Summer Blooms at Stowe

By Morgan Jepson, Marketing + Communications Intern

Michaela Karutz loves the vibrant zinnias in the Canal Garden. “They’re so happy and colorful,” she says.

In the Pollinator Garden, Emma McGee points out that the hibiscus are stealing the show.

Over in the Bog Garden, Sachaly Rivera finds magic in the carnivorous plants—pitcher plants and sundews that thrive in a moist environment with minimal care. “Pitcher plants actually make flowers,” she explains. “Not petal-like, more like a leaf. And the sundews also flower with little white petals on long stalks—they catch flies and gnats on the hairs.”

Some favorites come with fascinating backstories. Jason Bonham, Director of Horticulture, shares a few from the Cottage Garden. “Canna plants come in about 20 species and hundreds of cultivars. They’re a great pollinator for hummingbirds and even produce little black seeds used for making jewelry and musical instruments.” He also notes the pomegranate tree, which produces eye-catching red flowers that eventually swell into fruit. Nearby, you might also spot Kniphofia, also known as red hot poker, a native African plant with long tubular flowers beloved by both bees and hummingbirds.

The creativity behind each bed of blooms begins well before planting season. Michaela, who oversees the Canal Garden, designs her space with the feeling of a fiesta in mind. “A tropical-style garden is a bit harder to blend with perennials,” she says. “My designs start with a solid color palette and rely on plants like Hostas to soften the look. I always try to curate a riot of color! Lush and packed, like a jungle.” Her choices depend not just upon aesthetics, but also sunlight, soil acidity and what thrives in the intense heat of summer.

Allyssa Boerngen manages the Shade and White Gardens. She shares that over near the altars, annuals are swapped out seasonally to maintain constant bloom. “We get availability lists from nurseries about two and a half to three months before planting,” she explains. “We have about a month to choose colors and begin designing. It’s a lot of fun—we’re planning for the warm months while it’s still cold outside!”

In other garden areas, botanical selections starts off as a seed. Katherine Baxter grows much of what fills Lost Hollow, designing interactive areas with annuals, perennials and kid-friendly vegetables that invite discovery.

What kinds of challenges do our gardeners encounter? Of course, working with nature isn’t always predictable. “We’re basically Mother Nature’s employees,” Lindsey Bargar jokes. “We don’t have total control.” Michaela agrees, noting how the elements constantly influence their process. “The heat and humidity are huge factors. Too much rain creates water retention issues, so we manage that with soil amendments.” And then there’s the reality of working in the heat and the physical demands overall. “You have to be careful,” she adds. “Staying hydrated and listening to your body is part of the job.”

Pest management at the Conservancy is approached with utmost intentionality. Michaela explains that the team takes their environmental responsibility very seriously, focusing on minimal chemical use and turning to treatments only when absolutely necessary to save a plant. “We try to naturally manage everything ourselves,” she emphasizes. “We keep everything as clean as possible because we really want to protect the water that flows back into the lake; we want to respect all the little creatures.” This gentle, ecosystem-minded approach reflects the Conservancy’s commitment to sustainability and stewardship.

Wander the gardens long enough and you’ll find spaces and species many visitors might miss upon first glance. Michaela points out the towering artichoke plant by the Williamson Conservatory, with its tall, spiky stem and purple, fuzzy flower. “It’s really cool,” she says. Lindsey has reimagined the pathways in the Cottage Garden to be less structured and more whimsical. “One of the paths goes by the figs and blueberries. I want people to feel like they can interact with that space—reach over and pick something.” Cody Britton, who manages the Crown, Serpentine and Conifer Gardens, encourages visitors to take their time and explore the side paths that wind all the way through that area. “There are a lot of little nooks you’d miss if you just walk straight through. And yes, you can absolutely walk on the grass!”

Native plants are a big focus of ours! A vast variety is on full display in the Piedmont Prairie Garden, the magical area reaching toward the Prairie Castle Playground (coming soon!). Overseen by Ecological Stewardship Manager Janet Manuel and Conservation Ecologist Cassy Hillman, the tall plants are seemingly gracing the skies. Right now, Asclepias tuberosa, Rudbeckia maxima and Scutellaria are blooming among many, many others! “It’s a beautiful time to visit the prairie,” Janet emphasizes. “I love it out there.” You might also spot something truly rare—like the striking Stokesia (Stokes’ aster).

Garden Curator Karen Kottkamp recently noticed a rare canna lily, Canna ‘Cleopatra’, flowering in the Serpentine Garden. She also points out that the Rhynchospora latifolia (white-top sedge) is putting on a delicate display in the Scroll and Ribbon Gardens. Karen shared a memorable garden moment from this year— a couple from Atlanta specifically stopped her to ask about the whitetop sedge during their visit. The next day, they emailed for help identifying a hydrangea they’d fallen in love with. After some collaborative plant sleuthing, Karen found and delivered an answer with the help of Aaron, our Guest Services manager. “Their excitement and appreciation made my day,” she said with a smile.

So…what’s the secret? What is it that sets the gardens at Daniel Stowe Conservancy apart from the rest? For Karen, it’s simple: “It’s the people. I’ve never been part of a more committed, passionate, collaborative and hard-working team. My coworkers inspire me daily and I learn something new from them all the time.”

While many blooms are pictured here, there are even more for you to discover (we can’t give it all away)! From unusual blooms to carefully curated pathways, interactive plantings to bursts of color that seem to greet you, our horticultural team works year-round to ensure that your visit is full of wonder. Whether it’s your first time visiting our gardens or your fiftieth, there is truly something new blooming every day—and a dedicated team with a lot of heart behind it. They look forward to your visit!

To learn more about our gardens, please visit: https://danielstoweconservancy.org/visit/explore-the-garden/

To learn more about our horticultural staff, please visit: https://danielstoweconservancy.org/about-us/management-team/