Project Goals
Beautify the entrance of Seawood Harbor Property Owners Association by planting native flowers and shrubs around the highly visible association sign. Offer a model native plant garden for residents and visitors to enjoy and replicate in their own yards. Bring a sense of renewal to the neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy.
Site Assessment
The Seawood Harbor project site is located in a highly visible area along Mandalay Road in Brick Township across from the calming circle and bike path. The backdrop to the target area is a mature healthy woodlands, part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The soil in the area of plantings is hard and compacted, containing macadam, pieces of old pavement and gravel. The site receives partial sun throughout the day.
Actions
This site showcases native plants selected using the Jersey-Friendly Yards Plant Database. The soil was excavated to a depth of about three feet. Compost was procured from the county and added as an amendment to remediate the compaction and lack of organic matter. Native shrubs were installed behind the sign and native perennials were installed in front. Native shrubs were selected to complement the woodlands. Perennials were selected to offer a range of colors, textures and bloom times for an attractive three-season garden.
Plants Used
Shrubs: Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), and Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
Perennials: Blue Giant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Eastern Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana), Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), Purple Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), Lanceleaf Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata), Purple Joe-Pye (Eupatorium purpureum), White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricatus), Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Sedum (Heliopsis telephium), Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), and Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
Project Leaders
Becky Laboy and Eileen Miller: Ocean County Soil Conservation District
Mike Gerrity: Rutgers Environmental Steward
Adrienne Ferrie: President, Seawood Harbor Property Owners Association