Prepare for fall in the garden! Adkins Arboretum, offering the Chesapeake gardener the best selection of landscape-ready native plants for more than two decades, announces its Fall Native Plant Sale. All proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s rich catalog of education programs that teach about the Delmarva’s native plants and their connection to a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

To ensure the best-quality plants, sales will be conducted entirely online. New this year, members can order August 1–3. The sale is open to the public August 4–22. Orders will be accepted at adkinsarboretum.org and will be fulfilled via timed, scheduled pickup in early September. There will be no in-person shopping at the Arboretum.

Fall is the best season for planting, and the Arboretum offers the Chesapeake region’s largest selection of ornamental native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns and grasses for the fall landscape. Many native plants produce seeds, flowers and fruit in fall that attract migratory birds and butterflies. Brilliant orange butterfly weed and stunning red cardinal flower attract pollinators to the garden, while native asters add subtle shades of purple and blue. Redbud and dogwood dot the early-spring landscape with color, and shrubs such as chokeberry and beautyberry provide critical habitat for wildlife.

As always, Arboretum members receive a generous discount on plants that varies according to membership level. To join, renew your membership or give an Arboretum membership as a gift, visit adkinsarboretum.org or contact Kellen McCluskey at [email protected].For more information on plants, purchasing or pickup procedures, visit adkinsarboretum.org, send email to [email protected] or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Adkins Arboretum, a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County, provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

Ciao Tutti! 

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market we are tasting a white wine from Campania on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the La Capranera IGP Campania Fiano ($17.50) from a winery in the Capaccio-Paestum area in the province of Salerno. Campania is home to some of Italy’s greatest indigenous grapes (Aglianico Greco, Fiano and Piedirosso) and the location of some of Italy’s most iconic images-the Amalfi Coast, Cilento National Park, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples and Pompeii. The southern verdant landscape of Cilento contains ruins of ancient Roman temples. Winemaking has flourished in Campania for millennia, beginning with the most ancient and renowned white wine, Falerian.

The San Salvatore estate was founded in 1988 by Giuseppe Pagano with the famous Riccardo Cotarella as his winemaker. Pagano’s focus were Campania’s indigenous grapes Aglianico, Falanghina, and Fiano that are grown on 55 acres of vineyards. La Capranera is a project that Pagano started to produce young, certified organic wines using modern biodynamic methods. 

The eye-catching label celebrates the humble goat who devour invasive weeds from the vineyards. The estate’s motto “Rabbits always bring rubbish but the black goat (cilentana nera) brings advice” was inspired by the particular breed that graze in the Cilento National Park where the Fiano grapes grow. Both grape and goat were in danger of extinction but the last few vines were discovered and nurtured and Fiano’s fame grew. 

Fiano has always been popular with Piazza’s customers for its notes of apple and citrus with a hint of honeysuckle and a refreshing mineral finish. Fiano is perfect as both an aperitif or paired with seafood and the light fare of summer. This week, enjoy Fiano with Piazza’s offerings of Roasted Salmon or Lobster Risotto entrees. 

If you have not yet discovered Fiano, come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45.

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218. N. Washington St., suite 23, Easton, MD.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual architecture and real estate careers since moving to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has re-established her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Talbot County Garden Club gave a check for $25,000 from Talbot County Tour funds to two historic churches in Trappe and reported that donated and discounted work valued at an additional $10,000 helped complete major restoration projects at both properties. Participating in Tuesday’s donation ceremony were (l. to r.): Talbot County Tour co-chair Zandi Nammack, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Vestry representative George H. Meyer, Jr., Scotts United Methodist Church pastor Charles A. Bell, Jr., and Talbot County Tour co-chair Kim Eckert.

Talbot County Garden Club hosted a lemonade social at Scotts United Methodist Church in Trappe on June 16 to celebrate the success of the 2024 Talbot County Tour of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage. Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic properties, the May 11 Tour drew more than 2,000 “pilgrims” to seven outstanding private properties. Tour proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships – greatly amplified by service providers’ discounts and donations – will cover major infrastructure projects at two historic churches in Trappe: Scotts and St. Paul’s Episcopal on Main Street and brick ruins from the related old White Marsh Church on Almshouse Road and Route 50.

Scotts had an extensive stormwater drainage issue that threatened the church’s 225-year-old foundation. Lane Engineering, civil engineers, donated survey and mitigation planning services to address the issue. McHale Landscape Design Inc., completed the mitigation work at a huge discount. 

