09/18/2026
The Meadville Garden Club has selected the gardens of Dr. Tricia Humphreys at 293 Allegheny Street for the September 2026 Garden of the Month.
When the property was first purchased 18 years ago, there was a single maple tree in the front yard. When this tree died of natural causes, Dr Humphreys planted many mid-level trees such as red bud, magnolia, and dogwood, as well as tall perennials such as cup plant which holds water to support birds, butterflies and pollinators. Goldfinches, sparrows, doves, blue jays and cardinals frequent the area as well as hummingbirds. To support the hummingbirds salvia (4 types), anise hyssop, nasturtium and cardinal flower are present.
Professor Humphreys has been careful to add native species such as Joe Pye w**d, common milkw**d, butterfly w**d, bee balm, goldenrod, native honeysuckle, giant purple hyssop and wild geranium - just to name a few. Non-natives include a ground cover of creeping thyme that attracts bees while also releasing a lovely smell, and her Knock-out rose smells wonderful as well.
All of the raised beds that are present were added over the years and contain a mix of native and non-native, pollinator-friendly plants such as heliotrope, zinnia, obedient plant, nine bark and Queen Anne’s lace. Some vegetables include tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots.
Dr Tricia enjoys some old-fashioned favorites and some unusual non-native plants such as the rose and also her beautiful balsam of many colors, caladium, straw flower, blackberry lily, and a Peruvian daffodil a special gift from a friend in Cincinnati which is wintered inside each year.
It is a perfect location in the city for the pollinators to stop by!
