The Collector Garden

By Andrew Bunting, PHS Vice President of Horticulture

I have had the pleasure of visiting “Gary’s Greenery” twice this spring.  This is the home garden of Susan and Gary Erb near Downingtown which looks out over the Marsh Creek Lake.  Gary and Susan have lived and gardened here since 2002 when they moved with nearly 300 azalea transplants from West Chester.  Professionally, Susan was a special education teacher for 30 years and Gary worked at Unisys.  Gary said that at Unisys he worked with numbers all day long and gardening provided him an outlet from his work that was relaxing.  Since moving to their 2-acre property Gary has become an avid collector.  He said jokingly that nearly every day there is a new box delivered from a mail order nursery.  

Over the years they have amassed a collection that by even botanic garden and arboretum standards is impressive.  Because of a significant deer population (up to 16 at one time) the plants must be surrounded with a wire cage and/or sprayed with deer repellent.  He also focuses on herbaceous perennials planted in masses as groundcovers that have proven to be deer resistant like Helleborus, Epimedium and ferns. 

Gary has a fondness for many genera of woody plants  including Stewartia  where he has nearly every species and most of the cultivars that can be cultivated in the Mid-Atlantic. Other favorites include deciduous azaleas, Chionanthus, Calycanthus, Magnolia, Cornus, Quercus and he has planted the iconic, Franklin tree, Franklinia alatamaha which is dotted across the property.  They also have a very extensive hydrangea collection including cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla, H. arborescens,  H. quercifolia and H. aspera.  While daylilies are very desirable by deer the Erbs have planted an extensive garden in a large sunny part of the back garden.  Regular applications of deer spray keep this garden looking vibrant and unscathed throughout the summer. 

They have installed a 550-gallon cistern underground which catches rainwater from their roof.  Half an inch rain will fill the cistern.  When new trees and shrubs are planted Gary uses his wheelbarrow to move watering cans to the newly installed plants.  If there is overflow from the cistern it provides water for two small ponds in the garden. 

When Susan and Gary are not gardening, they are active members of the Chester County Trail Club where they have logged 14,000 miles.  They are also avid travelers.  This summer they will go on their 30th cruise with Viking on a tour of rivers in Europe to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.