Matt Dickinson (above, center), Landscape Designer and FoSG member, selected and laid out new plants to harmonize beautifully with Salter Grove’s semi-natural vegetation. He is flanked by planters Isidro Ramirez Ramirez (L) and Kristopher Mancini (R) and a bodacious specimen of Weeping Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendulum’).

Atlantic Lawn & Garden loaned their truck to transport the plants from Sylvan Nursery, which generously supplied them at wholesale prices.

The protective berm was planted with three Juniperus species (Blueberry Delight, Blue Pacific, and Blue Rug). These procumbent conifers will spread out to form bands of different hues and textures. The Parkway side got Winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ + ‘Southern Gentleman’), whose bright red berries persist throughout—you guessed it—winter. Some of the soil for the berm was kindly donated by Pawtuxet Memorial Park.

Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’, background) and Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’) set off the rock and its eventual dedication plaque.

Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa, background), an Asian native, has naturalized on New England’s sandy coasts. The singe, late season flower gives a taste of splendor to come.

The area between the T-swings was planted with Virginia Sweetspire (1, Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet), Red Twig Dogwood (2, Cornus sericea ‘Farrow’), Weeping Katsura (3, Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendulum’). Siberian Cypress (4, Microbiota decussata), Astilbe ‘Brida Veil’ (5, Astilbe arendsii), Stonecrop ‘Autumn Joy’ (6, Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’), and Cranesbill (7, Geranium ‘Gerwat’ Rozanne).

The back border against the woods (not pictured) has the following deciduous and wildlife friendly shrubs (east to west): Arrowwood Virburnum (Virburnum dentatum), American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum trilobium ‘Alfredo’), Brilliant Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’), Bayberry (Myrica pennsylvania), and Arrowwood Virburnum again.

Please avoid all planted areas. The plants will grown slowly next year (2020) as their roots develop, and then start to fill in nicely in their third growing season.