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Message 1This Booklet is Your Ticketecret ardens evealedShowcasing six unique West Hartford private gardensSaturday, June 1, 2024 West Hartford Garden Club Garden TourAll proceeds benefit the civic projects of the West Hartford Garden Club
Welcome and thank you for joining us for Secret Gardens RevealedThe West Hartford Garden Club’s 2024 Garden Tour“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed, and every morning revealed new miracles.” - Frances Hodgson Burnett •West Hartford is a diverse town, culturally and in the makeup of our neighborhoods. The six gardens on today’s tour reflect that diversity. You will discover unexpected plant combinations, rich in color and texture . . . woodland gardens that demand shade-loving plants . . . the use of sculpture and miniatures . . . a formal sunken garden of mature plantings . . . and free-form pools with water-loving perennials. Each location includes an unexpected element that inspired our theme. We know you will enjoy the tour. We hope you will leave inspired with new ideas for your gardens. Putting on this Garden Tour was truly a club-wide effort. We are particularly grateful to our committee and our fellow gardeners who have opened their gardens for this tour, and to the parish of St. James’s Episcopal Church.Susan Grew and Cecily VasingtonCo-ChairsTOUR COMMITTEE Lisa Brennan, Sheila Daley, Susan Fellman, Betsy Flynn, Tanya Guadalupe, Madeleine Hexter, Joan Martin, Sharon Mulvey, Deirdre Penland, Julie Pryzybycien, Margaret Steeves, and Kyle Van Hoeven. 2
3We thank St. James’s Church for generously hosting our Tour Information Center. Open to the public without a ticket, here you will find:• Tour tickets for purchase • Plant Sale featuring indoor and outdoor flowering plants and vegetables• Garden Shop with garden-related tools, crafts, vases and more • Gardening Books for sale • Connecticut Master Gardener table to answer your gardening questionsSt. James’s property includes two garden areas. The Memorial Garden in the churchyard was designed in 1986 to be a place of quiet prayer and meditation. It features three circular beds evoking the Trinity.Since 2010, St. James’s parishioners have also maintained a vegetable garden; this fresh produce is provided to the Hartford Catholic Worker which supports food-insecure residents in Hartford. The parish now has a solar-powered greenhouse to augment this bounty. 1TOUR INFORMATION CENTERSt. James’s Episcopal Church1018 Farmington Avenue
4This homeowner has demonstrated that a beautiful garden can be created in almost complete shade and on a steep slope. As you follow the stone stairs and pathway, you encounter a mixture of shade-loving perennials including painted ferns, ginger, miniature Solomon’s seal, rock iris and tiarella. Next, woodland ferns, ligularia and heucheras invite you to enter a “cathedral” of large oaks and beeches. The understory is azaleas, mountain laurel, dogwood, and rhododendrons. Many of the small woodland plants are “ephemerals” that appear only in the spring including trillium, trout lilies and lady slippers.Visual interest is created by using dierent leaf colors and textures from the deep tones of a ninebark to the chartreuse leaves of hostas, aralias and a hydrangea with white blooms despite only a few hours of sunlight. Stone steps create a path lined with ferns and epimedium winding up the hillside to a large, white pergola. It provides a lovely view of the garden and is a pleasant place to sit and read. A tall bird house adds interest in the middle of the garden next to a climbing Japanese hydrangea vine. A gravel patio area bordered by azaleas is ready for entertaining.The southern side of the house oers color-specific gardens starting with pink to mark this gardener’s breast cancer survival, blue with amsonias and perennial geraniums, yellow with tall coreopsis and an herb garden. Leaves are shredded or left on the beds throughout the winter. Rather than adding fertilizer, this garden is amended with compost each spring and through trial and error, plants that are well-suited for this acidic soil thrive and flourish.2The Garden of Kathye Cipes8 Garland Road
