Library Garden
Established 2017
SITE CONDITIONS
Light: Full sun
Soil type: After the library was built, the garden site consisted mostly of "fill dirt" with little organic matter. Sandy clay was added to shape the slope and drainage features, followed by 4 inches of screened loam. A few inches of bark mulch were spread over the loam, and where shrubs were to be planted, we added an extra layer of wood chips.
Soil moisture: Dry at the top and middle of the slope; moist in the lower half.
Topography: Sloped
Key plants: The top of the slope is sunny and dry and features plants that can live in sharp gravelly soils found on ledges and beaches. Examples include:
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Beach plum (Prunus maritima)
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Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
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Broad-leaved mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
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Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia)
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Sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)
The lower half of the slope is wetter due to the topographic change and stormwater runoff from the roof. This part of the garden features native plants found along streams and in wetlands. Examples include:
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Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
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Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
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Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris)
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Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense)
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Steeple bush (Spiraea tomentosa)
Garden development
OVERVIEW
After the library was built, the elevation change required extensive groundwork. Several loads of clay loam and strategically placed boulders were used to sculpt the topography, manage drainage, and prevent erosion. A drainage swale was created to channel roof water downslope without washing away the soil. Four inches of loam, topped with mulch and wood chips, helped stabilize the soil until plants were established.
The plantings address three key challenges: steep elevation changes, stormwater runoff, and a hot, dry south-facing slope. Coarse soil at the top of the slope supports plants that live on beaches and ledges like beach plums, while winterberry and blue flag iris thrive in the sunny swale. At the base of the slope, wetland plants like marsh marigold and swamp milkweed flourish. A variety of root structures help stabilize the slope, and an interlocking pattern of shrubs forms the core of the design. Reseeding plants such as steeplebush, blue vervain, and bee balm continue to evolve the landscape each season.
PLANTINGS
The plantings cope with challenging conditions like steep slopes and stormwater runoff while maintaining a clear and appealing aesthetic throughout the seasons. The selected plants have excelled, with minimal soil erosion and impressive drought tolerance.
A key challenge is maintaining order amid the garden's evolving design. Initially arranged in plant blocks, self-seeders like bee balm (Monarda fistulosa), calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), blue-stem goldenrod (Solidago caesia) and blue vervain (Verbena hastata) have spread. We manage these volunteers by keeping them where they don’t disrupt the shrub plantings, which are essential for the garden's structure. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), a short-lived self-seeder, is welcomed wherever it appears. The shrubs offer structure and stability, while the herbaceous plants add color, texture, and movement.
A mix of herbaceous plants create the garden's ground cover. Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) are favored for their spreading runners and low growth. Pussy toes (Antennaria neglecta and A. plantaginifolia) thrive in drier areas and spread by seed. Whorled loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) grows 12–16” tall and spreads clonally, requiring management to prevent it from encroaching on young shrubs. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), which came with the fill, is difficult to remove but is now embraced as a ground cover.
Development of this program has been made possible through the generous support of the Anahata Foundation.
The Downeast Innovation Fund of Maine Community Foundation awarded NGBH a capacity-building grant for 2021 to ensure a strong foundation for NGBH's expanded mission and programming. A community-building grant from Maine Community Foundation in 2022 supports NGBH's ongoing efforts.