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The Fells Chapter
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2011 NARGS Meeting

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NARGS 2011 Annual Meeting, June 17-19

Exciting flora in New England? Come see for yourself !!

An old New England farmer once said “My best crop is the rocks I harvest from my field.” He was perhaps exaggerating to make a point, but not by much. In northern New England, the rocks left by the glaciers can be a nightmare when planting a new garden. And each spring brings forth a new crop.

So what’s one to do? Rather than be cursed as an obstacle, the presence of rocks provides New England gardeners with a unique opportunity to create a garden perfectly suited to its site. Come see for yourself! From the magnificent White Mountains in the north of New Hampshire and the rolling Green Mountains of Vermont, through the Lake Districts and many historic and quaint regions, New England is filled with rock gardens of beautiful flora and unique species.

Clarence Hay Rock Garden – One afternoon will be spent at the The Fells, the historic Lake Sunapee estate of statesman John Hay. His son, Clarence Hay, was one of the original and prominent members of The American Rock Garden Society (ARGS), the predecessor to NARGS. Clarence worked with Italian stone masons to build an extensive rock garden during the 1920-30’s from rocks located elsewhere on the large property. The result is an extraordinary natural-looking creation. For over 30 years Clarence maintained an extensive index card file in which he meticulously noted scientific name, cultural information, source of plant material, and field observations for 600 different species and cultivars of alpine plants. Clarence died in 1969. Following decades of neglect, volunteers and a small staff continue renovations of the impressive Clarence Hay Rock Garden

Meeting Highlights

Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College
* The meeting venue is Colby-Sawyer College, a classic colonial campus in New Hampshire’s scenic Lake Sunapee Region. This tree lined campus is nestled in the quaint New England town of New London.
* The Fells has one of the largest privately developed rock gardens in the Northeast. Built in a natural dell, this unique rock garden contains a multitude of micro climates providing ideal conditions for a large variety of species.
* Indian Tree Hill. The hundreds of alpines, dozens of dwarf conifers, countless bulbs, interesting ground covers, native and exotic woodland species, unusual trees, and many old favorites make this garden very special. Thirty years of loving care has gone into this private garden of Paul and Patsy Highberg.
* The nationally recognized Barrett-Fenderson Garden features specimen trees; and many mature, rare, and unusual woody and herbaceous plants in a variety of environments.
* The private Fry garden is truly unique… a splendid paradise of more than 40 garden areas connected by staircases, pebbled or grass walkways, and spread over 12 acres.
* At the Eshqua Bog Natural Area, visitors can experience the unusual and rare natural history of this plant community first-hand. Enjoy the splendid bloom of the Cypripedium reginae during mid to late June.
* The Philbrick-Cricenti Bog was recently recommended in the NY Times travel section. A mile-long network of trails runs through this so-called kettle hole bog. Pitcher plants, sundews, calla Lilies, and many more plants welcome the June visitor.

The meeting includes vendors, silent auction, plant show, awards, meeting, and key note speakers. Post conference trips, not included in registration, feature the Garden in the Woods and a Mount Washington excursion. Plus there are opportunities for side trips on your own after the conference.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover the flora of beautiful and quaint New England!
Please register by May 12, 2011, when deposits for food and buses must be made. Thank you.

We are located in Newbury, New Hampshire 

We are eager to welcome new members who are interested in rock gardens, alpines and Primula. Come as a guest to find out what we are all about. Please e-mail nargs@thefells.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you plan to attend.

This chapter was organized July 13, 2009. More information will be forthcoming soon!  Most of our meetings will be in the Gate House at The Fells, 456 Route 103A, Newbury, NH 03255. We plan to have at least some meetings elsewhere, so that the same people will not always have to make the long drive.

Our dues are $6.00/year

Chapter News; Bunny Van Valey, a member of the New England Chapter, was made a lifetime honorary member, in appreciation of the innumerable hours she has devoted to the restoration of Clarence Hay’s rock garden at The Fells, and her great generosity and patience in sharing her knowledge.

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