Monroe County Master Gardener Association

photos and story by Gail K.

HAPPY NEW YEAR-2023!!!! 
As we ring in the new year I want to reflect back to our last tour of the 2022 season: Welcome to Belle Isle.

a 982 acre “State Park” located in the Detroit River;

between Detroit on the US side & Windsor on Canadian side.

a pair of Mute Swans swim in one of the isle’s inland waterways. The park’s history going back to the 1900’s when this

was the place to be, if you were anyone at all. (Yacht Club)

Over the past couple of years- the Isle has undergone revitalization effort. We have previously visited the Conservatory & the Aquarium.

Today our focus is a new exhibit; a renowned Oudolf Garden. Located on the south end, near the old Peace Tower…..

Entering the garden; the design unlike others we have visited. Using native plants, Mr. Oudolf creates

waves of color, in changing succession, throughout the season.

Almost like a quilt-the garden is divided into blocks, with pathways intertwined.

As is my norm, I will flit about taking photos while still sharing in the discussions.

Hoping my photos show the true intent of this garden design– refer to Jennie’s lecture notes on particular plants

Overall view of two of the beds.

We didn’t have a docent but were fortunate in finding a group of Master Gardeners working that day.

They took time out to share their knowledge of these unique gardens with us.

the large number of mass plantings literally engulfing us; leaving us to feel as if we were standing in the midst there of; when

in reality the pathways directed & restricted our movements

Now that you have seen an overall view of the garden, Let’s look closer at some individual plants

from colorful grasses to a wide variety of flowering plants

Along with Jennie’s help and her lecture notes:
I’ll try to ID each plant featured in my photos–
Despite a soft color, this plant really caught our attention-

Eragrostis Spectabilis-Purple Love Grass

Cultivar Rudbeckia subtomentosa “Little Henry” 
Naida has a variety of this plant in her garden Cone flower-did anyone on tour get the specific name??

Aster

Rattlesnake Master

Helenium Autumnale”Helena Red Shades” (I love this one)
Big Blue Stem-Andropogon “Dancing Wind”shorter & colorful cultivar

 Molina arundinacea “Crystal Veil” Purple Moor  grass

 Mountain Mint  ( its aroma filled the air) and the pollinators

loved it

Gentiana Andrewsii “Bottle Gentian” flowers turn deep blue infall but never open
Veronia “Summers Surrender” & “Summer Swan Song”-bushy
ironweed developed @ Chicago Botanical Gardens (road trip)

Swamp Milkweed-another favorite of the pollinators

Turtlehead- unopened-I have the pink variety

Echinacea Pallida “Hula Dancer’

Achillea filipendulina “Parkers Variety’ (3-4 ft tall golden yellow) or

Achillea x ‘Moonshine’ (1-2 ft tall pale yellow, grayish foliage)***

Penstemon digitalis-Foxglove, Bearded Tongue

Below: a favorite of all the pics I took-I think it reflects the intent & purpose of this garden design.

As we prepare to leave-it would be a disservice to the Master Gardeners to not mention their restoration project surrounding the Oudolf gardens.

As you can see above, the area is lowland and prone to being wet; a flood plain.

Sitting adjacent to the Detroit River which serves as a shipping channel.  This large freighter passed by during

our visit.

Their effort is to remove anything that is invasive & to promote the growth of natives & planting others to
increase the beneficial flora; below a Cardinal Flower.

@ left-the Oudolf gardens sit higher than the low wet lands; in a depression below the level of the parking lot; a Rain

Garden was planted to control any excess water run off .

One of the flowering shrubs in the rain garden area.

A closer view of the Rain Garden & its plantings.

Having planned our trip around the open hours for the Conservatory & Aquarium; It’s time to ship off & move along. I will share those photos in an upcoming post.

Many of us, plan to return next year, late spring/early summer to capture a vision of the Oudolf Gardens in a different season….

Now- where was that food truck, it’s time for lunch!!!     g