Three Gardens on the Coast of Maine: Cassie Banning

Name: Three Gardens on the Coast of Maine: Cassie Banning
Uploaded: 2025-04-04T17:24:34.000Z
Duration: 1 h 52 min 24 s

Introduction to the Winter Garden Lecture

Welcome and Acknowledgments

Todd Forrest introduces himself as the Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections at the New York Botanical Garden. He expresses excitement for the final Winter Garden Lecture of 2025.

He acknowledges that the garden is situated on Lenape Delaware ancestral land, honoring their history of displacement and ongoing presence.

Introduction of Cassie Banning

Todd introduces Cassie Banning, a long-time acquaintance and Director of Farm and Gardens at Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve in Maine. She is a graduate of Cornell University and NYBG's School of Professional Horticulture.

The Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve spans approximately 1,400 acres, featuring natural areas and cultural landscapes near Acadia National Park. Cassie leads a team caring for three notable gardens: Asticou Garden, Thuya Garden, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden.

The Unique Challenges of Historic Gardens

Managing Historical Legacy

Todd reflects on how working in historic gardens presents unique challenges for gardeners like Cassie, who must honor past creators while infusing their own creativity into these spaces. He mentions notable figures such as Beatrix Farrand and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller as "ghosts" influencing current practices.

Great gardens are described as evolving works of living art that reflect both historical knowledge and contemporary passion from those tending them daily. Todd expresses curiosity about how Cassie balances honoring this legacy with innovative gardening practices.

Cassie's Presentation Overview

Setting the Stage

Cassie begins her presentation by thanking Todd for his introduction, noting it sets a wonderful stage for her talk about horticultural maintenance practices in the three gardens at Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve. She humorously contrasts Maine's snowy weather with hints of spring in New York City.

Historical Context

She discusses the preservation efforts initiated by Joseph Henry Curtis in 1912 to protect his property in Northeast Harbor, along with later contributions from Peggy and David Rockefeller aimed at conserving inherited lands and gardens from John D. Rockefeller II’s family legacy. These efforts continue to guide their mission today to share natural beauty through conservation work.

Exploring Individual Gardens

Asticou Azalea Garden

The Asticou Azalea Garden is characterized as an intimate woody plant landscape inspired by classic Japanese design principles while showcasing curated views over Asticou Pond with vibrant seasonal displays throughout spring and fall seasons.

Thuya Garden

Located behind a rustic lodge on Elliot Mountain overlooking Northeast Harbor, Thuya Garden features colorful borders, quiet pathways, carved cedar gates, signs, pavilions providing shaded summer escapes—highlighting its beloved status among visitors who appreciate its serene environment.

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

This garden represents one of few remaining private landscapes designed by Beatrix Farrand; it includes flower-bordered rooms with formal pathways cutting through curated native landscapes adorned with sculptures from China, Japan, and Korea—showcasing its horticultural sophistication amidst historical significance.

Wabanaki Heritage and the Rockefeller Influence

Historical Context of Wabanaki People

Generations ago, the Wabanaki people established temporary camps on Mount Desert Island, engaging in activities such as hunting, fishing, gathering berries, harvesting clams, and trading.

The Hudson River School's Impact

Thomas Cole, a prominent painter from the Hudson River School, emphasized nature's beauty in his 1836 writings. He suggested that ignorance prevents us from enjoying the natural world around us.

The artists inspired visitors known as "rusticators" to appreciate Mount Desert Island’s fresh air and scenic landscapes.

John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby were drawn to Seal Harbor for its serene beauty, escaping their busy lives in New York City starting in 1916.

In 1926, they sought to develop a garden on a level plot of swampy woods near their summer residence called the Eyrie.

Beatrix Farrand: A Pioneer Landscape Architect

Beatrix Farrand had over 30 years of experience creating gardens by this time and was a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

She designed notable gardens including the Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden and created Reef Point Gardens later in life.

Design Aspirations for Eyrie Garden

The Rockefellers desired two main features for their garden: a Chinese-inspired landscape and a cutting garden.

Over ten years, Beatrix collaborated with them to design an East Asian-inspired linear walk featuring Korean and Chinese statuary alongside native plants.

Features of Eyrie Garden

The garden included distinct rooms with axes leading to various areas: an oval garden with a Chinese pavilion to the south and a moon gate fitted into a pink stucco wall across from the cut flower room.

John D. Rockefeller Jr. expressed his growing appreciation for Mrs. Rockefeller's garden in 1928 while humorously noting potential visitor overflow concerns.

Community Engagement through Gardening

Charles Savage managed Asticou Inn nearby; he shared similar interests in natural landscapes with both Rockefellers and Beatrix Farrand.

Transitioning Reef Point Gardens

In the mid-1950s, Beatrix decided to close Reef Point Gardens after it had been open for 16 years as Maine's only botanic garden at that time.

