Christie Dustman's Garden

Members of NARGSNE toured Christie Dustman's garden at the end of August 2026.
Christie is one of the most sought-after Landscape Designers in the greater Boston area and her garden is an eclectic collection of unusual conifers, plants and decorative items that have been collected over the years.
Christie is the Vice President of the Northeast Region of the American Conifer Society
https://www2.conifersociety.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@NARGSNE

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A few summer beauties

NARGSNE PLANT AUCTION 2026

On Saturday May 16, 2026 our chapter held its annual plant auction. Members donated unusual and rare plants. Ernie, our auctioneer, was in fine form, and every plant was sold and went home with their new owners.
Many thanks to former member Tom Ward for donating hypertufa planters and gardening books.

Members talk about their favorite
plant containers

On Saturday 18 April, 2026 the chapter had a slide show about the history of plant pots. Here are a few photos of members describing and showing their containers and plants

Early Spring Bulbs 2026

Our members' gardens are coming to life

Galanthus Elwessii 'Snow Fox'

These drooping, milky-white naturalizers have dainty inner tips of emerald green. They are great in rock gardens, border plantings, or naturalized drifts.
Photo by Marilyn B

Dwarf Iris 'Katharines Gold'

A sport of Iris histriodes ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ cream to pale yellow with blue-green flecks and darker yellow splash on falls.
Photo by Ernie F

Eranthis hyemalis

Winter aconite is a low-maintenance tuberous perennial that blooms in late winter/early spring, featuring bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers.
Photo by Judy L

NARGSNE meeting

Saturday 21 February 2026

Christie Dustman speaking on
"A Passion for Conifers"

Christie Dustman is the owner of Christie Dustman & Company Inc., a landscape design/build and maintenance company in the Boston area. Christie has won design awards, teaches at multiple venues, including the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and is on the national stage. Her personal garden has been showcased on tours and was featured in Fine Gardening magazine in 2021. She is a Certified Landscape Designer with a passion for conifers and design that is meaningful and functional.

Here is Christie's website - christiedustman.com

Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with
Estelle James and Priscilla Williams

Our enthusiastic group learned how to sow seeds of plants that needed a period of cold stratification to germinate. We used low-tech methods and worked with nature; no special equipment was required. Each participant left with prepared containers (used gallon milk jugs) to be placed directly outdoors.

Supplies included:
Oyster Shells, Perlite, fine gravel, and seed starter mix

Seeds Galore!

There were plenty of seeds to choose from, supplied by the NARGS Seed Exchange.
To learn more about the Seed Exchange, visit
https://www.nargs.org/seed-exchange/seed-list
Note the supplies that are needed to make the greenhouses

Priscilla, Estelle and Vivien

Vivien examines the NARGS Seed Exchange seed packets while Priscilla describes the steps for winter seed sowing.

Priscilla demonstrates how to make a miniature greenhouse using a one-gallon plastic jug

Winter sowing in milk jugs is an easy, no-cost method to start seeds outdoors during winter by creating miniature greenhouses.
Cut a clear plastic jug in half (leaving a hinge), add 3-4 inches of moist potting soil with added Perlite, fine gravel, or Oyster Shell to help with aeration, sow seeds, tape it shut, remove the cap, and place outside to let nature handle germination. Visit YouTube to watch videos demonstrating winter sowing.

Sowing the seeds

Preparing a new batch of seed mix

Choosing seeds

Show and Tell

Diane brought in this begonia and generously provided cuttings
Begonia dregei 'Richardsiana' (often referred to as B. richardsiana or Begonia dregei 'Richardsiana' --Dwarf Begonia) is a miniature, semi-tuberous, and deciduous species from South Africa, highly prized for its bonsai-like appearance. It features small, maple-shaped, bright green leaves on a woody, thick stem (caudex) and produces white, sometimes fragrant, flowers from spring to autumn.
Available at Logee's
https://www.logees.com

What a delightful and pretty plant

Vivien grew this stunning "Blue Shades" viola in her cold porch.

