On a bright and sunny June 5th we held our second Gardens in Bloom Garden Tour. Building on the success of the first tour in 2023, more than 600 visitors toured four spectacular and varied private New Canaan gardens.
The Waveny Walled Garden has recently received two meaningful additions, both in memory of former NCGC members. The long bench backing up to the pond was given in memory of Nancy and Bill Sessions who were instrumental in the restoration of the garden 30 years ago. The wood used to make the bench was sourced from the red oak that once stood directly behind it by the pond and was donated by the Waveny Park Conservancy. Additionally, a Limelight Hydrangea has also been planted in memory of Fran O’Neill who was often found tending to the Walled Garden when no one else was around.
Four times a year, our members create small, seasonal arrangements that are delivered to Meals on Wheels clients and residents of the New Canaan Inn. This initiative brings as much joy to our members as it does to the recipients! As Barbara Jefferies of Waveny Care Network commented: “. . . dear little Valentines flower arrangements. These expressions of caring and remembrance warm our hearts and bring smiles to face . . . A lovely reminder that you all care for our elderly!”
Spring Garden Chat – March 2, 2011
The New Canaan Garden Club’s spring fundraising event, New Canaan in Bloom, generated funds to support the restoration of the Peony Walk at Waveny Park, and the civic beautification and educational outreach activities of the NCGC. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Food Pantry Garden located at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Now is the time to take action to protect against the Spotted Lanternfly! It is the year of the dragon. With this in mind, let’s tap into our inner gardening dragons and protect our green spaces from the spotted lanternfly scourge. If you see these pods on your trees, now is the time to remove them to mitigate damage in the spring. This pest does not have a predator and can be highly destructive to gardens! Please keep a eye out for these invasive insects in your own garden and while walking in Waveny and Irwin Park.
Dear NCGC Members and Friends:
We need to continue raising funds for our Invasive Weed Eradication Project in Irwin Park. This project began this past summer (2019) with the addition of environmentally friendly goats “hired” to eat a large area overrun with invasives. This is a multi-year, multi-pronged project and WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
For 20 years, the open lawns, spring daffodils, and walking trails at Irwin Park have offered a daily reminder of what makes New Canaan so exceptional. Today, the New Canaan Garden Club invites you to help write its next chapter.
Join us for a talk with Jeff Speck, award-winning planner and author of Walkable City, How Downtown Can Save American One Step At A Time. Speck has spent his career studying what makes cities thrive and has bored it down to one key factor: walkability. Speck explains why walking is useful, particularly regarding land-use, zoning, transit, and parking, and then focuses on how, by sharing examples of places where walking is safe, comfortable, and interesting.
Holly Drinkuth, Director, Watershed and Connecticut Outreach Programs for The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, spoke to members of the New Canaan Garden Club regarding the Conservancy’s efforts and strategies to continue to restore and protect clean water and healthy habitats in and along Long Island Sound.