The soil is heavy clay loam (presumably on the acid side since I can grow only blue hydrangeas) and has to date needed no fertilizer other than heavy mulches of wheat straw and bark sawdust. Rainfall, about 44 inches a year is evenly spread over twelve months and no watering is required. A small spring supplies the house and feeds ponds which were dug 12-15 years ago to attract water fowl and wading birds and provide sites for bog plants.

Pondside plantings are a summer feature and the heather garden is at its best in late summer and autumn, and again in late winter and spring.

Spring arrives in August and September with English bulbs, daffodils and cherry blossom. Rhododendrons and azaleas and a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs bloom in October and November.

Planning, planting and propogation has been and still is my joy and obsession. The nursery 'happened' because of an over supply of cuttings and seedlings in need of homes and has grown into what Bob refers to as a 'hobby gone wrong'.

Bugs are managed by the wild bird population and they in turn are encouraged by all means possible. No spraying has been necessary other than herbicide to control some weeds and grasses which are becoming a decreasing problem.

Aviary birds are kept for love not profit and those which fly free have been hand reared and are trained to return to the hand and to their flights which are closed at nights.

The upkeep is with much assistance from Bob and Rob (and their lawn mowers).
Garden, nursery and aviaries open to visitors:
Saturday 9-5
Other days 2-4 pm
Northern visitors other times by prior arrangement.
There is no charge to nursery visitors. Conducted tours $3 per head.

PLEASE no dogs, no barbecues, no litter bugs. Some of the parrots steal earrings and car keys. Please supervise your children the swans can be aggressive when nesting. Some paths may be slippery when wet. Please take care.

Maple Glen is a private garden and our home - we do appreciate your consideration in coming at the times specified.