Druitt Gardens campaigners celebrate as tree felling scheme thrown out by council

10:22am Tuesday 14th January 2014 in News

CONCERNED: Residents against the proposals

CAMPAIGNERS trying to save a number of Christchurch trees from being felled are celebrating after the scheme was narrowly thrown out by councillors.

Around 450 letters of objection were sent to Christchurch council opposing the application to fell seven trees – one bay and six sycamores – in the conservation area of Druitt Gardens.

The application from Renaissance Retirement Ltd follows a proposal by the developer earlier this year to build a retirement complex on the Cornfactor site, just next to the gardens.

Planning consultant James Cain, representing Christchurch Conservation Trust and other concerned residents, said the public were misled by the council justifying the tree works as part of the Druitt Gardens enhancement programme.

The meeting heard that such a programme did not exist.

He also raised the issue of the Cornfactor development, which was originally granted without any reference to these or other tree works.

“A cynic would say that this whole situation has been contrived quite nicely,” he said.

“The trees currently serve a number of purposes, providing a valuable green lung to the town, their stand alone amenity value in what is a well-used public space, accommodating biodiversity and visual screening to existing and future buildings.

“In addition, it would further erode the function of gardens as their original purpose which of course was as a gift for the people of Christchurch from Charlotte Druitt as gardens and a bird sanctuary.”

Robert Taylor, the managing director of Renaissance, said a proposed landscaping scheme would enhance that part of Druitt Gardens ‘for the benefit of all who use this facility’. The cost of the proposed replacement landscaping scheme is £50,000.

He added: “Clearly we are happy to provide this landscaping scheme because the residents will have a better outlook and so will all the people in Christchurch who use Druitt Gardens.”

Cllr Peter Hall, ward councillor for the town centre said if it was to go ahead, the council could be accused of committing ‘wanton vandalism’.

Proposing a rejection of the plans, he said: “In 1946 Charlotte Druitt left these gardens to Dorset County Council as Christchurch could not be trusted. Please let’s show that we can be trusted now.”

Tree preservation orders were requested.

‘Gardens valued’

After the decision, Peter Fenning, secretary of Christchurch Conservation Trust and Roger Street, chairman of the CCT, as well as members of Trees for Dorset, said the decision ‘is a recognition of the reality that Christchurch residents value these gardens and will robustly defend them against encroachment’.

They added: “This tree felling application was basically a manoeuvre to get around the failure by the council to clearly present the developer’s intentions when the planning application was granted permission last summer.

“There was a lack of clarity and information in that decision.”

The organisation is calling for a Friends of Druitt Gardens group to be formed.

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By Maureen Gilmer
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services


Posted Jan. 14, 2014 @ 7:17 pm

GHNS

Each year Acanthus mollis returns to gardens in Redlands. In fact, their familiar leaves are already popping up in some yards.

Acanthus mollis, commonly called bear’s breeches, is one of the great garden plants. Originally found growing among the ancient Romans ruins, it traveled to Great Britain in the 13th century and then to America. Acanthus mollis was a favorite with Victorian gardeners. Today, it is cultivated in gardens around the world. Many very established clumps of bear’s breeches are growing well in Redlands, in gardens of historic homes as well as in the landscaping areas of public buildings.

Acanthus mollis is a horticultural survivor from ancient Greek and Roman times. A member of the Acanthaceae family, Acanthus mollis is native throughout the Mediterranean region, the southern parts of Europe and the warmer parts of Asia and Africa.

It is one of the earliest cultivated species of garden plants. The large shiny dark green leaves of this ornamental herbaceous perennial are generally considered by historians to have been the design inspiration for the decorative leaf borders, scroll motifs and column capitals (Corinthian, Ionic and Doric) used extensively in the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. Since the fifth century B.C., acanthus leaf motifs have decorated buildings and columns and have become synonymous with classic Greek architecture.

