Civic Committee
Lockwood-Tomac Island
This traffic island is planted, weeded, and watered by our club.
Spring Bulbs
We planted over 100 bulbs on the island for a beautiful spring display. Daffodils, tulips, and stately allium will bloom from March until June. We would like to thank Greenwich Daffodil Society and Stefania J. for their generous contributions.
The Garden Club of Old Greenwich is please to have worked with the neighbors and GroPro to create a garden on this island. The plants are in the ground and we are looking forward to adding some spring blooming bulbs. The neighborhood’s support is key to making this garden grow!
The Plan
This garden is designed to take full advantage of the sun and to look good from all angles. The plants are beautiful, rugged and will bloom from early spring into fall. We have learned the value of these plants because we have planted them in our own gardens and throughout OG.
The Plants
White Carpet Roses - who doesn’t love roses?
Allium ‘Millenium’ - beautiful, long blooming purple balls from July on
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Blue’ - long season of bloom and butterfly favorite
White Siberian Iris - long slender leaves topped with bright white blooms in June
Sedum ‘Razzleberry’ - a sparkling plant that acts like a ground cover too.
Aster ‘Purple Dome’ - showy, beautiful fall blooming native flowers
Iris ‘Blessed Again’ - pale yellow with a beautiful scent
Variegated Liriope - beautiful bright evergreen leaves
Butterfly Garden
Among the many treasures at Tod's Point, the beautiful Butterfly Garden is particularly special. You can enjoy the lovely flowers and butterflies while appreciating the stunning view of Eagle Pond. The steps and terraces date back from the original mansion. The Garden Club of Old Greenwich has been planting and tending this special treat for nature lovers and pollinators since 2002.
Old Greenwich School Secret Garden
To let kindergarten kids experience the joy of planting bulbs, we created a small garden on the south side of the elementary school. Now, several raised beds along the building’s wall burst every spring with brilliant yellow daffodils. Each year the bulbs multiply so there are now thousands. We also planted perennials to bloom from late spring until fall. Along the fence, we planted an undulating curve of low-maintenance shrubs and perennials that can thrive in the dry, shady conditions. These plants complement the mature trees and make a great backdrop to the large containers of flowers that we help the kindergartners plant each year. You may have already found the "secret" part of the garden, which is a garden bench surrounded by more of the containers, hidden among the shrubs in the shade.
Post Office Garden
Many little pockets in Old Greenwich benefit from our club’s attention. For several years, we has been gardening in front of the Post Office. This spot is very challenging because plants growing among mature tree roots and near hot pavement need lots of water. We hope the garden brightens your day and inspires reflections on how life and beauty can be encouraged everywhere.
Port of Entry Garden
Established in 2018
Located in the southern train station parking lot behind Kings Food Market. We advocated for desirable planting and added containers which we maintain to be enjoyed by commuters.
Trees help transform the worst view in Old Greenwich to a welcoming site for commuters and guests.
The mixed border gives us four season interest and appropriate scale while reducing the maintenance required.
Mixed Border
The garden is a mix of trees, perennials, shrubs, and annuals with several large containers. This is not a cutting edge design - we decided on this more traditional approach for several reasons:
People like it. It is pleasant and orderly without being formal. It represents the dominant garden style in Old Greenwich.
It is flexible. We can add to it or make significant changes while maintaining the design integrity.
Maintenance is relatively straight forward. We will use a limited selection of plants that have good manners.
It works with the island’s odd shape. The mix of foliage, height, and texture allow us to optimize the visual impact.
Too modern wouldn’t be appropriate. Clean lines and limited planting will emphasize the utility poles, the wall, and the island’s odd shape.
Meadow-like would look too messy. Narrow meadows look ridiculous. Also, this area is experienced by hundreds of people each day, and my experience is that non-gardeners do not appreciate them. Their “low maintenance” reputation is completely undeserved.
Trees
We are working with the Town to plant some trees. We love trees and they will be invaluable for screening, shade, and helping to tame the scope of the space. Obviously, our first priority is to plant trees that will survive. This space is potentially the warmest spot in Connecticut, and most of the rain is going to hit the asphalt. Wind and road salt will also be a problem, but the town has successfully planted trees where these issues are much worse. Over the next several months (Spring of 2019), some trees will be planted and some will be moved. The goal is to provide beauty, shade, and habitat. Form, flowers, fall color and winter interest are guiding our selection.
The centerpiece will be a Magnolia Grandiflora
A large tree will be planted to improve the view descending the stairs.
Native-ish flowering trees will be featured
Tall, narrow evergreens will round out the design and provide winter interest.
Fall color is as important as Spring flowers.
Perennials and Shrubs (too many to show pictures!)
We limited our plant palette to keep the design cohesive and it will make maintenance a lot easier.
These plants, like GCOG members, are:
Interesting All Four Seasons
Pollinator Friendly
Hardy and Long Lived
Available for the Plant Sale
