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Allison’s Super Volunteers By Ginna Tiernan, Adult Program Coordinator
It’s no wonder the Arboretum’s maintenance coordinator, Allison Yates, received a standing ovation at the first Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch she attended. Having worked at the Arboretum for just a few months, she had already endeared herself to staff, volunteers, visitors, their dogs, and all others who cross her path with her hard work, good humor, and generous spirit. Allison is responsible for maintaining everything within the Arboretum’s 400 acres, including the Visitor’s Center, Nursery, and greenhouses—but she is not entirely alone. She has her ‘super’ team of volunteers that includes Doug Smith, Zaida Wing, William D. Jason, Jr., and Jon Ingersoll.
By Joanne Healey, Nursery Manager
The following are questions frequently asked about the Arboretum’s Native Plant Nursery:
It took one cup of coffee two years ago for Doug Smith to fill out a volunteer application and join forces with Allison. Doug is Allison’s problem solver extraordinaire and general construction guru. He fixes, repairs, and reconstructs everything, from the Visitor’s Center pergola to a washed-out bridge. He climbs and trims trees and maintains and monitors the bluebird boxes. Soon he will build platforms for the rain barrels at the Nursery building. Allison knows that she needs to keep Doug busy, and she does a great job!
1. I have a buffer management or mitigation plan from my county that I have to follow. Do you carry the plants listed in the plan? The Native Plant Nursery assists homeowners in purchasing native plants for buffer management and mitigation projects. During the open season, April through October, the Nursery stocks many of these plants. Special orders can be arranged. 2. What is the most popular plant you sell? The most popular perennial by far is butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Gardeners love the bright orange color and the fact that they are helping to save the monarch butterfly’s summer habitat. River birch (Betula nigra) and sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) are the most commonly sold trees. Each has its own unique qualities, but the fact that they can withstand wet soil conditions makes them especially popular on the Eastern Shore. 3. What are your hours? Do I need an appointment to visit the Nursery? No appointment is necessary, and you don’t have to be a member to shop (members receive a discount on their purchases, however). The Native Plant Nursery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will find a great selection of wildflowers (more than 80 species), trees, shrubs, grasses, and ferns. Credit cards are accepted.
Doug Smith
It is hard to remember the Arboretum without Zaida Wing. Zaida is a docent and longtime volunteer who works to keep the lovely front entrance gardens trimmed and weeded. She works long and hard hours. With a keen gardener’s eye, she needs little instruction. Zaida moonlights with Nursery Manager Joanne Healey, helping to maintain the nursery stock, propagate plants, transplant seedlings, and set up for the Arboretum’s plant sales.
4. Can you identify a plant for me? This is a very commonly asked question. Sometimes more details are needed to solve the mystery, sometimes not. We also recommend contacting the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center for help in identifying plants: hgic.umd.edu. The Native Plant Nursery is open throughout the growing season. Plants may also be ordered at adkinsplants.com for pickup at the Nursery. Members receive a 10% discount on plants; members at the Contributor ($100) level and above receive a 20% discount. For special orders or for more information, call 410-634-2847, ext. 32 or e-mail jhealey@adkinsarboretum.org.
Mark your calendar for the Fall Native Plant Sale, September 14–16 adkinsarboretum.org
Zaida Wing
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