamiliar. (Follow links for pictures.) The ginger family (Zingiberaceae) is very well represented with Red Tower ginger (Costus comosus),Costus curvibracteatus 'Green Mountain', Variegated Spiral ginger (Costus amazonicus variegata), Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior 'Thompsonae') and Butterfly ginger (Hedychium coronarium). Two species, Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) and Spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana) are at their best as ground covers. Other favorite tropicals include:

Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae 'Tricolor')

Firecracker shrub (Hamelia patens)

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Plumeria

Red Passionflower (Passiflora coccinea)

Bird-of-Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)

Bananas! (Musa spp.)

While the Tropical House is literally dripping with humidity, the sound of fountains in the Mediterranean House provides sensible refreshment in its semi-arid environment. The good collection of suitable trees, shrubs and herbs include:

Shoestring Acacia (Acacia stenophylla)

Olive (Olea europaea)

Variegated Oleander (Nerium oleander 'Variegata')

Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)

Deserts are among the harshest places on earth, yet they are habitable sometimes by creatures with the most bizarre appearances. You'll discover lots of them in the Desert House, such as:

Tortoise plant (Dioscoria macrostachya)

Hedgehog Agave (Agave stricta)

African Ocotillo (Alluaudia procera)

Euphorbia baioensis

Brain Cactus (Mammilaria elongata 'Cristata')

Feather Cactus (Mamillaria plumosa)

Panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

Galapagos Prickly Pear (Opuntia galapageia)

Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia macrodasys)

Old Man Cactus (Oreocereus spp.)

Madagascar Palm (Pachypodium lameri)

 

The botanical garden adjoining the Baltimore Conservatory is quite small, but good displays of some new plants will interest any gardener.

Surrounding the conservatory, Druid Hill Park offers other cultural and recreational opportunities including the developing East Coast Greenway. which passes by the conservatory's front door. Avid bicyclists and serious pedestrians take note!

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Behind A Garden Wall: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland

Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland is a pleasant place we return to often. Set on 54 acres surrounded by woodland, you hardly know you are surrounded by the insane busyness that characterizes the suburbs of Washington, DC. It's no surprise, then, that it's a popular place for quiet walks, reflection, observation, nature and horticultural studies. Don't be put off by the garden wall and the tall fence. They keep deer out.

Japanese Tea House, Gude Garden, Brookside Gardens

Brookside Gardens was opened in 1969 after four years of planning and development by the Maryland‑ National Capital Park and Planning Commission as part of the Wheaton Regional Park system. The Gardens are located on a site formerly owned by Stadler Nursery. At that time, Brookside Gardens occupied only 25 acres, and consisted of a conservatory, three formal gardens, a wedding gazebo and an azalea garden. Some original plants from the Stadler Nursery collection still thrive.

Wedding gazebo, Brookside Gardens

Beginning in 1972, Brookside Gardens was developed further to include the Fragrance Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Gude Garden with its prominent Japanese Tea House and vistas. The Gude Garden honors another area nurseryman, Adolph Gude. It was dedicated by his son, U.S. Congressman Gilbert Gude (Republican). Rep. Gude worked in his father's nursery for many years, so had a lot of interest in horticultural and environmental issues.

The Visitors Center, made possible by a generous donation, was opened in 1998. It houses an information desk, library, classrooms, auditorium, gift shop and offices. Unless you only intend to see the Conservatory, this is the place to begin your visit. More parking is available near the Visitors Center than elsewhere.

Chrysanthemum Craftsmanship display, Brookside Gardens

 Major events at Brookside Gardens include the fall Chrysanthemum Craftsmanship display in the Conservatory. The 2013 display continues until November 25. There is no admission fee. Chrysanthemum enthusiasts will enjoy seeing all types of chrysanthemum flower forms including various incurves, pompons, spider types and more chrysanthemum forms.

The Garden of Lights Winter Walk-through Holiday Light Display begins late November and continues into the first week of January. There's an evening entrance fee of $20 or $25 per car. Weekend visits cost most. For those who don't like being in cramped cars stuck in slow traffic for interminable drive-through light displays, this is the way to go. If the cold gets to you, duck into the warm Conservatory to enjoy the Winter Display and Model Train Exhibit.

We return to Brookside Gardens often because there's so much to see in every season. Winter's snow sometimes mantles the gardens with frozen silence. But even if there's no snow, the stark outlines and earthy colors are appealing. Organic patterns and textures are more easily seen and appreciated in winter. Red ilex berries and yellow tree fruits pop against drab background colors. So do the scarlet lines of dogwood stems in winter.

 

Spring brings reticulated iris, crocuses, lenten roses, early-flowering rhododendrons and flowering trees. Even though the weather can be nippy and patches of snow remain, spring brings so much promise with it.

 

Summer at Brookside Gardens, of course, is a riot of colorful annuals and perennials, glossy ground covers, wonderful things growing behind garden walls and spilling over them. Japanese maple seeds glow in the sun. Containers are packed with bold displays of cannas. The Wings Of Fancy Butterfly Exhibit flutters with activity.

Fall at Brookside Gardens descends with a blaze of glory. Wonderful colors, like these of Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Fenway Park', and tracery of Schizophragma hydrangoides cover walls. Then the cycle begins again.

Hydrangea quercifolia, Brookside Gardens

Regardless of the season, the Conservatory is always a pleasure to visit. It houses many of my favorites such as Cymbidium orchids, Heliconia, and Clerodendrum.

Heliconia angusta 'Holiday'

Gardeners who follow All-America Selections can view AAS Flower Winners at Brookside Gardens, for Brookside has the distinction of being an AAS Display Garden. Interested gardeners can view the newest AAS winners in person.

This is a link to Brookside Gardens web site to get directions, learn more, and help you plan your visit.

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