Establishment of New Gardens

Charles Savage proposed creating a new garden using azaleas from Reef Point Gardens to enhance Northeast Harbor’s profile as a destination.

Development Process

With support from John D. Rockefeller Jr., Charles transformed Alder Swamp into new gardens without formal permits; azaleas were planted along pond edges.

Legacy of Gardening Initiatives

By 1958, these gardens opened free to all visitors; Charles received commendation from John D. Rockefeller Jr., highlighting their collaborative success.

Historical Significance

Charles also served as trustee for Thuya Lodge which was gifted by Joseph Curtis intended as public parkland between Northeast Harbor and Elliot Mountain.

Thuya Garden: A Historical and Ecological Overview

The Creation of Thuya Garden

Charles Savage initiated the development of Thuya Garden after completing the Asticou Azalea Garden in 1958, utilizing large specimens of shrubs and trees to establish a garden framework.

The design features a cross axial layout inspired by Beatrix Farrand's Eyrie Garden, incorporating seating pavilions, carved entry gates, and elaborate cedar fence details crafted from local materials by Augustus Phillips.

Today, Thuya Garden attracts approximately 20,000 visitors annually from June to September, maintained by six gardeners and docents who share its rich history with around 9,000 guests each season.

Seasonal Highlights and Biodiversity

Spring at Thuya begins in June with the blooming of Beatrix Farrand rhododendrons; narrow paths showcase native plants on Mount Desert Island.

The garden serves as a habitat for various species including ruby-throated hummingbirds and the pipevine swallowtail butterfly—recently sighted after two decades in Maine due to new plant additions like the Dutchman's pipevine.

Gardening Techniques and Plant Support

The border garden is designed to be loose and informal, reflecting Charles Savage's vision while accommodating natural growth patterns influenced by coastal storms.

Head gardener Wendy Dolliver employs hoop stakes for plant support; these metal stakes allow plants to grow naturally without visible string or twine interference.

Sustainable Practices in Plant Support

Smaller stakes are used for delicate plants like Artemesia Powis Castle while taller stakes support main stems of larger flowers such as Zinnias and Filipendula.

Pea brush made from gray birch branches provides an artistic yet effective method for supporting plants; this sustainable practice has been utilized on Mount Desert Island for generations.

Artistic Integration in Gardening

Pea brush is installed during plant growth so that it becomes hidden as plants mature; this technique enhances both aesthetics and functionality within the garden environment.

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden (formerly Eyrie Garden), now cared for by seven gardeners, opens its doors to about 7,000 guests each summer.

Staking Techniques and Garden Maintenance

Staking Liliums and Delphiniums

The garden employs a formal staking method for liliums, using metal stakes that have been painted dark green to blend with the plants.

A unique approach is taken for delphinium staking, where past staff tested paint colors to match the pale green of delphinium stems, continuing this tradition today.

Stakes are placed behind the plant stem, utilizing a figure-eight technique with fine green cotton string to secure the stem just before flowering in early July.

As flowers bloom on delphiniums like 'Cobalt Dreams', the stakes become less visible, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the garden.

Training Vines in Historical Context

Beatrix Farrand's design incorporates vines to soften granite walls; gardeners retrain Clematis vines each June using chicken wire and green cotton string.

A shift towards using thin stainless steel wire has occurred for younger vines that require support as they grow.

Planting Process in Large Gardens

Planting Scale and Organization

Over 3,000 plants are planted each June at Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, while about 1,000 are planted at Thuya Garden.

Plants arrive weekly from McAlpin Farm’s production greenhouses; Erin Paxton and Wendy Dolliver organize them based on a fresh planting design created each fall.

Time-consuming Layout Process

The layout process is crucial for bringing designs to life; it requires significant time investment but results in vibrant gardens by late July.

Garden Maintenance Practices

Daily Upkeep of Flower Borders

Gardeners remove spent flowers daily from annual and perennial plants; volunteer Pam Hatten assists once a week to maintain high standards of care.

Unique Landscape Features

The Eyrie Estate features curated native ground covers like low bush blueberry and moss carpets over granite boulders, creating a magical landscape.

Moss Management Strategies

Enhancing Moss Growth

Mosses thrive in areas with little topsoil or near water sources; strategies include keeping these areas free from competing debris or plants.

Seasonal Debris Removal Techniques

Leaf blowers help maintain moss carpets by removing debris regularly. In spring and fall, collected debris is used for composting purposes.

Intimate Care Methods

At Asticou Azalea Garden, gardeners manually clear leaves during open season. Fine plastic netting is used off-season to facilitate easy debris removal in spring.