5This backyard was almost a forest when the homeowner purchased the property in 2020. After removing forty-eight thirty-foot tall arborvitae around the back-yard fence line, she was able to move forward a year later with her unique vision.With help from a relative, two free-form ponds were installed which provide the cooling sound of running water and enhanced with grasses and Japanese maples. The rocks surrounding these water features, coupled with perennials, create a natural setting. Japanese statuary and small maples accent the back of the yard, along with two plum trees, two dogwoods and a linden tree anchoring the back fence line. A G-scale garden train and buildings occupy the north-facing side of the yard with the train tracks crossing over one of the ponds via a small bridge. A variety of shrubs are closely planted in the various garden areas. Several footpaths track through the yard. In the center, under a large sugar maple tree, a fairy garden is the newest addition to this delightful space. This homeowner’s vision for her garden design came from a desire to have a place where her grandchildren would enjoy playing and could appreciate the beauty of nature. She believes that a beautiful garden requires constant review, upkeep and change when necessary. Plant what you love, change what doesn’t work, and take time to smell the flowers. Her garden is a living, breathing ecosystem that is designed to bring a smile to every visitor, young and old.3The Garden of Roxanne Witmer-Dewitt11 Foot Path Lane
6This two-acre property is intensively planted, the result of 24 years of cultivation and collecting by the owner, a former naturalist and educator at Westmoor Park. Her approach to gardening is to provide a haven for birds, insects, family and friends. The property was originally owned by Ethel Walker, founder of the Ethel Walker School. To create the gardens and the terraces you see today, 50 dump trucks of dirt and tons of rock were brought into the yard by the current owner.Entering along the shady drive, you are greeted by one of many Zen-like boulder fountains quietly seeping water through moss, setting the tone for the artistic combination of plantings that await. At the end of the driveway is a garden shed with many clematis vines and Japanese forest grass mixed in with other shade-loving plants. Ahead is a circular drive with bird feeders on a large bear-proof pole and multiple water features that provide for the birds.Proceed through the gate to the left of the drive where a circular sculpture frames the view. Notice the many decorative and sculptural works of art tucked into little nooks among the garden. The garden has provided the owner, a bird and art lover, with a canvas for various decorative and architectural items curated over the years – each with an interesting back story.A shimmering swimming pool is surrounded by the sun garden whose colors were inspired by the birds that visit the garden during the year. As you wind your way through the property, you will see a lovely blend of heuchera, ferns, hostas, astilbe, geraniums, iris and various flowering trees. A raised terrace emerges above a stone retaining wall and is filled with a variety of potted hydrangeas and colorful perennials. A koi pond is tucked in nearby. This property is truly a dynamic and evolving refuge for the surrounding wildlife and people who call it home.4The Garden of Debbie Lynch 113 Sunset Farm Road
7The terrain of the mountain determines much of the garden design at this location. Upon moving in six years ago, the homeowners could not see the road from the house. They did a great deal of clearing to develop the sweeping lawn bordered by woodlands you see today. The uncovered boulders gave birth to the idea of using stones rather than mulch in the redesigned landscape.Several Kousa dogwoods “mulched” with large river stones introduce you to the property. Ahead is a beautiful stone retaining wall with azaleas and rhododendrons which provides the level location for the home. Big leaf hydrangeas sit behind a boxwood hedge bordering the walkway to the front door. A Japanese maple sits at the front of the path. Stone steps lead to a grassy walkway flanked by a star magnolia, azaleas, peony, canna lilies, allium, blue spruce and more. A large deck on the side of the house is festooned with colorful planters. The side garden includes mature dogwoods, Little Devil ninebark, lilyturf, bee balm and autumn clematis. Below is a firepit and hot tub and, a short distance away, two hammocks which the neighborhood bear cubs have been known to play on. To the rear of the house there is a game table created from a tree stump with four “chairs” sourced from the same tree. As you circle around to the drive, notice the Japanese fantail willow Salix udensis ‘Sekka’, a favorite cultivated by the homeowner – with assistance from her grandchildren – for dramatic flower arrangements and to be divided into saplings to give to friends. Given all this eort and cultivation, the homeowner notes the garden is still evolving but what is most meaningful to her is its serene feeling and areas to meditate.5The Garden of Joyce Leibert112 Balfour Drive
