Ungardener meet Gardener: Grappling with human instinct in the woodland

Clearweed is native but still an aggressive seeder in garden beds and woodland alike.
Photo by Dee Salomon
After ten days of holiday away, I returned to a jungle where there had been woodland. That my jungle is a proliferation of aggressive natives rather than invasive plants means that my efforts at clearing them off the property is working. But now what? What is the ‘right’ thing to do when native species grow out of control?
I have never seen so much Clearweed, Pilea pumila, on our land but with the amount of rain we have had this summer I am not entirely surprised to have seen a carpet of it spreading over the strawberry groundcover and throughout the woods.
Until I read about this plant several years ago on Margaret Roach’s “Away to Garden” podcast transcript I did not know that Clearweed is a food source to at least four types of caterpillars. With that knowledge I then left a swath of them around. Now I needed to make a quick decision. I began by pulling the bigger ones, cutting off the bottom half of the plant below where the seeds nestle around the stem. There is so much moisture in the translucent stems, it seems to me that leaving the stems could be useful for the soil. As the smaller ones grow I am getting to those as well but there are thousands left.
I find myself in a perplexing situation that is, perhaps, the next level of ungardening — making decisions that are less about restoration and more about ensuring both a diversity of native species and, dare I write it, imposing an aesthetic — my aesthetic — into the woodland. More like a gardener than an ungardener.
Terms like “wilding” and “ungardening” suggest letting nature have its way which, more often than not, becomes synonymous with unruly, out of control and messy. My human instincts fight against that notion; most of the time, in most circumstances, I want control over the visual. When it comes to the woodland, nature’s way is usually good enough for me…most of the time.
Consider the native plants whose seeds are enclosed in nature’s Velcro. Enchanters Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana, has attractive leaves and a rather delicate spray of tiny white flowers above them. But those flowers turn into burrs that attach themselves to animals and, left to their devices, spread profusely. I pick them, knowing that I will never get them all and rationalizing that their riddance will continue to allow me to walk more easily in the woodland.
The burrs on Virginia Stickseed, Hakelia virginiana, are even stickier than those of Enchanters Nightshade. They have ruined several wool hats, many pairs of work gloves and a fleece jacket or two, not to mention the havoc to Scout’s fur. This plant also gets an unsightly mildew on the leaves mid-summer, making for an easier decision on aesthetic grounds. I cut it back when the mildew appears and before the flowers turn into the nasty small burrs. I have read that Native Americans used the roots for medicine but I cannot find any information on whether the seeds are an important food sources for birds. It could change my opinion...
Apropos of seeds — there is a profusion of them this year and my office is lined with paper bags and small jars into which I have collected an abundance: Devil’s Walking Stick, Aralia racemosa; Wild Sarsaparilla, Aralia nudicaulis; Dolls Eye, Actaea pachypoda; Mapleleaf Viburnum, Viburnum acerifolia, Hobblebush, Viburnum lantanoides; Early Meadow-rue, Thalictrum dioicum, Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia and others. I will plant some in the woods and some in the marsh where we have so far cleared out about half of the stilt grass. (Thank you to Jane for the suggestion of the Mini Dragon weed torch with its pinpoint flame.)
There is enough Penstemon digitalis seed, when it is ready, to send a packet to ten readers. If you would like a seed packet please send your mailing address to me at dee@theungardener.com. First come, first served and I will respond to all of you to let you know if you are one of the ten or not.
Dee Salomon “ungardens” in Litchfield County.
Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.
LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.
The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.
Michael Klemens, chair of P&Z, had warned at the opening of the proceedings that “this might be a long night” due to a last-minute influx of material from experts hired by Wells Hill Road residents William and Angela Cruger to oppose the project, but this turned out not to be the case.
These 11th hour submissions set a sour tone to the start of the meeting, with commissioner Robert Riva stating that it was “not very professional to pull this stunt on this Commission.” Riva said he had diligently reviewed the already substantial documentation provided by both the applicant and the opposing experts, and was surprised to find a “dump” of additional information submitted just hours before the meeting’s start time at 6 p.m.
Tensions were quickly eased, however, when William Cruger offered his concise summation of his platform’s opposition to the expansion, which is the second iteration of the project after an earlier version was withdrawn late last year.
“It’s important for you all to hear from me that there was never any disrespect intended to the Commission, the commissioners, and to the process,” Cruger said. He defended the last-minute submissions as an effort on the part of the experts to be thorough in their analysis: “Our intention… has been and remains to do our best to get whatever we think will be helpful in your deliberations into the record.”
The Crugers formally entered the hearing process as intervenors for the first application from Aradev LLC, the applicant, in the fall of 2024, meaning they and their hired consultants had full party status in the hearing proceedings. During this cycle, however, they chose not to petition for intervenor status, yet during this round of hearings their role has been similar. Klemens described them as having “almost intervenor status — not quite.”
William Cruger summarized the consultant’s findings for Aradev’s revised application, noting they found it to be “virtually identical in scale to the previous proposal.”