During medieval and Renaissance times, the acanthus leaf motif was also incorporated into sculptures, woodcarvings and friezes. Victorians introduced it into wallpaper, china and other artistic endeavors. Today the acanthus leaf motif can be found in the decorative aspects of many Victorian homes as well as on numerous public buildings, from the University of Redlands to the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

A majestic plant, the Acanthus mollis can grow like a living sculpture in the garden. Its exotic, classic appearance blends well with both historic and contemporary homes. It makes excellent foundation plantings and does well in pots. In summer, 2- to 4-foot-wide clumps of lustrous, deeply cut, dark green leaves (which can be up to 3 feet long) fill with dramatic, long-lasting, spires of tubular mauve-pink and white flowers. The flowers and the leaves are wonderful for both fresh and dried arrangements.

Acanthus mollis makes an excellent low-maintenance plant. It can grow in most any soil. Although it needs regular moisture to get started, it can tolerate poor, dry soil once established. Good drainage is very important and overwatering can frequently be fatal. In the warm Redlands climate, it appreciates partial afternoon shade. Once established, it does not like to be relocated and sends down tubular tap roots that resist movement. A long-lived plant, it tends to form large, localized clumps that can survive for many decades.

Acanthus mollis is available at nurseries, garden centers and sometimes at plant sales. This plant can also easily be propagated from seed, root cuttings or division of established clumps. Unfortunately, slugs, snails and leaf-eating insects find the spectacular bear’s breeches leaves very tasty, so close watching and treatment may be necessary.

Acanthus mollis has come to mean quality, longevity and creativity. After more than 2,400 years, this ancient plant continues to add a fresh and interesting dimension not only to gardens but also to buildings, inside and out.

For information, call 909-798-9384.

Source: Joyce Dean, a member of the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society

Those organically-grown vegetables now being sold in the produce departments of local supermarkets are nothing new, according to Jim Couts, co-owner of Jubilee Gardens and Landscapes in Marietta.

Couts gave a presentation on organic composting during the first of six free community garden classes at the First Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday afternoon.

“Around 1850 all farming and gardening was organic-no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides were used,” he said. “The essence of agriculture for thousands of years was based on organic compost and fertilizers.”

Article Photos

SAM SHAWVER The Marietta Times
Jim Couts, co-owner of Jubilee Gardens in Marietta, gave some pointers on organic composting and gardening during the first of six free community gardening classes at the First Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday afternoon.

But with the advent of the industrial age in the late 1800s, and into the 20th century, synthetic or chemical-laced fertilizers were introduced, Couts said.

“People were very excited. Their plants grew large and fast,” he said. “Synthetic fertilizers will make your plants look great, but as long as you keep using it you will also have to use pesticides and herbicides on your garden.”

Couts said the use of organic compost and fertilizers helps eliminate the need for such chemicals as the organics, derived from composted plants, discarded food scraps and animal manure, provide a natural shield for the roots of plants that synthetic fertilizers cannot provide.

Fact Box

If you go

“Ethical eating” will be the topic of the next community garden class scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 232 Third St. in Marietta.

The free classes, covering a variety of subjects of interest to area gardeners, will be held at the same location every Sunday through Feb. 16.

For information: Roger Kalter, 373-1784 or rogerkalter1@yahoo.com

He added that the use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides is killing off the honeybee population which is key to the pollination process vital for plant growth.

“Synthetic fertilizer prices continue to increase, which means food prices increase, and that impacts the ability of low-income people to purchase quality food,” Couts said. “If you eat food that’s only grown with synthetics, you’re not eating healthy food. The continued use of synthetic fertilizers is just not sustainable.”

He encouraged those attending Sunday’s gardening class to help stop the use of chemical fertilizers by growing their own organic gardens and participating in local community gardening.

Couts noted Jubilee Gardens and Landscapes is planning to start an “organic only” community garden with 30 plots available along Phillips Street in the Norwood area.

“We’re looking for people who want to do organic gardening to take part in that garden,” he said.

For more information, e-mail Jubilee Gardens at jubileesoil@gmail.com, or call (740)706-4672.

Couts said organic composting begins by creating separate piles of materials like food and garbage scraps, leaves and grass clippings, and cow and horse manure.

“Collect the materials, but keep them separate, then construct a compost bin that’s 3 feet square and 3 feet deep in which to place the compost materials,” he said, adding to cover the bin with a tarp that’s easy to remove.