Show and Tell

At the AGM, Mark shared his impressive collection of succulents.
Members went home with some of these gems

Haworthia limifolia v.limifolia, 1 year offset

Faucaria tigrina
(common name Tiger Jaws)

Aloe hybrid 'Donnie'

Sansevieria cylindrica
(unnamed dwarf form)

Haworthia limifolia "Spider White'

Dwarf

Haworthia limifolia

Dwarf

Aloe hybrid 'Doran Black'

Gasteraloe 'Royal Highness'

Gasteria glomerata

Haworthia limifolia v. limifolia

common name Fairy Washboard

Aloe hybrid 'Pink Blush'

Haworthiopsis tessellata

Collection of tender succulents
that make great house plants

NARGSNE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2025

FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, THE GROUP ENJOYED A CATERED LUNCH

Marsha prepares to give her talk

Click on the photo to see the full picture

Meet Marsha Russell

Marsha is a well-respected propagator and long-time NARGSNE member, who has graciously shared several photos of plants she has propagated.
Marsha was a musical prodigy and rapidly lost her hearing. As a result of her hearing loss she started gardening and noticed Trillium luteum seedlings coming up in her lawn. After doing some research, she discovered that nobody knew how to grow them from seed. It was thought that the seeds needed double dormancy or more. She gathered fresh pods and squeezed the seeds at the base of the parent plant which germinated the following spring. This was the beginning of her propagating journey, starting with Trilliums and spreading to other plants.

Marsha

Paeonia anomala

Anemonella thalictroides ‘Jade Feather‘

Gentiana angustifolium hybrid, Leach ‘Scotty’

Daphne cneorum, only about 6” tall x 5’ in diameter

Spirea morrisonicola

Trillium vaseyi

Trillium freemanii type

Anemone oreganum

Narcissus asturiensis

Narcissus rupicola

Anemone nemorosa 'Blue Eyes'

Close-up of the Symphyotrichum ericoides flowers

Montia siberica flowers all season

Corydalis malkensis

Corydalis solida

Digitalis obscura

Pogonia ophioglossoides

This is a bog plant that is currently grown in a pot

'Congo Dance'

Mark has produced a stunning new hybrid Korean Mum, an addition to his Mum "dance series". It is a double quill style of Mum with a gorgeous autumnal color.
To enlarge the photo, click on the photo

When Priscilla and Judy are not gardening, they enjoy singing

Priscilla and Judy sang with the Bachtoberfest Choir this October at Mechanics Hall, Worcester.
Singers from across the country gather in Worcester for an annual choir performance to conclude the 2025 BACHtoberfest weekend. The BACHtoberfest Choir assembles for this concert performed three of Bach’s cantatas. The ensemble aims to unite voices from everywhere in song, with a shared passion for the music of J.S. Bach.

Elizabeth Zander at home

I was fortunate to have a tour of Elizabeth’s extensive rock gardens in October 2025

Elizabeth has served as president of the North American Rock Garden Society and is now the society’s webmaster.
Photos taken by Judy Leamy

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You Tube

Elizabeth Zander's Rock Garden in Goshen, CT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gfW49u07lw&t=908s

Traveling Speaker October 2025

We welcomed Traveling Speaker Paul Cumbleton with his co-presenter, Colin Everett, on Saturday 4 October 2025. Paul gave two talks, ‘Alluring Alpines’ and ‘Our Odyssey with Bulbs’ and Colin shared photos of his extensive Fritillary collection.
For more information about our speakers, please visit our late summer newsletter on the members' page
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Paul Cumbleton

Paul and Colin Everett

Paul's go-to potting mixes

Paul's recommendations for alpine gardens

Blue Nasturtium

Seeds available online

Galanthus Peshmen II

One of hundreds of plants that Paul and Colin grow

It's lunchtime!

An informal chat

Priscilla and Susan

Paul and Colin's second presentation

Colin discussed his extensive collection of Fritillaria species. Originally given at an Alpine Garden Society Bulb Day Conference

Information sources

Estelle and Marsha

Ellen and friend

Sally, Regie and Dianne

Nancy and Priscilla

Photo Gallery

NARGS NE Members Garden Tour
Saturday July 12, 2025

We had the pleasure of visiting Joyce Hannaford’s stunning garden in Natick.
For more photos of Joyce's garden, visit https://www.enchantedgardensdesign.com/blog/2024/7/29/gardening-tips-from-joyces-garden

Joyce Hannaford talks to NARGSNE members

Rosemary admiring the garden

Our next garden, located in Weston, belongs to Phyllis Kominz
Visit https://www.enchantedgardensdesign.com/blog/tag/Kominz
for further pictures of her garden taken in June 2024

Our third garden, owned by Cynthis Chapra, is also located in Weston

In 2009 the property, purchased by Cynthia and her partner, came with a 100-year-old colonial farmhouse nestled in beautiful plantings and some specimen trees on three acres of land. At that time, only half an acre was accessible.

