By Sarina Rattler

Question: What’s going on with the pond and fountain?

Answer: The streams that flow into the pond are mainly composed of stormwater runoff so during rain events we are often inundated with water. That also means anything within the water such as leaves, logs and litter also enters the pond. We do our best to pick up the litter after a storm, but the logs and leaves often mar the surface for a while. As for the fountain, we had to remove it for repair after the rains from Hurricane Helene. We expect it to be back soon and miss it as much as our visitors do.

Question: What’s blooming around the park?

Answer: All the fall beauties are shining right now at the park. The various asters and goldenrod have been brightening up sides of trails for a few weeks now. The swamp sunflowers in the Fuller Perennial Garden are putting on their big show of the year with bright yellow flowers. On a smaller scale, within the Annandale Hillside gardens, hardy cyclamen of white and pink hues dot along the ground. Finally, the Sasanqua camellias are just starting to bud up heavily and bloom for the season. Check out the specimens “Yuletide” in the Reamer-Sned Garden and ‘Setsugekka’ in the Louise & Archie Bracey Azalea Garden for some of the earliest camellia blooms.

Question: What do you all do in the winter?

Answer: We continue gardening! There is pruning to do, winter weeds to pull, and bulbs to be planted — just to name a few tasks. There are also plenty of projects around the park we save until winter. The biggest of these being mulching gardens and trees. We plan to add additional replacement shrubs and trees around the park during this time as well.

One last note — we are having two more public programs this year. Nature Ornaments returns on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m., open to anyone 13 and older. Register at salisburync.gov/PLAY to join us for an evening crafting beautiful ornaments with natural materials. If you have any additional questions, please give us a call at 704-638-5298. Happy gardening!

Sarina Rattler is public garden supervisor for Salisbury Parks and Rec.