“Our position is that the proposed expansion would absolutely negatively impact the usefulness, enjoyment and value of the surrounding properties,” he said.
Aradev’s attorney Joshua Mackey countered by saying that the special permit conditions would elevate the currently non-conforming hotel in the zone, describing it as a “community asset that is improved, regulated, and safeguarded for generations to come.” He characterized Aradev as “the next steward of this storied property.”
After Mackey and Aradev co-founder Steven Cohen concluded their remarks, Klemens closed the hearing with no public comment, which he had stated would be the case at last week’s hearing session on Thursday, Sept. 4. Klemens said that P&Z will begin deliberating the proposal in early October after the commissioners have had the chance to review the information in the record.
A total of 45 letters, including the Crugers’ experts’ testimony, were submitted since the Sept. 4 meeting alone, alongside hundreds of pages of application materials and additional testimony.
As the Commission deliberates and reviews, all of this information is available for public viewing on the “Meeting Documents” subpage under P&Z’s section on the town website, www.salisburyct.us.
The Commission must issue a decision on the application by Nov. 13, the end of the statutorily defined deliberation window.
The Weavery is Stanton Home’s oldest activity space, featuring a collection of vintage and modern floor looms. It offers opportunities for building dexterity, creative expression, and social connection through fiber arts.
Stanton Home is holding its annual Harvest Roast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Great Barrington, an evening of farm-to-table dining, live swing music, and community connection.
For nearly 40 years, Stanton Home has supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential programs, therapeutic services and skill-building activities.
“Here in the Berkshires, adults with diverse abilities often face barriers like limited housing, tricky transportation, and fewer opportunities for meaningful work,” said Executive Director Peter Stanton. “Stanton Home flips that script. Our mission is to partner with adults to pursue healthy, self-determined lives.”
The Harvest Roast features locally grilled meats, roasted vegetables from Stanton’s own gardens, warm apple crisp with SoCo Creamery ice cream, and beverages —all set to the swing and gypsy jazz rhythms of the Lucky 5 Band.
“The Harvest Roast is a celebration of what makes our community strong, inclusive, and vibrant,” Stanton said. “Every ticket and sponsored table supports programs that make a lasting difference.”
Guests will begin in the gardens with a signature cocktail before gathering at long farm tables for a shared meal and celebration.
“Though this night matters, the work is year-round,” Stanton added. “People can help by shopping locally at the farm store or buying handmade weavery goods, pitching in with time or skills, gardening, lending a hand at events or by partnering with Stanton’s programs like composting or sourcing local goods. Folks can also speak up for inclusion in their workplace or community circle. Even the smallest action helps keep the mission alive.”
Tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds support Stanton Home’s inclusive programs. Reserve at donorbox.org/events/771775/steps/choose_tickets or call 413-441-0761.
Following the memorable benefit reading last season of Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated Broadway hit, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” the Sharon Playhouse will present a one-night-only staged reading of his riotous comic melodrama “Die Mommie Die!” on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
The production —a deliciously over-the-top homage to classic Hollywood mid-century thrillers — continues the Playhouse’s artistic partnership with Busch, who reprises his iconic role of the glamorous yet troubled songstress Angela Arden.
The playwright and performer is no stranger to the Playhouse and, luckily, he’s supported by a truly stellar powerhouse cast of top-notch comic actors — some returning to the Playhouse stage, and some making their debut. The cast includes Richard Kind; two-time Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen, who was part of the original New York cast; Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger; Andrew Keenan-Bolger; and Claybourne Elder.
The production also marks a fortuitous alignment of talent and history. It is directed by Sharon Playhouse Artistic Director Carl Andress, who performed in the play’s Los Angeles premiere in 1999.
“I have a long and happy history with this particular show,” Andress said. “At the Sharon Playhouse, we’re thrilled to offer unforgettable, one-of-a-kind live experiences. With Charles Busch and this phenomenal cast, ‘Die Mommie Die!’ will surely light up the Olsen Stage with laughter, wit and glamour.”
The original music is by Lewis Flinn, whose score for the 2007 Off-Broadway production is being adapted specially for this event.
The play is a classic Charles Busch concoction that, like all his work, lovingly and intelligently spoofs some of the greatest talents and tropes of stage and screen. The original production was praised by critics as his “funniest, most accomplished and, without question, raunchiest work.”
In 2003, Busch won the Best Performance award at the Sundance Film Festival for the film version of “Die Mommie Die!” His indelible contributions to American theater have been recognized with countless awards and he was recently inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
The event promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter, glamour and theatrical fun, with all proceeds going to benefit Sharon Playhouse’s productions and educational programs. The funds will help ensure that the Playhouse continues to thrive as a cultural destination for audiences and artists alike.
For tickets, visit: sharonplayhouse.org. Running time: 90 minutes.
Richard Feiner and Annette Stover have worked and taught in the arts, communications, and philanthropy in West Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Passionate supporters of the arts, they live in Salisbury and Greenwich Village.