8Welcome to what friends and family call “Robin Road Resort.” The lovely planters that greet you from the front porch give a clue as to this gardener’s artistic talent for combining textures and colors.Proceeding down the drive to the fenced-in back yard, visitors enter through a gate to an unexpected slice of paradise.The centerpiece of this garden is its free-form swimming pool surrounded by a stunning variety of perennials and shrubs and draped by a Japanese maple. As you walk into this lush oasis, the first bed, against the garage, boasts a purple clematis and monarda among sun-loving daylilies and lilies and the peach-colored blooms of a rosebush. The curving brick walkway leads you to three garden rooms, each boasting a dierent view.The first seating area is sunny with three knock-out rosebushes, some St. John’s wort and a PJM rhododendron that blooms both in spring and fall. There is also a distinctly colored echinacea here, a preview of others spread throughout the yard.The second “room” is tucked at back in the shade, followed by a third anchored by a teak Lutyens bench. A weeping beech, ferns, hosta and rhododendron flourish in this section. As you move further along the walkway, an andromeda bush sits in front of a climbing hydrangea.The homeowner has accented this area with some potted Aucuba japonica. Next a yellow rhododendron complements the pink climbing hydrangea behind it.A “skip laurel” and dwarf pink Kousa dogwood are at home near an abundant yellow honeysuckle climbing its way up a metal trellis, topped with a cheery birdhouse.A deep purple rhododendron further punctuates this spot.The newest bed is against the back of the house where echinacea, foxglove and hellebore have happily settled in.6The Garden of Maureen Gould 89 Robin Road
9This historic 1929 home is located in an older neighborhood of stately brick and Tudor homes. There are fanciful architectural touches such as clay flowerpots above the main entrance, dove cotes above the sunporch, and fleur de lis on the downspouts.Sweeping lawns and mature trees are the hallmark plantings. A European beech tree graces the center of the front lawn which slopes up to lovely mature perennial beds framing the home’s entrance with iris, peonies, daisies and sedum. Walk up the drive to the right of the house past a patio to discover the hidden surprise of a very private shady sunken garden. Most of the plants in this garden were gifts from fellow gardeners. These include yellow wax bells (Kirengeshoma palmata) and campanula in the corners of the first bed.Up the steps and to the right is a yellow shrub, Aralia cordata, which glows in the sunlight.There is a formal circular garden surrounded by ferns with an inviting sitting area.It is highlighted by a white marble statue in the center. Continuing around the house, a large beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) dominates the corner of the walkway with cascading soft pink blooms.The owner is a Master Gardener and museum docent who embraces the idea of recycling and reusing. Elements of Art such as line, color, shape, and texture guide her design. She is always open to a new plant entering the garden if it comes with a memory of a loved one or in honor of a dear friend.7The Garden of Joanne Eudy18 Westwood Road
10About Us We are a “working club” with over 100 members from West Hartford and nearby towns. Our daytime meetings are held September through June the first Thursday of the month at Saint John’s Episcopal Church. Meetings begin at noon with a light lunch and conversation, a short business meeting followed by a program on a wide variety of gardening, horticulture and floral design topics. Our PurposeEstablished in 1931, our purpose is to stimulate interest and creative activity in the art of gardening and floral design; enhance the beauty of our community and to contribute to civic improvement; and to work for the conservation of native plants and wildlife. Visit us at www.westhartfordgardenclub.org Follow us on FacebookThe West Hartford Garden ClubEstablished in 1931Elizabeth Park Rose Garden (Plot 63)
11The West Hartford Garden Club is deeply committed to civic involvement. Each year, we volunteer thousands of hours to our community. Thanks to you, with proceeds from today’s tour, we can continue this work.Recent Initiatives With Our Town• Free Seed Library in collaboration with Noah Webster Library• Spicebush Swamp Pollinator Pathway Garden, Bird Sanctuary and invasives removal• TREX Community Partnership: As part of our club’s sustainability eort, we began collecting soft plastic film packaging and containers for recycling• Wolcott Park - working with Sustainable Landcare Working Group to install native plantings and perennials• Elm Grove Apartments – major overhaul of courtyard and berms with new shrubs, spring bulbs and moreCommunity Our Tour Benefits Civic Projects
