Everyone knows the life cycle of a butterfly: Egg–Larva–Pupa–Adult. Some cycles take a month or less, others up to a year. The life cycle of a garden can be much longer. Since the time of the Austins, before the Sanctuary, there has been a metamorphosis in gardens and plantings here. An insert in a newspaper c.1940 read:
“Picturesque Waterfall”
South Wellfleet, July 26—One of the most beautiful sights on the Cape is the waterfall at the Research Station of Dr. Oliver Austin, Sr. It is a duplicate of that seen at the Garden of the Nations at the New York World’s Fair. It falls out of a bank of lilies, evergreens and moss into a pool filled with orange, yellow, red, pink and white water lilies.
According to one eyewitness, that garden and its fish pool attracted not only visitors coming to see the Austins, but also birds coming to dive for captive fish in its depths. This land has always been a Mecca for birds!
Early Sanctuary Gardens. In the 1960s and ’70s, the Wallace Baileys were resident-overseers for the newly established Mass Audubon Sanctuary. Priscilla Bailey, wife of the Director, planted, south of the old farmhouse, clusters of irises and daylilies that to this day pop up in a nearby field.
Next, in the 1980s, volunteer Betty Ruete planted flowers by the entrance to the gift shop and the sanctuary offices. The view from the porch took in her small garden and a sweeping green lawn to enhance a visit here.
A Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden. In 1994 a remarkable new building (picture left) became the Nature Center. Director Bob Prescott was persuaded that the sandy, wind-swept setting could use an entryway garden, especially, he said, for hummingbirds. Volunteer Peg Rasmussen suggested adding butterflies to the mix, and naturalist Jackie Sones wanted to attract moths and dragonflies as well. Dennis Murley pointed out the many larval food plants that already grew on the sanctuary grounds. Caretaker Michael Ensor, also a Master Gardener, prepared the garden plot, tilling and amending the soil. Peg designed and planted the garden, choosing specific flowers, shrubs, herbs, and trees known to attract birds and insects. All were mulched with salt hay.
A successful butterfly and hummingbird garden took flight. A cadre of 10 volunteers helped Peg maintain it for a dozen years. A pergola with vines and benches was added. Many discovered a new ambiance at the sanctuary. The garden display welcomed all visitors—not just human ones, but also nectaring butterflies and birds. No herbicides or insecticides were used; caterpillars, butterflies and hummingbirds flourished.
The garden fit seamlessly into the educational program as a lab for workshops, insect devotees, photographers, and would-be gardeners. Tours and talks, Tea-in-the-Garden, and classes delighted members and friends. Children were energized. Three-hundred and fifty large plant markers identified species and cultivars. Adding a small wildflower garden extended the native plant material and larval food!
A Wildlife Garden. With the new millennium came plans for a bigger, greener Nature Center. It displaced the butterfly and hummingbird garden. Some plants and trees, however, were salvaged for the large, new wildlife garden that emerged at the building’s exit. It promises to attract many more animals and has more shrubs, more blooms, and a birdbath. The garden design was undertaken by Barbara Murphy, a volunteer, with Marcia Seeler coordinating the garden volunteers. Thus the metamorphosis continues!
Peg Rasmussen, Master Gardener
Ed. Note. On June 20 Barbara Murphy will present a program on butterfly and hummingbird gardens at Snow's Home and Garden Center in Orleans. Please join her for this informative program and use the Share This icon below to send this post to someone else who might also like to attend the program!
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