Water and Moss Carpets: Essential Insights

Importance of Water for Moss

Water is crucial for maintaining moss carpets, as demonstrated by a summer rainstorm at the Abby Aldridge Rockefeller Garden. After such rainfall, moss may not require additional water for over a week due to moisture retention from fog or dew.

Moss Adaptation and Care

Mosses utilize capillary action to absorb water from their surroundings without external help. Extended dry spells can lead to desiccation or dormancy, particularly in species adapted to stream banks. A brief daily watering can prevent this issue during dry periods.

Establishing New Moss Carpets

To establish new moss carpets effectively, it’s beneficial to mimic natural watering conditions that moss would typically experience. This approach can significantly reduce the time needed for establishment from five or six years down to two or three years.

Asticou Azalea Garden: Seasonal Highlights

Overview of Seasonal Blooms

The Asticou Azalea Garden features a three-season bloom cycle: spring blooms from May into July, with peak bloom in early June; followed by a sculpted summer garden lasting until September; and vibrant fall colors peaking in October. Approximately 25,000 guests visit between May and October each year.

Historical Context and Plant Collection

The garden's landscape is designed to reflect Japanese aesthetics and Acadian influences through careful plant selection and pruning techniques, evolving from Beatrix Farrand's Reef Point Garden Collection thanks to contributions from various horticulturists like Thomas Hall and Patrick Chasse.

Pruning Techniques Inspired by Nature

Shaping Plants in the Garden

Pruning practices in the Asticou Azalea Garden are inspired by traditional Japanese methods but adapted to create shapes that resemble local landscapes on Mount Desert Island. Each shrub undergoes annual pruning after blooming ends in late spring through July.

Mountain Scape Pruning Technique

The unique "mountain scape" pruning technique results in shrubs having wider bases than tops, creating a layered appearance reminiscent of hills and mountains within the landscape design of the garden. This method enhances visual depth among plants like malice sargentii and Spirea cinerea Grefsheim.

Natural Materials and Landscape Maintenance

Use of Natural Materials

The Asticou Azalea Garden incorporates natural materials such as young red maple branches for bed edging, which are bundled together with black rope for durability while providing an organic aesthetic along pathways. These elements contribute both functionally and visually to the garden's design ethos.

Dry Garden Maintenance Practices

A dedicated dry garden area showcases raked patterns resembling flowing water, requiring weekly maintenance including cleaning debris from surrounding mature trees like pitch pine (Pinus rigida) before raking sand back into place using custom-designed screens for preservation efforts aimed at conserving this unique feature long-term.

Restoration of the Asticou Azalea Garden

Project Overview and Funding

The CoLab Landscape Collective led the restoration project, funded by supporters during the off-seasons of 2019 and 2020.

Key tasks included rebuilding a cedar fence designed to last another hundred years, maintaining the original complex design.

An easement was secured due to part of the landscape being on property owned by a descendant of Charles Savage.

Sourcing Materials

Old clay roof tiles were sourced to match the original reclaimed tiles added decades ago by landscape architect Patrick Chasse.

Sand for the garden was meticulously analyzed; sourcing clear white sand proved challenging but was eventually successful in Hawthorne, Florida.

Plant Assessment and Care

Mary Roper, manager of Asticou Azalea Garden with 33 years of experience, assessed plants including prized rhododendron carolinianum and PJM varieties.

Cuttings were taken from these plants for propagation, ensuring future replacements are available as needed.

Landscape Restoration Techniques

The restoration aimed to preserve Charles Savage's vision of an abstract composition using sand and stone while rejuvenating old rhododendrons through tree editing and thinning.

Granite stonework is highlighted as enduring elements that may require resetting due to natural shifts over time.

Stone Sourcing and Handling

New stones are introduced into landscapes for visitor pathways; careful selection ensures they blend seamlessly into existing designs.

Cadillac granite from Mount Desert Island is used; it weighs about 200 pounds per cubic foot, emphasizing careful handling during installation.

Stone Splitting Techniques

Demonstrations show how stones are split using steel mallets and wedges; this requires skill beyond typical gardening practices.

Jason Asher explains that patience is crucial in stone splitting—waiting between taps allows pressure to build gradually for effective separation.

Historical Context and Cultural Significance

The stones being worked on will become steps in restoring the historic Thuya Landing Pathway, connecting significant locations as intended by Joseph Curtis.

Emphasis on taking time for perfection reflects the culture at Mount Desert Island Land and Garden Preserve.

The Art of Landscape Conservation

The Craftsmanship of Stone Placement

The process of shifting a 6,000-pound stone just an inch highlights the meticulous effort involved in landscape conservation.

Emphasizes the importance of perfect height for stones to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, enhancing natural beauty.

The Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve plays a crucial role in conserving and sharing this artistry with the public.

Highlights that such craftsmanship endures only through careful intervention, underscoring the need for human involvement in preservation efforts.