( To view a slide show of the garden, click the little arrow on the right side of the image above )
BREAKING GROUND
PART OF OUR PROPOSAL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BASCOM LODGE INCLUDED A DESIGN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIVE WILD FLOWER GARDEN. IN THE SPRING OF 2011, WE BROKE GROUND ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT GARDEN. THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF SOIL, DRAINAGE, AND ASPECTS OF LIGHT ALONG THE FOUNDATION IN THE FRONT OF THE LODGE ALLOWED FOR A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS. UNDER GUIDELINES SET DOWN BY THE NATURAL HERITAGE & ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM, THE GARDEN COULD ONLY CONTAIN PLANTS THAT ARE, NOT MERELY NATIVE, BUT GENETICALLY IDENTICAL TO PLANTS GROWING WITHIN THE RESERVATION. NO PLANTS COULD BE ACQUIRED FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES, NOT EVEN NURSERIES SPECIALIZING IN NATIVE PLANTS. THEREFORE, THE PLANTS IN THE GARDEN AT BASCOM LODGE ARE GROWN FROM CUTTINGS, DIVISIONS, OR SEEDS COLLECTED FROM PLANTS WITHIN THE RESERVATION. BY DEFINITION, THE PROCESS IS SLOW, METICULOUS AND LABOR INTENSIVE.
THE OBJECTIVE BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE GARDEN IS THREE-FOLD:
* TO VISUALLY ANCHOR THE LODGE WITHIN ITS NATURAL SETTING.
* TO HIGHLIGHT THE WEALTH OF NATIVE FLOWERING SPECIES, WHICH ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY RARE IN THE WILD DUE TO HABITAT LOSS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
* TO HELP INCREASE OUR ONCE FLOURISHING NATIVE SPECIES.