At St. Paul’s, the 1858 brick façade of the church and ruins of the older parish church needed repair. Tour funds covered extensive brick repair and repointing at a sizeable discount, thanks to Marth Masonry.

According to St. Paul’s Vestry representative George H. Meyer, Jr., “The Tour funds have sparked a new energy for the church. Not only do we have ‘new’ bricks, we are tackling deferred maintenance ourselves – painting inside, installing a handicap ramp and more.”

In acknowledging the donation, Scotts pastor Charles A. Bell, Jr., said, “Tour funds will help preserve our church for future generations. Without a strong foundation, this church would not stand.” 

In addition to representatives of both churches and members of the garden club, principals of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage and several owners of the 2024 Talbot County Tour properties attended the celebration. 

The Talbot Historical Society Garden and Five Corners Fountain Garden, both historic sites in Easton, will share in Tour proceeds through the garden club’s ongoing maintenance programs there.

As a biennial event, the Tour will return with a different roster of distinctive properties in May 2026. 

Bayshore Iris Society (BIS), an affiliate of Region 4 of the American Iris Society (AIS), will be holding our annual Iris Rhizome sale to the public on Saturday, August 3, and perhaps August 10, 2024, at the Easton Farmer’s Market in Easton, Maryland from 8am-1pm. We will be selling affordable Iris rhizomes by color and/or cultivar name at affordable price points for your perennial pleasure. In addition, we will also be offering non-iris plants for sale at reasonable prices.

Irises are an extremely hardy perennial plant that grow very well on the Eastern Shore. Members of the Bayshore Iris Society consist of professional growers and gardeners who appreciate the beauty and splendor of Iris blooms in our gardens. The cultivar names alone can also be quite amusing. 

There are many types of Irises from dwarf to tall-bearded varieties that grow to various heights and sizes from underground root structures called rhizomes.  While there are Iris species that grow from bulbs, we promote rhizomatous Iris.  Members of the Bayshore Iris Society will have divided and treated Iris divisions from their personal gardens as well as three Iris Display Gardens at Preston Elementary School and Wye Mills in Preston, MD, and the Iris Display Garden on the grounds of the Wicomico County Memorial Park Garden on Route 13 in Salisbury, MD.  These Iris come in a vast array of colors including whites, yellows, oranges, purples, to almost black bloom colors with many variations of color, shade, form, markings and beard colors and some with reblooming capability!

Thousands of different irises are named and registered with the American Iris Society with about a thousand new introductions each year. Many new introductions include reblooming Iris which have been hybridized to rebloom not just in April and May but rebloom periodically, some up to late fall and early winter, allowing Iris flowers to beautify your gardens for multiple seasons! Reblooming Iris are considered the Iris of the future by many Iris enthusiasts.

Our members will have harvested, cleaned, labeled, and trimmed the Iris rhizomes that can be purchased for immediate “fall planting” for Iris blooms next spring. We will offer many reblooming Iris in addition to our spring-bloom-only blooming cultivars. Information for growing and dividing Iris will be shared with all who purchase these Iris to ensure that your gardens will bloom for many seasons to come. We will also offer credit card and cash payments.

To promote Bayshore Iris Society (BIS) and the growing and enjoyment of Irises on the Eastern Shore, attendees may sign up to join the Bayshore Iris Society for $10 annual Membership. Membership Applications will be available at our Iris Rhizome Sale. The Bayshore Iris Society meets monthly, usually on the third Wednesday in the Easton area. Members learn how to grow and show irises in Iris Shows successfully. The Bayshore Iris Society features annual Iris Garden tour of members gardens of the eastern shore, an annual Iris Show in May, and monthly meetings to plan our functions and educational activities with topics of growing and showing Iris throughout the year. It is a fun group.

Future activities of the Bayshore Iris Society include our hosting the American Iris Society – Region 4 Meeting at the St. Michaels Inn, St. Michaels, MD on October 18 and 19, 2024 which will include a Fall Iris Show open to the public in the Main Hall from 1 to 3pm on October 18, 2024. For additional information, Contact President Pat Canute at [email protected]

The Bayshore Iris Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information about the Bayshore Iris Society contact John Iwanski at [email protected]

Ciao Tutti-

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, to continue the 4th of July celebration, we are offering one of our most popular white wines, the Frico Bianco ($12.95), along with its younger “cousin” the Frico Lambrusco ($11.99) boxed set of 4-250 ml cans from the Scarpetta Winery This past weekend I was chatting with one of our customers who was perusing our selections of 4-pack boxed 250 ml wines. She told me how much she liked the Frico Frizzante and asked if we could carry the Frico Lambrusco. This weekend it will have its debut!  

