Mar 29, 2023
There is something about a salamander—bright eyes, tiny feet, secretive life, charming demeaner?—that makes finding one feel like discovering a treasure.
Chris Asquith will lead a small, fortunate group to see what salamanders might be found in The Quarry Gardens’ several wet spots on the afternoon of Sunday, April 16. Possibilities include Dusky salamander (pictured), Seal salamander, Two-lined salamander, Three-lined salamander, Eastern newt, Red-backed salamander, and Red salamander.
To join the party, go to quarrygardensatschuyler.org/visit and sign up.
Chris is an environmental educator who currently teaches biology at Western Albemarle High School and online for Ilisagvic College in Alaska. He grew up in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains (Salamander Capital of the World) and has researched amphibians in such far separated places as Panama and the edge of the Arctic Circle.
Mar 24, 2023
Three friends from two native plant nurseries and an author-consultant on rewilding the landscape toured the Quarry Gardens at Schuyler this week. They hardly noticed the quarries. And it didn’t matter that most of the spring ephemerals are still weeks from blooming—or that last year’s growth has yet to be burned.
Above, on the QGs trail: Martina Carter, Perennial Sales Manager, Babikow wholesale native plant nursery, Baltimore, MD; Angela Clelan, Regional Sales Manager, North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg PA; and Claudia West, co-author of Planting in a Post-Wild World, noted speaker, advocate for native plant-driven design, and principal of Phyto Studio, Alexandria.
These plant geeks were operating on another level, observing every detail and variation—sharing information, taking notes and photos. We had the best time showing them around! Perhaps—we hope—their influence will lead to greater availability of excellent native plants to gardeners and landscapers. We look forward to seeing them, and their friends and colleagues, at the QGs in other seasons.
Mar 13, 2023
For lovers of those delicate flowers awakened by sunlight that reaches the forest floor before the trees unfold their leaves, three walks coming up at The Quarry Gardens may be of interest.
On Wednesday, March 22 at 2 p.m., and Saturday, April 15 at 10 a.m., QGs co-founder Bernice Thieblot will lead tours of spring ephemerals. On Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m., genial botanist and noted wildflower blogger Cynthia Wood, will guide.
Plants we may expect to find in the galleries along the main trail around the quarry pools include Rue anemone (blooming among the Giant’s Stairs in the featured image); also, Shooting star, Rue anemone, Pussytoes, Wild columbine, Green and gold, Dwarf larkspur, Wild geranium, Alumroot, Bluets, Dwarf crested iris, Golden ragwort, Native phlox, Mayapple, Solomon’s seal, Wild pink, Spring beauty, Foamflower, Mountain and Perfoliated bellworts, Heartleaf, Golden alexanders—and many others. All lead interesting lives. In a year, more than 600 locally native plants may be found here. Given this year’s early spring, who knows what we may find?
To join a walk, go to quarrygardensatschuyler.org/visit, and sign up. If none of those dates suit you, you’ll find other events listed as well.
