The CELT office has some new landscaping thanks to students from Southern Maine Community College! The Landscape Management class at SMCC came to the CELT office in mid-October to plant new vegetation in front of the building. Alex Donka, the instructor, helped his students choose the design for what species to plant where. They intentionally incorporated native plants endemic to New England’s ecoregion, and focused on forest understory perennials that could thrive in the shaded region adjacent to the building. These species include the Northern maidenhair fern, Canadian wild ginger, Hummingbird sweet-pepperbush, Marginal wood fern, Northern spicebush, Heartleaf foamflower, Mapleleaf viburnum, and Pagoda dogwood.
In addition to which species to plant, the students also intentionally chose appropriate locations for the new plantings. They considered the impacts of snow load coming off the roof in the winter, and also made a point to plant in odd-number groupings.
We are excited to care for these new plantings to help them flourish. Will be great to tend for them through the fall, watch them hibernate through the winter, and see them come to life again in the spring. Take a look next time you find yourself near the office!
