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Edward McCaleb
As old fashioned as this garden may sound, it is firmly rooted in the 21st
century. McCaleb calls it his “tiny, experimental ecosystem.” He’s interested
in sustainable gardens, and has installed rain barrels to utilize rainwater
run-off. He plants to attract bees, butterflies, birds and beneficial insects.
Hummingbirds are frequent visitors. He’s installed a chinaberry tree beside
his trash cans in hopes it will help to keep flies away naturally. Thomas
Jefferson wrote that it would.
The fence line along the eastern side of the house features a vast collection
of vines, a favorite of the gardener. Carolina blue morning glories share the
stage with the rest of the ensemble. McCaleb has a particular interest in col-lecting
passion vines (Passiflora species). Currently, he has five species grow-ing
on the street-side fence. Their exotic blooms are real showstoppers. Two
of the species are native to Wilmington: Passiflora incarnata, maypop, is a
(story continued on page 86)
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