For more information about Cynthia's gardening journey, please visit
https://www.gardenconservancy.org/garden-directory/open-days/cynthia-s-garden

Hostas

Non-hardy fern

Doublefile Viburnum

Clematis

Member's photos 2025

The summer would not be complete without a trip to Cochato Nursery in Holbrook
Photos taken by Judy L
www.cochatonursery.com

Paeonia japonica

Woodland Peony

Woodland Peony seed pod

Woodland Peony seeds

This beautiful peacock watches you with a beady eye

Is it live or Memorex?

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-pulpit seeds

Kirengshoma

Yellow wax bells

Name that tree

Feather Falls

Hyacinth bean vine

What do our members do?

When NARGSNE members meet we talk about interesting topics related to plants, and show and tell is a fun way of sharing what we get up to.

NARGSne photo. Lathyrus versus. Photo taken by Susan Anthony — Lathyrus versus. Photo taken by Susan Anthony

Lathyrus vernus

One of Susan's many plants

Erythronium

‘White Beauty’

Another stunning photo taken by Susan

Primula 'Lemon Buns'

Bred by Marty and Jan

Mark talks about some of his cacti collections

Mark McDonough has many plant passions and regularly shares what he is presently hybridizing

Show and Tell.

Carlo shares his favorite gardening tools with the group

Ernie describes his go-to gardening tools

Arisaema sikkokianum

The seeds are poisonous, and it is recommended that you use tweezers to pick them up

Ernie grew these Stellar Pelargoniums from seed

Stellar pelargoniums, Quantum seed strain, started May 2024. Stellar, with its pointy foliage and star-shaped blossoms, is unique among zonal pelargoniums. Seed obtained from Hazzards Plants and Seeds https://www.hazzardsgreenhouse.com

Sue shows us three different types of witch hazel

Marty explains how he and Jan created the primula 'Lemon Buns'

Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks are well-known plant hybridizers.

Check out their website https://www.jpwflowers.com/

Our new logo!

Designed and drawn by artist Chris Leamy

Spring

The following photos show what was thriving and in bloom in May, 2024

Hyacinth Orchid

Bletilla striata is native to Japan, Korea, Myanmar, and China

White Iris

Waterfall in the NY Botanical Rock Garden

Learn More

Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow'

Cowslip

Genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae

Iris sp.

Lilium sp.

Spider Web on Spruce

Unusually pink iris and Geranium 'NH Purple'

Clematis

Miniature Alpine Gardens

Iris in full bloom

Lavender

Japanese Morning Glory

Growing in Cheryl M's garden, Jefferson, MA

Clematis

Aslpenium platyneuron

Maidenhair spleenwort

A selection of crevice garden plants

Spring Time 2025

Lathyrus vernus

Helleborus sp.

Tulipa bakeri 'Lilac Wonder'

Leucojum aestivum

Summer Snowflake

Cultivars

NARGSSNE chapter members include botanists, plant breeders, and local experts who cultivate unique plants

Plant breeder Mark M at work

Mark M. cultivated this stunning Spigelia. It is very showy with bold and elegant, deeply recurved corolla lobes in chartreuse.
Photo provided by Mark M
For more information about Spigelias, visit www.missouribotanicalgarden.com

Schlumbergera

The genus Schlumbergera is named after Frederic Schlumbergera. The genus has seven species, all of which are from Brazil. Commonly known as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Cacti, there are several species.
Photo provided by Mark M, a prolific cultivator of a variety of plants.
For more information, visit
https://www.schlumbergera.net/history/

Leucojum aestivum

summer snowflake

Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream'

Growing at Mason Hollow Nursery
https://www.masonhollow.com/

Tiarella (little turban), the foamflower, is in the Saxifragaceae family

Photo taken at Heritage Museums and Gardens May 18, 2025 by Judy L

Rhododendron Festival at Heritage Museums and Gardens, May 16, 2025. Rhododendron is from the Ancient Greek -pooov, meaning "rose" and oevopov meaning "tree."

Brunnera macrophylla

Our plant auction is a major fundraiser for our group.

Many hard-to-find plants are grown, propagated, and nurtured by our members for this important event

Ellen arranges plants for our May 17, 2025, plant auction

There was a wide variety of plants available to choose from and bid on.

