Garden Club Announces Garden of the Month

By Rosemary Shire,
The Garden Club of Westfield

The Garden Club of Westfield has chosen the outstanding garden of Carol and Christopher Carson at 643 Raymond St., Westfield as their June Garden of the Month.

Mrs. Carson has loved gardening since she was a child. Her garden has expanded over time and now occupies most of the property with only a small section of lawn remaining. Especially since her retirement, she has devoted much of her time to planting and cultivating her plants, which thrive under her care.

A low stone retaining wall creates two levels and a gravel path winds through the garden. A great variety of plants delight the eye through spring, summer and fall. Daffodils, irises, amsonia and alliums bring the garden to life in the spring. Later, peonies provide an exciting focal point of color.

A corner of the garden enchants with towering spikes of the cottage garden favorite foxglove in colors of purple, pink and yellow. Bees love their bell-shaped flowers. A beautiful clematis climbs on a wrought-iron fence. Golden yellow Stella d’Oro daylilies are in full bloom now. The myriad summer perennials include veronica, gaura, catmint, lamb’s ears, yarrow, salvia, penstemon and scabiosa.

More color is delivered by annuals such as lobelia, biden, cosmos, alyssum and snapdragons. Zinnias are just starting to bloom now and will be joined by dahlias to color the garden until frost. Shrubs include spirea, oak leaf hydrangea, holly and clethra. A stunning copper-colored Japanese maple tree occupies a central position.

Mrs. Carson also grows vegetables in her backyard and at the Madison Community Garden.

For further information, please contact the Garden Club of Westfield at gardenclubofwestfield@gmail.com. The club invites the community to follow it on www.facebook.com/TheGardenClubofWestfield.