An iconic DC landmark, the Washington National Cathedral sits on one of the largest privately managed greenspaces in the district. Composed of 59 acres, most of which are sitting on Mount Saint Alban, the grounds (referred to as the cathedral close) hosts the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and the second-largest cathedral in the country. The grounds feature everything from school buildings, sports turf, lawns, wooded areas, and gardens. I spent the majority of my summer there assisting in tending to the Bishop’s garden, and while the cathedral bishop no longer lives close by, today the garden is a popular place for photoshoots, tourists, and locals looking for a beautiful outdoor space.
Some of my favorite tasks when gardening were pruning/deadheading and planting. Pruning and deadheading were always extremely satisfying, keeping plants looking full and natural while also off of paths and not unruly is a skill that can take some time to hone. Some of the plants were tiny and just required a few snips here and there, but others were over twice my height and required the use of massive pole pruners. All of them were a fun challenge in their own right.
Planting is one of my favorite tasks in general. I find it very meditative and already was proficient at it from prior experiences, but the Bishop’s garden offered a new perspective- planting for the sake of beauty not just for the sake of yield. I am lucky that the Bishop’s gardener, Ashley Coates, was adaptable and willing to let myself and the other intern participate in small design aspects of planting. She took our input on placement and choice of cultivars and then would give her thoughts on our picks. It was always very gratifying if she went with your design suggestions! When planting, Ashley always said “Every plant has a face,” meaning that each plant has a side that looks best, and to ensure you plant it with the most beautiful part facing out. This little tidbit changed the way I look at plants, especially flowering ones. The way a plant is facing can completely change its impact on the overall landscape.
Additionally, I worked to create a detailed catalog for the rose beds in the Bishop’s garden, which included photographing blooms and the bushes themselves, recording sizes, and researching previous data on the cultivars that were recorded as having been planted in the beds. While most of my days were spent outside, days which were excessively hot or rainy brought me to a desk and computer, researching and recording information on the garden’s roses. By the end of the summer, I was able to produce a comprehensive catalog containing nearly complete information on all the existing rose bushes.
This summer was a busy and hot one, but more importantly it was fun and educational! I strengthened formerly known skills and picked up new ones. Working in a public garden was a completely new experience for me, posing new challenges different from the ones you’d see on a farm. I will never forget my time at the Cathedral and know that the horticultural skills it taught me will be useful regardless of what I pursue professionally in the future.
