BLOG.JESSIEKEITH.COM: Winterthur Garden's March Bank

Working Mom's Garden Blog
Gardening with kids is messy but gratifying. This blog is largely about gardening with limited time and
two kids in tow while fighting to cultivate an unreasonably large garden. Short cuts are essential, weeds par for the course, and mud a given.

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In 1995, Jessie became a Master Gardener, accepted a job as a landscape designer and had a farmer's market booth selling garden flowers. The following year she attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where she graduated with honors in 1999 with a BS in Public Horticulture. At Purdue, she worked for two years as garden intern at The Purdue University Horticulture Gardens and was mentored by Dr. Harrison Flint and Dr. Michael Dana. She also served as undergraduate teacher’s assistant in woody and herbaceous plant identification and introductory horticulture classes.

In 1999, she accepted a yearlong position as the curatorial intern at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA under the tutelage of celebrated curator and author, Dr. Tomasz Anisko. Graduate school at Michigan State University followed. There she studied systematic botany and completed her MS degree in the winter of 2003. Shortly after graduation, she accepted an internship at The American Gardener magazine, the journal of The American Horticultural Society, where she received guidance from editor-in-chief, David Ellis, and distinguished scientist and horticulturist, Dr. H. Marc Cathey.

Jessie taught horticulture for two years at Williamson Free School in Media, Pennsylvania before pursuing a career in garden writing and plant photography. She began to work as content editor for Learn2grow.com in 2007 and has written articles for publications such as The Old House Journal, The Green Scene, What’s Up! Annapolis? and The Herbarist. She most recently served as one-time horticultural editor for Wilder Quarterly.

Today, Jessie lives in Wilmington, Delaware with her husband Knut, daughters Franziska and Gabriella, two geriatric cats, and thousands of garden plants.

BLOG.JESSIEKEITH.COM: Winterthur Garden's March Bank

Winterthur Garden's March Bank

In the Brandywine River Valley, Winterthur Gardens is the best place to go to watch spring unfold. From late March to early June, we frequent the gardens because each week brings something new. Even my toddler enjoys the intricate paths that meander through its grounds. These offer exquisite views-both grand and intimate-making Winterthur a great garden for photography too.
The March Bank is the first spot to hit in early spring. Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), Adonis (Adonis amurensis), winter snowflake (Leucojum) and snowdrops (Galanthus) first appear in late February to early March. Next come the blue-flowered geophytes like Scilla siberica, Chionodoxa and Crocus, which are out in full force later in the month.
Snowdrops and winter aconite blanket the early March floor.
The March Bank is a blanket of cheerful yellow and white early on.
The bank transitions from yellow to blue around mid-month. This change is so spectacular that Winterthur's naturalistic woodland gardens deserve weekly visits at this time of year.
A spectacular golden Japanese cornel invites visitors onto the main path leading to the March Bank. The delicate golden blooms play beautifully against the hills of blue beyond.
Even my toddler does not get bored of the views. She walks along excitidly admiring the little flowers. It's hard to keep her from picking them though.

"Please just look honey." Why do I constantly sound like my mother?!It's inevitable.
Here's one of the sweet intimate views that the March Bank rewards viewers with. A woodland fairy garden.
April at Winterthur is just as exciting. Its native spring ephemerals appear and Rhododendron collection begins to unfold. We will be there!