The compost material can be mixed in the bin and turned regularly with a pitchfork or shovel to keep the material loose and aerated for 30 days.

“The material should be turned three times the first week, two times during the second week, and one time during the third and fourth weeks,” Couts said.

Some water should also be added to keep the compost moist, he said.

“But you don’t want too much water. Moisture and air help keep the microorganisms in the compost working,” Couts added.

He said the compost is ready for use when the material looks like black dirt, and the process should take about six months to complete.

Couts said a much faster method is vermicomposting, in which worms are added to help break down the compost mixture. He said it takes about one month for vermicomposting to break down the materials into usable compost.

Tom Rowell of Williamstown was among the 35 people who attended Sunday’s gardening class. He raises crops on farmland near East Ninth Street in Williamstown.

“I believe in saving our landfills, so organic gardening has always been my way of life for more than 60 years,” he said. “I haul piles of leaves to my property all fall and use them to make compost that I put around our flowers, fruit trees and blueberry plants. It also helps cut down on weeds.”

Sunday’s class will be followed on Jan. 19 by a presentation entitled “Ethical Eating” by local gardeners Megan Buskirk, Dana Singer, and Chrissa Campbell of Marietta.

“They’ll also be providing some incredible ethical food for everyone to try,” said Roger Kalter who helps coordinate the community gardening classes, now in its sixth year.

Buskirk said ethical eating covers a variety of topics, including consumption and marketing of locally-grown foods in area restaurants and stores, as well as the ethical treatment of animals that are used for food.

“I’ll have a list of 10 things that people can do to help encourage the availability of more locally-grown food and the ethical use of that food,” she said.

Buskirk said Singer will discuss the economics of ethical eating.

Kalter said future community gardening classes will include a presentation by the Marietta In Bloom gardening group and a special presentation on edible landscaping-landscaping with plants that also can be used as food.

“Our final day will be a hands-on class, building cold frames and raised beds,” he said.

AUSTIN – The Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service office in Travis County and Travis County Master Gardeners will present a series of five monthly drought-related programs in Austin, beginning with a composting program on Feb. 6, according to program coordinators.

Gardening and landscaping with drought in mind is the focus of monthly programs presented Feb.-June by the Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service and Travis County Master Gardeners. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo)

“Drought is a persistent issue in Central Texas and throughout the state,” said Daphne Richards, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture, Travis County. “These programs are intended to help people make gardening and landscaping choices that will allow for greater drought tolerance and lower water use, as well as using fewer chemicals that might enter the water table.”

Richards said all five Dealing with Drought Conditions programs will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on their respective dates at the AgriLife Extension office in southeast Austin, located at 1600-B Smith Road. .

Each program is $10 for early registration and $15 for late or on-site registration. To register, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu.

The series dates topics will be:

Feb. 6 – Composting for building and maintaining healthy soils. Whether getting ready for a spring garden or just improving the health of lawn and landscape, compost is an easy and inexpensive amendment, safe to use and beneficial for the environment.

March 6 — Rainwater harvesting. Don’t let valuable rainwater wash down the gutter; capture it and use it to water gardens and landscapes. Learn the basics of rainwater harvesting and how to construct a basic system suited to your needs.

April 3 – Landscaping to conserve water. Learn proper techniques for watering, feeding and maintaining healthy grasses and landscapes.

May 1 – Drip irrigation for the garden. Learn how to install an effective water-wise drip irrigation system and how to monitor its efficiency. Includes an explanation of the irrigation system at AgriLife Extension’s demonstration garden.

June 5 – Alternative methods of gardening and irrigation. People with time, space or physical limitations can learn how to raise vegetables, herbs and flowers using self-sufficient grow boxes, as well as keyhole gardening and “hugelkultur,” to expand their gardening repertoire.

“We hope people will take advantage of as many programs as they can in this Dealing with Drought Conditions series,” Richards said. “The programs not only will provide great ideas for developing and improving gardens and landscapes, they will also show how you can save money and, at the same time, help preserve valuable water resources.”

For more information, contact Richards at 512-854-9600 or drichards@tamu.edu.

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