The Fernery

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

08/28/2026

Same post, every year...
Ditch the Mum Habit! Switch to Native Asters…. and here are a few reasons why:
1. There are many species of native Asters. They support a variety of wildlife including migrating butterflies. Mums (Chrysanthemum genus) are native to east Asia and NE Europe.
2. Most of our native asters are perennials. You don’t have to purchase year after year.
3. Native asters are easy to grow and environmentally friendly without having to go through the extensive cultural requirements and fossil-fuel driven supply chain of the Mum industry.
4. They are beautiful! Many colors, heights, etc. Check out the New York Flora Atlas to see which asters are native in Leatherstocking Country.
From https://wildseedproject.net/.../beauty-pollinator.../
“Asters and goldenrods attract loads of late season pollinating insects. In the wintertime, they provide food and habitat for many birds and small animals that feast on the seeds and find shelter in the dried stalks. Research by entomologist Doug Tallamy of University of Delaware lists asters and goldenrods as the wildflowers that support the most species of butterflies and moths. Deer usually avoid asters and goldenrods.”

Commercial Mum production:

08/02/2026

Cirsium pumilum (pasture thistle)- large blooms and pleasant fragrance- as a cut flower….

06/30/2026

JOIN US!
Goodyear Swamp Sanctuary Botanical Survey
Date: July 7, 2026
Time: 10 am to approximately 1 pm
Where: Glimmerglass Opera, State Hwy 80, Springfield Center NY

Join Dr. Donna Vogler in conducting a survey of plants at the Goodyear Swamp Sanctuary located behind the Glimmerglass Opera, at the northwest end of Otsego Lake. The Sanctuary is a 5-acre wetland managed by the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, and the trails and boardwalk have been recently reopened to the public.

Bring water, bug spray, sunscreen, and lunch or snacks. Meet at the large parking lot across the street from the Opera on State Route 80. Contact information for this outing: [email protected]
Photo courtesy of Otsego Outdoors

06/26/2026

Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), American hazelnut (Corylus americana), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) all on sale- 2’ to 4’+ in height, only $10-$15. P.S. Lots of ferns and other native perennials too! The Fernery, 108 Whitehouse Road, Hartwick NY. Open Saturday 6/27/26 12 pm to 5 pm, or by chance or appointment.

06/25/2026

06/24/2026

In bloom now- Bur or Gray's sedge; Carex grayi. Cool flowers and fruits.
Open this Saturday 6/27 from 12 noon to 5 pm. Also- by chance or appointment.

06/12/2026

We will also have over 50 herbaceous perennials for sale this weekend, from A (Allium cernuum) to Z (Zizia aurea)!

06/10/2026

The Fernery will be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, from 12-6 pm. 108 Whitehouse Road, Hartwick, NY. Come and grab some perennial favorites, many on sale! Ferns, perennials, grasses and sedges, some trees and shrubs- and native to the Leatherstocking Region.