THE JOSLIN GARDEN 

The City of Oaks Foundation and 

City of Raleigh Parks

January 14, 2021—Making a Verdant Edge—10A—Formal Garden and Lawn

Nell and I started our morning with a chill in the air and the prospect of sun and warmth in the early afternoon. The forecast came true.

On a slow walk through the chilly property, Nell and I discussed approaching the massive four-acre nature preserve. We were like old friends walking down memory lane, as can happen when two nature-lovers walk the woods, even though today is only our second day together in the garden. The discussion, in part, was how to approach the garden’s care. What did we decide? We will start in one named area, and then move to the next.

Although not our focus this morning, as we walked along the garden paths, we naturally started pulling greenbriar, Smilax rotundifolia. We were both giddy when we pulled the offensive "weed" from the ground with the bulb still attached. Success! Alas, smilax will be here forever, though. 

Did you know all parts of our native greenbrier are edible and tasty as well! The new shoots can be sautèd like asparagus. Native Americans used the roots as a starch source. ~Helen Yoest

Maybe we shouldn't be too quick to judge; smilax is a native, after all. STILL! Need I say more? I digress, though; today's update is about dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, and its traits, and another green edging.

The prevalence of dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana', and the straight species O. japonicus indicate that it must have been a favorite of Mary and Bill Joslin. Along the path edges at the beginning 10A--The Formal Garden and Lawn, mondo thrives. In one large patch, infringing within the bed proper, we lifted a good chunk of it and transplanted it to the other side of the path for continuity, and when I say "we" I mean Nell did it all!

With a little encouragement, The Formal Lawn could be replaced with 'Nana'. Or at least it seems it's trying to tell us so. Or perhaps it stopped spreading as the sun becomes too much for dwarf mondo to bare. I'll learn more about the sun conditions as the seasons’ march on.

Did you know dwarf mondo 'Nana' was a sport of the straight species, and in this case, is a more desirable trait? Or at least we think so. 'Nana' has to be monitored, though; it will revert to the straight species.

An example of O.jaonicus' Nana' that has reverted back to the species. If not removed, 'Nana' would soon be lost as it will be taken over the straight species. And while I like both, 'Nana', in my mind, has more value, especially since the price for a flat is so dear. The straight species, not so much

Dwarf mondo sounds like an oxymoron to me. I would imagine if George Carlin were a plantsman, and he well may have been, he would have been all over this dichotomy—dwarf—MONDO! Ha!

We took our verdant focus to other areas of the garden. While we want all the paths cleared for a delineation between paths and beds, path edging is our guidepost, but a good blowing will make a world of difference. And now that leaf season is about over; the timing is perfect. 

(Note to self: Get with Neal about this.)

With verdant green on my mind, and edging too, there were a few areas I wanted to tackle while Nell was working on transplanting the 'Nana'. Within the Formal Garden and Lawn, Liriope muscari edges the beds. There are lots of names for this mostly evergreen edging plant. You may know it as monkey grass, lily tuff, or even liriope! It's nice when an actual genus name is used instead of a common name. 

I raked to move leaves off the lawn and within the liriope into the beds for a natural mulch.

Did you know there is life in those leaves? There is a bonified campaign to #LeaveTheLeaves.  As the founding member of such a campaign, please note that it doesn't necessarily mean leaving them in place. In the Joslin Garden, we moved them into the beds for a natural and free mulch. We also don’t recommend chopping up the leaves with a mower. In doing so, the critters and food in the leaf litter are chopped up too. :(

During our walk, I found the moss lawn. I have a special place in my heart for moss and learned Nell does too. I was very fortunate to write for a moss grower and designer for over five years. It was an honor. I’m sorry to say, the moss guy has since passed away.

Nell and I are both keenly aware garden care will be a goal for generations to come; she and I are now the current caregivers or stewards of this beautiful parcel of land with support from the City of Raleigh Parks. We are working with Neal Wisenbaker providing support from his District's team on an as-needed basis. Today, Neal dropped up some tools for us to use. The deed was most appreciative!

Helen Yoest

Horticulture Specialist

…and life long sustainable gardener

Helen Yoest is also the author of several books.