The popular Frico Bianco ($12.95) and its sparkling cousin Frico Lambrusco ($11.99) boxed set of 4-250 ml cans from the Scarpetta Winery.

Many years ago, Lachlan Patterson, former chef of the iconic French Laundry, and Bobby Stuckey, Master Sommelier, fell under the spell of Italy’s Friuli-Venezia region tucked into the NE corner of Italy. Their dream of opening a restaurant whose cuisine would be based upon authentic Friulian recipes came true when they opened Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, CO. The duo traveled to Friuli several times a year to discover local foods and recipes for their restaurant.

Frasca Food and Wine, in Boulder, CO

In 2007, they created their wine brand and christened it “Scarpetta” to immortalize the tiny morsel of bread left on one’s plate for soaking up the last bit of delicious sauce. The Scarpetta brand began with 50 cases of old vine Friulano that was sold at Frasca Food and Wine. Their ultimate goal was to create a portfolio of affordable wines to enjoy on “special occasions and everyday adventures”. The Friulano was a big hit with the restaurant’s customers, who clamored for more Friulian varieties. The portfolio grew to include Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and my fave, Timido, the sparkling Rose’ on Piazza’s shelves. Stuckey’s love of Barbera from Monferrato added this wine to their portfolio. Patterson and Stuckey seek partnerships with established growers and celebrated oenologists that spotlight each grape variety.  There are four whites, three reds, one rosato, two sparkling, and two four-packs of Frico Frizzante and Lambrusco cans in their portfolio. 

Frico Bianco is Piazza’s top-selling white wine in the summer. Friuli Venezia is known for its great aromatic whites due to the gravely light soil in the region’s western part. Its blend of Friulano and Chardonnay brings out the best of each grape to produce a crisp, light white.

Frico Lambrusco is the sparkling aperitivo from Emilia Romagna-fresh, vibrant, with a hint of sweetness with a tart finish. If your weekend plans include relaxing by the pool, boating, or picnics,  the cans are perfect, and no one has to find the wine opener!

After tasting one or both of our Scarpetta offerings, you can go “whole hog” and check out their promotional merchandise -how about a pink neon pig or ice bucket?  Join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45.

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is at Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD.

Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend we will taste the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC ($14.50) from the Sartarelli Winery in the province of Ancona, Le Marche. I like puns so I appreciated their motto “In Verdicchio Veritas” since their focus is strictly the indigenous grape Verdicchio and their passion for this single grape put Verdicchio on the map.

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC ($14.50) from the Sartarelli Winery in the province of Ancona, Le Marche

The Sartarelli family story begins with Grandfather Ferruccio Sartarelli who was a popular baker, entrepreneur, benefactor patron of institutions, and humanitarian who always came forward to help others in his village who were less fortunate. In 1972, Ferruccio turned away from the fragrance of baking bread to the fragrance of wine, in particular, Le Marche’s indigenous grape Verdicchio. He was passionate about producing a high-quality Verdicchio and he did. Today, his daughter Donatella and her family manage the winery. Each of them has different skills but all share a profound love for their business.

Those of you who attended our wine dinner several years ago featuring the Sartarelli range of Verdicchio wines will remember meeting one of the family’s third generation, Caterina, who is in charge of the export markets. Our four-course meal featured the Classico, Tralivio, and Passito which Piazza currently stocks but the highlight for me was their Balciana with a new entree, Vincigrassi pasta. Wine Authority Ian D’Agata considers Verdicchio to be Italy’s greatest indigenous white grape variety and Balciana to be one of Italy’s top five white wines. Our chef prepared the entree Vincigrassi to accompany the Balciana, which was nectar for the gods. He now prepares Vincigrassi about every three weeks so if you haven’t tasted this light, delicious pasta dish you are in for a very special treat and ask Emily to order the Balciana for you.  

Exterior of the Sartarelli’s “In Verdicchio Veritas” Museum

The family’s passion for Verdicchio led to construction of the “In Verdicchio Veritas” Museum. As an architect, I love the sleek modern design that contrasts with the family’s country house dating from 1882. They specified natural materials such as cork for its softness, stone for strength and texture, wood for its warmth, and mixed with steel, creating an earthquake-proof structure so important in their region.  

Other than Vincigrassi, I have found that Verdicchio pairs well with antipasti, salami from Le Marche, seafood, spaghetti with mussels, risotto, mixed fried fish, and veggies. These foods bring out the white peach aroma, minerality and its characteristic slightly bitter almond aftertaste.

​Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for a taste of this unique grape. 

Cin Cin! 

Jenn