12Community Projects, continuedMaintaining Community Gardens and GreenspaceThe West Hartford Garden Club has a long history of supporting community gardens and greenspace including:• Jonathan’s Dream• Elizabeth Park Rose Garden (Plot 63)• Rockledge Golf Course Yellow Trail• Plantings and benches on Unity Green in the West Hartford Center• Plantings at the Fern Street and Mountain Road triangleMaintaining Historic Gardens The Butler-McCook House in Hartford and the Noah Webster House are supported by the WHGC.Longstanding Collaborations • Garden Therapy with residents of West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation, Alfred E. Plant and Elm Grove Apartments (W.H. Housing Authority)• Junior Gardener after-school program at Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center• Participation in Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s Scholarship Fund• Wadsworth Atheneum Festival of Trees and Fine Art & FlowersButler-McCook House since 1997 Noah Webster House since 1967
13Membership Are you interested in joining The West Hartford Garden Club?To join us at a monthly meeting or to inquire about joining, contact Cheri Stabnick (dcstabs@aol.com) or Peg Gould (mjvisions@aol.com). Please check our website (www.westhartfordgardenclub.org) for more information about the requirements for active membership.Alfred E. Plant Senior Housing circular flower bed welcomes residents
14Iris Level $100 +_______________________________________________________________Peggy Bliss * Gina Cocchiola & Michael Turick * Jeanne Cook * Paul & Nancy Dean * Rachael Desmond * Richard & Susan Grew * Meg Grin * Madeleine Hexter * Nancy Homan * Joyce & Chet Humphrey * Kathy Janis * Joyce & Richard Leibert * Nancy Lemega-Watt * Debbie & Fred Lynch * Srinivas and Bela Mandavilli Charitable Fund * Lisa Martin * Joan W. McGauley * Sharon Mulvey * Susan Petty-Bailer * Brian & Margaret Pulito * Leslie & Harvey Riback * Lea Rubenstein * Ann & Skip Schoeninger * Mary & Michael Sponzo * Beth Ann Loveland & Thomas Sennett * Ann & Dean Upho * Janet Valencis * Kyle Van Hoeven * Cecily Vasington * Heide & Jerey Williams * Daniel & Sara Witmer Peony Level$50_______________________________________________________________Linda Berry * Howard & Shirley Delong * Susan Fellman * Priscilla Hexter * Lynn B. Horne * Eva & Stan Jakuba * Joan Larkins * Jo-Ann Librio * Susan & Dick Lindberg * Joan M. Martin * Mary Mulcahy * Julianne Przybycien * Cheri Stabnick * Geraldine Van Schaack * Margaret Steeves & Joe Lan * Janet WardAzalea Level$25_______________________________________________________________Shari Cantor * Kathye Cipes * Mel Donoghue * Betsy Flynn * Tanya Guadalupe * Ann Massucco * Diane Mazar-Roberts * Karen Rider •With gratitude to our Member Sponsors
15Community Sponsors
16Butler Florist & Garden CenterProudly serving West Hartford for over 30 years416 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119 860-561-2775The West Hartford Garden Club thanksButler Florist & Garden Centerfor their generous support over the years!
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18Celebrating 25 years Let us help you bring nature into your interior with a complimentary consultationRidgewood Designsridgewooddesigners.com
19Map of Garden Tour Stops1 1018 Farmington Avenue2 8 Garland Road3 11 Foot Path Lane4 113 Sunset Farm Road5 112 Balfour Drive 6 89 Robin Road718 Westwood RoadVisit gardens in any order you wish!
1Pop-up Garden Shop and Tour Information Center atSt. James’s Episcopal Church Open to the public, no ticket necessary. 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center2The Garden of Kathye Cipes8 Garland Road, West Hartford3The Garden of Roxanne Witmer-Dewitt11 Foot Path Lane, West Hartford4The Garden of Debbie Lynch113 Sunset Farm Road, West Hartford5The Garden of Joyce Leibert112 Balfour Drive, West Hartford (refreshments here)6The Garden of Maureen Gould89 Robin Road, West Hartford7The Garden of Joanne Eudy 18 Westwood Road, West Hartford (refreshments here)The six private gardens will require a ticket and are open to adults and children over 12. No pets please.West Hartford Garden Club Federated Garden Clubs Member since 1938The West Hartford Garden ClubSecret Gardens RevealedGarden TourJune 1, 2024 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMRain or Shine “Day of” tickets may be purchased at St. James’s Episcopal Church for $25