Members of Ashland’s Art of Gardening Club recently visited Secrest Arboretum in Wooster to explore its diverse plant collections and learn from expert guides.
The trip, organized by club member Kathy Varner, offered a chance to see some of the arboretum’s unique features and deepen gardening knowledge.
Master Gardeners Vella King and Jack Franz led the tour, sharing insights about their favorite plants. King highlighted the Adirondack crabapple and paperback maple trees, while Franz introduced the group to the Carolina sweet shrub, a standout species at Secrest.
The arboretum, spanning over 100 acres, is part of Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
It houses more than 2,000 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials, including a health and wellness garden and a collection called Heritage that preserves older plants.
One notable landmark is the One-Thousandth Renewal Tree, a tupelo planted in 2011 to replace trees lost in a 2010 tornado that destroyed more than 1,500 trees.
King also shared a fascinating historical fact: Ohio was once a timber state so dense that squirrels could travel to Lake Erie without touching the ground.
During the visit, club members admired the colorful tulip beds and discussed upcoming projects. Sue Kelley, a club member, was recognized by the Ashland County Fair for maintaining flower boxes at the fairgrounds. The club plans to plant these boxes with flowers and shrubs by mid-June.
Looking ahead, the Art of Gardening Club will host a program on herbs featuring guest speaker Sue Heddy at 10 a.m. on June 4 at Peace Lutheran Church.
Secrest Arboretum remains open daily from dawn to dusk, welcoming visitors to enjoy its gardens, walking paths, and educational programs free of charge. The arboretum continues to be a valued resource for gardeners and nature lovers in the region.
