Report of Mary Scott Nature Park workday July 11, 2020
On a hot July morning, 10 neighbors and GNPS members worked at Mary Scott Nature Park.
The informational kiosks were cleaned and updated with information for our visitors.
Our restoration contractor sprayed herbicide on the porcelain berry vines that have been so tenacious, resisting our efforts to eradicate it. The ‘pond’ area was weeded and opened for more air movement in that area. English ivy was pulled. Eight yard waste bags were filled with E. ivy, chamber bitter, mulberry weed, J. honeysuckle, J. chaff flower, privet bushes, and Microstegium (J. stilt grass). We also attempted to repair ruts made by a large truck along entrance sidewalk. We were able to fill them in with dirt and chips.
In the height of summer, there were many plants blooming: Phlox paniculata, partridge pea, Rudbeckia hirta, beautyberry bushes, St. John’s wort, Capandula, purple coneflower, mountain mint, butterfly weed, and wild petunia. There were many pollinators working the profusion. The Mayapple in the western border garden had a large apple ripening.
Since we started working at Mary Scott Nature Park, we’ve eradicated
Bradford pear
Tree of heaven
Rose of Sharon
But we’ll have to monitor frequently for returning sprouts.
As a reward, we now have these native herbaceous species growing in our park:
painter’s palette
jewelweed
sweet cicely
The next scheduled workday will be Saturday, August 1, 2020, 10-12am, when we plan to continue removing nonnative plants. Please bring your gardening gloves, soil knife/trowel, and kneeler to help.