Smith Gilbert Gardens Blog

By Dr. Bob Gilbert

During spring the woods, roadsides and even residential yards are scattered with various species of violets. Most are so recognizable that you would think they would be easy to identify down to the species level but they are not. Even scientists cannot agree on how many species there are worldwide. Plus some species cross pollinate with one another producing hybrids that add to taxonomic confusion.

All this is to say that in the world of violets all is not as simple as it seems. There are two types of showy blooms one that is on stems and the others are stemless. Note the photo of a stemmed violet with yellow blooms. Also violets leaf shapes vary which you would think would aid identification. But when a leaf description says slightly blunted or oval or not quite rounded you can get lost.  Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine Smith- Gilbert Gardens operating without a dedicated volunteer force. The small staff here would really be struggling to accomplish just the routine matters not to mention all the extraordinary tasks that come up. Fortunately, we are able to rely on our very faithful group of volunteers to step up and assist whenever we ask. We have a group of folks that we can depend on to assist in the Hiram Butler House, help man the front entrance to collect admissions, hide out in the back parking lot assisting guests with parking and monitoring the Gardens when we have large groups visit. We surely don’t want to leave out the Monday Morning Work Group and the newest cadre of volunteers—The Gather ‘n’ Grow Gardeners.  We could never keep these 16 acres neat and trim if we had to do it without their help. Read the rest of this entry »

Sandhill Crane

By Pat Pepper

During the month of February, you could be walking around the Gardens when all of a sudden you could hear a strange rattling cry coming from above. If you bother to look up, you might be witness to the glorious sight of perhaps hundreds of Sandhill Cranes migrating north. Because you will always hear them before you see them, here is a link to their calling: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id/ac (just click on the Sound bar). If they are flying low, you will be able to see them with your naked eye. If you can hear them, but not see them, you will need binoculars.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Shon Cameron

This month’s plant of choice heralds in spring.  We are so used to seeing it in a garden or landscape, we could easily forget how special the flower really is; let’s give a round of applause for the harbinger of spring, Narcissus commonly known as the Daffodil.

The Daffodil Society lists more than (1,600) sixteen-hundred cultivars in their data-base.  Smith-Gilbert has incorporated over 120 different varieties.  This hearty winter bulb is one of the first flowers to come up from the soil and greet the new growing season.  Around here, Daffodils start growing leaves and putting up flower stocks in the dead of winter, then patiently wait for weather to warm up to unfurl there brightly colored trumpet shaped flowers.  They come in shades of classic yellow to fancier colors ranging from pink to white and can have multiple ruffles and flowers. Read the rest of this entry »

Ed Chrisman (left) aided by his loyal, pseudo-French assistant, Mike Sanders

By Doug Davis

Q.:  What do you get when you cross an acetylene torch and a happy man who is very reminiscent of Santa Claus?

A:  Ed Chrisman!

Background:  Ed, who played football with exceptional skill, found his calling in scrap metal decades ago.  No, not as a recycler, but as an artist. Anyone with a creative bent, however, will understand Mr. Chrisman’s predilection for seeing what others might regard as junk and storing same for some unknown future application.  Originally employed by Garden founders, Dr. Gilbert and Richard Smith, Chrisman has two significant works on display here on the grounds and is also our sculpture conservator. Read the rest of this entry »