One can never have enough plants

And even more!

Mums, Asters, and a garden kit

Saruma henryi

The plant is commonly called upright wild ginger and is a clumping shade-loving perennial

More assorted plants for our auction

Donated plant books

Polygonatum. King Solomon's Seal

NARGSNE and New England Botanical Garden welcome plant explorer, author, and speaker Tony Avent

Tony Avent is an American horticulturist and plantsman. He owns Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina
https://www.plantdelights.com/

Plant Delights Nursery 2025 Spring Sales Catalog.

Since 1986, the nursery has been THE source for unique, rare, and native perennial plants

Tony and Ernie are having a deep discussion

Susan introduces Tony Avent

Tony presents his talk to a well-attended audience

Nancy, Vivien, Tony, Susan, Estelle, and Ernie

One of Tony's plant recommendations

Ajuga reptans is a great ground cover. Zones 4a-8b

Tulipa bakeri 'Lilac Wonder'

Distinctive late-blooming species tulip

Hellebore

Hellebores are also known as Lenten Roses

Pulsatila vulgaris

A low-growing perennial plant commonly known as the Pasque flower happily grows in rock gardens

Christie Dustman's Garden

How to view photos

NARGSNE PLANT AUCTION 2026

Members talk about their favoriteplant containers

Galanthus Elwessii 'Snow Fox'

Dwarf Iris 'Katharines Gold'

Eranthis hyemalis

NARGSNE meeting

Christie Dustman speaking on"A Passion for Conifers"

Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing withEstelle James and Priscilla Williams

Supplies included:Oyster Shells, Perlite, fine gravel, and seed starter mix

Seeds Galore!

Priscilla, Estelle and Vivien

Priscilla demonstrates how to make a miniature greenhouse using a one-gallon plastic jug

Sowing the seeds

Preparing a new batch of seed mix

Choosing seeds

Show and Tell

What a delightful and pretty plant

Show and Tell

Haworthia limifolia v.limifolia, 1 year offset

Aloe hybrid 'Donnie'

Sansevieria cylindrica(unnamed dwarf form)

Haworthia limifolia "Spider White'

Haworthia limifolia

Aloe hybrid 'Doran Black'

Gasteraloe 'Royal Highness'

Gasteria glomerata

Haworthia limifolia v. limifolia

Aloe hybrid 'Pink Blush'

Haworthiopsis tessellata

NARGSNE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Marsha prepares to give her talk

Meet Marsha Russell

Marsha

Paeonia anomala

Anemonella thalictroides ‘Jade Feather‘

Gentiana angustifolium hybrid, Leach ‘Scotty’

Daphne cneorum, only about 6” tall x 5’ in diameter

Spirea morrisonicola

Trillium vaseyi

Trillium freemanii type

Anemone oreganum

Narcissus asturiensis

Narcissus rupicola

Anemone nemorosa 'Blue Eyes'

Close-up of the Symphyotrichum ericoides flowers

Montia siberica flowers all season

Corydalis malkensis

Corydalis solida

Digitalis obscura

Pogonia ophioglossoides

'Congo Dance'

When Priscilla and Judy are not gardening, they enjoy singing

Elizabeth Zander at home

You Tube

Elizabeth Zander's Rock Garden in Goshen, CT

Traveling Speaker October 2025

Paul Cumbleton

Paul and Colin Everett

Paul's go-to potting mixes

Paul's recommendations for alpine gardens

Blue Nasturtium

Galanthus Peshmen II

It's lunchtime!

An informal chat

Priscilla and Susan

Paul and Colin's second presentation

Colin discussed his extensive collection of Fritillaria species. Originally given at an Alpine Garden Society Bulb Day Conference

Information sources

Estelle and Marsha

Ellen and friend

Sally, Regie and Dianne

Nancy and Priscilla

Photo Gallery

NARGS NE Members Garden TourSaturday July 12, 2025

Joyce Hannaford talks to NARGSNE members

Rosemary admiring the garden

Our third garden, owned by Cynthis Chapra, is also located in Weston

Hostas

Members talk about their favorite
plant containers

Christie Dustman speaking on
"A Passion for Conifers"

Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with
Estelle James and Priscilla Williams

Supplies included:
Oyster Shells, Perlite, fine gravel, and seed starter mix

Sansevieria cylindrica
(unnamed dwarf form)

NARGS NE Members Garden Tour
Saturday July 12, 2025